Taipei Travel Guide

The Xinyi district skyline with Taipei 101, seen from the Elephant Mountain viewpoint.
Taipei 101 and Xinyi seen from Elephant Mountain · Photo: Gregg Tavares from Stanton, California / CC BY 2.0

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.

Find flights

Plan your Taipei trip

We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.

On this page

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

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. According to Taipei's official travel site, Yangmingshan's flower seasons run from cherry blossoms in February–March and azaleas (Taipei's city flower) in March to calla lilies at Zhuzihu in March–April and hydrangeas in May–June. Timing changes every year, so check official bloom and festival information.

Monthly climate normals

Warmest: Jul (avg high 34.8°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low 14.2°C) · Wettest: Jun (345.0 mm)

High °CLow °CRain mm
Jan19.4°14.2°90.5
Feb20.3°14.4°143.2
Mar22.7°16.0°157.2
Apr26.4°19.3°152.5
May29.7°22.6°239.9
Jun32.7°25.1°345.0
Jul34.8°26.6°226.1
Aug34.2°26.4°337.8
Sep31.5°25.0°315.2
Oct27.6°22.4°150.2
Nov24.8°19.7°83.2
Dec21.0°16.0°88.7

Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.

Source: Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan · Taipei station · 1991–2020 normals —View source

Airport to the city

Taoyuan Airport MRT Express

The easiest way from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main Station. Take the purple Express train, not the commuter.

Time about 35-40 minCost about NT$150-160

Airport Bus

Runs to Taipei Main Station and major hotel areas, with some late-night services.

Time about 50-70 minCost varies by route; check official information

Songshan Airport (TSA) MRT

Songshan sits in the city, linked directly by the brown Wenhu Line.

Time about 10-20 minCost about NT$20-30

Taxi

Convenient from Taoyuan late at night or with lots of luggage. Use the official taxi rank.

Time about 40-60 minCost metered; varies by distance and time, check official information

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 also operates here, and entering your destination in the app 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.

Map of stays in Taipei

Compare prices from many booking sites on the map

Search stays in Taipei in the app

Map & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site

Top sights

  1. Taipei 101

    The city's iconic skyscraper with a paid observatory. For a free view of the tower itself, hike Elephant Mountain.

    Taipei 101 towering over the city's buildings under morning clouds.
    Taipei 101 and the city skyline · Photo: Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0
  2. Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

    A 20-30 minute stair climb to a free viewpoint facing Taipei 101. Sunset is the most popular time.

  3. National Palace Museum

    A world-class collection of Chinese imperial treasures, including the famous Jadeite Cabbage. Allow at least 2-3 hours. Taipei City's tourism site lists hours of 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays (with some exceptions; hours can vary by exhibition area, so check official information). From MRT Shilin Station Exit 1, walk 1-2 minutes to the Zhongzheng Road bus stop and take bus R30, S18, 255, 300, 304, 815, S19 or M1 for about 15 minutes (checked 13 October 2026).

    The lit halls and white balustraded stairs of the National Palace Museum under a purple sunset sky.
    National Palace Museum · Photo: Tslai / CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. Jiufen

    A hillside town of red lanterns, most atmospheric in the evening. Weekends are very crowded, so go on a weekday.

    The hillside town of Jiufen spread across the slope, seen from Mt. Keelung.
    Jiufen · Photo: Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0
  5. Shilin Night Market

    Taipei's biggest night market with fried chicken cutlets, oyster omelets and more. Liveliest after 6 pm.

  6. Longshan Temple

    One of Taipei's oldest temples, busy with local worshippers. Free.

    The ornate entrance hall of Longshan Temple in Taipei.
    Longshan Temple, Taipei · Photo: xiquinhosilva / CC BY 2.0
  7. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

    A vast plaza and monumental hall with a changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Free.

    The vast plaza seen from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, with the National Theater, Concert Hall and main gate.
    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall · Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0
  8. Beitou Hot Springs

    A hot spring district on the MRT, from public baths to upscale resorts. The public outdoor bath has closed for renovation before, so check official information on whether it is open. Thermal Valley is closed on Mondays.

    Steam rising from the jade-green hot spring pond, with the green forest reflected in the water.
    Thermal Valley, Beitou Hot Springs · Photo: Yu tptw / CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Beef Noodle Soup

Taiwan's signature noodles in rich braised or clear broth with tender beef. About NT$150-300 a bowl.

Xiaolongbao

Juicy soup dumplings, with famous shops around Xinyi and Zhongshan. About NT$150-300 a basket.

Lu Rou Fan

Braised pork over rice, cheap and comforting. About NT$40-70 a bowl.

Night Market Snacks

Try fried chicken cutlet, oyster omelet, stinky tofu and pepper buns. About NT$50-100 each.

Bubble Tea and Mango Shaved Ice

Bubble tea is about NT$50-80 everywhere; summer mango shaved ice is about NT$150-250.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout NT$1,500-2,000 per day: hostel, night markets, MRT
Mid-rangeabout NT$3,500-4,500 per day: 3-4 star hotel, restaurant meals
Comfortabout NT$8,000+ per day: luxury hotel, fine dining

According to Taiwan's Tourism Administration survey (2025), international visitors spent an average of US$185.14 per person per day in Taiwan (national average for all of Taiwan, excluding international airfare). Actual costs vary widely with your itinerary and accommodation.

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Suggested itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the morning, Longshan Temple and Ximending in the afternoon, then sunset on Elephant Mountain.

  2. Day 2

    National Palace Museum in the morning, Beitou Hot Springs in the afternoon, then street food at Shilin Night Market.

  3. Day 3

    Day trip: release a sky lantern in Shifen, then head to Jiufen in the late afternoon for the lantern-lit evening.

  4. Day 4

    Zhongshan cafes in the morning, Taipei 101 and Xinyi shopping in the afternoon, then Ningxia Night Market.

Local tips

Related articles

All articles →

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.

한국어 · 日本語 · 简体中文

ⓘ Photo credits

More city guides