Fang Wang
What's Inside
You step off the plane. You see the train. And you freeze — completely lost. I've been there. My first time in Taipei, I stood at Taipei Main Station for 20 minutes trying to figure out which exit led to the hotel.
After years of guiding groups through the Taipei metro guide, I've picked up tricks that no map shows. Here's the biggest one: Buy your EasyCard at the 7-Eleven in the airport arrival hall. Skip the ticket counters — you'll save 15 minutes and a headache.
Now let's dive into the real details. No fluff, just the stuff that actually helps.
Which Ticket Should You Buy?
Most visitors overthink this. Here's the quick breakdown based on your stay.
| Ticket Type | Price | Best For | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyCard (stored value) | NT$100 deposit + load amount | Stays of 2+ days; also use at convenience stores | Airport 7-Eleven, MRT station machines |
| One-day Pass | NT$150 | Heavy riding (5+ trips) in a single day | MRT station ticket machines |
| Single Journey Token | NT$20–65 (distance-based) | One-off trips; no deposit | Ticket vending machines |
| Taipei Pass (72h) | NT$380 (includes some attractions) | Tourists wanting bundled deals | Airport visitor center or online |
My go-to? EasyCard every time. It works on the metro, buses, and even at FamilyMart. You can reload at any machine — just tap and go. The deposit is refundable at Taipei Main Station, but honestly I keep mine as a souvenir.
How to Read the Taipei Metro Map
It looks overwhelming at first — five lines, dozens of stations. But the logic is simple.
The MRT lines are color-coded: Red (Tamsui-Xinyi), Green (Songshan-Xindian), Orange (Zhonghe-Xinlu), Blue (Bannan), and Yellow (Circular). Each station has a unique number (e.g., R13 for Taipei Main Station). Follow the line color and number — that's it.
Pro tip: When looking for your direction, check the terminal station name on the platform signs. For example, if you're at R13 and want to go north, look for trains toward Tamsui (the red line end).
Best Apps for Navigating the MRT
Google Maps works fine, but I prefer Moovit or the official Taipei Metro App (available in English). They show real-time departures and which train car is closest to the exit.
My personal trick: Download the Taipei Metro map offline (screenshot it) — the network has WiFi, but sometimes it's spotty underground.
How to Avoid Crowds
You read those guides saying "go early." Let me save you from that mistake. The morning rush is 7:30–9:00 AM, and it's brutal. Instead, target 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM for a near-empty train.
Also, here's a secret: Avoid Taipei Main Station between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. The transfer tunnels turn into a human river. Use Zhongxiao Fuxing or Minquan West Road as alternative transfer points if you can.
Transfer Tips: The Only Tricky Stations
Most transfers are easy — just follow the signs. But two stations will test your patience:
- Taipei Main Station (Red/Blue line): Exits are labeled by street, not attraction. Need to find the shopping mall? Follow exit M3. For the High Speed Rail? Follow exit B1. Use the station map first.
- Zhongxiao Fuxing (Blue/Brown line): The walk between lines is about 5 minutes. If you're in a hurry, take the elevator to the middle level — it's faster than the escalator.
One thing that always catches tourists: You need to exit the gates before transferring between lines at these two stations? No — all transfers are within the paid area. Just don't tap out.
As someone who lived in Taipei for a year, I wish I had this guide when I first arrived! It’s not just about getting from A to B—it literally tells you which convenience store inside the station has the best scallion pancake and where to recharge your EasyCard without waiting in line. The cultural notes about priority seating were a nice touch. Perfect for any solo traveler.
Hands down the best transit guide I’ve ever used. The recommendations for combining the MRT with the bus routes to get to Raohe Night Market were spot on, and I loved the ‘local shortcut’ from Taipei 101 to the Elephant Mountain trail. Even the weather warning about which stations get flooded after heavy rain was super helpful. Five stars, no question.
This guide is a lifesaver! I’m usually terrified of subway systems in big cities, but the step-by-step explanations made Taipei MRT feel like a breeze. The little details—like which car to board for a quicker exit at Dongmen station—were exactly what I needed. Used it every single day of my trip and never once got lost. Absolutely recommend!
Pretty solid guide overall! Saved me a ton of time figuring out which exits lead to specific landmarks. The tips about using the QR code for the bilingual map at each station were spot-on. My only gripe is that it didn’t cover the Maokong Gondola connection very well—I had to figure out the bus transfer on my own. Still, a great companion for a first-timer.
I was hoping this guide would help me navigate the maze that is Taipei Main Station, but honestly, the transfer maps were a bit outdated. Followed one of the suggested routes from Ximen to Shilin Night Market and ended up on the wrong line because the station names didn’t match what was on the sign. Had to ask a local to get back on track. Decent idea, but needs a serious update.