Taiwan sits in a blind spot. Most people book Japan or Thailand; Taiwan rarely makes the shortlist. That's reflected in the price. Air China flies from London to Taipei with one stop, from £368 return. One of Asia's best food cities, mountain gorges a short train ride away, and a night market scene that runs until 2am.
✈️ The deal
- From: London, UK
- To: Taipei, Taiwan
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop
- Price: £368–£399 return
- When: November 2026–March 2027
Example dates:
16/11/2026 – 30/11/2026
17/11/2026 – 30/11/2026
01/12/2026 – 16/12/2026
04/12/2026 – 24/12/2026
06/01/2027 – 21/01/2027
12/01/2027 – 21/01/2027
02/03/2027 – 24/03/2027
💰 How far does your money go?
Taipei is genuinely cheap. A bowl of beef noodles at a local spot costs around £5. A cup of bubble tea from a street stall is about £1.30. Two cups cost less than a single pint in London. A full sit-down meal at a neighbourhood restaurant is £5–6. Your daily food budget can stay under £20 and you won't feel like you're cutting corners.
☀️ The weather
November is one of the best months to visit. Temperatures sit around 22–24°C with low humidity and minimal rain. December cools to 12–18°C, comfortable for exploring the city on foot with a light jacket. January averages around 16°C and tends to be drier than spring. March starts warming again with highs of 18–20°C, though some rain returns as the season changes. None of these months are beach weather, but for city exploring, hiking and getting out into the mountains, they are ideal.
🏨 Where to stay
Taipei covers a lot of ground. Ximending is central and lively; Da An is calmer and residential.
Dandy Hotel Tianmu — 8.2/10 · From £40/night
Clean, well-connected budget hotel with metro access and honest value. Popular with independent travellers for good reason.
Kimpton Da An Taipei — 8.8/10 · From £115/night
A stylish IHG property in one of Taipei's most liveable neighbourhoods, with a rooftop pool and one of the city's best breakfast spreads.
Mandarin Oriental Taipei — 9.1/10 · From £275/night
Consistently the top-rated hotel in the city on Booking.com. Central, exceptional service, and a spa worth building a day around.
🎯 What to do
Taipei rewards walking, eating and staying out late.
Shilin Night Market — The largest night market in the city. Hundreds of stalls, Taiwanese snacks at every turn, and the best atmosphere after 9pm.
Taipei 101 Observatory — The city's most iconic viewpoint. The world's fastest lift takes you to the 89th floor indoor deck, or the open 91st floor for 360-degree views.
Elephant Mountain hike — A short, steep 20-minute climb from the metro, with one of the best views of the Taipei 101 skyline from the hillside above.
Longshan Temple — Taipei's most significant temple, most alive at night when ceremonies are underway and incense smoke fills the air.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Taiwan is small enough to explore properly in a week. Taipei is just the start.
Jiufen — A hillside old town 1.5 hours by bus, with lantern-lit alleyways, teahouses and views over the coast. Often described as the real-life inspiration for Spirited Away.
Taroko Gorge — One of Asia's most striking landscapes. A dramatic marble gorge on the east coast, reached by train from Taipei in around 2.5 hours.
Sun Moon Lake — Taiwan's largest lake, three hours south by high-speed rail. Lakeshore cycling, tea plantations and a much slower pace than the capital.
Taichung — Taiwan's second city, one hour from Taipei on the high-speed rail. Good food, a growing arts scene and a more relaxed version of city life.
Air China fills quickly when prices are this low from London. Check availability before the window closes.
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