Cheap Flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to Taipei (TPE)

Non-stop service from San Francisco to Taipei is available daily with EVA Air, United and China Airlines. Cathay Pacific has some added one-stop service that usually has a 1.5 to 2 hour layover in Hong Kong. Just about all of these flights will land at Taiwan Taoyuan International, which is about 20 miles south of Taipei.

San Francisco International Airport Departure Information

You can reach SFO with public transit from San Francisco or anywhere on the peninsula as far south as San Jose. The BART rail system has a stop directly at the airport, and if you are coming from points south of the airport you can take the CalTrain rail system to a direct connection to the BART at Millbrae station.

SFO has a wide variety of dining options scattered about the facility. You can find nearly any type of cuisine you'd like at the airport. Some of the top choices include dim sum at the Koi Palace, Asian fusion meals at the Go Bistro, wine and light bites at Vino Volo, diner fare at the Union Street Gastropub and fresh seafood at Yankee Pier.

Unlimited free WiFi is available throughout the facility - look for the "#SFO FREE" connections. Each connection has a four-hour timer, but you can simply start a new session at the end of the previous one.

Preparing to Arrive at Taipei's Airports

As mentioned, nearly all of the flights out of SFO land at Taiwan Taoyuan International. This airport has a wide variety of food aimed at both Eastern and Western tastes. The more Western-style eateries include Pian Piano Italian Restaurant and D3 Bar. Japanese food is available from Tokyo Curry, Ichiban Ramen and Saboten Japanese Cutlet. If you want authentic Taiwanese-style food there are over a dozen options including Aoba Shokudo, Hsinchu Hai Rei and Cloud Sun Wonton.

The airport is well connected to area public transit. A rail stop is available at the airport that connects to the high-speed MRT system, and there are also many Taoyuan Metro bus connections. If you need a rental car, service is available at the airport from Avis, IWS, Hotai, Carplus, Pony and Chailease.

Free WiFi is available at the airport from the government-provided Taipei Free service, which is also available at many other points throughout the metro area.

Things to do in Taipei

Taipei is a great destination for hiking, cultural sight-seeing, relaxing at the hot springs, and shopping. Some can't-miss sights to see are the National Palace Museum, the Lungshuan Temple, Fort San Domingo, and the Confucius Temple. Shopping centers include Tamsui Old Street, the night markets at Shilin and Raohe Street, Snake Alley and Shifen Old Street. Visitors with children might consider the Taipei Children's Amusement Park. And if you're interested in visiting one-of-a-kind museums, don't miss the Miniatures Museum and the Museum of Drinking Water.