Taipei is one of the easiest Asian cities for first-time visitors. The MRT is world-class, English signage is widespread, the locals are genuinely helpful, and the city is extraordinarily safe. You can wander any neighborhood at any hour without concern.
That said, a few things about Taipei catch newcomers off guard — from the tropical weather patterns to the breakfast culture to the scooter chaos at every intersection. This guide covers everything you need to know before arrival so you spend less time confused and more time eating.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to the City
Taoyuan Airport MRT (NT$160, 35 minutes)
The Airport MRT Express runs directly from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station every 15 minutes. The purple express trains have luggage racks, USB charging, and free WiFi. At Taipei Main Station, transfer to the city MRT network to reach your hotel. This is the best option for most travelers — fast, cheap, and reliable.
Buy a single-journey token at the airport MRT station, or get your EasyCard at the convenience store in arrivals before heading to the platform.
Bus (NT$125-145, 55-80 minutes)
Several bus companies run from the airport to Taipei Main Station and other city stops. Kuo-Kuang 1819 (NT$145) is the most popular. Slower than the MRT but runs 24 hours — useful for late-night arrivals when the MRT has stopped (last train around midnight).
Taxi (NT$1,200-1,500, 40-60 minutes)
Metered taxis queue outside arrivals. The fare is fixed-rate to most city center destinations. Useful for groups of 2-3 splitting the cost, especially with heavy luggage.
The EasyCard — Your Most Important Purchase
Buy an EasyCard immediately — from any convenience store or MRT station. The card costs NT$100 (non-refundable) plus whatever credit you load. Start with NT$500.
The EasyCard is not just a transit card. It works on the MRT (20% fare discount), buses (NT$15 flat fare), YouBike bike share, convenience stores, supermarkets, many restaurants, parking meters, and some taxis. You'll use it 10-20 times a day. Reload at any convenience store or MRT station.
Typhoon Season
Taiwan's typhoon season runs from June through October, with the highest risk in August and September. When a typhoon hits, the government may declare a "typhoon day" — offices and schools close, public transport shuts down, and you'll be stuck indoors.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't visit during these months — many summers pass with only glancing impacts. But check weather forecasts before booking, have flexible plans for a day or two, and download the Taiwan CWA (Central Weather Administration) app for real-time alerts. Hotels don't charge for typhoon-cancelled nights at most establishments.
Even without full typhoons, summer afternoons often bring sudden, intense rain. Carry a small umbrella or buy one from any convenience store for NT$100.
MRT Etiquette
Taipei's MRT has strict rules that are actively enforced with fines.
No eating or drinking. Not even water. The fine is NT$1,500-7,500 and it is enforced. Wait until you exit the paid zone. The yellow line on the floor marks where the paid zone begins.
Stand on the right, walk on the left. Escalator etiquette is consistent across all stations. Standing on the left side will get you glares and pointed requests to move.
Priority seats are taken seriously. The dark blue seats near the doors are reserved for elderly, disabled, and pregnant passengers. Unlike many cities where these seats are loosely observed, Taipei enforces this culturally — sitting in a priority seat when there are standing elderly passengers will draw vocal disapproval from other riders.
Queue in lines. Platforms have marked waiting zones. Passengers queue in orderly lines and wait for exiting passengers before boarding.
Tipping — Not Expected
Taiwan does not have a tipping culture. Restaurants, taxis, hotels, and bars do not expect tips. Some higher-end restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically, which appears on your bill — no additional tip needed. Leaving coins on the table at casual restaurants may confuse staff.
Language & Communication
Mandarin Chinese is the primary language. English proficiency varies — younger Taipei residents often speak some English, especially in tourist areas, but don't count on it at local shops and restaurants. MRT stations and major tourist sites have full English signage.
Google Translate with the camera function is essential. Point your phone at Chinese menus and signs for instant translation. Download the Chinese language pack for offline use before your trip. Many restaurant menus have photos or picture ordering — point at what you want.
Money & Payments
The currency is New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Rough conversion: NT$30 = roughly $1 USD. Night market stalls, traditional restaurants, and small shops are mostly cash-only. ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) accept international cards. Withdraw NT$5,000-10,000 at a time to minimize transaction fees.
Credit cards are accepted at department stores, chain restaurants, hotels, and MRT ticket machines, but not at the places where you'll spend most of your time eating.
Safety & Scooters
Taipei is extremely safe — violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent, and you can walk anywhere at any hour. Petty theft is rare but keep standard precautions at crowded night markets.
The main safety concern is scooters. Taipei has millions of them and they weave through intersections, sometimes running red lights, and park on sidewalks. When crossing streets, watch for turning scooters even when you have a green light. At intersections, scooters often cluster in a "scooter box" at the front of traffic — stay out of this zone as a pedestrian.
What to Wear
Summer (June-September): Light, breathable clothing. It's 30-35°C with extreme humidity. You will sweat. Bring sunscreen and an umbrella for sudden rain. Indoor spaces are aggressively air-conditioned — carry a light layer for MRT stations and malls.
Winter (December-February): Temperatures drop to 10-15°C with cold rain. It rarely feels as cold as the number suggests because of the humidity. A warm jacket and layers are sufficient. No need for heavy winter gear.
Spring/Autumn: Ideal visiting weather. Light layers, comfortable walking shoes. Cherry blossoms appear briefly in February-March at Yangmingshan.
Common First-Timer Mistakes
Skipping breakfast shops. Taiwanese breakfast culture is unique and delicious — dan bing, fan tuan, and soy milk are experiences you can't replicate elsewhere. Don't sleep through them.
Only visiting Shilin Night Market. It's the most famous but also the most touristy. Raohe, Ningxia, and Tonghua night markets are more local and often better for food.
Underestimating distances to day trips. Jiufen and Shifen are 60-90 minutes from the city. Budget a full day for both rather than trying to squeeze them into an afternoon.
Not bringing an umbrella. Rain is frequent and often sudden, especially May through October. A compact umbrella or the NT$100 convenience store variety is essential kit.
Essential Apps & Resources
A handful of apps will transform your Taipei experience from occasionally bewildering to consistently smooth. Download them all before departure — most require setup with an account or offline data pack that is easier to configure on home WiFi than in a crowded arrival hall.
Google Maps is reliable for Taipei and includes MRT transit routing with accurate transfer times. Download the Taiwan offline map before departure. The app correctly calculates EasyCard fares for metro journeys and shows bus stop names in English. For walking directions in older neighbourhoods where street numbering is irregular, Maps can be more precise than any local alternative.
Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) app is essential if you plan any rail travel beyond the MRT — to Jiufen (change at Ruifang station, NT$49), Tainan (NT$738 by express), or the East Coast. Seats on popular routes sell out days ahead. The app accepts international credit cards for ticket purchase and displays an e-ticket QR code that platform attendants scan. The official site is tra.gov.tw for booking in advance on a desktop browser.
Uber Eats and Foodpanda both operate extensively in Taipei with hundreds of restaurants listed. More importantly, both apps show which nearby restaurants are open at any hour — useful at 11 PM when you want to know if the beef noodle shop three blocks away is still serving. Many places that do not have an English-language storefront operate on these apps with full English menus and photos.
iTranslate or Google Translate with the camera function is the single most practically useful tool for independent travellers in Taiwan. Point the camera at a handwritten menu chalkboard, a temple sign, or a medicine packet and get an instant translation overlaid on screen. Download the Traditional Chinese language pack for offline use — some night market lanes have no phone signal.
For accommodation, Airbnb in Taipei offers excellent apartment options in residential neighbourhoods like Da'an, Zhongshan, and Songshan at NT$1,200-2,500 per night — cheaper than most hotels and positioned in local areas near authentic morning markets and neighbourhood noodle shops. For hostels, the Hostelworld app lists all of Taipei's budget options with verified reviews. Star Hostel Taipei (Zhongzheng District, dorms from NT$500) and Flip Flop Hostel Garden (Da'an District, dorms from NT$550) consistently rank as two of the best in the city.
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