Explore this guide to learn about the Taipei subway (MRT) fare, rules, maps, and other information.
I’ve lived in New Taipei for more than 5 years and have used the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) hundreds of times. I want to share my experience, along with other information I aggregated.
Key Takeaways
- A one-way journey costs NT$20 – 65.
- All signage is also in English.
- MRT trains are punctual.
- Pay with an IC card or a single-use token.
- Get a TPASS to save money if you’re in Taiwan for a month.
- Get a 24-, 48-, or a 72-hour to save money if you’re a traveler.
- Don’t eat in the train cars.
Suspended Stations (Read First)
The following stations on the New Taipei City Circular Line (AKA Yellow Line) are suspended because of the April 2024 earthquake:
- Qiaohe
- Zhongyuan
- Banxin
The repairs for these stations will supposedly take a year to complete. You should double-check before your journey to ensure whether they’re operational. I’ll keep an eye out as well.
Important Information
| Operating Hours | 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Free Wi-Fi | None |
The actual operating hours will vary by MRT station. I’ll cover these later.
Transfer stations — e.g., Dongmen and Daan — connect 2 lines within the same building. You must walk a short distance to transfer stations like Xinpu Minsheng (Yellow) to its nearby station Xinpu (Blue).
You’ll see signs in English and Chinese that’ll guide you. Everything inside the carts and throughout the MRT stations is labeled in English.
All subway carts are sparkling clean and punctual.
When you see one of the following signs, you’ll know you’re at an MRT station:
Taipei MRT Station Map
Here’s a map of the Taipei MRT:
These stations are located throughout Taipei and New Taipei. I recommend downloading the mobile app Go! Taipei Metro.
It has the following perks that I use all the time:
- Tells you fare between stations
- Estimated time of arrival to each station
- MRT station maps
- Nearby tourist attractions: I don’t find this feature helpful
- Live updates on incoming MRT carts
It’ll present the price and distance between stations when you’re offline. But you’ll need mobile data or Wi-Fi to see live updates for incoming trains. Bus+ does something similar, but without the information about MRT stations.
Speaking of price.
Taipei Metro Cost
The lowest one-way ticket is NT$20, and the highest is NT$65. These prices are the same for the Taipei MRT and the New Taipei Circular Line, and it doesn’t matter what payment method you use.
Or NT$40 – NT$130 for the Maokong Gondola.
Since the Maokong Gondola is under the Taipei Metro umbrella, I have included its prices as well.
The Maokong Gondola, for one-way ticket falls under the following price points:
- 1 stop: NT$70
- 2 stops: NT$100
- 3 stops: NT$120
But how do you pay?
1. Ways to Pay for the Taipei MRT
There are two options to pay to use the Taipei Metro:
- Contactless cards: Most efficient payment method if you use the MRT more than once.
- EasyCard: Most popular smart card in Taiwan.
- Adult, student, Children, Welfare, and co-branded credit/debit cards.
- iPASS: A card most people don’t use.
- Adult, student, Children, Welfare, and co-branded credit/debit cards.
- iCash 2.0: IC card that generates rewards through Uni-President-managed stores.
- Adult, Concessionaire, student, co-branded credit cards.
- EasyCard: Most popular smart card in Taiwan.
- Single-use token: Buy at the metro stations via kiosks or customer service booths.
- Only ideal if you use the Taipei Metro once or twice on your trip.
I compare these IC cards in a separate guide.
Mobile payments.
You can’t use Apple Pay and Google Pay (AKA Google Wallet) to pass through the MRT gates. You can attach your EasyCard to Samsung Pay (on certain devices).
You also can’t use a credit or debit card. Unless you have a co-branded card from a Taiwanese bank. But that’s an area that I can’t help you with.
Despite 81.47% of Taiwanese people using cellphones, there’s only one way to pay for the MRT with your phone.
EasyWallet…
This only allows you to use EasyCard, though. It’s an app that’s only in Chinese and isn’t great for tourists. You can get a Telecom EasyCard, which allows you to use your SIM card as an EasyCard. This is only available for Android devices.
You also must go to a Chunghwa Telecom store to get this SIM card, download an app called Hami Pay, and a bunch of other ridiculous(ness).
You’re better off just hiding the card in your phone’s case.
Purchase contactless cards from any convenience store, online, at the airport, and any Taipei Metro station. You must pay an NT$100 deposit to get the regular cards, which doesn’t include the balance you add. You can return these cards for a refund on the deposit upon leaving Taiwan.
By “regular” cards, I refer to non-limited edition ones. You’d need to explore each of those cards’ guides to see what I mean.
When you use the token.
You tap the token against the card sensor when entering the gate. When leaving, you insert the coin into the little slot.
Or you can get one of the following metro passes:
| Pass | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| One-Day Pass | NT$150 | Many Trips Within 1 Day |
| 24-Hour Pass | NT$180 | 1-day stay |
| 48-Hour Pass | NT$280 | 2-day stays |
| 72-Hour Pass | NT$380 | 3-day stays |
| Taipei FunPASS | NT$180 – NT$2,200 | Visiting some tourist attractions |
| TPASS | NT$1,200/mo | 14 – 30-day stays in Northern Taiwan |
Explore each pass and consider whether they’re worth getting. In most scenarios, you’re better off refilling your card as you progress through your day.
Because in many scenarios, you can’t predict how much you’ll spend on MRT rides. If you’re unpredictable like me.
Can you get cheaper rates with MRT rides?
2. Discounts on Taipei MRT Tickets & Taipei MRT Rebate
The Taipei Metro has the following discounts:
- Children: 40% off for children ages 6 through 12 who are registered in Taipei (foreigners allows).
- Seniors: 60% off, but only available to the Taiwanese.
Then there’s the monthly pass. It’s NT$1,200 for unlimited metro and city bus rides. Only those living in Taiwan or intending to take many trips to and from Tamsui will reap savings.
Or:
Those living in Taiwan will get a monthly rebate based on the number of trips you take. This rebate isn’t applicable to travelers staying in Taiwan for less than a month.
Here are all the rebate rates based on your trips [1]:
| Cumulative Trips (Previous Month) | Cashback Percentage |
|---|---|
| 11 – 20 Trips | 10% |
| 21 – 30 Trips | 15% |
| 31 – 40 Trips | 20% |
| 41 – 50 Trips | 25% |
| 51+ Trips | 30% |
Here’s an example of how the rebate works:
IC cardholders (e.g., EasyCard or iCash) can receive this rebate. The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation will automatically reimburse your card’s balance monthly.
Since you know how to pay and save money, learn when the MRT’s open.
Do’s & Don’ts in the Taipei MRT (Etiquette)
The following are Taipei Metro etiquette tips to make you blend in:
1. When taking an escalator, stand on the right side. Walk along the left side.
This video illustrates it well:
2. Don’t take phone calls. If you need to take a call, speak quietly.
3. Dark blue seats are priority seats: For the disabled, elderly, and pregnant women. Don’t sit in them unless you’re one of these people.
4. Stand in a single-file line outside the gates that’ll lead to your carts. Most other people will do this already. Just follow their lead.
5. Once the train arrives, let everyone depart before you get on.
6. What Can’t I Take into the Taipei MRT?
You can’t take the following:
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Electric scooters
- Vehicles (unless you have a disability ID)
- More than 6 balloons per person
- Knives
You’ll get fined if you smoke anywhere inside the Metro station and the train carts. You’ll also get a fine if you eat, chew gum, or drink beverages past the yellow lines before the gates leading to the trains.
7. When crowded, wear your backpack in front of you or hold it by your side.
When folks get off of work, it’s respectful to take off your backpack and hold it by your side. Or wear it in front of you. Otherwise, you risk squashing people.
8. Other rules.
Don’t do the following:
- Sit on the floor
- Block the door
- Take up a seat with your bag
Their website has a lot of cute illustrations of what not to do:
You aren’t required to wear a mask on the subway but I recommend it. There are a lot of people who don’t cover their mouths when coughing…
Taipei MRT Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your journey in the Taipei MRT:
- Fill your water bottles at the Metro stations: the water’s clean, & it’ll save you from having to buy bottled water
- Buy an EasyCard: it’ll save you a lot of time in the long run
- Carry hand sanitizer or wipes: metro station restrooms don’t usually have paper towel dispensers
- Don’t bring your trash from home: you’ll get a fine
Even though pickpocketing isn’t common, I recommend wearing your backpack on your front. It’s also a way to prevent slamming people with your massive backpack when the cart’s crowded.
Taipei MRT Stations + Nearby Tourist Hotspots
Throughout this section, you will learn about every existing line in the Taipei Metro system in addition to planned and confirmed routes.
Each table in the following sections will cover when the first and last trains depart from their terminal (end) stations. The time each train arrives at every station will vary.
Use this tool to know when the first and final carts will reach your nearest station.
Before reading more, here are Taipei’s typical peak and off-peak hours:
- Peak hours: 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:30 PM
- Off-peak hours:
- 6:00–7:00 AM
- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- 7:30–11:00 PM
1. (B) Bannan: Taipei MRT Blue Line
| Taipei Nangang Expedition Center <-> Dingpu | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6:00 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12 AM |
| Number of Stations | 23 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes | |
| After 11 PM: every 12 minutes |
The Taipei MRT Blue Line also has plenty of transfer stations to every other line and mode of transportation you’ll need to get around Taiwan.
It transits throughout Taipei and New Taipei cities and stops at a myriad of noteworthy stations like:
| MRT Station | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Taipei Main Station (Transfer R) | Train and Bus Stations & Taipei City Mall |
| Banqiao (Transfer Station Y) | New Taipei City Hall: Hosts Christmasland |
| Ximen (Transfer G) | Ximending Shopping District |
| Zhongxiao Dunhua | Many Shopping Centers |
| Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall | Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall |
| Taipei City Hall (Transfer Station R) | The City Hall & Xinyi Shopping Center |
| Nangang Exhibition Center (Transfer Station B) | Nangang Exhibition Center |
The Banan line the following transfer stations:
- Yellow (Circular) Line:
- Banqiao
- Xinpu Minsheng (Xinpu Station)
- Ximen: Green
- Taipei Main Station: Red & Taoyuan Airport MRT
- Zhongxiao Xinsheng: Orange
- Brown:
- Zhongxiao Fuxing
- Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (Terminal)
Let’s check out the Circular Line.
2. (Y) Circular: Taipei MRT Yellow Line
| Dapinglin <-> New Taipei Industrial Park | |
| First Train Departure | 6:00 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12:00 AM |
| Number of Stations | 14 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 10 minutes |
The Taipei MRT Circular Line’s first phase has terminal stations at Dapinglin and New Taipei Industrial Park. The government is adding more to the line, creating a circle around Taipei and New Taipei cities.
The Circular Line doesn’t connect to the Wenhu Line. The next phase of the Circular Line will add Shilin and Taipei Zoo Stations to the Yellow Line, which will also add a Brown Line connection.
As of now, the second phase of the Circular Line is under construction.
3. (B) Wenhu: Taipei MRT Brown Line
| Taipei Zoo <-> Nangang Expedition Center | |
| First Train Departure | 6 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12 AM |
| Number of Stations | 24 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes | |
| After 11 PM: Every 12 minutes |
Taipei MRT’s Wenhu (Brown) Line is exclusive to Taipei City. It runs from Taipei Zoo Station to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, which will also take you to the Blue Line.
Some noteworthy stations and tourist attractions you’ll find along this route include:
| MRT Station | Attraction |
| Taipei Zoo | Taipei City Zoo & Maokong Gondola |
| Songshan Airport | Taipei Songshan Airport |
| Jiannan Rd. | Miramar Entertainment Park, Jiantan Temple, & Meiti Wharf |
| Dahu Park | Bihu Hiking Trail & Dahu Park |
4. (O) Zhonghe – Xinlu–Huilong: Taipei MRT Orange Line
| Huilong <-> Nanshijiao | Luzhou <-> Nanshijiao | |
|---|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6:00 AM | 6:04 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12:00 AM | 12:03 AM |
| Number of Stations | 26 | |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes | |
| Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes | ||
| After 11 PM: every 12 minutes | ||
If you’re heading north, once you reach Daqiaotou Station, the routes will fork into two different routes. One will take you to Huilong, while the other will take you to Luzhou.
Some destinations you’ll find along the Taipei MRT Orange Line include:
| MRT Station | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Fu Jen University | Costco |
| Minquan W. Rd. | Jing Fu Temple |
| Guting (Transfer Station G) | National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei Grand Mosque, & Shida Night Market |
| Zhongxiao Xinsheng (Transfer Station B) | Skytrend & Guanghua Electronics Markets |
5. (R) Tamsui – Xinyi: Taipei MRT Red Line
| Xiangshan <-> Tamsui | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12 AM |
| Number of Stations | 28 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes | |
| After 11 PM: every 12 minutes |
The Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line is the Taipei MRT’s longest line that’ll go from Xiangshan (Taipei City) to Tamsui (New Taipei City).
Various noteworthy destinations you’ll find along the Taipei Metro Red Line include:
| MRT Station | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Xiangshan | Elephant Mountain |
| Taipei 101 World Trade Center | Taipei 101 & Xinyi Shopping Center |
| Daan Park | Daan Forest Park & Jian Guo Weekend Flower Market |
| Zhongshan (transfer G) | Xiahai City God Temple |
| Jiantan | Taipei Children’s Amusement Park & Shilin Night Market |
| Yuanshan | Taipei Expo Park |
| Guandu | Costco |
| Tamsui | Tamsui Old Street |
1. Xinbeitou Transfer: Light Red
| Beitou Station <-> Xinbeitou Station | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6:05 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12:02 AM |
| Number of Stations | 2 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 7 – 8 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 10 – 12 minutes | |
| After 11 PM: Every 12 – 15 minutes |
To take the cart to Xinbeitou, transfer to Beitou Station. Once you leave this station, you will be in Beitou Park, which will also take you to the Beitou Hot Springs area.
2. Danhai LRT Transfer
| Hongshulin MRT Station <-> Kanding Station | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6:00 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12:31 AM |
| Number of Stations | 14 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 5 – 6 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 20 minutes | |
| Weekends: Every 20 – 30 minutes |
To take the Danhai Light Rail Transit (LRT) from the MRT, you will want to depart from Hongshulin Station, which is one station away from Tamsui.
This above-ground light rail rapid transit (LRT) will take you to the Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf or Kanding, a giant shopping center in development.
6. (G) Songshan – Xindian: Green Line
| Songshan <-> Xindian | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 12 AM |
| Number of Stations | 20 |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes After 11 PM: every 12 minutes |
The Taipei MRT Songshan-Xindian (Green) Line will take you through Taipei and New Taipei Cities. It’s a convenient line that’ll transfer you to anywhere you want to go.
Some popular destinations you’ll find along the Taipei MRT Green Line include:
| MRT Station | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Xiaonanmen | National Immigration Agency (Taipei) |
| Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (CKS) — Transfer R | CKS |
| Xindian | Bitan Scenic Area |
| Taipower Building | Taipei City Hakka Cultural & Guting Riverside Parks |
| Beimen | Taipei City North Gate |
| Songjiang Nanjing (Transfer O) | Miniatures Museum of Taiwan |
| Taipei Arena | IKEA & Taipei Arena |
| Songshan | Xikou Wharf, Raohe Night Market, & Rainbow Bridge |
Xiaobitan Transfer: Light Green
| Qizhang Station <-> Xiaobitan Station | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | 6:03 AM |
| Last Train Departure | 11:57 PM |
| Number of Stations | 2 |
| Train Frequency | Every 12 minutes |
Transfer to Xiaobitan through Qizhang Station, which is a couple stations away from Xindian. When leaving this station, you will find a massive shopping center that’s connected to an IKEA.
7. Taoyuan Airport MRT
| Taipei Main Station <-> Taoyuan Airport Terminal 2 | |
|---|---|
| First Train Departure | Express: 6:00 AM |
| Commuter: 6:07 AM | |
| Last Train Departure | Express: 10:00 PM |
| Commuter: 11:06 PM | |
| Number of Stations | 21 total; 10 between Taipei & Taoyuan Airport |
| Train Frequency | Peak: Every 2 – 4 minutes |
| Off-peak: Every 4 – 7 minutes | |
| After 11 PM: every 12 minutes |
Transfer to the Taoyuan Airport MRT through New Taipei Industrial Park (Y), Beimen and Taipei Main Station (BL), and Sanchong (O) Stations. The “Purple Line” will take you to Taoyuan International Airport Terminals One and Two.
If you keep going, depart from the Taoyuan HSR Station and either take the train or visit the massive outdoor Gloria Outlets shopping center.
Taipei Future MRT Maps
Future approved and planned lines for the Taipei Metro include [2, 3]:
| Line | Approved/Planned | Elevated/Underground | Misc Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Line Ph. II | Approved | Underground | New Taipei Industrial Park – Jiannan Rd.Dapinglin – Taipei Zoo |
| Circular Line Ph. III | Planned | Unknown | Jiannan Rd. – Taipei Zoo |
| Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin Line Ph. I | Approved | 50/50 | Connects CKS Station to the Orange Line (Huilong) |
| Red Line Extension | Approved | Underground | Xianshang – Yucheng Park |
| Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin Line Ph. II | Approved | Elevated | Finishes Ph. 1 |
| Minsheng-Xizhi Line | Planned | 50/50 | Shuangtian – Xizhi |
| Shezi, Shilin & Beitou Light Rail Transit Network | Planned | Light Rail Transit (LRT) | North – South Route & East – West Route |
Here’s a map of future MRT lines that summarizes how complex the system will eventually be:
Here’s a map of the planned metro stations:
And a map of the approved lines:
There’s also eventually an MRT and LRT that’ll go from Taipei to Keelung:
Taipei MRT Fun Facts
| Number of New Taipei Metro Stations | 14 |
| Number of Taipei MRT Stations | 117 |
| Number of Lines (Incl. Circular Line) | 6 |
| Operated By | Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation |
| Date First Operated | March 26, 1996 |
| Cities Within Network | Taipei City & New Taipei City |
| Maximum Speed | 80 km per hour |
| Daily Riders (2023) | 7.86 million |
| Train Length | 3 – 6 carriages |
| Cost to Build | Phase 1: 18 billion USD |
| Phase 2: 13.8 billion USD |
Taipei Metro has 131 stations (excluding the Maokong Gondola).
What is the Taipei MRT Subway?
The Taipei MRT (mass rapid transit) — 台北捷運 / Táiběi jié yùn — is a public transportation system serving Taipei City and its surrounding areas.
It opened in March 1996 and has since grown into a vast network with multiple lines and over 100 stations. The MRT is a popular mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike. It is known for its efficiency, cleanliness, and affordability.
FAQs
Is the Taipei MRT the Same as a Train?
Taipei MRT is a rapid transit system serving the Taipei metropolitan area, primarily for urban commuting. Taiwan Railway Association (TRA) operates intercity trains connecting various cities across Taiwan.
MRT vs. LRT
LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems are smaller and operate on shorter routes, often within city centers or connecting to suburbs. MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) systems are larger, higher-capacity trains designed for longer distances and high-density urban areas.
Sources
- Taipei Metro, About Taipei Metro.
- Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Planned Rapid Transit Systems.
- Department of Rapid Transit Systems,Planned Station and Route Map.
- Taipei Metro, Train Capacity.
- Taipei Metro, Fares and Tickets.
