Wondering how to get to Penghu? This quick guide sets out the easiest ways to get to Penghu, plus pro tips to reach the islands faster and hassle-free.

Penghu (澎湖) is the collective name for nearly 90 islands and islets located just off the western coast of Taiwan. This small group of islands is the perfect getaway for those looking to explore gorgeous white beaches or simply a change of scenery from the bustle of Taiwan’s city life.

Penghu is easily accessed by either plane or ferry from various areas across Taiwan. And, even if you can’t speak Chinese, planning a trip here is pretty straightforward. But, unlike traveling on the mainland, you would need to put in a bit more effort when it comes to planning your trip, especially the logistics. Which is where this guide will come in handy – we share the easiest ways to get to Penghu, plus pro tips which will help you plan the perfect short getaway. 

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Hassle-free Transport Methods

Penghu is easily accessible by plane of ferry. But, if you are pressed for time and want to maximise your time here, flying is the fastest way to reach these gorgeous islands. Especially seeing that most flights take less than one hour to Magong Airport. Alternatively, you could take a ferry which can be an adventure in itself. Ferries generally take about 1.5 – 4 hours depending on the port you are sailing from. 

Getting to Penghu By Plane

There are only two airlines that fly to Magong Airport (also spelled Makung, MZG) from various main hubs across Taiwan daily. Domestic flights take less than an hour and leave from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Kinmen. (See flight details below).  

Both Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air have English booking platforms allowing easy online booking. You could also pop into any local travel agency, such as Lion Air or EZ Travel to make bookings and buy tickets if you aren’t comfortable booking tickets online. On average, prices range between NT$3,000 – NT$5,000 depending on your travel dates. 

Flights to Magong Airport (MZG)

Route	Direct flights	Duration	Mandarin Airlines	Uni Air
TPE Songshan ↔ Penghu	10+ daily	±1h	√	√
Taichung ↔ Penghu	9 daily	±40m	√	√
Chiayi ↔ Penghu	2 daily	±30m		√
Tainan ↔ Penghu	4 daily	±30m		√
Kaohsiung ↔ Penghu	10+ daily	±40m	√	√
Kinmen ↔ Penghu	6 per week	±45m		√

Pro Tips

Just a tip though, if you are using the Mandarin Airlines online booking platform you might find that the name input field is not long enough – especially if you have a middle name or a longer surname. But, don’t worry, there is still a way to get around this. Simply phone their Customer Services on +886 2412 8008 to make your booking over the phone. Yes, this is possible! Afterward, you could either login to the website again to make the payment electronically or you could simply collect your tickets at an Ibon machine in any 7-11 nationwide.

If you can’t read Chinese, I recommend asking the 7-11 staff for help – they are usually super friendly and very helpful. Most of them can speak some basic English, too…but, it’s always a good idea to have the Google Translate app ready on your phone if you need a bit of help communicating.

Oh and remember to take your passport, as well as the flight numbers and booking number with you. Without these, you would not be able to redeem your tickets. Redeeming your tickets at 7-11 is super easy and only takes about 10 minutes. 

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Getting to Penghu By Ferry

If you want to take a more adventurous route, you might want to consider getting to Penghu via ferry. Ferry rides are considerably cheaper than flying and expect to pay less than NT$1000 depending on when and where you sail from. There are a number of ferries travelling to Magong Port (the main port in Penghu) daily, with more frequent ferries during the summer months (June – Aug). But keep in mind that schedules are totally dependant on the weather. So, be aware that your plans could change – especially during summer when Taiwan is prone to rain and typhoons. It’s also important to know that if you suffer from motion sickness, you might want to take some medication beforehand as the ride can get quite choppy.

The two easiest ferry rides to reach Penghu are from Kaohsiung (4 hours) and Chiayi (1.5 hours). Note though, that if you want to travel from Kaohsiung you’ll need to buy tickets directly from the harbor, where English ability might be limited. Therefore, unless you really want to take the four-hour ferry journey, I highly recommend taking the ferry from Chiayi as it will save a lot of traveling time and ultimately allow more time at the beach! Win, win, win!

So, even if you are based in Kaohsiung, simply hop on the high-speed rail (THSR, also referred to as HSR) at Zuoying to Chiayi from where you can transfer to Baidu Port and finally embark to Penghu. There are frequent THSR trains that run along the west coast of Taiwan and the journey between Kaohsiung and Chiayi only takes about 35 minutes.

If you are coming from Taipei, simply hop on a southbound train or THSR train to Chiayi (obviously much faster). The high speed rail from Taipei to Chiayi takes about 1.5 hours. Then, take the transfer bus to Budai Port (less than 1 hour).

Buying Chiayi Ferry Tickets

If you are planning to stay longer than 3 days (or less than 3 days – although I highly recommend staying longer), the best option to grab would be a One-Way Ferry Ticket from Chiayi to/from Penghu. By doing so, you can easily explore the main island and outer islands at your own pace. However, if your Taiwan itinerary is fixed and you only have three days available, the Round Trip Ferry Ticket from Chiayi to Penghu is undoubtedly your best bet.

No matter which ferry ticket you choose, it is however crucial that you purchase an option that includes a transfer between Chiayi (either from the train station of the HSR station) and Budai Port – so, remember to check the options carefully. Otherwise you will need to grab a taxi to the Budai Port which could add unnecessary travel costs.

Sailing Times from/to Chiayi

10:00am from Chiayi

4:00pm from Penghu

Pro Tips

• If you are prone to seasickness, remember to take some medication beforehand. 

• Remember to bring your passport or ID card.

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as ferry trips might be cancelled in cases of severe weather. 

• This probably goes without saying, but if you are booking tickets directly and not through this link, prices tend to increase a bit over weekends, holidays and special festivals, such as the Penghu International Fireworks Festival.

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When to go

The best times to visit Penghu are during spring (Mar – May) and autumn (Sept – Nov) when temperatures are milder. Expect hot and humid weather during summer (June – Aug) with showers and possibly a few typhoons.  Penghu is not great during the winter months (Dec – Feb), unless you want to try your hand at windsurfing. During spring and winter, droves of windsurfers head here to enjoy Penghu’s windy weather. 

What to do in Penghu

There are a bunch of cool things to do in Penghu and chances are that any short trip here will leave you wanting to come back for more. Penghu is home to stunning geological sites, glorious white beaches, great seafood and some of the best snorkelling and diving spots in Taiwan. Besides these,  Penghu also won’t disappoint culture seekers – drop by Taiwan’s oldest Mazu temple, Tianhou Temple, or explore the centuries-old Erkan Village. To learn more about what Penghu has to offer, be sure to check out our post highlighting the best things to do on the main island.

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Finally, don’t forget to grab your World Nomads travel insurance before going on any adventure. Although I’ve yet to make a claim, it’s always great to know that you are covered for any losses, injuries or cancellations.

So…

Have you visited Penghu yet? What tips do you have for fellow travellers wanting to explore Penghu? Or, if you have any suggestions on getting to Penghu easily, please share them in the comments below.

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