This was posted 4 months 5 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Cathay Pacific Taipei Return via HK: Melbourne fr $828, Sydney fr $854, Brisbane fr $852, Perth fr $845

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Cathay Pacific Taipei Return via HK: Melbourne fr $828, Sydney fr $854, Brisbane fr $852, Perth fr $845
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Time has come on 17/08/2024 - 15:03 flights.cathaypacific.com (3834 clicks)
Last edited 19/08/2024 - 15:40 by 1 other user

I came across these Cathay Pacific specials on flights to Taipei (TPE) and Kaohsiung (KHH) in Taiwan from $828 return.

Departing Melbourne (MEL), Sydney (SYD), Perth (PER) and Brisbane (BNE).

Some are daytime flights with quick transfers in HK — a nice option compared with China Airlines pricey direct flights that go overnight and arrive at 5am.

Bookings until 31 August 2024 11:59pm (AEST).

Departures from now until 30 June 2025.

Check-in baggage: Economy Class: Light 23kg per piece, maximum 1 piece.

Travel Airfare Asia China Hong Kong Instagrampost Taipei Taiwan

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closed Comments

  • Dr Fruit on 17/08/2024 - 16:29

    Anyway to do a stopover for a couple of days in Hong Kong on either leg?

    • markis10 on 17/08/2024 - 16:39
      +3

      Book it as a multicity ex Australia - Taipei - Hong Kong - Australia, should price the same

  • 87percent on 17/08/2024 - 16:52
    +43

    If you haven’t been, Taiwan is like if you take the best parts of Japan, HK, and maybe China, and combine them into a country. One of my favourite holiday destinations

    • belongsinforums on 17/08/2024 - 17:35

      What is worth seeing there?

      • daowiies on 17/08/2024 - 17:39
        +2

        Do a tour group. They have some amazing natural sceneries, from mountain ranges, beaches, temples and food all worth seeing/trying at least once. Might require a bit of language skill to get around if you don't have a tour group, but it's totally worth it.

          • daowiies on 17/08/2024 - 17:49

            @belongsinforums: I did the popular stuff same as you but plus the the tour which was more into the indigenous culture + temples. But I suppose if you've done a trip already there's probably better places to visit unless you're returning for an event like Computex or something.

      • hippo2s on 17/08/2024 - 20:21
        +4
        1. if you wanna see real quality chinese antiques (yeah like all the genuine best artifacts are in tw, not in west taiwan)
        2. if you wanna see modern city hustle and bustle - can't beat taipei 101 and surrounding
        3. night markets
        4. nature, mountains, ocean, topical, rice paddies, hot springs
        5. fruits and good
        6. real chinese culture (temples, art)
        7. sports (lively baseball league there), great place for cyclists, search for KOM
        8. metro & high speed train that works…(more like the japanese level of service)
        9. old railway into the mountains (thanks Japan)…
        10. food.

        I highly recommend visiting the southern parts, Tainan (old capital, for history and culture and food), Kaoshiung for the modern side, art and sports.

        • sicaboy on 17/08/2024 - 21:28
          +2

          Taiwan, west Taiwan? Australia, West Australia?

        • theebargainer on 17/08/2024 - 21:41

          cringe

      • Optimus Subprime on 17/08/2024 - 22:17
        +10

        Go to the West Coast to experience the culture and hustle of bustle of cities and very very very nice welcoming people. You can go to the famous Alishan mountain from Chiayi city to see 5000 year old trees and the Sea of Clouds at the top of the mountain, and to Sun Moon Lake via Taichung.

        Go to the East Coast to experience, very fresh and delicious seafood (affordable), the scenery and the beautiful coast and some mountains.
        No need to worry about food because it is literally everywhere, and the worse case scenario is to get your lunch or dinner at a convenience store (7 Eleven or Family Mart) literally in the middle of nowhere, such as in the mountain. There's three main (small) cities on the east coast, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

        Taiwan is a place so convenient that you do not have to plan anything to visit if you don't have time. You could literally arrive there, use Google Maps and go wherever you've decided to go on that day because majority places are reachable within 1-1.5 hour by most modes of transport.

        I highly recommend looking at the Taiwan Tourism website, which is very well made and gives you specific info about each specific place to visit.
        It pretty much has everything you need:
        https://eng.taiwan.net.tw

        I've been to Taiwan a lot of times, I still haven't seen everything yet, and still love it. Can't recommend enough.
        Great & almost too nice people (very friendly to foreigners), amazing food, stunning nature and scenery, extremely convenient.
        You just feel very free and welcome over there :)

        Highly recommend to experience the food culture, there's a huge variety and not so pricey.
        A safe and great choice to do that if not familiar with asian food is to go to Michelin Bib Gourmand rated restaurants in every city:
        https://guide.michelin.com/cz/en/taipei-region/taipei/restau…

        https://guide.michelin.com/ca/en/article/features/the-bib-go…
        MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND
        Since 1955, the guide has also highlighted restaurants offering exceptionally good food at moderate prices, a feature now called Bib Gourmand.
        The restaurants must offer menu items priced below a maximum determined by local standards.

        You could also get 20% off always on discount as a foreigner visiting Taiwan on their HSR (High Speed Train), as long as you book one day in advance.

        There's also a lot of experiences, restaurant vouchers and tours you could book on Klook, which are quite affordable (compared to Japan or South Korea I'd say). You can also buy your train and HSR tickets, and SIM cards, pocket wifi, rent a scooter/car etc…
        I've used it many times and always pre-book unlimited data sim cards which you can pick-up at any airport upon landing.

        https://www.klook.com/coureg/14-taiwan-things-to-do/

        I've recommended 5+ friends over the years who've all been, totally loved it and all want to go back!
        I can also vouch for most foreigners' experiences that they share about Taiwan on YouTube, as I've had the same positive experiences as them.

        • hippo2s on 18/08/2024 - 11:23
          +1

          yes, klook is the most popular app to use when looking for tours over in TW. make sure you book ahead.

      • Last Seen on 18/08/2024 - 10:22

        The night markets of Taipei and Keelung, in particular, are superb for food. Did a few walking tours as well, which I'd highly recommend.
        Jioufen was interesting if a bit touristy. Rode the Shinkansen a few times. I only scratched the surface of Taiwan and loved it.

        All depends on what you travel for. For me it's food centric experiences, then scenery. One of my favourite foodie experiences happened when I was walking home after a tour and saw a bunch of taxi drivers eating at a roadside restaurant, next to the taxi depot. Huge cauldrons of braised meat, soups and a flaming hot wok on the go. Enjoyed some amazing, inexpensive food and had interesting conversations with locals.

        • belongsinforums on 18/08/2024 - 10:36
          -4

          eh the night markets are 40% cheaply made clothes/phone cases, 55% overpriced food/food poisoning waiting to happen and 5% decently priced, safe food. also 100% a crowd crushing disaster waiting to happen. much better experiences eating at one of those late night breakfast places

    • princesszeldachechen on 17/08/2024 - 18:22
      +9

      that's too exaggerating when you include the best of japan.

      • sicaboy on 17/08/2024 - 21:30

        Agreed. They are very different. Just like comparing US to UK

        • twig on 18/08/2024 - 08:55
          +1

          Basically choosing between getting shot or stabbed

    • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 19:10
      +6

      I had so high hopes, but left disappointed. Just my personal experience. I would not go back unless I go with a friend who speaks and reads Chinese.

      If you are Asian, solo traveller and don't speak Mandarin, basically you will have a difficult time - it is not designed for international travellers (English signage etc.), and I didn't feel any friendly vibes from locals / shop keepers at all.

      Initially they would just assume you are just another local Taiwanese or mainland Chinese tourist (they seem to the main tourists), and generally seemed very annoyed after finding out that I, of Asian descent, couldn't speak Mandarin so that they they had to bother to resort to their broken English… and the vibe was just dismissive / "sigh not going to bother with English"

      You may find the "friendly" stereotype to be true of you appear foreign (not Asian), and will have a better time with friends who can speak Mandarin / read signage.

      Personally enjoyed the museums in Taipei (though most signage in the museums are not in english but in Chinese or even Japanese), and the hot pools (many around the country). Night markets were a miss, nothing compared to Singapore for example and I wasn't a fan of the food. Was interesting learning about Taiwan's history and it's relations with its neighbours.

      • nephilim on 17/08/2024 - 19:37

        Similar thing, we enjoyed Taiwan but wasn't blown away. We did a 7 day around the country bus trip and 7 days solo. Even on the bus trip, most of the tourist places were Buddhist shrines.

      • Imnuts7 on 17/08/2024 - 19:37
        -2

        Not true. I'm Chinese and old ladies there handed me snacks on the bus and unsolicited advice, but I do speak the language.

        • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 19:44
          +1

          Not true.

          ?

          My experience is "true" my friend. My personal experience. I don't know what you did to get unsolicited advice and snacks from old ladies.

          And like you said, you speak the language, so we obviously would have had vastly different experiences in a country where there is barely any English.

          • Imnuts7 on 17/08/2024 - 19:45
            -1

            @smartProverble: …I did nothing except look like a tourist. Just because they didn't seem friendly to you doesn't mean they aren't that way towards other Asians.

            • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 19:48

              @Imnuts7: Oh ok. Well I not have that experience.

              It wasn't just a one off unfriendly experience either in the 2 weeks. Maybe I just don't "look like a tourist".

              Speaking the language would absolutely go a long way.

              • Imnuts7 on 17/08/2024 - 20:03

                @smartProverble: Agree. Before travelling to a country that speaks a different language, I strive to learn as much of the local language(s) as possible. Duolingo is a good start.

          • Chumpmaster on 17/08/2024 - 19:55
            +3

            @smartProverble: I found the people there are generally warm and more helpful compared to other Asian countries. If you think their English is not up to par wait till you go to Japan.

            • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 20:02
              -2

              @Chumpmaster: Glad you had great time.

              Still doesn't discount my experience (solo Asian male traveller who can't speak the language). I'd go again but only with a mate who speaks Mandarin.

              English is nowhere near up to par. Even the Multiple hostels I stayed at did not have English speaking staff, catering only for local or mainland tourists, and we had to use Google Translate or they bought in another guest who had some command of English.

              Anyways I'll end here. Visit Taiwan people and see for yourself if you want. Personally I did not enjoy it, maybe you will.

      • DeepPocketsShortArms on 17/08/2024 - 19:41
        +2

        I also had high hopes of Taiwan but left rather unimpressed. It all seemed a little dull to me.

        • TightAl on 17/08/2024 - 20:33

          Going to Taiwan soon, watched many many vlogs and nothing really jumps out at me.
          The nightmarkets seem repetitive.. will see how we go..

        • hippo2s on 17/08/2024 - 20:37

          Interested to hear where did you go, what did you do?

      • lainey13 on 21/08/2024 - 01:02

        Haha, I got that a lot in Hong Kong. The biggest eye rolls when they yelled at me in Chinese and I would shrug back…

    • DeepPocketsShortArms on 17/08/2024 - 19:36
      +1

      It's nothing like the best bits of Japan, far from it. It's a much less interesting than Japan.

    • A9z4444 on 17/08/2024 - 20:12
      +2

      Better be mindful of the wording "country", MSS of CCP are around ozb lol

  • drprox on 17/08/2024 - 16:55
    +1

    I really want to get to Taiwan but not ready just yet. Nice solid deal though

  • Imnuts7 on 17/08/2024 - 17:02
    +14

    Don't forget the tourism lottery! 5000 NTD ~ $250, so public transport covered for the entirety at least! https://5000.taiwan.net.tw/index_en.html

    • dhoa on 17/08/2024 - 17:43

      This is a great tip

  • Bluey123 on 17/08/2024 - 17:27
    +1

    Hows Taiwan with a baby?

    • Chumpmaster on 17/08/2024 - 18:18

      Metro lines are super convenient in Taipei, the east district of Taipei is modern and has a lot of foot paths. Although ditch the pram if you want to go night markets

    • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 19:58
      +1

      Public transport is very good generally but will leave you very confused without Google Maps, as they is basically no English signage anywhere.

      If you can't read Chinese, basically forget the bus, and just rely on as much trains as possible. They are clean and efficient, as good as the ones I've ridden in Singapore, Seoul… And honestly, Sydney's doesn't compare badly either, we have it relatively good. Just buy a prepaid travel card (forgot the name), like a Opal card, and use it to get around.

    • hornbill on 17/08/2024 - 22:05

      I’ve been there and planning to head back for first time with a baby but dreading it. I remember footpaths just ending, cars not respecting pedestrians and dodging scooters and little stalls on sidewalk. I’m thinking will be hard getting around with a pram. And that’s just in Taipei.
      Will prob be well looked after in establishments though as locals very friendly.

  • Asti on 17/08/2024 - 17:35
    +2

    Can I just go to HK for that price? LUL

  • vash12 on 17/08/2024 - 17:48

    Discount fares during school holidays or xmas/NY ?

    • Aesir5 on 17/08/2024 - 21:01

      Also think this would be great to know too in the deal for airfares.

    • roby21 on 17/08/2024 - 22:48

      I panic checked the dates I'd booked last week with China airways at basically double the price. Looks like those holiday dates aren't included in the sale!

  • yanlianglee on 17/08/2024 - 17:57
    +2

    Taiwan is a good country, unlike China

    • hippo2s on 17/08/2024 - 18:46
      -2

      sad thing is that you have to transit via HK… which gives them to power to search, detain and inspect your computer, phone etc.

      Personally…i'd avoid.

      • aztecian on 17/08/2024 - 19:15
        -2

        good point, pass then. wait for deals from china airline even if it costs more

        • hippo2s on 17/08/2024 - 20:26
          -2

          go via KL or SG or direct, i prefer to go low cost airline anyway.

      • viper8548 on 17/08/2024 - 21:04

        i’m pretty sure you don’t leave the airport (ie customs) if you are just transferring

        • slight on 18/08/2024 - 23:32
          +1

          Unfortunately for transit you do. Don't have to pick up your checkin, but there is a secondary pass for carryon.

        • hippo2s on 19/08/2024 - 19:11
          -2

          Custom (stamping), Custom security (when entering 'border') and airport security are all different things.

          Unfortunately the way the legislation is worded it is unclear who has the power to detain, confiscate any one or any article as long as they have suspicion. The more scary thing is you think there is 'law' that will govern what happens to you/your device? that is until you don't have access to anyone or any thing to help you when you are detained.

          And yes…last time i was there, there definitely WAS security boarding a transit flight (Cathy, HK->KHH). I remember very clearly as i had to lose my $7 bottle of Evian without taking a sip!

      • Eeples on 17/08/2024 - 21:15
        +2

        Surely this is just anti-China propaganda x4.

      • donotbspls on 17/08/2024 - 21:31

        I just pass through HK to KL and they don’t care to check anything. All countries have the right to check but they don’t do it most of the time…

      • hornbill on 17/08/2024 - 22:09

        Agreed, Taiwan has warned their citizens not to visit due to recent PRC law that can detain and even execute Taiwanese “separatists”. Not sure if this applies to non Taiwanese people’s socials if they check but who wants to find out?

        • Eeples on 18/08/2024 - 17:06
          +1

          How can you be not sure?

          All countries can check your phone etc.

      • TightAl on 18/08/2024 - 09:51
        +1

        Corporates travel into HK everyday for business and have no issues, but listen to this absolutely nobody honky ozbargainers anti china rhetoric lmao

        • hippo2s on 19/08/2024 - 19:15
          -3

          wow you FIFO into HK 'everyday'? i take it there is a bit of exaggeration.

          appreciate that most people transit thru fine. But do you really want to be caught because of a notebook you have includes a map that shows TW using same font as other countries?

          https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Cod…

          it's all fine until it happens to you.

          everyone is a grown up - you decide what to do with your money. fly thru HK, cool. avoid HK, good too.

          • TightAl on 19/08/2024 - 21:44
            +1

            @hippo2s: You think there aren't hundreds of people travelling into HK for business everyday? (I never said I did, nor did i mention FIFO - perhaps some proof reading might help you).
            But apparently a tightarse on ozbargainer is a major threat. Lmao. You literally just wrote, don't transit via HK. Make up your mind Joshua.

            • hippo2s on 19/08/2024 - 23:18

              @TightAl: oh sorry, i read your comment as in you do it. Fair enough.

    • fvalemus on 17/08/2024 - 18:59
      +2

      Your government recognises Taiwan as a country, no?

    • smartProverble on 17/08/2024 - 19:12

      🍿

    • aztecian on 17/08/2024 - 19:15
      -1

      Yep, planning to take my kids there to see what REAL Chinese culture is like there, without worrying about being abducted

      • hornbill on 17/08/2024 - 22:17
        -1

        And as much as people see Taiwan as Chinese there are a very diverse mix of cultures and people. As well as the Han Taiwanese and the ROC exile background there are Hakka and also many indigenous groups. More SE Asian communities establishing there lately.
        Indigenous groups being the ancestors of Polynesian people who spread out across pacific and down through Philippines. Then colonised repeatedly by Dutch, Spanish, Qing, Japanese and ROC.

  • Eeples on 17/08/2024 - 18:35
    +7

    Thanks OP booked. Paid $877 for late March.

    SYD->Taipai (9 nights in Taiwan)
    KAOHSIUNG -> HKG (2 nights) [paid $24 extra to get 11.20am flight]
    HKG->SYD

    All day flights.

    • Time has come on 17/08/2024 - 19:15

      Sounds great! Well worth paying a bit extra for day flights.

      I'm interested to use Kaohsiung airport myself as it's so close to the city.

  • Talsek on 17/08/2024 - 21:20
    +1

    I already have a trip booked with Cathay for HK return but thinking of hopping out to Taiwan/Japan for the second half of the trip.

    Mostly interested in theme parks, night life +wildlife/nature stuff if the commute isnt too hard. Taiwan has always been a bucket list destination but not sure if its worth going if we're already spending a couple days in HK..

    • hippo2s on 17/08/2024 - 22:27

      errr… TW doesn't have much going in terms of theme parks. What it has in spades is nature, culture and food.

      For nature. If you get the opportunity, go on a tour across the Taroko National Park. Jade Mountain. Eastern side of W.

      • markis10 on 18/08/2024 - 00:47

        Taiwan has plenty of theme parks, both old and new. Sure there is no Disneyland style setup but places like Window on World Theme Park (小人國主題樂園), Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村主題遊樂園) and Little Ding-Dong Science Theme Park (小叮噹科學主題樂園生活大師會館) are worth a day each, and don’t have Disney price tags either.

      • belongsinforums on 18/08/2024 - 10:37
        -1

        taroko was a yawn fest when i went

  • Blokeinhisundies on 18/08/2024 - 01:46

    Great prices.

    I went to Taiwan earlier this year for ten days or so and while I had a good time it wasn't somewhere that blew me away. If you like nature and scenery there is plenty of that to be had close to Taipei or further afield. Taroko gorge is supposed to fantastic but I went the week after the huge earthquake and the park was closed. I found Taipei itself to be a bit older and run down feeling with all the buildings looking like they needed a good power wash lol.

    Public transport (excluding buses) was easy to navigate with English signage, cheap fares and got you most places easily. Can also use your transport card to pay in other shops and convenience stores. The high speed rail down the west coast makes it super easy to go all the way down the southern end of the island for a day trip if you wanted to.

    I can not read or speak Mandarin but I had no real trouble getting around. Most tourist spots and the bigger night markets had staff who could speak enough English to work out what you wanted. Younger people are much more likely to speak English but I didn't have any big problems getting around or doing what I wanted. When I was there I saw hardly any western tourists at all. People were all friendly as well.

    You can do a lot of stuff from Taipei as the island is small and transport is pretty good. Places like Shifen and Juifen (supposedly inspiration for Spirited Away) or Wulai are pretty popular although Juifen can get packed on weekends.

    Food was good and fairly cheap but the night markets do have a lot of the same stalls which can get boring quickly.

    Safety wise, I felt 100% safe even when I got lost after several beers and ended up at a bus depot in New Taipei one night lol. I just wandered around until I found the nearest MRT station and made my way back to the hotel. My 30min bus ride turned into a two hour journey but I never had any concerns about my safety. I also didn't encounter anyone trying to rip me off even where it was obvious I couldn't speak or read the language.

    I'd recommend it as a destination if you want to go somewhere less travelled. It's not bad, it's just bang average I guess.

    • Time has come on 18/08/2024 - 08:52

      That's a really good honest assessment. Sometimes it gets over hyped and often gets compared to Japan, which it's only a tiny bit like — its Chinese origins are far more obvious.

      For me, the feeling of safety, respectful and nice people, the cheap food and transport, the compactness, and the relatively beautiful mountain environment make it a one-of-a-kind place where I enjoy spending a bit of time and feel welcome.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2024 - 16:33
        +1

        For me, the feeling of safety, respectful and nice people, the cheap food and transport, the compactness, and the relatively beautiful mountain environment make it a one-of-a-kind place where I enjoy spending a bit of time and feel welcome.

        Sums it up.

        One additional point, anything western influenced, be prepared to pay. A$8-10 for a barista made coffee.

        • Time has come on 18/08/2024 - 18:24

          I left my Australian coffee snobbery at home and went with Family Mart coffee for about AU$3. It's freshly brewed, available all over Taiwan and does the job:)

          • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2024 - 20:43

            @Time has come: I ventured into the coffee scene in TPE. They are closer to Japanese boutique style.

  • hippo2s on 18/08/2024 - 11:37
    +1

    I feel this is a great representation of the variety of things to see & do in TW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFfIz8YaqfU

    I am biased, I am from Anping ;)

  • karkashian on 18/08/2024 - 21:00
    -6

    Isn’t it Chinese Taipei

    • hippo2s on 19/08/2024 - 19:18

      That's used in Olympic/sports related settings. The more commonly known name is Taiwan. The official name is Republic of China. The slang is TaiwanNumbaWon. The CCP name for the island is Taiwan Province. The old Dutch name is Formosa.

  • fgfash on 19/08/2024 - 11:45

    Went to Taiwan in March.. absolutely loved it.
    Day 1- Taoyuan Airport HSR straight to Chaiyi, from Chaiyi I took a bus to Alishan
    Day 2- Watched sunrise at Alishan, there is a train to take you to the sunrise viewing platform
    Day 3- Tainan, (it was actually lots of fun, just inconvenient because there is no metro trains there. Only bus or cab…
    Day 5- Taipei (So so convenient, can get to everywhere via metro trains)

    • Time has come on 19/08/2024 - 13:09

      Nice trip!

      Any tips for the bus to Alishan? How full was it?

      I'm doing Shizhao instead but it's on the Alishan bus route.

      • fgfash on 20/08/2024 - 15:27
        +1

        You can pre-book.. there is a forum by Nick Kembel.. it is very detailed and teaches you how to pre-book the bus tickets and collect from the familymart in Chaiyi station. Bus was about half full on the way up and very very full on the way down..

    • Resist deal on 19/08/2024 - 17:20

      What's there to do in Tainan that you would recommend?

      • hippo2s on 19/08/2024 - 19:22

        Born in Anping. Are you kidding? Tainan is the heart of TW (true/old capital).|

        https://taiwanstartshere.com/tainan-travel-guide/
        https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g293912-Activitie…

        Anping castle/fort, Tree house/old street district, the fish noodle shop run by my uncle, TW's first street (where my grandparents lived - and i played) ;)

        BTW both 10,000th 7-Eleven in Asia (down the road from mum's) and the biggest 7-Eleven in Taiwan are both in Tainan. Yeah that's a thing for me.

        Chimei Museum is worth a full day (if you are into art and sculptures).

        PM me if you need help on what to do around Anping.

  • Krayzii on 27/08/2024 - 18:23

    How are you guys finding these prices? I clicked on the link, searched random dates and they are all like $1k+

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