0) General Advice:
For the most convenient way of transportation it is a good idea to buy an EasyCard. It is a cashless, prepaid system that you can use to pay your fare on any metro, bus, and local train service. You can also use it to pay at convenience strores. You can top up your EasyCard at convenience stores and any MRT station using cash.
You can chose to not buy an EasyCard but be prepared that when using public transportation you need to pay the excact fare in cash (for busses usually 15NTD or 30NTD; for Taipei MRT between 20NTD and 65NTD; for Taoyuan MRT (airport) usually 160NTD).
1) Getting to Academia Sinica from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Airport Code: TPE):
- By Metro + Taxi or Bus:
The easiest way to get to Taipei City from the Airport is to take Taoyuan Metro. To continue to Academia Sinica you need to switch to the MRT Blue Line (Banqiao-Nangang Line) at “Taipei Main Station”. On the Blue Line get off at the terminal stop "Nangang Exhibition Center Station". Then you can walk out from the station from Exit No 5 and take either a taxi to Academia Sinica for about 150 NTD, or go cross the street to take bus route 212, 270, 276, 306, 620, 645 to the "Academia Sinica Stop".
- By Taxi:
Taxis queue outside the Arrival Halls of both Terminal I and Terminal II of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Typical fare to Taipei downtown is around 1,100 NTD. From TPE, you also may take a taxi directly to Academia Sinica for around 1,700 NTD. Duration of the ride: about 60 minutes in moderate traffic. At night time prices are higher.
2) Getting to Academia Sinica from Songshan Airport (Airport code: TSA):
- By MRT + City Bus:
Take Taipei MRT Wenhu Line(Brown Line) from "Songshan Airport Station" to "Nangang Exhibition Center Station"(the last stop) , get out from Exit No. 5 and then cross the street for bus route 212, 270, 276, 306, 620, 645, get off at "Academia Sinica Stop".
- By Taxi:
The taxi charges by meter. Typical fare from Songshan Airport to Academia Sinica is around 500 NTD. Duration of the ride: about 30 minutes in moderate traffic.
