Route Briefing: Amsterdam to Taipei
Flying from Amsterdam to Taipei is one of those routes that rewards the traveller who plans ahead. At around eleven and a half hours with a stop, it's a long haul, but the payoff on the other end is a city that genuinely earns its reputation as one of Asia's most exciting urban destinations. EVA Air and China Airlines both serve this route and are well regarded for their service standards on long-haul flights, while KLM offers the familiarity of a Dutch carrier if you prefer to start your journey feeling at home.
Taipei is the kind of place that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go. The skyline is anchored by Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building and still a genuinely impressive sight, but the real soul of the city lives at street level. The night markets — Shilin being the most famous — are a full sensory experience, with stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, oyster omelettes, and of course bubble tea available at every turn. Beyond the food, the city offers extraordinary temple culture, world-class museums including the National Palace Museum with its vast collection of Chinese imperial artefacts, and easy access to Beitou, a hot spring district that feels like a complete escape from the urban buzz.
From Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, the city is well connected by the Airport MRT, which runs directly into central Taipei and is fast, affordable, and straightforward to navigate even with luggage. It's one of the most stress-free airport transfers in Asia.
Timing your trip matters here. July and August are peak season, with warm and humid weather and busy crowds. Chinese New Year, typically falling in January or February, is a spectacular cultural experience but expect higher fares and packed attractions. For the sweet spot of pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and better prices, the shoulder months of spring and autumn are hard to beat.
On the money side, a roundtrip fare under $700 is genuinely good value for this route — standard pricing pushes well past $1,000. Booking three to six months out gives you the best shot at those lower fares, and travelling mid-week while avoiding Taiwanese public holidays can shave a meaningful amount off the standard price. Taipei itself is remarkably affordable once you arrive, so getting the flight right is where the real savings game is played.