London to Taipei is a long-haul route with one genuine non-stop option and a wide field of cheaper one-stop connections. China Airlines flies direct from Heathrow in around 13½ hours, while carriers routing through Asia or the Gulf usually undercut the fare. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return looks like in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LHR) → Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
Distance: approximately 9,780 km (6,075 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 13h 30m – 13h 50m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — China Airlines flies non-stop from Heathrow (around five times a week). EVA Air serves London too, but via Bangkok; one-stop itineraries are usually the cheapest.
Fares from London to Taipei (GBP)
Taiwan is a year-round destination, but fares track its calendar closely. Chinese New Year (late January or February) and the summer school holidays are the busiest and priciest; autumn and late spring bring the best weather and softer fares. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high (Lunar New Year) |
| February | high |
| March | medium |
| April | medium |
| May | low-medium |
| June | medium |
| July | high (summer holidays) |
| August | high |
| September | low |
| October | medium (best weather) |
| November | low |
| December | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a strong one-stop return lands around £390–£450, a typical fair price is roughly £500, and anything under about £460 is worth booking quickly. The China Airlines non-stop usually starts higher, around £570–£650 outside the peak weeks.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 13½ hours):
- China Airlines — the only true non-stop, Heathrow → Taipei Taoyuan, roughly five days a week on a widebody.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 16–20 hours total):
- EVA Air via Bangkok — well-rated 5-star economy; the same flight number carries on to Taipei after a stop in Bangkok.
- Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong — frequent, smooth connections and a strong onward network to Taipei.
- Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha — competitive fares and reliable Gulf-hub connections.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Singapore Airlines via Singapore — often among the lowest headline fares.
Because the one-stop carriers compete hard, they usually undercut the non-stop by £80–£180. If time matters most, book China Airlines direct; if price is the priority, a single stop through Hong Kong, Bangkok or the Gulf is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Taipei rarely fall in the final weeks.
- Avoid Lunar New Year (late January/February) and the July–August school holidays, when both demand and fares peak.
- Target autumn or late spring — September to November and May offer the mildest weather and the softest fares.
- Watch the typhoon season (roughly July–September): storms are usually short-lived, but keep some slack in tight connections.
- Compare all-in prices including bags: full-service carriers to Taipei generally include 25–30 kg checked, but the cheapest “light” fares may not.
Arriving in Taipei
Almost all international flights land at Taoyuan International (TPE), about 40 km west of central Taipei. The fastest way in is the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station (around 40–50 minutes on the express service, roughly £3–£4). A metered taxi to the centre costs about £25–£35 and takes 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. A handful of regional and domestic flights use the smaller Songshan (TSA) airport, right in the city — check which one your ticket uses.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Taipei?
The non-stop flight with China Airlines takes about 13 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 50 minutes eastbound (London to Taipei). One-stop itineraries through Hong Kong, Bangkok, Dubai or Istanbul typically take 16 to 20 hours in total, depending on the layover.
Are there direct flights from London to Taipei?
Yes. China Airlines flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan, roughly five times a week. EVA Air also serves London but routes via Bangkok, so it is not a true non-stop. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines are usually cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Taipei?
A typical economy return runs about £450–£650 depending on the season. The best one-stop deals dip to around £390–£450, usually in spring or autumn, while the non-stop and the December and Lunar New Year peaks sit toward the top of that range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Taipei?
May, September and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid Lunar New Year (late January/February), the July–August summer holidays and the Christmas peak, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Taipei?
Non-stop: China Airlines from Heathrow. One-stop: EVA Air (via Bangkok), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), which are often competitive on price.
Which airport do I fly into in Taipei?
You arrive at Taoyuan International (TPE), Taipei’s main international gateway, about 40 km west of the city. A small number of regional flights use Songshan (TSA) in the city centre, so check your ticket before arranging onward transport.
How far in advance should I book London to Taipei flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Taipei tend to rise as departure approaches, particularly around Lunar New Year, the summer holidays and Christmas, so early booking almost always wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays save a little on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to trim the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
