Getting Around in Taipei

The city's advanced public transport system makes getting around in Taipei easy. Even frequent day trips out of the city are feasible, thanks to the high-speed trains.

Maps in English are easy to come by, but due to a lack of consistency in adapting Mandarin words into the Latin alphabet (pinyin), maps and road signs often display different spellings of the same roads or areas. For instance, you might encounter variations like 'Zhongxiao' spelt as 'Chung Hsiao' or 'Jhongsiao'. Familiarising yourself with common street and place names can help alleviate the confusion that might arise from this inconsistency.

Given the abundance of public transport options in Taipei and the heavily congested streets, most expats find that driving a car is an unnecessary expense.

With an EasyCard, you can purchase bus, railway and MRT tickets. You can also pay for YouBike rentals, parking, and convenience store purchases. You can buy an EasyCard at most MRT stations and convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. Cards can be topped up at the same locations, via an ATM or online through the app. If your smartphone has NFC functionality, you can use it in place of the card.

Check out the EasyCard website for more information.

Public transport in Taipei

MRT (Mass Rapid Transport)

MRT (Mass Rapid Transport), Taipei's efficient subway system, takes commuters all over the city, with trains running from 6am to midnight. All stations and trains have English signs. Stops are announced in four languages, including English. Even those who don't speak Mandarin can find their way around easily. Stations have ticket booths, vending machines and a smart card system for frequent travellers.

During peak hours, which are generally from 7.30am to 9am on weekends, and 5am to 7pm on weekdays, the MRT can get quite crowded. The average waiting time for trains is about two to four minutes during peak hours and up to seven minutes during off-peak hours. Unlike some other Asian cities, Taipei's MRT does not have women-only cars.

Buses

New arrivals may find that buses can be difficult to navigate at first because most drivers don’t speak English, and destinations on the city outskirts may only be written in Mandarin. That said, once expats get the hang of it, the bus system can be incredibly useful.

Bus fares are charged according to fare zones – passing through some zones will incur a higher cost than travelling within one zone. Ticket payment is either by smart card or in cash. If paying with cash, exact change must be used. For those unfamiliar with Mandarin, navigation apps like Google Maps can provide bus routes and estimated arrival times, significantly simplifying the process.

Useful links

• Taipei Metro
• Taipei City Bus

Taxis in Taipei

Taxis are plentiful and the most flexible way to get around Taipei. They are considerably pricier than public transport but affordable by global standards. Taxis charge higher rates at night, and tipping is not expected.

A taxi can either be ordered by calling a designated taxi company number or by using the taxi company's app. Licensed taxis in Taipei are yellow and display a lighted taxi sign on top. They are metered, and expats should ensure that the driver turns on the meter at the start of their ride to avoid being overcharged.

Alternatively, ride-hailing applications such as Uber and FindTaxi operate in Taipei. Many expats prefer using these applications as they afford more control over routes and service prices while mitigating language barrier issues.

Useful links

• Taiwan Taxi
• Uber Taipei

Driving in Taipei

Considering Taiwan's stressful driving culture and the city's excellent and affordable public transport network, most foreigners do not drive in Taipei. This is also because parking spaces are rare in the city, while fees for rented spaces can be exorbitant.

For those interested in driving, it's important to note that driving in Taiwan is done on the right-hand side of the road. The local traffic rules closely follow international standards, but the high density of scooters can take some getting used to. Turning right on red is prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise.

Transport and Driving in Taiwan

Useful links

• Motor Vehicle Office Taiwan

Bicycles and scooters in Taipei

Owning a scooter in Taipei is cheaper and more practical than owning a car, but expats should consider the high incidence of scooter accidents in the city.

Bicycles are a common sight in Taipei, although not as popular as motorised transport. The city is devoted to improving the cycling culture in Taipei. This can be seen in an increase in cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated bicycle lanes and bicycle sharing initiatives.

Expats can hire a bicycle from kiosks through the public bicycle-sharing service YouBike, which is run by Taipei City. Smart cards or smartphone apps can be used to hire bicycles. Expats will find that cycling is probably the quickest, healthiest, and least expensive way to move around.

For those who plan to rent a scooter, most rental shops require an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement. Taiwan's law mandates helmet use for all scooter riders, so riders should ensure they are provided with one when they rent their scooter.

Useful links

• YouBike

Walking in Taipei

Taipei is an extremely safe city to walk around on foot, especially during the day. That said, foreigners should beware of pickpockets in crowded streets and markets, and of the occasional drive-by bag snatch in the city.

Taipei is fairly walkable, with wide sidewalks in most areas. Areas such as Xinyi and Da'an are particularly pedestrian friendly, with many walking paths and parks. On the other hand, the older areas of the city may have narrower or obstructed sidewalks.

Safety in Taiwan
Areas and Suburbs in Taipei