Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Taiwan

Direct flight routes to Taiwan

Non-stop flights from Australasia to Taiwan are limited but available from major cities.

• Sydney (SYD) to Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines – 9h 30m


• Brisbane (BNE) to Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines – 9h 15m


• Melbourne (MEL) to Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines – 9h 45m

Layover/stopover options

Hong Kong (HKG) – Primary hub for Cathay Pacific. Average connection time of 2-3 hours. Efficient transit process and excellent shopping facilities.

Singapore (SIN) – Hub for Singapore Airlines. Typical connections of 3-4 hours. Features the renowned Changi Airport with free city tours for longer layovers.

Manila (MNL) – Philippine Airlines hub. Connection times average 3-5 hours. More affordable options but less streamlined transit experience.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command a premium of 20-30% over routes with stops. One-stop connections through major Asian hubs often offer the best balance between travel time and cost.

Tips and recommendations

• China Airlines often offers better direct flight deals during Taiwan’s off-peak season (October-March).


• Layovers in Singapore or Hong Kong under 24 hours don’t require transit visas for most nationalities.


• Multi-city bookings with intentional stopovers can cost the same as regular connecting flights if booked through the same airline alliance.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the lowest fares, especially on routes through Singapore.


• Consider the season – typhoon season (June-October) can affect flight reliability on this route.

• China Airlines offers direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Taipei with competitive Premium Economy fares often 20% below market average. Their A350 Premium Economy features 40-inch pitch seats and a dedicated cabin of just 24 seats. The carrier frequently runs sales during off-peak seasons (February-April), with round-trip fares dropping below AUD 1,200.
• Scoot provides ultra-low-cost options via Singapore from Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney to Taipei. While requiring a layover, total journey costs can be 40% lower than direct flights, and their 787 ScootPlus cabin offers 38-inch pitch seats at Premium Economy prices.
• Philippine Airlines operates fifth-freedom routes from Sydney and Melbourne to Taipei via Manila, often priced 25% below direct competitors. Their A330s feature recently upgraded Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and personal entertainment systems, making the longer routing more comfortable.
• EVA Air’s partnership with Virgin Australia allows seamless connections from regional Australian cities through Brisbane or Sydney to Taipei. Their Economy class offers industry-leading 33-inch seat pitch on Boeing 787s, and codeshare flights often match direct flight prices while offering more departure options.
• JAL and ANA offer competitive through-fares from Auckland to Taipei via Tokyo, with total journey times under 15 hours. Both carriers feature premium service standards even in Economy, and their joint venture with Qantas means frequent flyer benefits apply across the entire journey.

1. Booking only direct flights Many travelers overlook convenient one-stop options via Hong Kong or Singapore that can be significantly cheaper than direct flights to Taipei while offering better departure times and quality airlines.
2. Choosing wrong arrival airport Some travelers mistakenly book flights to Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) instead of Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), not realizing that Songshan mainly serves domestic routes and has limited international connections from Southeast Asia only.
3. Flying during Lunar New Year Booking flights during Chinese New Year period (usually January-February) means dealing with extremely high fares and fully booked flights as this is the peak travel season for the Taiwanese diaspora returning home.
4. Missing connection time requirements When booking separate tickets via Southeast Asian hubs, travelers often don’t allow enough connection time (minimum 3 hours recommended) to clear immigration and transfer between terminals, especially in busy airports like Singapore Changi.
5. Late-night arrival planning Scheduling flights that arrive in Taipei after midnight means limited public transportation options to the city and higher taxi fares, as the airport express train stops running around 11 PM.

China Airlines

Best for: Most extensive direct flight network from Australasia to Taiwan.

Operates from 4 cities in the region (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland) to Taipei. Known for consistently good service and comfortable Economy seats with 32-inch pitch. Their latest A350s feature modern amenities including large personal screens and quality entertainment. Meals blend Asian and Western cuisines with above-average portion sizes. Passenger ratings consistently hover around 4/5 for Economy Class experience.

EVA Air

Best for: Superior onboard service quality and cleanliness standards.

Serves 3 cities (Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland) with flights to Taipei. Recognized for excellent cabin cleanliness and attentive crew service. Economy Class offers comfortable seats with 32-33 inch pitch and quality amenity kits. Their meal service receives high praise for authentic Taiwanese options. Consistently rated 4.5/5 by passengers for overall Economy experience.

Cathay Pacific

Best for: Efficient connections through Hong Kong hub with multiple daily frequencies.

Operates from 6 cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland) with short layovers in Hong Kong. Economy Class features comfortable seats with 32-inch pitch and high-quality entertainment systems. Meals are consistently good, with both Western and Asian options. Multiple daily connections provide flexibility for travelers. Average passenger rating is 4/5.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Premium Economy Class experience at competitive prices.

Serves 7 cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland) with connections via Singapore. Known for excellent service standards and generous 32-inch seat pitch in Economy. Their terminal at Changi Airport offers excellent layover facilities. Meals are highly rated, with Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook service available even in Economy on select routes. Passenger satisfaction consistently rates 4.5/5.

Using regional airlines for cheaper flights to Taiwan

Smart travelers from Australia and New Zealand can save significantly on flights to Taiwan by leveraging regional Asian carriers instead of booking direct routes. This strategy requires more planning but often results in substantial savings.

The key is breaking your journey into segments using major Asian hubs. Here are the most effective approaches:

1. Low-cost carrier combination: Book separate tickets with budget airlines like Jetstar or Scoot to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, then connect to Taiwan using carriers like AirAsia or Tigerair.
2. Manila stopover: Consider routing through the Philippines using Cebu Pacific, which often offers competitive rates to Taipei from Manila.
3. Japanese connection: During low seasons, combining flights through Tokyo or Osaka using carriers like Peach Aviation can yield savings of up to 40% compared to direct flights.

To maximize this strategy, book 3-4 months ahead and be flexible with dates. Remember to allow ample connection time between flights when booking separate tickets, and factor in potential baggage fees which budget carriers charge separately.

While this approach requires more effort, savings can often exceed $300-400 per round trip compared to traditional direct routing.