Yan Zhou
📌 Quick Navigation
I've been guiding travelers around Taipei for over a decade, and how to get to Maokong is the question I hear almost every week. The truth? Most online guides make it sound either too complicated or too simple — and they often leave out the tiny logistics that can ruin your afternoon. So let me break it down like I'm sitting with you over a cup of Tieguanyin.
Route 1: Maokong Gondola (MRT + Cable Car)
This is the scenic route, and for good reason. The gondola lifts you over the hills of Taipei Zoo and the green canopy of the tea terraces. On a clear day, you can see Taipei 101 in the distance.
Step-by-step
- Take the MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) to Taipei Zoo Station. Exit from Exit 2 — you'll see signs pointing to the gondola station (about 3 minutes on foot).
- At the station, buy a ticket or use your EasyCard. A one-way ride costs NT$120 (about US$4) for adults. Round-trip is NT$240. Kids under 6 ride free.
- Get in line. The gondola runs every 5-10 minutes, but on weekends the wait can stretch to 45 minutes. I always tell my guests: if the line snakes outside the building, bail out and take the bus instead.
- The ride takes about 20 minutes. You'll pass through Taipei Zoo South Station and Zhinan Temple Station before reaching Maokong. You can hop off at Zhinan Temple if you want a quick visit — it's a scenic Taoist temple perched on the hillside.
- Disembark at Maokong Station. Done!
Operating Hours & Ticket Details
| Day | Hours | Frequency | Last boarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed (maintenance) | — | — |
| Tuesday–Friday | 9:00 – 17:00 | Every 7–10 min | 16:30 |
| Saturday, Sunday & holidays | 8:30 – 18:00 | Every 5–7 min | 17:30 |
Yes, the gondola does not operate on Mondays (except during public holidays). I've seen so many disappointed tourists show up on a Monday — don't be one of them!
Route 2: Shuttle Bus (The Budget-Friendly Insider Choice)
Here's the option most foreigners don't know about. Taipei City Bus route S10 (小10) and BR15 run from MRT Taipei Zoo Station directly to Maokong. The ride takes about 30 minutes, costs NT$15 (pay with EasyCard or coins), and drops you right at the Maokong food plaza.
Where to find the bus
Exit Taipei Zoo Station via Exit 2, walk past the gondola station, and you'll see the bus stop on the right side of the road (near the taxi stand). The S10 runs roughly every 20–30 minutes on weekdays, less frequent on weekends. Here's my go-to trick: If the gondola line is long (like, really long), I walk my group straight to the bus stop. The bus winds up the same hill but the views are still good, and you skip the queue entirely.
Bus vs. Gondola: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Gondola | Shuttle Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (one way) | NT$120 | NT$15 |
| Travel time | 20 min | 30 min |
| Scenery | ★★★★★ (aerial) | ★★★ (road with trees) |
| Queue potential | High on weekends | Low to medium |
| Operating days | Closed Monday | Every day |
Route 3: Taxi or Uber (For Groups or When You're Lazy)
If you're traveling with 3–4 people, a taxi from MRT Taipei Zoo to Maokong is surprisingly affordable. Expect to pay around NT$300–350 one way, which splits to about NT$80–100 per person. Uber is slightly cheaper (NT$260–320). The ride takes about 20 minutes — same as the gondola.
When I take a taxi myself: Late at night after the gondola closes, or when it's raining. The drivers know the narrow roads well, but some speed through the curves — I've had to ask a few to slow down. If you're a nervous passenger, sit in the front and ask nicely: "Qǐng kāi màn yīdiǎn" (please drive slowly).
Driving Yourself? Read This First
I don't recommend driving to Maokong unless you're staying outside Taipei and have a car. The parking lot at Maokong is tiny — only about 50 spots — and on weekends it fills up by 10am. The road up is steep and winding, and if you meet a bus coming the other way, you'll be doing a dance of mirrors. Plus, after a tea-tasting session, you probably shouldn't drive. Just don't.
When to Go & How to Avoid the Worst Crowds
Weekday mornings (Tuesday–Friday, 9:30–11:00) are glorious — almost no queue, cool air, and the tea houses are empty. The worst time? Saturday afternoons, especially 1–4pm. The gondola queue snakes, the bus is packed, and the restaurants have a 30-minute wait.
I always tell my guests: if you arrive and see the gondola line stretching past the EasyCard gate, just pivot to the bus. It's not worth the 45-minute wait. You'll save time and money. Trust me.
FAQs: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Getting to Maokong
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Hands down the best day trip from Taipei! I did the gondola up, then hiked down to the Cat Kong Tea Trail via the steppes path. The guide's recommendation to bring water and mosquito repellent saved me. The views from the top are unreal—you can see the whole basin on a clear day. I also discovered a hidden noodle stall right next to the cable car station that served amazing beef noodles for under $5. Every section of this article was accurate and helpful. Don't miss the night view if you stay late!
Perfect itinerary for first-timers! We used the bus route mentioned as an alternative (BR15 from MRT) because my girlfriend gets vertigo on gondolas. The bus wound up the mountain smoothly, and we got off right near the main tea street. We spent hours hopping from one tea house to another, trying different Tieguanyin and Baozhong. The article's tip about bringing cash was a lifesaver—most places didn't take credit cards. We also loved the short hike to Zhangshan Temple for sunset. Highly recommend!
This article is the reason I finally got to Maokong after living in Taipei for two years! I took the cable car from Taipei Zoo station around 10am on a weekday—no queue at all. The ride up is breathtaking, especially when you see Taipei 101 shrinking behind you. I followed the insider tip about getting off at the second stop, walked through the tea terraces, and had the most incredible oolong tea at a family-run shack. The owner even showed me how they dry the leaves. Magical day, 10/10 would do again.
Solid guide overall. I did the Maokong Gondola + hiking combo mentioned in the article. The walk from the station to the mountain trail is well marked but has a few steep sections that got me sweating. The tea houses along the way were lovely, and I found a quiet spot with a view of the city that made the whole trip worth it. My only complaint: the article didn't mention that some tea houses close by 8pm, so I almost missed out on a nice evening tea. Still, a very enjoyable half-day trip.
I read the article before my trip, and for the most part, the gondola route was spot on. That said, the wait in line on a Saturday afternoon was almost 50 minutes—way longer than I expected. The views from the cable car were stunning, but once I got to the top, Maokong felt way more crowded than I'd hoped. If you go on a weekend, maybe aim for early morning or late afternoon. The tea tasting at a random place I picked was decent but overpriced. Overall, it's a nice escape from Taipei, but prepare for crowds.