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

Direct flight routes to Taiwan

Currently there are very limited non-stop flight options between Europe and Taiwan.

• Amsterdam (AMS) to Taipei (TPE) – KLM – 12h 30m


• London (LHR) to Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines – 13h 15m


• Frankfurt (FRA) to Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines – 12h 45m


• Vienna (VIE) to Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air – 12h 30m

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering convenient connections with average layover times of 3-4 hours. Modern airport with excellent shopping facilities and lounges. Multiple daily flights to major European cities.

Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific’s base with frequent connections to Taipei. Typical layover 2-3 hours. Efficient transit process and excellent airport facilities.

Bangkok (BKK) – Thai Airways hub with good connections to Taiwan. Average connection time 3 hours. Affordable airport hotels for longer layovers.

Seoul (ICN) – Korean Air and Asiana Airlines hub. Efficient transit with average 2-hour connections. Free transit tours available for longer layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command a premium of 20-30% over connecting flights. Layover options through Middle Eastern or Asian hubs often offer better value, especially during peak seasons.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layover flights through a single airline alliance to ensure protected connections and through-checked baggage.


• Consider overnight layovers in Dubai or Bangkok to break up long journeys – many airlines offer free hotel stays.


• Flights with 6-8 hour layovers often price lower than those with shorter connections.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the best rates for both direct and connecting flights.


• During Chinese New Year and summer peak season, direct flights sell out months in advance.

• EVA Air’s Vienna hub offers some of Europe’s lowest fares to Taipei, averaging 15-20% below other European departure points. The airline operates Boeing 787-9s with a generous 32-inch pitch in economy, featuring enhanced humidity systems that reduce jet lag. Service launched in October 2023 with 4x weekly frequencies.
• Flying via Helsinki on Finnair provides excellent value, particularly when booking 3-4 months ahead with their advance purchase fares. Their A350 aircraft feature 31-inch pitch and 18-inch width seats in economy, among the widest to Asia. The northern route means shorter flight times – just 9 hours to their Seoul hub, then 2.5 hours to Taipei.
• Turkish Airlines offers competitive connections through Istanbul with fares typically 25% lower than direct flights from major European hubs. Their extensive European network means you can start from smaller cities like Bremen or Cluj with minimal layovers. Their new Terminal-Istanbul hub reduces connection times to under 2 hours.
• China Airlines’ Amsterdam-Taipei route regularly features promotional fares in their Premium Economy cabin for just €200 more than economy. Their A350-900 aircraft offer a spacious 2-4-2 configuration in Premium Economy with 39-inch pitch and enhanced meal service. This route maintains consistent pricing year-round, unlike other European departures that spike during summer.
• For last-minute bookings, consider Qatar Airways via Doha which maintains steady pricing even close to departure dates. Their extensive European network connects 45 cities to Taipei, with particularly good deals from secondary airports like Nice and Venice. The airline’s new QSuite-equipped Boeing 787-9s are being deployed on more European routes in 2024, offering superior comfort even in economy.

1. Ignoring alternative transit hubs Many travelers default to transiting through Hong Kong or Singapore while missing potentially cheaper and more convenient options via Seoul Incheon, Bangkok, or Dubai.
2. Booking flights to TPE instead of TSA For travelers heading to central Taipei, Songshan Airport (TSA) offers direct downtown access, while Taoyuan International (TPE) requires a 45-minute train or longer bus journey.
3. Flying during Chinese New Year Booking flights during late January or early February often leads to extremely high fares and fully booked flights as this is Taiwan’s busiest travel period.
4. Last-minute booking during typhoon season Waiting to book flights during July to September can result in both higher fares and increased risk of weather-related disruptions without flexible booking options.
5. Missing out on airline alliances benefits Travelers often book the cheapest fare without considering that flying with China Airlines (SkyTeam) or EVA Air (Star Alliance) can earn valuable miles for European frequent flyer programs.

EVA Air

Best for: Most direct flights from Europe with superior service quality and comfort in Economy Class.

Operating from 6 European cities (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Milan, Munich) to Taipei, EVA Air offers excellent seat pitch of 32-33 inches and high-quality entertainment systems. Their Economy Class is known for serving premium meals with both Western and Asian options. The airline maintains a consistent 4.5/5 passenger rating for their Europe-Taiwan routes, with particularly high scores for cleanliness and staff service.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most flexible connection options and competitive prices via Istanbul hub.

Serving over 30 European cities with connections to Taipei through Istanbul, with London, Paris, and Frankfurt being the busiest routes. Their Economy Class offers 31-inch seat pitch and highly rated catering service with Turkish and international cuisine. Average layover time in Istanbul is 4-6 hours, and passengers consistently rate their experience 4.3/5, particularly praising the meal quality and entertainment options.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Premium Economy Class experience at regular Economy prices.

Operating from 15 European cities (mainly London, Paris, Frankfurt) via Doha to Taipei. Qatar Airways stands out with their generous 32-inch seat pitch and award-winning service. Their Economy Class passengers enjoy complimentary amenity kits and superior entertainment systems. The airline maintains a 4.7/5 rating on Europe-Asia routes, with exceptional scores for cabin crew service and aircraft cleanliness.

Emirates

Best for: Entertainment options and generous baggage allowance in Economy Class.

Connecting 12 European cities (primarily London, Paris, Munich) to Taipei via Dubai. Emirates offers 32-inch seat pitch and the largest seatback screens in Economy Class. Passengers get 30kg baggage allowance as standard, and the airline’s ice entertainment system provides over 4,500 channels. Their Europe-Taiwan routes consistently receive 4.4/5 ratings, with entertainment and meal quality being the highest-rated aspects.

Smart routing to Taiwan using Asian carriers

Flying from Europe to Taiwan doesn’t have to break the bank if you leverage regional Asian carriers strategically. The key is breaking up your journey into two segments: getting to a major Asian hub first, then connecting to Taipei.

Major Asian hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, or Manila often serve as excellent gateway points, offering competitive fares from European cities. From these locations, budget carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, or Cebu Pacific frequently run routes to Taiwan at significantly lower prices than direct flights.

1. Primary money-saving tactics:
   – Book separate tickets: one to the hub, one to Taipei
   – Allow 24-hour layover buffer for safety
   – Consider multiple hub options for best deals
2. Best hub airports:
   – Bangkok (BKK)
   – Singapore (SIN)
   – Manila (MNL)
   – Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
3. Recommended budget carriers:
   – AirAsia (from KUL)
   – Scoot (from SIN)
   – NokScoot (from BKK)
   – Cebu Pacific (from MNL)

This strategy can save 30-40% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings, especially during peak seasons.