This is a guide to traveling in Taipei City, Taiwan. Read on to learn more.
I’ve lived in Taiwan for over 5 years and visit Taipei City many times a week. I’ve seen almost every tourist attraction by now and have tried many restaurants.
Summary
- Taipei is the best city to visit for tourists because of wide-spread English speaking.
- The subway is the best way to get around.
- Best souvenirs include Taipei 101 merch. & pineapple cakes.
- Best tourist attractions include Taipei 101 & Shilin Night Market.
Important Traveler Information
| Currency | New Taiwan dollar |
| Power Socket | 110V or 220V |
| Time Zone | GMT+8 |
| Tipping Required? | No |
| City-wide Wi-Fi SSID | iTaiwan |
Useful Phone Numbers
Here’s a list of phone numbers you should keep on hand while in Taipei:
| Ambulance / Fire | 119 |
| Police | 110 |
| Emergency Rescue | 112 |
| Travel Information Hotline | (02) 2717-3737 |
Where to Exchange Currency
Here are all the places to consider exchanging currency at:
- ATMs: Best exchange rates.
- Banks: Great exchange rate, but long wait times.
- Currency exchange booths at Taoyuan Airport: Worst Rates.
- Currency exchange services like Travelex.
- Shopping Centers: Not the greatest exchange rates.
- Pacific SOGO
- Shin Kong Kitsubishi
- Breeze Center
- Taipei 101
Best Districts to Stay in
Here are all the best districts in Taipei to consider as a tourist:
- Songshan District: Tourists love this district’s vibrant night markets.
- Xinyi District: A paradise for shoppers, it houses the iconic Taipei 101.
- Daan District: It’s a great place to enjoy Taipei’s café culture and parks.
- Zhongshan District: Stay here for diverse food options and Art Deco architecture.
- Zhongzheng District: Close to Taipei Main Station.
- Datong District: It provides a historical perspective with its old temples.
- Wanhua District: It boasts Ximending, Taipei’s hippest shopping and entertainment area.
- Shilin District: This district is a must for foodies with its famous night market.
- Beitou District: Tourists visit here for hot springs and relaxing retreats.
Avoid the following districts if possible because they’re inconvenient, are industrial, or residential:
- Wenshan District: Predominantly residential, it’s far from most tourist hotspots.
- Nangang District: With its tech focus, it doesn’t attract many tourists.
- Shilin District: Despite the market, parts of it are mainly residential.
- Neihu District: It’s not a top pick for tourists due to its industrial nature.
How to get to Taipei City
How to Get to Taipei City from Songshan Airport
Here are your options for reaching Taipei from Taipei’s airport:
- Taipei MRT: The MRT remains the best way to travel from Songshan.
- Enter the Taipei MRT Brown Line from Songshan Airport Station.
- Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport.
- Walking: Only viable if your destination is in the nearby area.
- Check your route before you start.
- City Bus: Grab a city bus outside the airport. Buses 262 will take you downtown.
How to Get to Taipei City from Taoyuan International Airport
Reach Taipei from Taoyuan’s airport through these methods:
- Taoyuan Airport MRT: Most efficient option. The Airport MRT gets you to Taipei Main Station swiftly.
- Taxi: Taxis are outside both Terminal 1 and 2.
- Inform the driver you’re heading to Taipei city.
- High-Speed Rail: First, catch the shuttle bus to the Taoyuan HSR station.
- Board a train to Wenhua, Taipei Station, or Nangang.
- City Bus: Numerous buses, like 1819, commute to Taipei. They’re stationed outside the arrivals area.
I’d usually book a Taoyuan Airport MRT ticket online to get occasional freebies.
For instance, I got a free pineapple cake.
Here are a couple links — check if there are any specials:
How to Get Around
| Transportation | Avg. Price (One-Way) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| City Bus | NT$15; 1 segment | Budget |
| Car Rental | Varies | Road Trips |
| Bicycle rental | NT$5–NT$40 per 30 min | Exercise |
| Walking | Free | Cities |
| Ferries | NT$819–NT1,700 | Navigating outlying islands |
| Taiwan Railway Administration | NT$11–NT$836 | Budget inter-city travel |
| Taiwan High-Speed Rail | NT$35–NT$2,500 | Quickly navigating different cities |
| Rideshare | NT$120–NT$1,200 per trip | Comfortable city travel |
| Taipei Metro | NT$20–NT$65 | City travel |
| Taxi | NT$16–NT$25 per km | Travel to specific destinations |
1. Taipei Metro: Best Overall
The Taipei MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Taipei LRT (Light Rail Transit) are key components of Taipei’s public transportation system. The MRT suits city explorers with its extensive network reaching most city areas.
The LRT best caters to travelers focusing on western Taipei, providing scenic views and less crowded rides.
Comparing the MRT and LRT:
MRT:
- Covers a more extensive area than LRT.
- Stations outnumber LRT ones.
- Higher frequency services than LRT.
- More suitable for quick commutes.
Light Rail Transit:
- Offers scenic views of the city, unlike MRT.
- Typically less crowded than MRT ones.
- Preferable for a relaxed travel pace.
2. Bus: City, Intercity, Innercity, & Shuttle bus: Most Affordable
City buses in Taipei offer local routes, perfect for everyday commuters. Intercity buses connect Taipei to other Taiwanese cities, ideal for long-distance travelers. Shuttle buses provide service to specific destinations such as airports, benefiting visitors and locals alike.
Comparing the bus types:
- City buses cater to daily commuters, offering short, frequent routes.
- Intercity buses serve long-distance travelers, linking cities island-wide.
- Shuttle buses target specific routes, like airport runs, making travel seamless.
Each type serves different travel needs, ensuring public transportation in Taipei is versatile and efficient.
3. Taxi & Uber: Most Comfortable
Taiwan’s taxi system delivers quick, reliable, and convenient travel around Taipei. Drivers often speak little English, favoring those with Mandarin skills. Taxis are ideal for short, urgent trips or late-night journeys.
Uber, a global ride-hailing service, operates in Taipei too. English-speaking drivers, comfort, and fare transparency make it preferable for tourists or those with no Mandarin proficiency. However, during peak hours, Uber tends to be pricier than taxis.
4. YouBike: Best for Exercise & Sightseeing
YouBike, Taipei’s public bike sharing system, offers quick, cost-effective travel. Ideal for short, spontaneous trips, it features accessible rental stations scattered city-wide. Perfect for budget-conscious explorers, fitness enthusiasts or eco-friendly travelers.
For optimal city exploration, combine YouBike with Taipei’s efficient MRT system.
Here’s the pricing:
| Price | Duration |
| NT$5 ($0.17) | First 30 minutes |
| NT$10 ($0.34) | Per 30 minutes (for the next 4 hours) |
| NT$20 ($0.68) | Per 30 minutes (for the next 4–8 hours) |
| NT$40 ($1.36) | Per 30 minutes (after 8 hours) |
Things to Do
Here are a bunch of things to do within Taipei City:
Beitou Hot Spring Resort
Hot springs
Treasure Hill
Historical site
Popular Hiking Paths
Times to hike each path will vary. As will difficulty, the stated difficulty is based on what the average person declared each path as.
Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain)
Moderate
Length: 1.1 km
Time: 39 min
Location: Xinyi
Jiantanshan Hiking Trail
Moderate
Length: 5.0 km
Time: 1 hr 38 min
Location: Shilin
Yangminshan Trail
Hard
Length: 24.5 km
Time: Varies
Location: Yangminshan National Park
Dahu Park & Jiantan Mountain
Moderate
Length: 11.3 km
Time: 3 hrs 59 min
Location: Neihu
Jinmian Mountain Loop
Easy
Length: 1.9 km
Time: 1 hr 10 min
Location: Neihu
Xindian River Trail
Easy
Length: 9.2 km
Time: 1 hr 52 min
Location: Wanhua
Nine Five Peak
Hard
Length: 5.6 km
Time: 2 hr 25 min
Location: Xinyi
Qixing Mountain
Moderate
Length: 4.5 km
Time: 2 hr 3 min
Location: Yangminshan National Park
Temples to See
Check out these Buddhist and Taoist temples when in Taipei:
- Longshan Temple: Taipei’s iconic temple, famed for its stunning architecture and history.
- Taipei Confucius Temple: Showcases ancient Chinese philosophies through interactive exhibits.
- Xingtian Temple: Busy hub for worshippers of Guan, known for its vibrant ceremonies.
- Guandu Temple: A temple dedicated to the Goddess Mazu.
- Bao’an Temple: Celebrates folk deities with its annual Baosheng Cultural Festival.
- Qingshan Temple: Honors the deity Qingshan.
- Qingshui Temple: Historical site with intricate sculptures, renowned for the Qingshan King Festival.
Best Food to Eat
Here are a bunch of restaurants I recommend trying while in Taipei:
| Restaurant Name | Description | Chinese Name |
|---|---|---|
| Din Tai Fung | Famous for dumplings & other Taiwanese dishes. | 鼎泰豐 |
| Snow King | Unique flavors of ice cream (e.g., wasabi). | 雪王冰淇淋 |
| Fuhong Beef Noodles | Some of Taiwan’s most popular beef noodles. | 富宏牛肉麵 |
| Yong He Soy Milk | Popular breakfast joint. | 永和豆漿 |
| L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon | French restaurant ran by a Michelin chef. | 侯布雄法式餐廳 |
| Diamond Tony’s Italian Restaurant 101 | “OK” food, excellent view. | 隨意鳥地方101觀景餐廳 |
What to Get & Where to Buy Souvenirs
Here are souvenirs to consider buying in Taipei:
| Souvenir | Description | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple Cake | A sweet, dense cake filled with tangy pineapple jam. | Chia Te Bakery |
| Jade | Carved mineral stone, symbol of purity & nobility in Taiwan. | Jianguo Jade Market |
| Taiwanese Tea | Oolong tea variety, renowned for its floral and creamy taste. | Any Taiwanese gift shop |
| Oil Paper Umbrellas | Traditional umbrella, designed with painted oil paper. | Huashi Street Night Market |
| Castella Sponge Cake | Egg-rich, fluffy sponge cake with a hint of honey. | Original Cake Bakery |
| Taipei 101 Merch. | Souvenirs reflecting Taipei’s tallest skyscraper. | Various gift shops inside Taipei 101. |
Tips for Travelers
Use these tips when traveling to Taipei:
- Purchase an EasyCard for smooth, hassle-free travel on public transport.
- Pack a raincoat or umbrella, unpredictable rain is common in Taipei.
- Prepare for the high humidity, hydrate often & wear breathable fabrics.
- Bring insect repellent, especially if you plan to visit parks or mountains.
- Consider a portable fan or cooling towel to beat the heat.
- Don’t forget sunscreen, the Taiwanese sun can be intense.
- Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for varied city and mountain terrains.