Flight to Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's great southern port, a warm and easy-going city where container ships, cycling paths and old warehouse districts share the same harbour front. It is one of Taiwan's largest cities and a relaxed alternative to Taipei, with its own metro, beaches a short ferry ride away and a strong street-food culture. Booking a flight to Kaohsiung puts you straight into the south, which is handy if you also want to explore Tainan, Kenting or the mountain villages of Pingtung without doubling back from the north.

About Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)

Location

Kaohsiung International Airport sits in Siaogang (Xiaogang) District, on the southern side of the city and close to the coast. Because it lies inside the urban area rather than out in the countryside, the ride into central Kaohsiung is short compared with many Asian gateways.

Terminals

The airport has an international terminal and a domestic terminal, set next to each other and connected on foot. International arrivals from Singapore use the international building. If you are catching a separate domestic hop to one of Taiwan's outlying islands, follow the signs to the domestic side and allow extra time for check-in and security.

Getting to and from the airport

The Kaohsiung MRT Red Line has its own Kaohsiung International Airport station, linked directly to the terminals, and it runs north through the city centre towards Zuoying, where you can change to the high-speed rail. Metered taxis wait outside arrivals, ride-hailing apps work in the city, and car rental counters are available if you plan to drive down to the southern coast.

Direct and connecting flights to Kaohsiung

Nonstop services between Changi and Kaohsiung may be available on some schedules, while other itineraries connect through hubs in Taiwan or elsewhere in East and Southeast Asia. In the Traveloka search results, use the Direct filter to show only nonstop options, then sort by departure time or price to find the schedule that suits you.

Kaohsiung International Airport is the only major airport serving the city. If the flight times do not work, some travellers fly into Taipei instead and ride the high-speed rail down to Zuoying, so it is worth comparing both approaches before you book, especially if your trip covers the whole island.

When to fly to Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung has a tropical climate and is warm for most of the year. The wet season runs roughly from May to September, bringing heavy afternoon downpours and the chance of typhoons, which can delay or cancel flights. The drier months from about October to April are the most comfortable for sightseeing, with sunny days and mild evenings that are ideal for night markets and harbour walks.

From Singapore, demand tends to rise during the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year, when Taiwan also celebrates the Lunar New Year and domestic travel gets busy. Booking early for those windows, or shifting your dates by a few days, usually helps. The fare chart on this page shows how prices have moved across the year, and a Price Alert will tell you when fares for your dates change.

Popular places in Kaohsiung

Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

This lake in Zuoying is ringed with temples and pavilions. The twin Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are the best known: walk in through the dragon's mouth and out through the tiger's for good luck, then climb up for views across the water.

Pier-2 Art Center

Old harbour warehouses in Yancheng have been turned into galleries, studios, cafés and outdoor sculpture spaces. The light rail loops past the area, and it is a pleasant place to cycle along the waterfront at sunset.

Cijin Island

A short ferry ride from Gushan takes you to Cijin, a narrow island with a black-sand beach, a hilltop lighthouse, an old fort and a long street of seafood stalls. Renting a bicycle is the easiest way to get around.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

In Dashu District, inland from the city, this large Buddhist complex is known for its giant seated Buddha, long avenue of pagodas and calm gardens. It makes a good half-day trip by bus or taxi.

Formosa Boulevard and the Dome of Light

Formosa Boulevard metro station, where the Red and Orange lines meet, is famous for its huge glass-art ceiling. It is worth a stop even if you are only changing trains.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung

Sinsing and Cianjin, around Formosa Boulevard station, are central, well connected by metro and full of restaurants and shopping. Yancheng and the harbour area near Pier-2 suit travellers who like galleries and waterfront walks. Zuoying, in the north, is practical if you are arriving or leaving by high-speed rail and want to be near Lotus Pond. Lingya, with its tall towers and department stores, is a good pick for city views and shopping, and all of these areas are straightforward to reach from the airport on the Red Line.

Food to try in Kaohsiung

Cijin seafood

Pick your fish, prawns or squid from the ice at one of Cijin's street restaurants and have it grilled, steamed or stir-fried on the spot.

Papaya milk

Southern Taiwan grows plenty of papaya, and a thick, cold papaya milk from a street stall is a Kaohsiung classic on a hot afternoon.

Oyster omelette

A night-market staple of eggs, small oysters and leafy greens bound with a starchy batter and topped with a sweet-savoury sauce.

Braised pork rice

Finely chopped pork belly simmered in soy and spices, spooned over rice. Simple, cheap and found almost everywhere, from night markets to neighbourhood diners.

Ready to head south? Compare flights to Kaohsiung on Traveloka, pick a nonstop or connecting option that suits your schedule, and save the night markets for your first evening.