The national airline is China Airlines (CI) (website: www.china-airlines.com).

From Taipei to London is approximately 15 hours including a stop in Hong Kong, Bangkok or Tokyo.

Chiang Kai-shek-Taipei (TPE) is 40km (25 miles) south of the city (travel time - 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes for both Sung Shan (domestic) airport and the main railway station. Taxis and buses are available to the city centre. Facilities: Duty free shop, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, bar/restaurant and tourist information.
Kaohsiung International (KHH) (website: www.kia.gov.tw) is 9km (4 miles) from the town centre. To/from the airport: A regular bus service is available (travel time - 30 minutes). There is a taxi service to the town. Facilities: Duty free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, post office and bar/ restaurant.

None.

Main ports: Keelung and Kaohsiung (website: www.khb.gov.tw).
Ferries run regularly between Keelung and Kaohsiung ports (Taiwan) and Okinawa (Japan). There are also sea links between Kaosiung and Macau.

Far Eastern Air Transport (website: www.fat.com.tw), Mandarin Airlines (website: www.mandarin-airlines.com), Transasia Airways (website: www.tna.com.tw) and Uni Air (website: www.uniair.com.tw) are amongst the domestic airlines that run services to local destinations from Sung Shan Airport, Taipei.

There are currently connections between Keelung and Okinawa. Services are also available between Taiwan and the islets.

Services are provided to destinations all over the island by the Taiwan Railway Administration (website: www.railway.gov.tw). The main tourist routes are Taipei-Taichung-Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung (a top-class service), Taipei-Taichung-Sun Moon Lake (with the last leg of the journey by bus), Chiayi-Alishan (with spectacular mountain scenery) and Taipei-New Hualian-Taitung (scenic coastal route). Air-conditioned electric trains run at least hourly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; some trains have restaurant cars. Children under three travel free; children aged three to 13 pay half fare. Train tickets can be purchased at many major hotels in Taipei, as well as at the main railway station.

Traffic drives on the right. There is an adequate road system joining all major cities. A highway links Taipei and Kaohsiung. Some main streets have English signs. Congestion can be a problem, and mudslides may block mountain roads. Bus: There are both local and long-distance bus and coach services. Long-distant buses are provided by Guo-Guang Bus Corporation, Union Bus, Dragon Bus, Free Go Bus Corporation and Aloha Bus. Reserve tickets 14 days in advance of travel date. Travellers should not take illegal highway buses provided by unlicensed companies. Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are the main transferring stops. Taxi: These are plentiful and inexpensive (metered). Rates are charged at TWD70 for the first 1.5km and TWD5 for every 300m after that. A 20 per cent surcharge is charged 2300-0600. An extra TWD10 is needed for a taxi ordered over the phone and for luggage put in the trunk. The destination may have to be written in Chinese for the driver. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Car hire: This is available in major towns. Most rental fees do not include insurance. Seatbelts must be worn by the driver and the front seat passenger. Travellers are recommended to hire a car with a driver. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

A number of private bus companies provide extensive services in Taipei. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, a monorail train, serves Taipei and its suburbs. Open 0600-0000, there are currently five lines in operation with stations situated by all major tourist attractions. Ticket prices range from TWD20 to TWD65 and a day pass costs TWD150. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Taipei to other major cities/towns:

	Air	Road	Rail
Kaohsiung	0.40	5.30	4.40
Tainan	0.40	4.30	4.10
Taitung	0.50	10.00	5.30
Makung	0.40	-	-