City Trip Taipei

When is the best time to visit?

October and November are the very best months for Taipei: temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, minimal rainfall and no typhoon risk after early October. November is the driest month of the year. March and April are also pleasant: around 18 to 24 degrees and plenty of blossoms on the surrounding hills.

Avoid July and August: official typhoon season (May to November, peak July-September), extreme heat with a feels-like temperature above 40 degrees and high humidity. February is the coldest and rainiest month (around 12 to 16 degrees). December and January are quiet and cheaper, with pleasant temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees.

Best neighborhoods in Taipei

• Xinyi The modern business district around Taipei 101: skyscrapers, luxury shopping malls (ATT 4 Fun, Breeze Xinyi), rooftop bars and nightclubs. Ideal for a night out and the largest neighbourhood supermarket network. Within walking distance of Elephant Mountain.
• Ximending Taipei's answer to Harajuku: covered shopping streets, street food stalls (stinky tofu, popcorn chicken), bubble tea shops, cinemas and a lively youth culture. Most animated on Friday evenings and weekends. Within 10 minutes of Longshan Temple.
• Zhongshan The boulevard along Zhongshan MRT station: boutique hotels, Japanese restaurants, hair salons and galleries. Quieter than Xinyi and Ximending, but well connected to the MRT network. Great for day visitors who want to stroll.
• Zhongzheng (Da'an area) The historic-administrative centre with the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, the National Theatre and the adjacent Da'an Forest Park (26 hectares, free). Near National Taiwan University and the lively Gongguan district with students and affordable eateries.
• Beitou The hot spring district 20 minutes by MRT from the city centre: public thermal baths from 40 NTD, green hills and a peaceful atmosphere. Ideal as a day trip destination for relaxation.

Top 6 attractions in Taipei

• Taipei 101 Observatory The world's tallest building until 2010 (508 metres); now the symbol of Taipei. Observation deck on the 89th floor: 600 NTD (~17 euros) for adults; outdoor deck on the 91st floor included in the ticket. Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 daily. Go around sunset for both daytime and nighttime views in one visit. Online tickets save queuing time.
• Longshan Temple The most beautiful and most active temple in Taipei (1738, rebuilt after WWII bombing), dedicated to the Buddhist Guanyin and Taoist deities. Admission: free. Open daily 6:00-22:00. Most impressive at dusk with incense smoke and worshippers. Within walking distance of Ximending.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall The monumental memorial building for Taiwan's founder, surrounded by a 25-hectare plaza with the National Concert Hall and National Theatre. Admission: free. The changing of the guard (every hour on the hour) is most impressive at noon.
• Elephant Mountain Hike (Xiangshan) The shortest walk with the biggest view in Taipei: 20 to 30 minutes climbing via concrete steps, then the iconic panorama of Taipei 101 and the skyline. Admission: free. MRT Xiangshan (red line) within walking distance. Sunset is the most popular time; arrive early for a good spot.
• Shilin Night Market The largest and most visited night market in Taipei: street food (scallion pancake, oyster vermicelli, XXL chicken cutlet, stinky tofu), clothing, toys and games. Free entry. Open around 17:00-01:00 (Fri-Sat latest). MRT Jiantan (red line) walking distance. Eat early (17:00-18:30) before peak crowds.
• Beitou Hot Springs The geothermal district with public thermal baths and luxury hotels. Municipal Millennium Hot Spring bathhouse: 40 to 80 NTD (around 1 to 2 euros) per session. Private baths in hotels: 500 to 1,500 NTD per session. Accessible by MRT Beitou and New Beitou (red line, no surcharge).

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Taipei

KLM flies 4 times a week directly from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) with flight KL807, flight time around 14 hours 15 minutes. Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Return tickets from around 988 euros on KLM direct for economy class. Cheaper alternatives: EVA Air, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific with 1 stopover, from around 650 to 800 euros return; total journey time 16 to 20 hours.

From Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to the city centre: Airport MRT (Taoyuan Airport Line) in around 35 to 45 minutes to Taipei Station, 160 NTD (around 4.50 euros). A taxi costs around 1,200 to 1,500 NTD (around 33 to 42 euros). The bus is the cheapest option but takes longer (50 to 70 minutes, 120 to 150 NTD).

Public transport in Taipei: the MRT metro network has 6 lines and covers the entire city. With an EasyCard you pay around 16 to 52 NTD per journey (20 percent cheaper than single tickets). Buy the EasyCard (500 NTD incl. 400 NTD credit) at any MRT service counter or 7-Eleven. Taxis are affordable (starting fare 70 NTD, average journey 150 to 250 NTD).

What does a trip to Taipei cost?

Hostel dorm from around 500 to 900 NTD per night (around 14 to 25 euros); mid-range hotel around 2,000 to 3,500 NTD per night (around 55 to 97 euros). Food: beef noodle soup around 170 to 250 NTD, bubble tea around 50 to 90 NTD, night market street food 50 to 150 NTD per dish, restaurant meal 250 to 500 NTD. Taipei 101: 600 NTD; Beitou public bath 40 to 80 NTD; most temples and parks free. Daily budget (excl. flights): backpacker around 1,400 to 2,000 NTD (around 39 to 55 euros), mid-range around 2,500 to 4,500 NTD.