Taipei is a brilliant base for day trips, because you don't need a car for any of the classics. The MRT runs all the way to Tamsui and to the bus for Wulai, the train takes you to Ruifang for Jiufen and the little Pingxi Line, and city buses climb to the coast at Yehliu. Here is every day trip on the site, with how to get there.
- HillsJiufenThe old gold-mining town of stairs, lanterns and tea houses above the sea. Bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing.
- RiverTamsuiRiverside old street, Fort San Domingo and the sunset, at the end of the Red Line.
- RailPingxi Line and ShifenSky lanterns, a train through the old street and Shifen Waterfall, on a one-day rail pass.
- CoastYehliu GeoparkThe Queen's Head and a cape of strange sea-carved rocks on the north coast.
- MountainsWulaiAtayal culture, a hot spring river, a tiny trolley train and a waterfall. Bus 849 from Xindian.
How to get there at a glance
| Day trip | How | From |
|---|---|---|
| Tamsui | MRT Red Line to the end, 40 minutes, NT$50 | Taipei Main Station (R10) |
| Wulai | MRT to Xindian, then bus 849 | Xindian Station (G01) |
| Jiufen | Bus 1062, or train to Ruifang and a bus up | Zhongxiao Fuxing (BL15) or Taipei Main Station |
| Pingxi and Shifen | Train to Ruifang, then the Pingxi Line; or bus 795 | Taipei Main Station, or Taipei Zoo (BR01) |
| Yehliu | Kuo-Kuang bus 1815 or Keelung Bus 1068 or 953 | Central Taipei |
Putting them together
Some of these pair naturally. Jiufen and the Pingxi Line both start from Ruifang Station, so a long day can take in both. Tamsui and Yehliu are linked along the north coast by the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 716. Wulai sits on its own, south of the city, and makes a calm, green half day.
Good to know: go on a weekday if you can. Jiufen, Shifen and Tamsui are packed at weekends and on holidays, and the buses fill up.
Staying in the city instead? → Taipei itineraries · Things to do
Traveling the length of Taiwan? Inside Tainan covers day trips from Tainan: the salt coast, hot springs, coffee hills and tea country. → Day trips from Tainan
Sources
Travel details for each day trip are on its own page, with official sources. The Tamsui ride time and fare from Taipei Metro's fare and travel time search; the 716 shuttle from the Yehliu Geopark transport page. Checked October 2026.