Yan Zhou
Quick Navigation – Pick Your Shortcut
I've been guiding visitors in Taipei for over eight years, and if I had a dollar for every time someone told me they took a taxi from the airport because they were scared of the metro… well, I'd be richer than that driver. Fact: the MRT to Taipei 101 is faster, cheaper, and honestly more comfortable once you know the moves. Let me walk you through it, no fluff.
Why the MRT Beats Everything Else
Here's the deal: from Taipei Main Station, a taxi to Taipei 101 costs around NT$200–250 (about US$7) and takes 20–30 minutes in light traffic. But peak hours? You'll be stuck for 50 minutes. The MRT costs NT$25 (one-eighth the price) and takes exactly 16 minutes on the train. Plus, you skip the headache of explaining the address to a driver who might not speak English.
The Exact Route: Taipei Main Station to Taipei 101
The Taipei 101/World Trade Center station is on the Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line), also known as Line 2. From most tourist hubs, you'll need to get to a Red Line station. Here's the step-by-step:
From Taipei Main Station (R10 / Blue Line & Red Line)
- Find the Red Line platform – follow signs for 'Tamsui-Xinyi Line' direction 'Xiangshan' (the last stop). It's one floor below the Blue Line. If you're on the Green Line, take the escalator up one level and cross the mezzanine.
- Board the train towards Xiangshan – count 4 stops: NTU Hospital → Daan Park → Dongmen → Da'an → then Taipei 101/World Trade Center. Yes, 5 stops total, but the ride is barely 12 minutes.
- Get off at Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station (R04) – the platform is deep, about 3 floors down. Don't panic, there are long escalators.
From Other Popular Spots
| Starting Point | Nearest MRT Line | Transfer Needed? | Total Time (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ximending (Green Line) | Green Line to Zhongxiao Fuxing, then walk to Red Line platform (same station) | 1 transfer (same station, follow signs) | 20 min |
| Shilin Night Market (Red Line) | Red Line direct – take train towards Xiangshan | None – but it's 10 stops, about 25 min | 30 min |
| Taipei Zoo (Brown Line) | Brown Line to Daan, transfer to Red Line towards Xiangshan | 1 transfer (cross platform at Daan) | 35 min |
| Songshan Airport (Green Line) | Green Line to Zhongxiao Fuxing, then Red Line | 1 transfer | 28 min |
I always tell my clients: the only tricky transfer is at Daan station if you're coming from the Brown Line. You have to walk about 200 meters underground – but there are travelators (moving walkways). Follow the red signs.
Which Exit to Use (Don't Get Lost Underground)
Taipei 101/World Trade Center station has multiple exits. The most direct to the skyscraper's entrance is Exit 4. It comes up right in front of the ATT 4 FUN building, and you'll see Taipei 101 towering above. Walk straight for 2 minutes, cross the street (use the underground passage or pedestrian crossing), and you're at the base.
I've seen tourists come out of Exit 1 (which is closer to the Taipei World Trade Center exhibition hall) and then walk 10 minutes around the block. Save your energy.
Best Time to Ride: Avoid the Crush
Here's something most guides won't tell you: the MRT is packed during 8:30–9:30 AM and 5:30–7:00 PM on weekdays. The Red Line carries a lot of office workers to the Xinyi district. If you're carrying luggage, avoid those times. On weekends, crowds peak around 11 AM–2 PM because of shoppers. I recommend taking the MRT at 10 AM or after 2 PM – the trains are half empty, and you can actually sit down.
Also, note that the last train towards Xiangshan is around midnight. If you're planning to stay at the observatory until closing (10 PM), you'll have no problem catching the MRT back. But if you're bar-hopping around Xinyi, check the schedule – trains stop around 12:30 AM.
How to Buy Tickets (Apple Pay Works, Cash Works Too)
Ticket machines are at every station entrance. You'll see a row of machines with English menus. Here's the drill:
- EasyCard (contactless smart card): Buy one from the machine (NT$100 deposit + value). You can top up at convenience stores or machines. Best choice if you're staying more than one day.
- Single-journey token: Select the destination station on screen, insert cash (coins or NT$100 bills), and get a blue plastic token. It works for one ride – tap in, tap out, and the machine keeps it.
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: Yes, you can tap your phone at the gate directly (look for the reader with the contactless symbol). But note: it doesn't work with all foreign cards. I've had clients with US Chase cards fail. Have a backup cash plan.
3 Mistakes Tourists Always Make
I've watched hundreds of tourists fumble. Here are the top drei:
- Taking the wrong direction at Daan station. The Red Line has two directions: Tamsui (north) and Xiangshan (south). Make sure you board the one heading to Xiangshan. The electronic displays show the next station and final destination in English.
- Getting off at the wrong station during rush hour. Taipei 101/World Trade Center station is sometimes announced as 'Taipei 101' only. Listen for the English announcement: "Next station, Taipei 101/World Trade Center." If you miss it, the next stop is Xiangshan – it's an underground walk of 15 minutes back.
- Not validating the EasyCard before entering. Sounds basic, but I've seen people tap on the wrong reader or forget to tap out. You tap on the gate to enter, then tap again to exit. If you forget to tap out, the system will charge you the maximum fare (NT$65).
As a first-time Taipei visitor, I found this guide incredibly useful! The step-by-step MRT directions from the airport to Taipei 101 were clear—even for someone jet-lagged like me. The hack about grabbing a bubble tea from the food court before heading up was perfect. My only tiny nitpick: the guide says 'fastest route' but doesn't account for train delays. But hey, that's not the writer's fault. This made my visit smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!
This guide was fine, but it overpromised on the 'insider hacks.' It basically told me to avoid rush hour and use the right exit—stuff you can find in any blog. The MRT route part was correct, but nothing special. I actually missed a turn because the description of the underground walkway was vague. Ended up walking in circles for 5 minutes. Also, no mention of the discount if you buy a combo ticket with the observatory. Felt a bit disappointed. 3/5.
Pretty decent overview but a bit too basic for someone who's already used the MRT before. The fastest route advice is accurate (red line to Taipei 101 station, exit 4) but the 'insider hacks' felt more like common sense: don't go during peak hours, use the express elevator. I was hoping for something more niche, like how to get free entry with certain credit cards or the best photo spots. Not bad, just not mind-blowing. 4 stars.
I love Taipei 101 but always hated the crowd. This guide actually helped me skip the worst of it by timing my visit after 4pm as suggested. The tip on taking the elevator from B1 instead of the main floor was genius—no line at all. My only small issue is that the 'fastest route' part assumes you're already at Taipei Main Station. If you're coming from Ximending like I was, you need to add 10 extra minutes. Still, a must-read for first-timers.
Honestly, this guide was a lifesaver during my first trip to Taipei. The MRT route suggestions were spot on—saved me at least 20 minutes compared to the random exit I would've picked. The insider hack about using the observatory entrance on the 5th floor instead of the main lobby was gold. Only gripe: the part about buying tickets at the machine could've mentioned that some machines don't take foreign cards. Nearly got stuck. Still, solid 5/5 for the shortcuts alone.