Yan Zhou
What You'll Learn
You've booked your trip to Taipei. You've seen the photos of that bamboo-shaped tower piercing the clouds. But let me be straight with you — Taipei 101 can be a tourist trap if you don't know the ropes.
I've brought dozens of groups here, and I've seen the same mistakes: people queuing two hours in the heat, paying double for combo tickets they never use, or showing up on a hazy day and seeing nothing. This guide is everything I wish every foreign traveler knew before visiting.
Why Taipei 101 Still Matters
It's not the world's tallest anymore, but it's still the tallest green building on the planet. The view from the 89th floor observatory wraps around the entire Taipei basin. On a clear day you can see the mountains all the way to the coast. The building also houses a giant tuned mass damper — a 660-ton golden ball that keeps the skyscraper steady during typhoons and earthquakes. You can see it up close on the 88th floor. It's like a giant kinetic sculpture, and it's the only one in the world open to the public.
Ticket Prices & How to Buy
| Ticket Type | Price (TWD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (Observatory 89-91F) | 600 | Standard ticket |
| Student / Senior (65+) | 540 | Valid ID required |
| Child (6-12) | 420 | Free for under 6 with adult |
| Express Pass | 1,200 | Skip the line + access to 101F VIP lounge |
| Combo with Taipei Zoo | 800 | Valid 3 days, not worth it unless you also do zoo |
Where to buy:
- Online (recommended): Klook or KKday. You get a QR code, skip the ticket counter queue. No international card issues.
- Official website: taipei-101.com.tw – but payment sometimes fails for non-local cards.
- On-site counter: Bring cash. The ATM inside is often out of order on weekends.
Best Time to Go & Avoid Crowds
Most visitors go at 10 AM, right when the building opens. That's the worst time. Lines snake out the door. The sweet spot is 16:00–17:00. You get soft daylight, then dusk, then Taipei lighting up. Takes about 1.5 hours total. If you go on a Saturday, expect 45–60 minutes just to get to the elevator.
Check the live webcam on the official site before you go. If it's hazy or raining, the view is nothing but white soup. Those 360-degree panoramas only happen on clear days.
How to Get There (Metro, Taxi, Bus)
MRT: Take the Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi) to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station. Exit 4 brings you directly to the mall entrance. From the exit, walk 3 minutes through the mall, take the escalator up to the 5th floor ticketing area. Elevators to the observatory start at the 5th floor. Don't go to the ground floor entrance — that's the office lobby, and security will stop you.
Taxi: From Taipei Main Station, about 20 minutes, NT$200-250. Tell the driver "Taipei 101 guan jing tai" (observatory). Most drivers know the main entrance on Songren Road.
Bus: Route 信義幹線 (Xinyi Main Line) stops right outside. But honestly, skip the bus — the metro is faster and easier.
Floor-by-Floor What to See
- 5F: Ticket counter and elevator to observatory. There's a small gift shop and restrooms.
- 88F: Tuned mass damper viewing area. You'll walk onto a glass floor looking down on the yellow damper. It's also the best spot for photos since it's less crowded than 89.
- 89F: Indoor observation deck, 360-degree views. There are interactive displays and a café. The windows are slightly tilted outward for better viewing.
- 91F: Outdoor observation deck (weather permitting). Open only when it's not raining and wind speed is low. The fence is high, so selfies aren't great, but the fresh air is welcome.
- 101F: Only accessible with Express Pass or restaurant booking (the restaurant is called "101 Dining"). It's a private dining level, not really worth the extra cost just for a view.
Money-Saving Hacks
- Don't buy the combo ticket — the zoo is far and you'll waste a whole day. It's cheaper to buy separate.
- Use a student discount — if you're a full-time student with an international ID, it works.
- Visit on your birthday — the official site sometimes offers free entry on your birthday (check terms).
- Skip the audio guide — it's NT$150 and pretty dull. The free brochure in English has the same info.
- Eat before you go — the café on 89F charges NT$250 for a small cake. There's a Din Tai Fung in the mall downstairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Finally a guide that delivers on its promises. Used it on a rainy Tuesday and breezed through security in under 10 minutes. The 'Skip the Crowds' timing tips are genius—I had whole sections of the observatory almost to myself. The money-saving part saved me enough for a nice souvenir. Worth every penny.
I'm a solo traveler who hates tourist traps, and this guide was perfect. Took their suggested route and got the iconic skyline shot without a single stranger in the frame. The budget-friendly restaurant recommendations were spot on—I ate like a king for under $10. Already shared it with two friends going next month!
This guide is a game changer! Followed their schedule exactly and walked right past a huge line at the main entrance. Saved at least NT$500 on tickets and snacks using the money-saving hacks inside. The detailed map of the food court alone is worth it. Highly recommend for anyone who hates waiting around.
Pretty solid guide overall! The crowd-avoidance strategy saved me about 45 minutes on a weekend afternoon. I liked the insider tip about the free observation deck on the 35th floor—never would have known. Only reason it's not a 5 is that the English could use a tiny polish in a couple spots, but still very useful.
I got this guide before my trip to Taipei and honestly, it was a mixed bag. The tips for skipping the crowds worked okay, but the mall entrance they recommended was still a long wait. Also, the 'save money' part felt a bit weak—the discount codes they listed were mostly expired. Decent starting point but I expected more bang for my buck.