Taipei is a vibrant city with plenty to do, see and experience. The capital of Taiwan is easy to navigate and some of its popular attractions such as Yangmingshan, Taipei 101, the night markets, Jiufen and others are accessible. The locals are friendly and approachable, and the food delectable, and the shopping choices plentiful.
Taipei is a hub where many people from different parts of the world come and go because of its location, either they stay to explore or transit to another destination. There are direct flights from Manila operated by major airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia just to name a few.
Best Time to Visit
Taipei is in the northern part of the country, which means it experiences subtropical weather with temperatures averaging at around 20 degrees Celsius. Rainy and summer season commences around May to August. The ideal time to visit is in between the months of November to April as these are just at the right temperatures and weather to visit the spots you may want to see.
How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City
You have a handful of options when it comes to going to and leaving the airport. This will depend on your budget and the time you arrive and depart because some modes of transport don’t operate 24 hours.
A taxi can get you to the metro area for around NT$900 to NT$1200 per way. Alternatively, you can catch the train from the airport to Taiwan Main Station; this trip takes about 40 minutes and costs NT$160 per way. You also have the option to take the bus. For drop-offs near Taipei 101, take the CitiAir Bus 1960; the fare costs NT$145. Take bus 1819 for trips to Taipei Main Railway Station; this costs NT$125 and operates 24 hours.
Getting Around
Taipei is easy to navigate because of the extensive long distance trains to other cities and the metro bus network within the city. You can get to its attractions without much hassle. Here are some cards and passes to consider getting during your stay.
Metro Pass
- 24-Hour Pass: NT$180
- 48-Hour Pass: NT$280
- 72-Hour Pass: NT$380
You can activate the card at the gate whenever you want. Once activated, you can use it for an unlimited number of times whenever you ride the metro for the duration of its validity.
Taipei Fun Pass
- One Day Pass: NT$180
- Two Day Pass: NT$310
- Three Day Pass: NT$440
- Five Day Pass: NT$700
You can use this pass for both buses and the metro during your stay.
EasyCard
The EasyCard allows you to ride the metro and buses without paying in cash. You can buy this at the MRT and some convenience stores in the city. Using this gets you discounts whenever you take the train or bus within Taipei. You can also use this card to pay for items in stores such as 7-11 and Family Mart.
Places to Visit
Taipei is a vibrant city that mixes the old and new; there are towering skyscrapers, temples, markets and others that will easily fill your itinerary. There are also day trips worth doing if you have more days to spare.
Within the City
- Taipei 101
- Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall
- Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
- Night Market Hopping (Shilin, Raohe Street, Ningxia and others)
- National Palace Museum
- Daan Forest Park
- National Revolutionary Martyrs Shrine
- Maokong Gondola
- Longshan Temple
- Elephant Mountain
- Ximending
Day Trips
- Yangmingshan National Park
- Jiufen
- Shifen
- Yehliu Geopark
Depending on your interests, you can mix and match which destinations to add to your itinerary. What you can do also depends on how long your stay is. If you’re outdoorsy, trips to Yangmingshan and Elephant Mountain are musts.
Where to Stay
Staying near metro stations and popular districts makes it easier to get to attractions and return to your accommodation. Places such as Ximending, Taipei 101, Shilin Night Market, and Taipei Main Station are ideal choices because of their location. A dorm bed costs around US$10 to US$20 a night, while a private room starts at around US$30.
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