Taipei is a city you ride, not drive. The MRT is fast, clean and runs almost everywhere a visitor wants to go, and it is the thing we loved most about living here. So every plan on this page is built around it: each stop gives the nearest station and its line code, and each move gives the ride time and the fare. The sights themselves have their own pages, linked as you go, so the plans stay short and you can read up on whatever catches your eye.
- 1 dayOne day in TaipeiLongshan Temple to Taipei 101 and a sunset on Elephant Mountain, about NT$175 in MRT fares.
- 2 daysTwo days in TaipeiThe old west side one day, the modern east side the next, a night market each evening.
- 3 daysThree days in TaipeiAdd the National Palace Museum, Beitou hot springs and Shilin, or the Maokong Gondola.
- Plan BTaipei on a rainy dayMuseums, a hot spring soak and an evening show, with as little time outdoors as possible.
- Day tripsDay trips from TaipeiJiufen, Tamsui, Pingxi, Yehliu and Wulai, with the bus or train to each.
Before you start
- Get an EasyCard (or tap a credit card) and you will never queue for a ticket. → EasyCard guide
- Learn the line colors and codes. Every station has one, like BL10 for Longshan Temple, and the signs and maps use them. → The MRT
- No eating or drinking on the MRT. Save the bubble tea for the platform exit.
- Stay near a station, ideally on the Red or Blue Line, and every plan here starts at your door. → Where to stay
Good to know: Mondays need a little care. The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays apart from a list of special opening days, and the Maokong Gondola is closed on most Mondays for maintenance (it runs on the first Monday of the month and on national holidays). If one of your days is a Monday, give it the plans that don't need either.
Which plan?
| You have | Start with |
|---|---|
| A layover or one free day | The 1-day plan |
| A weekend | The 2-day plan |
| Three days or more | The 3-day plan, then a day trip |
| A wet forecast | The rainy-day plan |
Not sure how long to stay? → How many days in Taipei
Every plan here ends the day at a night market. Before you head out, check which markets are open tonight on NightMarket.tw.
Sources
Ride times and fares on the itinerary pages come from Taipei Metro's fare and travel time search. Monday closures from the National Palace Museum's visiting hours and the Maokong Gondola's hours of operation. Checked October 2026.