Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 Taipei Airport Guide 2026
Taking a red-eye flight from Taipei? Learn how to ride the 24-hour Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 to Taoyuan Airport, even when the MRT is closed. Save money and stress!
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Taking a red-eye flight from Taipei? Learn how to ride the 24-hour Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 to Taoyuan Airport, even when the MRT is closed. Save money and stress!
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How to Ride the Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 from Taipei to Taoyuan Airport
Written & Photographed by Hi-Bubu
For budget-conscious travelers, booking late-night or early-morning flights out of Taipei is a fantastic way to save cash. However, navigating airport transfers during those red-eye hours can be a bit of a headache.
When the Taipei Airport MRT stops running, your options shrink. Luckily, there is an incredibly reliable and affordable 24-hour solution: the Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819.
In this guide, we will break down exactly how to catch the 1819 bus from downtown Taipei to Taoyuan International Airport, even in the middle of the night!
First, let us pinpoint where the station is, how to get your tickets, and where to board.
Map of Taipei Station Area
If it is your first time in Taipei, the main station area can be incredibly confusing. There are multiple transit hubs clustered together, making it easy to get lost.
To avoid getting turned around, search for 'Taipei Bus Station' on Google Maps. This is the official terminal for the Kuo-Kuang Bus.
We have included the exact address below so you can save it ahead of your trip.
📍 Taipei Bus Station
No. 209, Section 1, Shimin Blvd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Once you arrive at this entrance, head inside to the first floor.
If you arrive late at night—especially after 11:00 PM—you might notice that while the Kuo-Kuang counters are open, there are absolutely no staff members in sight.
Do not panic! We will show you exactly how to get your ticket anyway.
Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 Timetable
Kuo-Kuang Bus Fares
Even if the counters are empty, the schedules and platform numbers are clearly displayed.
During standard daytime hours, the 1819 bus runs every 40 minutes. However, during the peak late-night window from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM, the frequency increases to every 20 minutes to accommodate the rush of travelers heading to early flights.
Because red-eye flights are so popular, these late-night buses can fill up quickly. We highly recommend arriving with plenty of time to spare.
If you cannot buy a ticket at counters 15 through 20 on the ground floor, take the escalator up to the 4th floor and head straight to Platform 409 (which shares space with 410).
The station has excellent English signage on the floors and walls, making it incredibly easy to navigate.
When you arrive at the platform, you will find a staff member stationed there. You can purchase your ticket directly from them!
A one-way adult ticket costs 133 TWD (about ~$4), making this an incredibly cost-effective transit option.
We got incredibly lucky and snagged the very last two seats on the bus just one minute before departure.
To avoid this kind of stress, we highly recommend knowing the station layout in advance. Even better, book a round-trip ticket online beforehand and exchange it for physical tickets when you first arrive at the airport (this saves you about ~$1!).
▼ Book Your Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 Round-Trip Ticket Here ▼
The Kuo-Kuang bus features a spacious under-carriage luggage compartment for your suitcases, and the seats inside are plush and highly comfortable. The legroom is generous enough that even taller travelers will have a relaxing ride.
The journey to Taoyuan Airport takes only about 40 minutes under late-night traffic conditions, making it quick and seamless.
And there you have it! The absolute best way to travel from downtown Taipei to Taoyuan Airport during the off-hours.
If you are taking a late-night flight, the Kuo-Kuang 1819 bus is easily your most reliable budget option. Just remember that many flights depart around the same time, so aim for an earlier bus than you think you need to guarantee a spot.
Safe travels on your journey home!
▼ Looking to travel by MRT instead during daytime hours? ▼
How to Take the Airport MRT from Taipei Main Station: Guide & Timetable
You can search for 'Taipei Bus Station' on Google Maps and go there. Once inside the first floor of the building, you can purchase a ticket at counters 15 to 20.
If there is no staff at the 1st-floor counter, you can go directly to boarding gate 409 located on the 4th floor. You can buy a ticket directly from the staff in front of boarding gate 409.
It runs every 40 minutes from morning to daytime, and every 20 minutes from 10 PM to 2 AM. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the airport after boarding the bus.
The one-way adult fare is 133 TWD, which is ~$4. If you book a round-trip ticket in advance and exchange it at the airport, it is ~$1 cheaper.
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