Starlux Launches Busan ↔ Taipei / Taichung June 2026 — Taiwan eSIM Guide
Starlux opens direct flights from Busan to Taipei (daily) and Taichung (3x/week) on June 1, 2026. Schedule, aircraft, and the Taiwan eSIM to install before you fly.
Published May 27, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Starlux Airlines launches direct flights between Busan and Taipei (daily) and Busan and Taichung (three times a week) on June 1, 2026. Flight time is about 2 hours 15 minutes on the Airbus A321neo. If you're flying from Busan to Taiwan this summer, here is the schedule, what is new, and the Taiwan eSIM to install before you board.
What is launching on June 1, 2026
Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines is opening two new routes from Busan's Gimhae International Airport:
- Busan ↔ Taipei (Taoyuan): Daily service. Departures from Taipei at 08:15 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 14:45 on the other days.
- Busan ↔ Taichung: Three times a week (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday). Departure from Taichung International at 08:10.
The Taichung route is the first direct service to Busan ever operated by a Taiwanese carrier — a meaningful new option for travelers heading to central Taiwan (Sun Moon Lake, Lukang Old Street, the Fengjia Night Market) without backtracking through Taipei.
Schedule and aircraft (2026)
| Route | Frequency | Departure (TW side) | Aircraft | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei → Busan | Daily | 08:15 Mon/Wed, 14:45 other days | A321neo | ~2h 15m |
| Taichung → Busan | Tue / Fri / Sun | 08:10 | A321neo | ~2h 15m |
| Busan → Taipei | Daily | — | A321neo | ~2h 15m |
| Busan → Taichung | Tue / Fri / Sun | — | A321neo | ~2h 15m |
What you need before you land in Taiwan
The single biggest pre-flight task travelers forget: data. Carrier roaming on a Korean SIM in Taiwan typically runs ₩10,000+ per day. Buying a SIM at Taoyuan or Taichung airport adds 20–40 minutes of queue time, often at English-only counters. A travel Taiwan eSIMsidesteps both — buy from Busan, install on hotel Wi-Fi the day before you fly, and your phone auto-connects to Chunghwa Telecom or Far EasTone as soon as you turn airplane mode off in Taipei or Taichung.
Browse our Taiwan eSIM plansfor typical 5–10 day Taipei + Taichung trips — most travelers do well with a 5 GB plan for under US$8.
FAQ
QCan I use my Korean SIM in Taiwan?
AYes, via roaming — but it's expensive. Expect ₩10,000–15,000 per day from KT, SKT, or LG U+. An eSIM is typically around 1/10 the cost.
QIs the airport eSIM kiosk faster than buying online?
ANo — pre-installing at home is faster. You walk off the plane with data already on. Airport SIM counters at Taoyuan T1 and Taichung commonly have 20+ minute queues during summer.
QDoes Naver Maps work in Taiwan?
ANo, Naver Maps only works inside Korea. Use Google Maps in Taiwan — coverage is excellent in Taipei, Taichung, and almost all tourist areas.
QCan I tether my laptop?
AYes, most Taiwan eSIM plans allow hotspot tethering. Useful for cafe work in Daan, Ximending, or along Taichung's Calligraphy Greenway.
Bottom line
The new Busan ↔ Taipei and Busan ↔ Taichung routes make Taiwan one of the easiest international weekend trips from Korea this summer — about 2h 15m each way on a modern A321neo. Lock in your flight, then install your Taiwan eSIM before you leave so you land already connected.