TRAVEL GUIDE | Taipei Three-Day Itinerary & Budget
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Taipei City is a bustling metropolis often ignored by travelers and backpackers. The city, Taiwan’s capital, is located on the northern part of the country and boasts of developed infrastructures, organized train and transportation system, unique street foods, and interesting tourist attractions that can appeal to a wide variety of travelers. Within the city, one can explore old districts with distinct Chinese influences, check out temples, wharfs and even a hiking trail that would reward you with a panoramic view of Taipei. Do a quick out of the city excursion and the sceneries gets even more interesting—strange geoparks, old Japanese mining towns, waterfalls, a sparkling lake town—all within easy reach from the city.
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| JIUFEN’S OLD STREET, AN HOUR AWAY FROM TAIPEI |
During our three day tour of Taipei, I made an extensive itinerary that covered important places of interest in Taipei, plus a whole day tour outside the city. We did walking tours along an old district of the city, visited temples and memorial halls, did a short hiking activity, shopped and feasted on street foods.
HOW TO GET AROUND TAIPEI
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| TRAINS IN TAIPEI ARE VERY ORGANIZED AND HAVE DISTINCT CHARACTER |
The best way to get around Taipei is through its extensive and well-organized train system. For our trip, to maximize our time and save on transportation expenses, we bought a three-day train pass for their MRT which costs TWD380.00. If you wish to also utilize their bus system, they also offer a three-day pass for both the MRT and buses for a slightly more expensive price.
GETTING CONNECTED IN TAIPEI
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| CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET IN TAIWAN |
For travelers wanting to stay connected while in Taiwan, the government offers free Internet wifi service via the Taipei Free Public Wi-Fi Access or TPE-Free. You can register online prior to your trip and activate your connection right after passing through the airport immigration. One can also opt to register upon arrival, just head over to the Airport Information Center and let them work it out for you.
Connecting to the net using TPE-Free isn’t as reliable as buying a local simcard and loading it with credits or renting a pocket wifi, either at the airport or before flying (see Flytpack), as you have to constantly check if there’s available free wifi hotspots within your vicinity.
WHERE TO EAT IN TAIPEI
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| TAIPEI IS SAID TO HAVE THE BEST STREET FOOD THAT CAN RIVAL THOSE IN HONG KONG |
For food, the best places to get those are on the streets. During the day, numerous hawkers, eateries and restaurants can be found along the city roads, and in the evenings, head on over to the numerous Taipei night markets for the best street food this side of Taiwan.
TAIPEI TRAVEL BUDGET
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| TOURING TAIPEI CITY DIY-STYLE IS VERY AFFORDABLE |
As for the budget, Taipei is a relatively inexpensive place to tour around in; food, transportation and lodgings are quite affordable. About NTW3,500.00 would be more than enough budget for getting around, eating and shopping in the city, inclusive of lodging cost.
A note on exchanging currencies. Banks are the only legit places to change money in Taiwan. If your trip falls on a weekend, be sure to exchange your currencies at the airport before going to the city, else, you’d be forced to have it changed on hotels which has very low conversion rates.
Taipei Three-Day Itinerary
DAY ONE | Taipei Day Tour
12:10 AM - Depart Manila
01:30 AM - Arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
- Sleep at airport or take a bus and a cab to the city
06:00 AM - Arrive / Wake up at hotel
07:00 AM - Visit Moon Bridge at Dahu Park
08:00 AM - Visit Dadaocheng District
- Breakfast
- Explore the area
- Visit Dadaocheng Wharf
- Visit North Gate / Camera Street
11:00 AM - Visit Ximending
- Lunch
- Shopping
02:00 PM - Go back at hotel (optional)
03:00 PM - Visit Four Four South Village
04:00 PM - Start Hike to Elephant Mountain
05:00 PM - Sunset at Elephant Mountain
07:00 PM - Drop by Taipei 101
08:00 PM - Dinner at Shilin Night Market
DAY TWO | Yehliu & Jiufen Tour
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM - Depart for Yehliu Geopark
10:00 AM - Arrive at Yehliu Geopark
- Explore the area
11:30 AM - Lunch at Yehliu Specialty Street
12:00 PM - Depart Yehliu Geopark
- Option 1: take a direct taxi to Jiufen, more expensive at TWD1,500.00 (good up to five persons),
but faster by an hour and without the hassle of transfering.
- Option 2: take the 790 Bus to Keelung Train Station, then take the 788 Bus to Jiufen
02:00 PM - Arrive at Jiufen (Spirited Away)
- Explore the area / Shopping
- Early dinner / snack
06:30 PM - Depart Back to Taipei
- Option 1: take a direct bus to Taipei, if there are available seats (last trip at 8:00PM)
- Option 2: take a 788 Bus to Ruifang train station, then take a train to Taipei
08:30 PM - Arrive Taipei & visit Shilin Night Market
DAY THREE
06:00 AM - Breakfast at Shuanglian Morning Market
- Explore / Shopping
09:00 AM - Visit National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
11:00 AM - Visit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
12:00 PM - Check out at hotel / Lunch
01:00 PM - Shopping / Free time
06:00 PM - Dinner at Shida Night Market
- Explore / Shopping
10:00 PM - Depart to Airport
11:00 PM - Arrive at Airport
01:25 AM - Flight to Manila
DAY THREE | Pingxi & Shifen Tour | TWD684.00 OPTION 2
07:00 AM - Breakfast at Hotel
08:00 AM - Visit Dahu Park Moon Bridge
TWD00.00 - MRT GREEN LINE & BROWN LINE
10:00 AM - Travel to Pingxi
TWD00.00 - MRT BROWN LINE – DAHU PARK TO MUZHA STATION
TWD45.00 - BUS 795 FROM MUZHA STATION (BROWN LINE) TO PINGXI
10:45 AM - Arrive at Pingxi Old Street
- Explore / Shopping
- Lunch
TWD120.00 - TYPICAL LUNCH MEAL
02:00 PM – Walk to Lingjiao ABOUT 15 MINUTES
- Visit Lingjiao Ridge Foot Waterfalls
03:00 PM – Travel by bus to Shifen ABOUT 15 MINUTES
TWD15.00 - BUS 795 TO SHIFEN WATERFALLS
- Visit Shifen Waterfalls
- Visit Shifen Old Street
06:00 PM - Fly Sky Lantern at Shifen Old Street
TWD200.00 - SKY LANTERN FEE
07:00 PM - Dinner
TWD120.00 - TYPICAL NOODLES MEAL
08:00 PM - Train Back to Ruifang, then Taipei
TWD19.00 – SHIFEN TO RUIFANG TRAIN
TWD40.00 – RUIFANG TO TAIPEI (SONGSHAN) TRAIN
10:00 PM - Depart to Airport
TWD125.00 – BUS TO AIRPORT
11:00 PM - Arrive at Airport
01:25 AM - Flight to Manila
Book Affordable Hotels in Taipei
Three-Day Taipei Expenses Guide
● 3 days 2 nights budget total for a solo traveler: TWD 3,810.00
● 3 days 2 nights budget total for two persons traveling together: TWD 7,160.00 (TWD 3,810.00 each)
● TRANSPORTAION: TWD 850.00 Solo | TWD 1,700.00 Couple (TWD 850.00 each)
DAY ONE
TWD 125.00 - Bus 1819 from Taipei Airport to Taipei Main Station
TWD 380.00 - Three-day MRT Pass
DAY TWO
TWD 96.00 - Bus from Taipei Main Station to Yehliu Geopark
TWD 30.00 - Bus 790 from Yehliu Geopark to Keelung Train Station
TWD 30.00 - Bus 788 from Keelung Train Station to Jiufen
TWD 15.00 - Bus 790 from Jiufen to Ruifang Train Station
TWD 49.00 - Train from Ruifang Station to Taipei City
DAY THREE
TWD 125.00 - Bus 1819 from Taipei Main Station to Taipei Airport
● TOUR: TWD 80.00 Solo | TWD 160.00 Couple (TWD 80.00 each)
DAY ONE
TWD 00.00 - No tour expenses
DAY TWO
TWD 80.00 - Yehliu Geopark entrance fee
DAY THREE
TWD 00.00 - No tour expenses
● ACCOMMODATION: TWD 1,800.00 Solo | TWD 3,600.00 Couple (TWD 1,800.00 each)
TWD 600.00 - Cheapest dorm hostel accommodation in Taipei x 3 nights
● FOOD: TWD 1,080.00 Solo | TWD 2,160.00 Couple (TWD 1,080.00 each)
TWD 120.00 - Average cost of a meal per person on eateries x 9 meals (3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner)
* NEW TAIWANESE DOLLAR TO PHILIPPINE PESO RATE: TWD1.00 IS TO PHP1.57
38 comments
Hi may I ask what the name of your accommodation is? :)
ReplyDeleteHi, we stayed on various accommodations during our stay in Taipei, but my suggestion would be to get one along Ximending Area. We stayed at Ximen Wow Hostel there.
DeleteVery informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing this. :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem Kai, enjoy Taipei!
DeleteDid you use an MRT app? If yes, what is it? We're planning to go this October.
ReplyDeleteHi Dre, no we didn't, although I heard it's really helpful
DeleteThanks Rodz! Have a fun Taiwan!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello! Any idea on Taiwan's weather in the first week of September?
ReplyDeleteIt's autumn in Taiwan during September. I haven't personally visited Taiwan during that month, but they say it's starting to cool down during that time :)
DeleteHows the hike up the Elephant mountain? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's tiring, but not that hard :)
DeleteHi! We are a party of six visiting Taiwan this July. We are taking a budget airline, arriving at around 1 AM. Were you able to sleep/nap at the airport while waiting for transpo services to be available?
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, yes we slept at the airport benches while waiting for the bus line to open. Their benches actually have cushions, so it was relatively comfortable. :)
DeleteHi! how's the weather in Taiwan during end of January? is it too cold or same temp as Benguet or Sagada?
ReplyDeleteHi Zephyrine, weather in Taiwan during January is very cold, colder than Benguet or even Sagada! During our trip, it averages at about 16 degrees during daytime.
ReplyDeleteHi. I noticed that you went to Moon Bridge at Dahu Park twice (Day 1 & Day 3). From Ximending Area, hindi ba malayo pumunta dun and then travel to Daodaocheng District which is nearer to Ximending.
ReplyDeleteHi, we actually wanted to go to the Moon Bridge on the first day, but we weren't able to do so, so we went there on the third day instead. It is actually quite far, but we really wanted to see it.
Deletei have the same itinerary though i will try to switch the day 3 as our day1 and the day1 as our day3 well just my thinking hope that this is effective thanks for sharing this super usable information...
ReplyDeleteHello Myla, yes you can definitely switch the first and last day for your own Taipei itinerary :)
Deletehello sir! did you pay in cash for all your bus transpo? or did you use an easy card?
ReplyDeletethanks!
Hi, yes we did pay in cash for all our bus transportation while in Taiwan. The reason for this is our bus use is very minimal.
Deletehow did u pay in cash when it comes to buses? sa bus na ba mismo magbabayad or thur station, thanks so much for the info. :)
DeleteHi Enry, yes we paid in cash for buses. You pay right on the bus, just after entering. You must have exact fares though as they don't give out change.
DeleteHi. Ano po yung mga nearby hotel sa ximen wow? kasi apat kami so mas okay siguro pag maghotel nlng kami. hehehe! thank you po.
ReplyDeleteFor a hotel along Ximending, we stayed at Westgate Ximending :)
DeleteWe'll be travelling by May. Mainit kaya dun? Mas okay ba hostel to stay? If so do you recommendation? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe weather in Taipei during May is at around 26 degrees Celsius. It's generally warm, but not that hot. If you're on a budget, a hostel is an excellent choice. I personally recommend this place: Ximen Wow Hostel
DeleteHi, did you purchase the unlimited train passes during your 3 day stay?
ReplyDeleteYes, we did! And I recommend that you purchase one too, it's a very convenient and cheap way to get around Taipei!
DeleteGreat! But I'm torn between the easy card and the taipei pass which is the 3 day unlimited ride. Which one is more better for you? :)
ReplyDeleteFor me, the 3 days unlimited pass is better, especially if you plan on walking around all day. That's what we got :)
DeleteIs the 3 days unlimited pass can be use in going to Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen?
ReplyDeleteHi, you can only use the three day train pass in the city. So, it cannot be used for Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen
DeleteSir, It is advisable to exchange from Php to USD here in Philippines then exchange that USD to TWD when already in Taipei?
ReplyDeleteIt's better to have USD going to Taiwan, but if you don't have USD on hand, it's better to change your PHP to Taiwanese Dollar here in the Philippines. Recommended place to change currency, Czarina.
DeleteHi, do you have 7 day itinerary? or any guide to Alishan?
ReplyDeleteHi Share, I haven't been to Alishan yet, but will do a guide and update this one once I do.
Delete