Route Briefing: Denver to Taipei
Denver sits a mile above sea level, but Taipei sits at the intersection of ancient tradition and neon-lit modernity — and that contrast alone makes this 16-and-a-half-hour journey one of the most rewarding long-hauls you can book out of DEN. Yes, it's a big commitment of time and miles, but Taiwan rewards the effort in ways that genuinely surprise first-timers.
On the fare side, anything under $700 roundtrip is a genuine steal on this route, and it happens more often than you'd expect if you're strategic. Standard pricing runs $1,000 to $1,400 or more, so the savings potential is real. EVA Air and China Airlines are your best bets — both carriers connect through their respective hubs and consistently undercut the competition, especially when you book three to six months out. Flying midweek rather than on weekends can shave another 10 to 15 percent off the ticket price, which is meaningful money on a transatlantic-length haul. United also serves the route if you're chasing miles or status perks.
Once you land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, getting into central Taipei is straightforward and affordable. The Airport MRT connects the terminal directly to Taipei Main Station in under 40 minutes — it's clean, reliable, and one of the smoothest airport rail connections in Asia. Skip the taxi queue on arrival and take the train; you'll thank yourself.
Taipei itself is a city that earns its reputation as one of Asia's great food destinations. The night markets — Shilin and Raohe among the most famous — are essential, not optional. Stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, oyster vermicelli, and the original bubble tea (Taiwan invented it) are all waiting for you within walking distance of most neighborhoods. Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building, remains a genuine spectacle both day and night, and the Beitou district offers hot spring bathing that feels worlds away from the city buzz just a short metro ride north.
Timing matters here. Peak season runs June through August and again during late December into early January, when prices and crowds both spike. If you can travel in spring or autumn, you'll find more comfortable temperatures and better fare availability. The shoulder months are genuinely ideal for this destination.
One tip that transforms the experience: get an EasyCard on arrival. It works across the metro, buses, and even some convenience stores, and it makes navigating Taipei feel effortless from day one. Denver to Taipei is a long flight, but it's the kind of distance that feels earned once you're standing in a night market at midnight eating something extraordinary.