Getting Around: Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan: Your Complete Travel Guide to Getting Around the City

Taipei is one of Asia's most underrated capitals — a city that blends futuristic skylines with ancient temples, world-class street food with Michelin-starred dining, and a metro system so efficient it will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about public transport. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Asia traveller, navigating Taipei is genuinely one of travel's great pleasures.

Overview

Taipei sits in the northern tip of Taiwan, a subtropical island nation that punches well above its weight when it comes to culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. The city itself is home to around 2.7 million people and serves as the island's political, economic, and cultural heart. Towering above it all — quite literally — is Taipei 101, the iconic skyscraper that dominated global skylines in the early 2000s and remains a symbol of Taiwan's remarkable rise.

What makes Taipei so compelling for travellers is its sheer accessibility. The city is safe, walkable in many districts, and extraordinarily easy to navigate even if you don't speak Mandarin. English signage is widespread, locals are famously friendly, and the cost of living means your travel budget stretches much further than in Tokyo, Singapore, or Hong Kong.

Essential Information

• Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). As of 2025, roughly 32 NTD to 1 USD.
• Language: Mandarin Chinese is official, with Taiwanese Hokkien widely spoken. English is common in tourist areas.
• Time Zone: UTC+8 (no daylight saving time).
• Visa: Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Australia, and many other nations receive visa-free entry for 90 days.
• Climate: Subtropical — expect warm, humid summers (June–September) and mild, occasionally rainy winters. Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting.
• Power: 110V, Type A plugs (same as the US). European travellers will need an adapter.

Practical Tips

The EasyCard is your single most important purchase in Taipei. This contactless transit card works on the MRT (metro), buses, YouBike rental stations, and even at many convenience stores. Pick one up at any MRT station for around $1.60 USD, load it with funds, and you're set. A typical MRT journey costs between $0.50 and $1.50 USD — remarkably cheap by any standard.

For neighbourhood exploration, base yourself in Da'an or Zhongshan for a central location with great dining and nightlife access. Yongkang Street in Da'an is a must-visit strip lined with teahouses, dumpling restaurants, and independent boutiques. If you want something grittier and more bohemian, Gongguan near National Taiwan University has a student-district energy with excellent budget eats.

• Night markets are not optional — visit Shilin, Raohe, or Ningxia for street food under $5 USD per dish.
• Grab a scooter rental if you're confident riding — it's how locals truly move around, starting around $10–15 USD per day.
• Download Google Maps offline and the YouBike app before you arrive.
• 7-Eleven and FamilyMart stores are everywhere and genuinely useful — ATMs, SIM cards, hot food, and bill payments all in one stop.

Getting There

Most international flights land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), located approximately 40 kilometres southwest of central Taipei. The Airport MRT connects directly to Taipei Main Station in around 35 minutes for just $5 USD — it's fast, reliable, and runs from early morning until midnight.

Direct flights to Taipei operate from major hubs across Asia, including Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok. From North America, expect one-stop connections through Tokyo Narita, Seoul Incheon, or direct services from Los Angeles and New York on carriers including EVA Air, China Airlines, and United. From Europe, plan for a connection in the Middle East or Asia, with total journey times of around 14–17 hours. Budget for round trips from the US West Coast starting around $700–900 USD, and from Europe from around $900–1,200 USD depending on season.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Taipei has an excellent hostel scene. Star Hostel Taipei Main Station and Meander Taipei offer dorm beds for $15–25 USD per night in central locations with strong community vibes and reliable WiFi.

Mid-Range: The Amba hotels (particularly Amba Zhongshan) offer stylish, design-forward rooms from around $80–120 USD per night. For something with local character, boutique guesthouses in the Da'an or Xinyi districts offer great value with rooftop terraces and personalised service.

Luxury: The Mandarin Oriental Taipei and W Taipei both deliver five-star experiences from around $300–500 USD per night, with exceptional service, rooftop pools, and prime Xinyi district addresses within walking distance of Taipei 101 and the city's best shopping.

Taipei is the kind of city that quietly becomes your favourite — the sort of place you arrive at as a stop on a wider itinerary and leave planning your return trip. Whether you spend three days or three weeks, the city rewards curiosity at every turn. Ready to experience it for yourself? Start comparing flights and locking in your dates today — your Taipei adventure is waiting.