International Terminal (Terminal 1)

90-minute hops to Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai leave from TSA Terminal 1

Terminal 1 at Taipei Songshan is the international side of TSA, handling nearby routes for Mandarin Airlines, Uni Air, Japan Airlines, and China Airlines instead of Taiwan’s domestic network. Departures stay mostly within 2–3 hours, so the building feels sized for quick in-and-out rather than long-haul camping. All international flights use terminal code 1, with immigration and customs on the ground floor and gates upstairs.

Security and immigration for Terminal 1 sit just beyond the shared international check-in hall, which usually handles only a handful of departures at a time. Plan 20–30 minutes from check-in to the gate on a normal weekday morning; add extra buffer around the 08:00–09:00 and 18:00–20:00 banks when Japan Airlines and China Airlines flights cluster. Everything is post-security, so sort your JR Passes, cash, and any liquids before you head into the line.

On the check-in level, you get fast basics: a 7-Eleven for snacks under NT$100, a Bakery Counter with fresh bread from early morning, and a Mobile SIM and Accessories desk for last-minute eSIM or top-ups. The Books and Magazines Shop near the international counters stocks English and Japanese titles along with Taiwan guidebooks, which is handy if you’re about to board a Mandarin Airlines hop over to Okinawa.

Past immigration, food options spread along the compact concourse serving the international gates. Starbucks Coffee and Coffee Corner cover espresso and filter, with Starbucks pricing around NT$130–180 per drink. A Bubble Tea Kiosk and Tea House offer local-style milk tea and oolong before you board that Japan Airlines flight to Haneda, while the Juice Bar presses fruit to order if you want something lighter before a 2-hour sector.

For real meals, look for the Local · German-American restaurant and Mos Burger on the airside upper level, often open from around 06:00 until the last departure. Mos Burger covers rice burgers and fries at roughly NT$80–150, handy if you landed from Shanghai and need a quick bite before connecting out. A Subway branch fills the made-to-order sandwich slot, and the Sushi Counter near the gate area sells boxes typically under NT$250 for something lighter than a hot dish.

The Café Lounge Bar sits closer to the gates and straddles snacks and drinks, with simple pasta and rice dishes plus beer and basic cocktails. Prices run higher here than at 7-Eleven or the Bakery Counter, but it stays open through late-evening China Airlines departures. If you just want bottled water for the flight, grab it from 7-Eleven landside or the Duty Free Shop airside to avoid paying bar markup of NT$60–80 per bottle.

Shopping leans heavily on departures, with Ever Rich Duty Free and a second Duty Free Shop covering liquor, tobacco, and snacks. Cosmetics and perfumes sit in a separate section with travel sets lined up for China Airlines and Japan Airlines regulars. A Local Souvenir Kiosk and Handicrafts Boutique stock pineapple cakes, sun cakes, and small ceramics, useful if you forgot gifts before a Uni Air run to Fuzhou or Xiamen.

Electronics are split between an Electronics Store and an Electronics and Gadgets stand, where you can grab power banks and Taiwan plug adapters usually under NT$500. Adjacent, a Fashion Accessories Shop plus a Watch and Jewelry Shop carry mid-range brands more in line with a regional hub than a big long-haul airport. If you need a quick cable before boarding at Terminal 1 gate level, this is the last place to fix it.

Lounges cluster on the airside level in Terminal 1, with Lounge 1, Lounge 3, Lounge 5, and the VIP Common Use Lounge sharing the international passenger flow. Access usually comes via business-class tickets or paid entry through programs like Priority Pass; these rooms provide basic hot food, self-serve drinks, and standard seating rather than spa-style setups. Check your boarding pass, since some China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines premium passengers are directed to a specific numbered lounge.

For timing, remember that TSA has only two terminals (1 and 2), so transfers are short, but international flights at Terminal 1 still require full exit and re-entry procedures. Build at least 45 minutes from city MRT arrival at Songshan Airport Station to sitting at your gate in Terminal 1, and push that to an hour during evening peaks.