No Airport MRT After Midnight? Skip Taxis and Buses with This Smart Hack to Get Home from Taoyuan Airport

As international travel continues to surge, more budget-conscious travelers are opting for late-night arrivals or early-morning departures—commonly known as 'red-eye flights'—to save on airfare. However, arriving at Taoyuan International Airport past midnight often means missing the last run of the Taoyuan Airport MRT (Airport捷運). Recently, a post on the social platform Threads sparked widespread discussion after a user asked how to get back to Taipei after a late-night landing. Is the only option to pay a premium for Uber or a taxi?

The post quickly went viral, prompting seasoned travelers to share their budget-friendly hacks for getting home after midnight. Beyond traditional bus transfers, one 'hidden gem' has been gaining massive traction: the car-sharing service URiDE.

How to Get Home After Missing the Last Airport MRT: 3 Popular Late-Night Options from Taoyuan Airport

Netizens have summarized several common transportation methods for travelers arriving at Taoyuan Airport late at night:

- Credit card airport pickup / queued taxis If your credit card includes airport transfer benefits, booking a ride in advance is the most convenient. Otherwise, simply hop on a queued taxi outside the terminal. The one-way fare from Taoyuan to central Taipei typically ranges from NT$800 to NT$1,000, with possible surcharges during nighttime hours.

- 24-hour Kuo-Kuang Bus (Route 1819) + shared scooters A favorite among budget travelers: take the 24-hour Kuo-Kuang Bus Route 1819 to Taipei Transfer Station for just over NT$100. Once in the city, switch to Uber or shared scooters like WeMo or GoShare to reach your final destination. When combined with the TPASS commuter monthly pass, this option can save nearly NT$1,000 in transportation costs.

- Car-sharing 'URiDE' with one-way rental (rent at A, return at B) A rising star in online discussions, many users call this option 'a game-changer'—once you try it, you won’t go back!

Insider Tip from Travel Experts: URiDE’s 'Rent & Return Anywhere' Starts at Just NT$79/hour

Among the suggestions, many netizens highly recommend the car-sharing service 'URiDE.' Experienced users say that whether you're heading to the airport or returning home late at night, as long as you can drive and are a registered member, you can use the 'Rent & Return Anywhere' (on-demand pickup and one-way return) feature.

For example, when departing, you can pick up a car from a city station, drive it to Taoyuan Airport, and return it at the 24-hour Doodoo Parking near Terminal 1. When returning to Taiwan, simply reserve a car at least 6 hours before landing, and after deplaning, head straight to the station across from the terminal to pick up your car and drive home—no more waiting around late at night.

According to official data, URiDE’s hourly rates vary by vehicle type and promotion, starting as low as NT$79 to NT$125 on weekdays. Compared to taxis or private transfers that easily exceed NT$1,000 per trip, this offers a highly flexible and cost-effective solution.

However, some users caution that while car-sharing is economical, it requires experience with night driving. Additionally, rates during holidays or long weekends are typically higher (around NT$168 to NT$185 per hour), and vehicles at the Taoyuan Airport station may be limited during peak times. Travelers planning to take red-eye flights are advised to plan and reserve in advance to ensure a smooth and safe journey home.