Scoot is Singapore Airlines Group's low-cost arm — and it can get you from Bangkok to Taipei for less than almost any other carrier. The catch: there is no nonstop flight. Every itinerary connects through Singapore Changi. Here is an honest look at the route, the trade-offs, and who this makes sense for.
Scoot (airline code TR) launched in 2011 as the medium-to-long-haul low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Group. It operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft to more than 60 destinations across Asia and beyond. Scoot sits in the middle ground between ultra-low-cost carriers like AirAsia and its parent Singapore Airlines — prices are significantly lower than SIA but the baseline service quality is a step above the absolute cheapest option.
The single most important fact: Scoot does not operate a nonstop flight between Bangkok (BKK) and Taipei (TPE). Every journey connects through Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1. The Bangkok–Singapore leg takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes; Singapore–Taipei approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. Total door-to-door travel time including the layover is typically 9–11 hours — versus 3.5–4 hours on a nonstop carrier. That is the core trade-off for the lower fare. All figures on this page are approximate; verify current schedules and fares directly with Scoot before booking.
Route BKK–SIN–TPE: All flights connect via Singapore · total approx. 9–11 hr · Taoyuan Terminal 1 · Boeing 787 or Airbus A321
Two cabin classes: Economy (budget fare, baggage extra) · ScootPlus (premium economy, baggage and meals included)
Approximate return fares (two legs combined): Economy from THB 5,000–10,000+ (excluding baggage) · ScootPlus from THB 12,000–20,000+. Prices fluctuate significantly with promotions and timing.
The airline, the route reality, and your cabin options — in three cards.
Low-cost carrier, founded 2011, Singapore Airlines Group. Operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320/A321neo to 60+ destinations. Not an ultra-low-cost carrier — service quality sits above AirAsia while pricing is well below Singapore Airlines. No nonstop BKK–TPE service — the route always connects via Singapore Changi Terminal 1. Good on-time performance overall.
Departs: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) · Connects: Singapore Changi (SIN) Terminal 1 · Arrives: Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) Terminal 1
BKK–SIN: approx. 2 hr 20 min · SIN–TPE: approx. 4 hr 30 min · Total with layover: approx. 9–11 hr
Note: Taoyuan Terminal 1, not Songshan (TSA). Airport MRT to Taipei city centre: 35–50 min.
Economy Lite/Standard: from ~THB 5,000–10,000+ return (baggage not included) · 10 kg carry-on included · buy-on-board meals
ScootPlus: from ~THB 12,000–20,000+ return · 30 kg checked bag + meals + wider seat (38" pitch)
Fares fluctuate strongly. Promotional fares can be 50–60% lower. Verify at flyscoot.com.
Route reality, cabins, baggage, food, IFE, Changi stopover, fleet and fares — covered plainly.
This is the fact that matters most: Scoot has no nonstop service from Bangkok to Taipei. Every ticket routes through Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1.
The connection time in Singapore depends on your chosen itinerary — typically 1.5 to 4 hours. Transit passengers stay airside in Terminal 1; no visa is required for the transit. Changi is comfortable and well-stocked with food, retail and rest areas, making the layover genuinely manageable.
Total journey time including the layover is approximately 9–11 hours — compared to 3.5–4 hours on nonstop carriers such as EVA Air or China Airlines. That is the primary trade-off for Scoot's lower fares, and it is worth being clear-eyed about before booking.
Economy: Standard low-cost seats. On the Boeing 787 (typically used on SIN–TPE) seat pitch is approximately 30–31 inches. On the Airbus A321 (sometimes used on BKK–SIN) pitch drops to around 28–29 inches. No seatback IFE screen — entertainment via ScootHub on your own device. Baggage and meals are add-ons.
ScootPlus: Noticeably wider seats at 18.5–19.5 inches with a 38-inch pitch and greater recline — a meaningful upgrade for the 4.5-hour SIN–TPE leg. Includes 30 kg checked baggage, a meal, drinks, priority check-in and priority boarding. Worth comparing against the Economy fare + baggage add-on total before deciding.
Scoot is a low-cost carrier — checked baggage is not included in Economy Lite or Economy Standard fares. It must be purchased as an add-on:
Checked bag options (purchase separately): 15 kg · 20 kg · 25 kg · 30 kg — priced per leg. Always cheapest when added at booking; most expensive at the airport counter. On a two-leg itinerary (BKK–SIN + SIN–TPE) you may need to add baggage for both legs separately depending on your booking type.
Carry-on (all cabins): 1 bag × 10 kg free for all passengers. Total dimensions must not exceed 158 cm.
ScootPlus: 30 kg checked baggage included in the fare — a clear advantage if you pack heavily.
Economy passengers receive no complimentary food or drinks. Meals and snacks are ordered via the Scoot Café section of ScootHub — scan the QR code at your seat — or pre-ordered through the Scoot website before your flight (pre-orders are often cheaper and guarantee availability).
Buy-on-board prices are typically USD 5–15 per item for hot meals and snacks. The selection is reasonable for an LCC but nothing approaching a full-service airline.
Practical tip: If your Singapore layover is long enough, eating at Changi Terminal 1 is often a better value option than buying on board — there are numerous affordable food court options airside.
ScootPlus: A meal and drinks are included in the fare — quality is meaningfully better than the Economy buy-on-board selection.
Scoot has no seatback IFE screens — this is standard for medium-haul LCCs. Entertainment is delivered through ScootHub, a Wi-Fi portal accessed on your own phone or tablet. Connect to the on-board Wi-Fi network, open a browser and navigate to ScootHub to access films, music, games, a flight map and the Scoot Café ordering menu.
Wi-Fi: Basic ScootHub features (flight map, meal ordering) are typically free. Streaming films and browsing the internet requires a paid Wi-Fi package — approximately USD 5–15 per leg depending on the bundle.
The practical advice: Download films, podcasts or series for offline playback before you board — particularly for the 4.5-hour SIN–TPE leg. This costs nothing and is more reliable than on-board streaming.
A Singapore connection is not automatically a negative — Changi Airport has been voted the world's best airport multiple times and Terminal 1 (Scoot's home terminal for both legs) is particularly well-equipped with restaurants, cafés, a cinema, lounges, shower facilities and Jewel Changi (an indoor waterfall experience connected to T1-2).
Transit passengers do not require a Singapore visa for airside connections. For longer layovers of 6+ hours, Thai passport holders can exit into Singapore without a visa — making it possible to combine a Bangkok–Singapore–Taipei trip with a half-day in Singapore at no extra ticket cost.
Scoot operates from Terminal 1 for both the BKK–SIN and SIN–TPE legs, so there is no terminal change during the connection.
Scoot primarily uses the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the Singapore–Taipei route — and this is a genuine advantage. The 787 maintains higher cabin air pressure and humidity than older-generation aircraft, which measurably reduces fatigue on a 4.5-hour flight. Passengers often report feeling less dehydrated and tired on arrival compared to equivalent flights on A330s or older 777s.
The shorter Bangkok–Singapore leg may operate on an Airbus A320 or A321neo, with somewhat narrower seats (28–29 inch pitch) — though at 2 hours 20 minutes it is short enough that this is rarely a comfort issue.
Check the aircraft type in your booking confirmation so you know what to expect on each leg.
Approximate return fares BKK–SIN–TPE (2026 reference, subject to significant change):
Economy Lite (no checked bag): THB 5,000–10,000+ · add approx. THB 1,500–3,000+ for a 20 kg bag per leg
ScootPlus: THB 12,000–20,000+ · 30 kg bag + meals included
Scoot runs promotional sales several times a year with fares that can be 50–60% below standard prices. Subscribing to Scoot's email deals or following their social channels is the most reliable way to catch these. Standard fares are typically best booked 4–8 weeks ahead; sale fares appear at irregular intervals.
Always calculate the total cost (base fare + baggage for both legs + any meals) before comparing with nonstop carriers — the gap narrows more than the headline fare suggests.
An honest assessment of who benefits most from this route — and who should look elsewhere.
If your primary criterion is the lowest possible total cost and you are comfortable with a 9–11 hour journey, Scoot is the strongest low-cost option on this route. Travellers who pack light (or add one bag at booking), bring their own device for entertainment and are experienced with LCC travel will find Scoot delivers exactly what it promises. Promotional fares can undercut even budget airlines by a significant margin — the key is booking early or catching a sale.
The Singapore connection becomes an advantage for travellers who plan a multi-destination trip. Thai passport holders enter Singapore visa-free; a layover of 6+ hours is enough to leave the airport and visit Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands or Jewel Changi. Effectively, you get Bangkok–Singapore–Taipei for the price of a Bangkok–Taipei ticket. This is one scenario where the "inconvenience" of a connection actively adds value to the trip itinerary.
If you are travelling with children or elderly companions, are on a tight schedule, or value in-flight comfort over price, a nonstop carrier will serve you considerably better. EVA Air and Thai VietJet both fly BKK–TPE nonstop in 3.5–4 hours with seatback IFE. Also worth noting: once you add checked baggage for both Scoot legs, buy a meal and purchase Wi-Fi, the total cost gap versus a nonstop airline's Economy fare can shrink considerably. Always compare the all-in price before deciding.
Getting from Taoyuan into the city, Taiwan practical info and a Taipei budget breakdown.
Airport MRT, bus, taxi — every option compared on price, time and convenience. Scoot arrives at Taoyuan Terminal 1.
Getting into Taipei →Visa status for Thai passport holders, eSIM, currency, EasyCard and a pre-flight checklist — everything you need before you land.
Open Practical Info →Real price breakdowns for accommodation, food, transport and day trips — with three worked sample budgets at backpacker, mid-range and comfort levels.
See Budget Guide →Full Taipei guide with hour-by-hour itineraries, airport-to-city transport, neighbourhood picks, where to eat and everything you need before you land.