Navigating Taipei Like a Local

Taipei is a lively city brimming with top-notch attractions and an amazing culinary scene, all easily accessible thanks to its superb and affordable transportation links.

Public transport routes are designed to be accessible, ensuring everyone can explore Taipei. If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, friendly locals are always eager to help.

Taipei boasts a user-friendly and highly efficient public transit system that ensures a stress-free experience for visitors, complete with dual-language signage and air conditioning. Here’s everything you need to know for navigating Taiwan's capital.

What is the size of Taipei?

Crossing Taipei from east to west, from Xiangshan to Ximen, can be done in about 40 minutes by bike, bus, or MRT (subway). New Taipei City is even larger, with routes from Tamsui to Xindian taking roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes via MRT. While cars or scooters can speed up your journey, it's best to avoid peak hours (early morning and evening).

Is Taipei's public transport efficient?

Absolutely! Taipei's public transport is not only budget-friendly, clean, and user-friendly, but it's also remarkably punctual. You can rely on the train and bus schedules, and all the necessary information is readily available on Google Maps, which is continuously updated with precise timetables and transfer details for your travel planning.

Transit passes available in Taipei

While you might see a lot of promotions for the unlimited Fun Pass, if your plan doesn't include visiting all the major attractions (like the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101), an EasyCard will be more than adequate, offering discounts of 10–30% on regular bus and metro fares, plus savings for multiple trips in a single day.

You can purchase an EasyCard for 100 NTD plus any desired top-up amount at any metro station or at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout the city. The EasyCard can also serve as a rail ticket for TRA (Taiwan Railway Administration) services.

How to blend in on the Taipei subway

Keep in mind that eating, drinking, and chewing gum are not allowed on the Taipei Metro. It’s advisable to avoid traveling during peak hours (7-9 am and 5-7 pm on weekdays), and when using escalators, please stand on the right side if you're not walking.

To blend in effortlessly, avoid loud discussions and do not occupy the dark blue priority seats designated for the elderly, pregnant women, or passengers with disabilities unless absolutely necessary.

Three options for airport transfer: budget-friendly, more affordable, and mid-range.

The most economical way to travel from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City center is by taking the 1819 Kuo Kuang bus service to Taipei Main Station, which costs 135 NTD and can be paid at the booth inside the bus terminal. For a slightly higher price of 160 NTD, the new Airport MRT line offers a faster journey, taking just 35 minutes compared to an hour by bus.

For those looking to indulge a bit after a long flight, taxis from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City center take around an hour and cost approximately 1300 NTD.

Most international flights land at Taoyuan International Airport, while Songshan Airport is closer to the city center but mainly caters to domestic and regional flights.

Hop on the bus for scenic views of the city

While there aren’t many sightseeing bus tours available, Taipei’s public buses serve as a great alternative. Most bus stops have electronic displays showing the arrival times of upcoming buses in both English and Mandarin.

When using the bus in Taipei, the standard procedure is to swipe your EasyCard once when you get on and again when you get off, or to deposit the exact fare (usually 15 NTD) into the silver box at the front when boarding.

Put on your walking shoes

You may not cover much ground quickly, but strolling through Taipei is a charming and cost-free experience, revealing lantern-lit alleys and quaint temples at every corner.

If you plan on walking a lot, be sure to apply a high SPF sunscreen to shield your skin from intense UV rays (even on overcast days) and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially during the summer months from June to August.

Embrace the scooter frenzy

Imagine the scooter traffic of Vietnam blended with Japan's driving rules, and you might get a sense of the chaotic traffic in Taipei.

In theory, Taipei has road regulations down to a science; its grid layout features numerous one-way streets and well-marked pedestrian crossings, with traffic lights designed to optimize the flow during peak hours.

In reality, however, Taipei's traffic can be unpredictable. Trucks running red lights may disregard your right-of-way, and you might encounter entire families precariously balancing on a single scooter, often with a Shiba Inu puppy at the front, tongue out and ready for adventure.

Stay vigilant for these hazards while walking in Taipei, or be bold and rent a scooter yourself (opt for WeMo if you're comfortable with Chinese, or SKRT if you're not).

Enjoy a day trip by train

Venturing out of Taipei for a day trip is simple and budget-friendly with the Taiwan Railway. Use the TRA to reach destinations like Keelung, Yilan, or Jiufen (transferring at Ruifang for the shuttle bus) at a very reasonable price.

Destinations like Hualien and Taichung are easily reachable via the TRA system, but if you're aiming for farther west coast locations such as Tainan and Kenting, consider investing in the High-Speed Rail (HSR) for a quicker journey.

For areas not serviced by the Taiwan Railway, buses are a great alternative. You can take a bus to Yangmingshan from Shilin or to Wulai from Xindian, using your EasyCard throughout the trip. Taxi pooling is another convenient option if you'd rather skip the wait in line; just flag down one of the taxi scouts near major bus terminals like Xindian.

Cycling in the city

Much like a scooter but with zero carbon emissions, cycling is my preferred method for getting around Taipei. New visitors can easily hop on a YouBike and ride for free for the first 30 minutes (after that, it's 10NTD for each additional half hour), covering distances from Yingge Ceramics Village in the south to Tamsui along the Taipei Riverside Bikeway.

The city features designated cycling paths that pop up here and there—both on and off the roads—along with docking stations conveniently located near MRT stations and throughout the city.

While you may spot locals cycling on the sidewalks to escape traffic fumes, it's best to avoid that practice. Instead, take a scenic detour along the river, where a long stretch designed for pedestrians and cyclists connects popular spots like Dadaocheng Pier (Pier 5), Ximen, Gongguan, and Xindian.

To rent a YouBike, you'll need to register your EasyCard with a local phone number for verification and provide an ID number for insurance purposes at the kiosk next to most docking stations. If you don’t have a local SIM, you can also use a credit card instead of an EasyCard.

Currently, Taipei operates two YouBike systems: YouBike 1.0 and YouBike 2.0. Make sure to dock your YouBike at the correct docking station corresponding to the system you're using.

The subway in Taipei is the top choice for accessible travel.

The Taipei Metro, also known as the MRT, is an extensive subway network that connects all of Taipei and New Taipei City. Every station is equipped with accessible routes and elevators, along with excellent facilities for individuals with disabilities throughout the system.

When the heat outside becomes unbearable, the 131 Taipei Metro stations provide a cool escape, complete with restrooms, snack shops, and even underground shopping areas at select stations.