Kaohsiung International Airport

Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) serves Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city and main southern port. Located just 6 km from the city center, it's one of Asia's most conveniently located airports.

The airport has domestic and international terminals that are connected and easy to navigate. KHH primarily handles regional Asian routes and domestic flights; most long-haul international flights use Taipei Taoyuan (TPE).

Key airlines: China Airlines, EVA Air, Mandarin Airlines, Starlux, AirAsia, Tiger Air Taiwan, and various Asian carriers including connections to Japan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and mainland China.

KHH's city-center location is excellent:

• To Kaohsiung Main Station: 6 km, 15-20 minutes
• To Zuoying HSR Station: 12 km, 20-25 minutes
• To Liuhe Night Market: 5 km, 15 minutes
• To Pier-2 Art Center: 8 km, 20 minutes

Uber operates in Kaohsiung.

• To city center: TWD 200-300 (~$6-10 USD)
• To Zuoying HSR: TWD 350-450

Taxis available outside arrivals:

• Metered rates, reliable
• Similar pricing to Uber
• No need to negotiate—meters are used

Kaohsiung MRT (Recommended)

The Kaohsiung MRT Red Line connects directly to the airport:

• Station: Kaohsiung International Airport (R4)
• To Kaohsiung Main Station (R11): 15 minutes, TWD 35 (~$1.10)
• To Zuoying HSR Station (R16): 25 minutes, TWD 45
• Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes
• Hours: 06:00-00:00

The MRT is clean, efficient, and connects to all major attractions.

Bus

Airport buses available but MRT is more convenient.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Underground	TWD 400/day	Terminal adjacent
Outdoor	TWD 300/day	Short walk

Affordable parking.

KHH has modest dining:

Terminal:

• Cafés and quick-service restaurants
• Taiwanese snacks
• International chains

Options are limited—eat in the city before arriving or upon arrival.

Network: KHH Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• Easy connection

SIM cards available from:

• Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone counters
• Prices: TWD 300-500 for tourist SIM with data

Taiwan has excellent 4G coverage.

ATMs available in terminal.

Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Approximately 32 TWD = 1 USD.

Tip: Taiwan is increasingly cashless, but night markets and small vendors prefer cash.

Airside:

• Duty-free (limited selection)
• Taiwanese snacks and souvenirs
• Pineapple cakes (famous Taiwanese souvenir)

VIP Lounge

• Location: International departures
• Access: Business class, Priority Pass, or walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Airline Lounges

• China Airlines and EVA Air maintain lounges for premium passengers

With the MRT connection, most visitors stay in central Kaohsiung. Airport hotels unnecessary given proximity.

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's vibrant southern city—warmer weather, excellent food, harbor views, and a more relaxed pace than Taipei:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Pier-2 Art Center: 20 min—warehouses converted to art spaces, cafés, sculptures
• Liuhe Night Market: 15 min—famous night market, seafood, local snacks
• Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: 30 min—iconic Lotus Pond temples
• Cijin Island: 30 min—ferry ride to beach, seafood, lighthouse
• Fo Guang Shan: 60 min—enormous Buddhist monastery complex
• Dome of Light (Formosa Boulevard Station): 15 min—world's largest glass artwork

Day trips:

• Kenting National Park: 2 hours—Taiwan's tropical beach resort area
• Tainan: 45 min by HSR—Taiwan's oldest city, temples, history
• Alishan: 3 hours—mountain railway, tea, sunrise

Kaohsiung food:

• Night market cuisine: Liuhe and Ruifeng markets
• Milkfish: Kaohsiung specialty—congee, soup, various preparations
• Papaya milk: Street drink, refreshing
• Seafood: Fresh from the harbor, especially at Cijin Island
• Dan dan noodles: Taiwanese interpretation, different from Sichuan

Local tips:

• Weather: Subtropical—hot and humid much of the year; winter is pleasant
• MRT: Clean, efficient, English signage—use it
• Rent a YouBike: Excellent bike-share system for exploring
• Love River: Evening strolls, boat rides, riverside cafés
• Cijin Island ferry: Cheap (TWD 40), scenic, fun excursion
• Less tourist-oriented than Taipei—feels more authentically Taiwanese
• HSR to Taipei: 90 minutes—easy day trip or connection
• Temple culture: Kaohsiung has elaborate temples; Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are must-see
• Pier-2: Great for photos, street art, indie shops