Fang Wang
What You'll Find Here
I've lost count of how many times tourists told me they spent the whole morning at the National Palace Museum and then felt too tired—or ran out of daylight—to make it to Taipei 101. It's a classic blunder. Let me fix that for you right now.
Here's the truth: With the right timing and transport, you can comfortably enjoy both in one afternoon, saving at least 2 hours of fumbling around. I've done this exact route with dozens of groups, and I'm going to share every shortcut I've learned.
Why Combine These Two in One Afternoon?
The National Palace Museum is located in the northern part of Taipei (near Shilin), while Taipei 101 sits in the Xinyi District in the east. They are about 8 km apart—not terrible if you plan well. Most travelers try to do them on separate days, but that's a waste of precious vacation time. On a good day, you can finish the museum by 1:30 PM, grab a quick bite, and be at the Taipei 101 observatory before 3 PM—just in time for the best afternoon light and before the sunset rush.
Transport: The Fastest & Cheapest Way
I've tested every option. Don't bother with a taxi for the whole trip—it'll cost you around NT$350-400 and you'll get stuck in traffic. Here's what I tell all my clients:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus R30 to Shilin MRT, then Red Line to Taipei 101 | 45-50 min | NT$45 | Easiest for first-timers; bus stop is right outside museum |
| Taxi to Shilin MRT (5 min, NT$100) + MRT | 35-40 min | NT$120 | Faster if you're in a hurry; cab stand at museum exit |
| Direct Uber to Taipei 101 | 25-30 min (no traffic) | NT$350-400 | Only if you're in a group of 3+ or if it's raining |
My go-to: Bus R30 (free with EasyCard) to Shilin MRT Station. From there, take the Tamsui-Xinyi line (red line) directly to Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. The bus comes every 10-15 minutes, and the entire journey is about 45 minutes door-to-door. Pro tip: sit on the left side of the bus for a quick glimpse of the Grand Hotel on the hill.
Ticket Booking & Timing Hacks
National Palace Museum Tickets
You can buy at the gate (NT$350 for adults), but the queue can take 15-20 minutes. I always book online via Klook or the official NPM website—you'll get a QR code and skip the ticket line. Avoid weekends if possible; Tuesday to Thursday are the quietest.
Must-know: The museum is closed on Mondays. Yes, I've seen people show up on a Monday with sad faces.
Taipei 101 Observatory Tickets
Same story—pre-book on Trip.com or Klook for around NT$420 (vs. NT$600 at the door). The online ticket gets you a dedicated entry lane, saving you 30-40 minutes on busy days. If you're flexible, go up around 4:30 PM—you'll catch both the daytime view and the sunset, plus you avoid the 5:30-7 PM peak.
How to Avoid the Worst Crowds
I've stood in enough sweaty queues to know the patterns. Here's the unfiltered truth:
- National Palace Museum: The busiest hours are 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM when tour buses arrive. I always tell my groups to start at the top floor (3F) and work down—everyone else starts at 1F, so you get the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone with half the crowd.
- Taipei 101: The observatory suffers from "afternoon tour group invasion" between 2 PM and 4 PM. If you arrive at 3 PM, expect a 20-min wait for the elevator. I time my arrival for 4:15 PM—the groups are leaving, and the light is golden.
Another rookie mistake: taking the elevator up to 89F and then waiting 30 minutes for the stairs down to 88F (indoor observation). Instead, go straight to 89F, do the outdoor deck, then take the stairs down to 88F—the stairs are almost always empty.
Where to Eat Along the Route
You'll need fuel. Here's what I do:
Lunch near the museum: The museum's own restaurant (Silks Palace) is pricey and packed. I walk 10 minutes to Din Tai Fung Shilin (No. 185, Section 1, Chengde Road)—but caution: wait time can be 40 minutes. Instead, I grab a beef noodle soup at Liu Shandong Beef Noodles (No. 68, Lane 32, Section 4, Zhongshan North Road). Quick, authentic, and under NT$200. Google Maps rating: 4.3.
Snack near Taipei 101: The basement food court (B1) has everything from bubble tea to curry. I always hit Kiki Restaurant for their mapo tofu—it's spicy, cheap, and fast. Or if you want a view without paying observatory prices, go to 35F Sky Lounge in the Grand Hyatt (attached to 101). Coffee is NT$200, and the view is 90% as good as the top.
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