Kaohsiung airport is only 6 km from downtown, so transport costs are among the lowest you will find at any international airport.
Cost breakdown by destination
| Destination | MRT (TWD) | Taxi (TWD) | Private Transfer (TWD) | EUR estimate | |-------------|----------|-----------|----------------------|-------------| | Kaohsiung Main Station | 35 | 200–280 | 600–800 | 1–23 | | Love River / Yancheng | 30 | 180–260 | 550–750 | 0.85–22 | | Pier-2 Art Center | 35 | 200–300 | 600–850 | 1–25 | | Zuoying HSR Station | 40 | 350–500 | 800–1,100 | 1.15–32 | | Cijin Island (ferry) | 35 | 250–350 | 650–900 | 1–26 | | Sanduo Shopping area | 25 | 150–220 | 500–700 | 0.70–20 | | Kenting | N/A | 2,500–3,500 | 3,000–4,000 | 72–116 |
The MRT fare covers the entire route to any station on the Red Line. From there, you can transfer to the Orange Line for free within 30 minutes using an EasyCard.
Why Kaohsiung is so affordable
The airport's proximity to the city means even taxi fares rarely exceed 350 TWD (~10 EUR) for central destinations. The MRT at 25–40 TWD is essentially free by European or American standards.
There is no airport surcharge on taxis. The meter starts at 85 TWD and increases at a reasonable rate. A 20% night surcharge applies between 11 PM and 6 AM, adding only 40–70 TWD to typical fares.
When does a private transfer make sense?
For central Kaohsiung, a private transfer is a premium convenience rather than a necessity. The MRT and taxis are so good that most solo travelers and couples will not need one.
A private transfer becomes practical for:
- Kenting trips (90 km south, 3,000–4,000 TWD) where the fixed price and door-to-door service justify the cost
- Families with car seats since taxis do not provide them
- Large groups with too much luggage for a standard taxi
- Late arrivals past midnight when the MRT has stopped
EasyCard savings
Buy an EasyCard at any MRT station for 100 TWD (deposit, refundable). It gives you a discount on MRT and bus fares and works at convenience stores, supermarkets, and many restaurants.