I booked a flight to Europe last month after seeing the writing on the wall. It was 32,000 NT then.
Talked to friend at the weekend who tried getting a ticket and struggled to find a direct flight below 60,000 NT. I re-checked the dates I’d booked. He’s right - they’ve doubled already.
I wonder how much higher they’ll go? Anyone else feeling the pinch?
That’s your issue. Not that many direct flights between Taiwan and Europe (I think less than 10 per day?). If you’re looking for direct flights to a specific city, it probably will be only a single route by a single airline.
Be open to change planes - then, prices will be much lower than 60k.
Of course, travel time will be a couple of hours longer (expect maybe 18h instead of 12h) - but personally, I don’t see the appeal of a direct flight for long distances when traveling economy…
Last week I saw flights (incl. return) for 32k. The catch, it has stopover in the middle east 
Long-term it will be more expensive due to fuel prices.
Actually most middle east airlines are back up to 70-80% of flights operating..
I booked 2 weeks ago for early May via China and it was like 12k ntd one way. Paying double back then for direct flights wasn’t worth it for me. 10 hours stopover in Shanghai so will go downtown..
But could have booked a little cheaper with Emirates so that would have been easier.
Cheapest cities from Taiwan are usually Milan and Vienna.
I’ve seen those much cheaper than 32k recently! 
If I check right now for next month, I still see plenty of offers for TPE<->FRA for less than or around USD 1k (excluding the Gulf Carriers):
Okay, change of airport in Shanghai is not great, and Air China / Turkish are worse than Emirates, but still; before paying NT$ 60k, I’d book those flights without hesitation (just changed my flight with Emirates in May to Turkish too…)…
Add destination as “Rail & Fly (QYG)” for just 5 NTD more per person one can use most of DB rail in all of Germany for one day (arrival and departure dates).
Might be even cheaper if you are flexible with the airports.
I haven’t really been able to figure out how to use this on flight comparison websites, sadly…
QYG works fine with CAL - but if I try to use it on other airlines’ websites, it usually won’t work (although they should also offer Rail&Fly in theory…) 
Actually Vienna and Milan right now with just 3-4h stopover in Beijing for May still selling at 400-500 Euro one way..
Yeah Emirates or Etihad are a little better Vs air China. Especially the online check in or air china never works but then isn’t needed.
The middle east airlines now are more expensive (except the budget ones but that’s really tough for a long flight plus with baggage evens out).
But yeah compared to pre war prices doubled. Last year I paid 600 Euro return on eva air and it was available this year too in that price range (I first wanted to continue to Nepal but cancelled due to fear of Nepal running out of jet fuel or gas so had to rebook.)
Yes, there are cheaper options. But I would not buy without the option to change date or cancel, which adds to the price.
700 Euro return to Malpena (Italy) in June, from Malpena Ryan Air to many cities is cheap.
The bug problem now is the lines immigration
That option might also be more or less useless if one needs to pay the fare difference when changing dates. So it might not work out to lock in a cheap flight and then change it that way. One might be stuck having to pay quite a premium for changing dates.
I had been planning a trip to the US for early fall when I saw this article about a hike in airline gasoline taxes effective April 7th.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6332468
I saw the article on the 6th so I immediately booked my tickets. Looks like I lucked out as I usually discover these things too late.
$4k NT isn’t exactly a dealbreaker. You can buy sandwich supplies at Walmart and save dining out money! 
It’s difficult getting back into the mindset of US restaurant prices+taxes+tips, especially in California. Sandwich making is pretty much necessary!
Honey baked ham and Muenster , on artisan wheat bread, baby! Can’t beat that!
True, although I hate the faff of changing planes if I can help it. On a 12 hour flight I’ll sleep 9 hours and watch a movie for the other 3. If indirect is half the price though then I’ll probably do that for my next trips if the direct flights remain sky high.
I envy those who can sleep on a plane like that!
Glad I booked my summer plans in early March before things got too crazy (prices had already gone up since February).
Haha, yep, looking at US - TYO and TPE flights for this summer. Etihad has some sweet deals connecting through AUH. 2x as long, but half the price! 
Guy
