Taipei is one of the easiest big cities in Asia to visit. The MRT goes almost everywhere you want to be, the buses fill in the rest, and the city is packed with good food and great shows. Sort out a handful of basics before you fly and the rest of the trip takes care of itself.
- ArrivingGetting to TaipeiTaoyuan Airport by Airport MRT, bus or taxi, Songshan Airport, and arriving by high speed rail.
- TransportGetting aroundThe short answer: MRT, an EasyCard, buses and YouBike.
- PlanningHow many daysWhat one, two, three or five days gets you, and where day trips fit.
- HotelsWhere to staySeven areas compared, each with its MRT stations.
- WeatherBest time to visitMonth-by-month weather, plum rain, typhoons and the big events.
- EssentialsPractical basicsMoney, SIM cards, plugs, water, tipping, safety and the arrival card.
- FamiliesTaipei with kidsThe zoo, the science museum, strollers on the MRT, and kids' camps.
- Going southTaipei to TainanHow to add Taiwan's oldest city to your trip.
- Your listMy picksSave places as you read and keep them in one list with Google Maps links.
Traveling with kids? Start with Taipei with kids. For a longer stay or a summer visit, Camps.Asia lists verified kids' camps in Taipei.
The one-minute version
Give Taipei three days if you can. Stay within a short walk of an MRT station, ideally around Taipei Main Station, Ximending, Zhongshan or Da'an. Get an EasyCard on day one. Come in autumn or spring for the most comfortable weather. Fill in the online Taiwan Arrival Card before you land, carry some cash for food stalls, and you're set.
Once the logistics are done, the fun part: → Things to do → What to eat → A ready-made 3-day plan