Taoyuan Airport MRT Express
The easiest way from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main Station. Take the purple Express train, not the commuter.
Taipei Travel Guide
Taipei is friendly, affordable and packed with night markets serving endless street food. Easy day trips to Jiufen, hot springs and seaside towns make it perfect for a short break or a first trip to Asia.
Plan your Taipei trip
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At a glance
- Currency
- TWD (NT$)
- Power & plugs
- 110V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 中文(繁體)
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline0800-011-765
When to go
October-December and March-April are mild and relatively dry, the best times to visit. Avoid the May-June plum rains and the hot July-September typhoon season; January-February is cool and damp, and many shops close for Lunar New Year.
Airport to the city
Airport Bus
Runs to Taipei Main Station and major hotel areas, with some late-night services.
Songshan Airport (TSA) MRT
Songshan sits in the city, linked directly by the brown Wenhu Line. Many regional flights from Seoul Gimpo, Tokyo Haneda and Shanghai arrive here.
Taxi
Convenient from Taoyuan late at night or with lots of luggage. Use the official taxi rank.
Getting around
EasyCard
Buy at convenience stores or MRT stations; works on MRT, buses, YouBike and in shops. Pick one up at the airport.
MRT
Clean, simple and covers most sights. Eating and drinking, even water or gum, is banned in stations and on trains.
YouBike
Public bikes everywhere, unlocked with your EasyCard. The riverside bike paths are excellent.
Taxis and Uber
Yellow taxis are plentiful and fairly cheap. Uber is widely used and avoids language issues.
Regional Trains and Buses
Reach Jiufen and Shifen by bus or train via Ruifang; Tamsui and Beitou are on the MRT.
Where to stay
Taipei Main Station
Good for: First visit, transport hub
Airport MRT, high-speed rail and regional trains all meet here. Evenings are a bit quiet.
Ximending
Good for: Shopping, young vibe, value
Pedestrian streets full of snacks and shops, with fair hotel prices. Close to Longshan Temple.
Zhongshan
Good for: Cafes, relaxed stays
Quiet lanes with cafes and boutiques on two MRT lines. Near Ningxia Night Market.
Xinyi
Good for: Upscale hotels, skyline
The modern district around Taipei 101 and big malls. Hotels are pricier.
Top sights
Taipei 101
The city's iconic skyscraper with a paid observatory. For a free view of the tower itself, hike Elephant Mountain.
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
A 20-30 minute stair climb to a free viewpoint facing Taipei 101. Sunset is the most popular time.
National Palace Museum
A world-class collection of Chinese imperial treasures, including the famous Jadeite Cabbage. Allow at least 2-3 hours.
Jiufen
A hillside town of red lanterns, most atmospheric in the evening. Weekends are very crowded, so go on a weekday.
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's biggest night market with fried chicken cutlets, oyster omelets and more. Liveliest after 6 pm.
Longshan Temple
One of Taipei's oldest temples, busy with local worshippers. Free.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
A vast plaza and monumental hall with a changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Free.
Beitou Hot Springs
A hot spring district on the MRT, from public outdoor baths to upscale resorts. Don't miss Thermal Valley.
What to eat
Beef Noodle Soup
Taiwan's signature noodles in rich braised or clear broth with tender beef. About NT$150-300 (~US$5-10) a bowl.
Xiaolongbao
Juicy soup dumplings, with famous shops around Xinyi and Zhongshan. About NT$150-300 (~US$5-10) a basket.
Lu Rou Fan
Braised pork over rice, cheap and comforting. About NT$40-70 (~US$1.50-2) a bowl.
Night Market Snacks
Try fried chicken cutlet, oyster omelet, stinky tofu and pepper buns. About NT$50-100 (~US$2-3) each.
Bubble Tea and Mango Shaved Ice
Bubble tea is about NT$50-80 (~US$2) everywhere; summer mango shaved ice is about NT$150-250 (~US$5-8).
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout NT$1,500-2,000 (~US$48-65) per day: hostel, night markets, MRT
Mid-rangeabout NT$3,500-4,500 (~US$110-145) per day: 3-4 star hotel, restaurant meals
Comfortabout NT$8,000+ (~US$260+) per day: luxury hotel, fine dining
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the morning, Longshan Temple and Ximending in the afternoon, then sunset on Elephant Mountain.
- Day 2
National Palace Museum in the morning, Beitou Hot Springs in the afternoon, then street food at Shilin Night Market.
- Day 3
Day trip: release a sky lantern in Shifen, then head to Jiufen in the late afternoon for the lantern-lit evening.
- Day 4
Zhongshan cafes in the morning, Taipei 101 and Xinyi shopping in the afternoon, then Ningxia Night Market.
Local tips
- Night markets and small eateries are often cash only; carry Taiwan dollars. Convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards.
- There is no tipping; some restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.
- No eating or drinking, even water, on the MRT; fines apply.
- Stand on the right of escalators and leave the left for walkers.
- Carry a small umbrella for sudden showers, and a light layer for strong indoor air conditioning.
- Tourists can claim VAT refunds at stores displaying the TRS sign on qualifying purchases; bring your passport.
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Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.