A Complete Transport Guide: Taipei

So, you’ve found yourself in the beating heart of Taiwanese culture, history and heritage, and have no idea how to navigate your way through the mazes of bubble tea stores and night markets. Fortunately, figuring out transport in a bustling metropolis like Taipei doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.

As Taiwan’s vibrant capital, Taipei boasts a highly efficient and well-connected transportation system that makes exploring its mix of modern skyscrapers, historic temples, and lush green spaces easier than most places in Asia!

Whether you’re planning to visit the iconic Taipei 101, indulge in night market delights, or escape to serene mountain trails, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about getting around Taipei efficiently and affordably.

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Table of Contents

Getting to Taipei

The Taiwanese capital is the most convenient point to reach throughout the entire country! As great as that might be, arriving internationally is a bit more limited, seeing as it’s an island nation.

Nevertheless, with the well-connected transport networks within the country, Taipei is not only the primary gateway for arriving at the island but also the best point to reach everywhere else in the country.

Getting to Taipei by Flight

Getting to Taipei by flight is relatively easy and convenient, as the city has two major airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the primary airport for international flights to Taipei. Numerous routes are available from Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. Despite being located about 40 km west of Taipei, it’s still accessible by several transportation options, including the Airport MRT and local buses.

Taipei Songshan Airport is used for more domestic flights and a few short international routes from places such as China, Japan and South Korea. As this airport is located right in the heart of the city, it’s by far the most accessible of the two.

Getting From the Airport to Taipei City Centre

Luckily for new arrivals, Taipei Songshan Airport is located in the city itself, with a subway station and bus station directly nearby. Thus, getting to the city centre couldn’t be easier.

If you’re travelling from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, then you also have several options.

Airport MRT to Taipei City Centre

Taking the Airport MRT is by far the most convenient option to get to the city centre. The train runs every 10-15 minutes and takes about 35-40 minutes to reach Taipei Main Station.

You can purchase a ticket at the airport or use an EasyCard to pay for your fare. Tickets can be purchased online on Klook.

Bus to Taipei City Centre

There are numerous bus services that run between Taoyuan Airport and Taipei city centre. The most popular services are Kuo-Kuang Bus and UBus.

Trips take about an hour to reach Taipei Main Station and cost around NT$125.

Rideshare Services to Taipei City Centre

Taipei also has a handful of rideshare services on offer, ensuring that prices remain affordable and never too far from a pick-up. Both options are safe, efficient, and ideal for getting around the city.

Uber is one of the more popular options with short rides within the city typically costing between NT$100 and NT$200.

The local apps GrabTaxi and Yoxi function similarly to traditional taxis in Taipei, with fares determined by a taximeter. The base fare starts at NT$85 for the first 1.25 kilometres, with an additional NT$5 for every 200 meters travelled thereafter. During low-speed travel (under 5 km/h), a waiting time fee of NT$5 is charged for every 60 seconds. From 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, an extra NT$20 is added per trip as a nighttime surcharge.

Getting to Taipei by Train

Taiwan has an extensive railway network that connects major cities and towns across the island and is one of the most popular and convenient options.

There are two major train stations to choose from: Taipei Main Station and Songshan Station, which can be found on either side of the city centre.

There are several types of trains to choose from, including local and high-speed rail. You can purchase your train ticket at the station or online.

Getting to Taipei by High-Speed Rail

The most convenient form of transport to Taipei is taking the high-speed rail (HSR). The railway connects all major cities along the East Coast including Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

The HSR trains are modern and comfortable, with spacious seats, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Purchasing your tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel periods.

Destinations	Time	Price	Get Your Tickets Now!
Taoyuan	0:20 hrs	NT$160	Reserve here
Miaoli	0:45 hrs	NT$430	Reserve here
Taichung	1:04 hrs	NT$700	Reserve here
Tainan	1:46 hrs	NT$1350	Reserve here
Kaohsiung	1:59 hrs	NT$1490	Reserve here

A guide to the cheapest one-way tickets to Taipei booked 4 weeks in advance

Getting to Taipei by Conventional Trains (TRA)

Taiwan also operates conventional trains, which are divided into three categories: local, regional, and express.

Local trains stop at every station and are the slowest, while express trains only stop at major cities and are the fastest. Regional trains fall somewhere in between, making stops at both major and minor stations.

Unlike the HSR trains, these conventional trains also travel down the west coast to places such as Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

Destinations	Time	Price
Taoyuan	0:29 hrs	NT$66
Miaoli	1:18 hrs	NT$255
Taichung	1:40 hrs	NT$375
Tainan	3:11 hrs	NT$738
Kaohsiung	3:40 hrs	NT$843
Yilan	1:17 hrs	NT$218
Hualien	2:05 hrs	NT$440
Taitung	3:42 hrs	NT$783

A guide to the cheapest one-way express tickets to Taipei booked 6 weeks in advance

Getting to Taipei by Bus

Taipei is well-connected by bus to other major cities in Taiwan. Kuo-Kuang Bus and Ubus are the main operators and run from most cities across the country.

Destinations	Time	Price
Taoyuan	0:54 hrs	NT$34
Yilan	1:30 hrs	NT$63
Miaoli	1:59 hrs	NT$95
Taichung	2:45 hrs	NT$160
Tainan	4:20 hrs	NT$265
Kaohsiung	5:00 hrs	NT$295

A guide to the cheapest one-way tickets to Taipei booked 4 weeks in advance

How to Get Around Taipei

Public transport in Taipei is fast, convenient and cheap! By using a combination of subways, buses, train lines and taxis, it’s easy to access anywhere in the city!

Getting Around Taipei by Subway

Taipei’s subway system, also known as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), is an efficient and convenient way to travel within the city.

The system is made up of 6 main lines that connect all parts of the city. Trains run every 3-8 minutes, depending on the time of day and function, until about 1 am across the city.

Tickets can be bought individually or by using an EasyCard (more on this below). A single journey ride costs from NT$20 to NT$65 (depending on the distance). You can also buy one-day passes at each station’s service counter for NT$150.

taipei transport — Photo by Spicybridge, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Getting Around Taipei by Bus

Taipei has an extensive bus network that covers most areas of the city. The buses are affordable, and the fares are based on the distance travelled.

You can also use an EasyCard to pay for your bus fare or pay individually. Buses are charged by zones, with one-zone tickets starting at NT$15; two-segment tickets, NT$30; three-segment tickets, NT$45. Most journeys stay within one zone.

Getting Around Taipei by Rideshare Services

As mentioned previously, Taipei also has a handful of rideshare services on offer, ensuring that prices remain affordable and you’ll never be too far from a pick-up. Both options are safe, efficient, and ideal for getting around the city.

Uber is one of the more popular options with short rides within the city typically costing between NT$100 and NT$200.

EasyCard

To make things easier for travellers and locals alike, public transportation can be paid for with a discount by using an EasyCard.

This highly practical transport card works for different forms of transportation throughout Taiwan, including the MRT in Taipei, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung, as well as public buses in Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, Taichung, Yilan, Matsu and Tainan.

EasyCards can also be used to pay for taxis, ferries, TRA trains, supermarkets, YouBikes and convenience stores. These cards can be bought in any major convenience store, including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, or OK Mart. They can also be topped up at those stores as well as subway stations.