Getting around Taipei: metros, taxis and passes

By Cheng-Han Lin, Taiwan host 11 August 2026 6 min read

Interior view of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT station platform in Taipei, Taiwan. Captured during the day. — Photo by Jimmy Liao on Pexels

The air outside Jiantang Temple is thick with incense and the low murmur of evening prayers, a familiar prelude to Ghost Month. I weave through the crowd on my scooter, dodging a fruit stall heavy with mangoes, and glance at my watch — 6:47 PM, and I need to be in Xinyi in twenty minutes. The scooter is my daily weapon of choice, but for you, visiting Taipei, the real answer to getting around is a beautifully choreographed ballet of metal and light: the metro.

The MRT: your lifeline

Taipei’s MRT is the beating heart of the city — clean, efficient, and gloriously air-conditioned, a godsend when the felt temperature hits 39°C. A single short ride costs around NT$20–30, and even the longest cross-city jaunt rarely tops NT$65. Fares are distance-based, so you tap in and out with your EasyCard. That card is your key to everything: the MRT, buses, YouBike share bikes, even convenience stores and some taxis. You can buy and top it up at any station or at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, which are as ubiquitous as steaming noodle shops.

For a typical visit, it’s not worth overthinking — just load a few hundred dollars onto the card. But if you’re staying a month or more, or plan to hop between Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan, the TPASS monthly pass at NT$1,200 (roughly $35 US) is a steal. In 2025, the MRT trimmed its frequent-rider discount, and commuters have flocked to TPASS — you’ll see the card in every back pocket. One thing locals know: on weekends, the red line to Tamsui gets packed, and the gondola to Maokong (a glass-bottom ride up for tea-house views) is best taken early morning or late afternoon, especially before the Starry Movie Night on August 15–16 if you want to avoid the crush.

Heads up: the Trendy Taipei music festival kicks off August 22, and they’re closing parts of Civic Boulevard for street parties. Expect crowds on the MRT near Taipei Music Center — but also expect the best vibe the city has all year.

Trains and buses: beyond the metro

When the MRT doesn’t reach, the bus network has you covered. Buses accept EasyCard too, and the fare is a flat NT$15 for most routes within Taipei. The classic local move is the 260 bus from downtown to Yangmingshan National Park — a winding 30–40 minute ride past lush volcanic landscapes, and it drops you right at the park entrance. For longer island trips, the High Speed Rail is your fast friend, zipping to Taoyuan in about 20 minutes and down to Kaohsiung in under 1.5 hours. Book a few days ahead for better fares, and use the Klook or official website — both in English.

But honestly, for a short visit, you’ll mostly rely on the MRT plus your feet. The city is walkable in bursts, especially in the dense older quarters like Wanhua, where Longshan Temple and Huaxi ‘Snake Alley’ are a pleasant stretch apart. Just remember the summer heat — you’ll want to duck into a convenience store for a cold drink every hour or so.

Taxis and ride-hailing: when you just can’t

Taxis in Taipei are metered, reliable, and surprisingly affordable. A short hop across town runs about NT$150–250. you can flag them down on the street, but the smart move is to use Uber or the local app FindMyTaxi, which let you pay by card and see the driver’s rating. During peak hours or when it’s pouring — and it does pour in summer — apps are your savior. For the 2026 Dadaocheng Summer Festival last week, streets near the wharf were closed for the fireworks, and taxis were a no-go; the MRT and walking were the only sane options. After the finale on August 15, expect the same.

A local tip: if you’re in a traditional yellow cab, the driver might ask you to put on a seatbelt — it’s the law, and they’re newly strict about it. And always carry small bills; drivers often claim no change.

YouBike: the two-wheeled freedom

YouBike is Taipei’s public bike system, and it’s genuinely adored. The yellow bikes are sturdy, with a front basket for your night-market haul. Rentals are dirt cheap — the first 30 minutes are about NT$10, and it’s NT$20 for each additional half-hour. You need an EasyCard or phone app to unlock. The stations are everywhere, especially around MRT exits. For a scenic ride, the Tamsui riverside cycle path is a favorite: flat, shaded, and ends at the old street for an ice-cold mango shaved ice. Just don’t be the tourist who cycles in the middle of the lane on a busy road — stick to the bike lanes, or the scooters will eat you alive.

When walking wins

Despite the heat, walking is often the best way to absorb Taipei’s texture. The blocks are short, the alleys are full of surprises — a hole-in-the-wall beef noodle shop with a line out the door (the one on Yongkang Street is a legend), a bubble tea stand that’s been there since the 1980s, a tiny temple tucked between a convenience store and a dentist. In Da’an, the café strip on Yongkang Street is a walking-only pilgrimage for coffee lovers (don’t miss Simple Kaffa or the Cuban sandwich at Este día). In Xinyi, the walk from Taipei 101 through the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park’s old tobacco factory is a cool, shaded route that locals take on lunch breaks. And if you’re hitting the museums — the National Palace Museum in Shilin or the Miniatures Museum near Zhongshan — you’ll want to be on your feet, because the exhibits are endless.

Money matters and local etiquette

Everything here runs on New Taiwan dollars. As of last month, one US dollar gets you about NT$32.1, so your money goes a decent ways. A street-stall meal (think braised pork rice or a night-market snack) is NT$100–150, and a bowl of beef noodle soup might set you back NT$240. A day of street food plus transit can easily come under NT$500 — a bargain. But rent is creeping up, even outside the core, and the 2025 MRT discount cut makes TPASS more attractive. That’s why you see locals whipping out their EasyCard with a sigh.

One more thing: this week marks the start of Ghost Month (August 13 to September 10). You’ll smell incense and joss paper burning in the evenings, especially in old districts like Wanhua. It’s not a scary time — just respectful. Businesses might be quieter, and you might see Pudu offerings outside shops. If you’re sensitive to noise, pick a hotel away from temple grounds, like the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Taipei Ximen or the Les Suites Hotel in Da’an, for a good night’s sleep. But if you’re curious, walk through a residential alley after dark — it’s a side of Taipei that moves by foot and ritual, and no metro ride can match it.

So, get your EasyCard, wear comfortable shoes, and let the city unfold. The metro will get you there, but the walking will make it yours.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Taipei MRT cost?

A single ride is about NT$20–30 for short hops, up to NT$65 for the longest journeys. Fares are distance-based, and you pay by tapping your EasyCard in and out.

Is the TPASS monthly pass worth it for a tourist?

If you're staying over a month or plan to travel between Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan, the NT$1,200 TPASS is a great deal. For shorter visits, topping up an EasyCard is more flexible.

Are taxis expensive in Taipei?

No, a short ride is about NT$150–250. Use Uber or FindMyTaxi for convenience, and always carry small bills.

Can I use one card for all transport?

Yes, the EasyCard works on MRT, buses, YouBike bikes, and even some taxis and convenience stores. It's the single best travel hack in Taipei.

What's the best way to get to Yangmingshan?

The 260 bus from downtown takes about 30–40 minutes and drops you right at the park. It's scenic, cheap, and beats the hassle of parking.

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