Taiwan Outlying Islands
How to Get Around Taiwan Outlying Islands
Getting Around
Flying is the normal way. Uni Air, Mandarin and others fly to Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island and Orchid Island from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Taitung. Flights are short, cheap and frequently cancelled for wind or fog, particularly to Matsu in spring and to the eastern islands in summer.
Ferries serve Penghu from Chiayi and Kaohsiung, Green Island and Orchid Island from Fugang near Taitung, and Kinmen and Matsu from Keelung and Taichung. Crossings to the eastern islands are notoriously rough.
Book everything well ahead in July and August, and build a spare day into any itinerary that ends with a flight home.
On the islands, a scooter is the universal transport and hire is easy, though an international permit with a motorcycle entitlement is required. Penghu and Kinmen have buses; Green and Orchid Islands effectively do not.
To mainland China: direct ferries run from Kinmen to Xiamen and Matsu to Fuzhou.