Taiwan is a vibrant island nation blending ancient Chinese culture with modern innovation, featuring stunning mountain landscapes, bustling night markets, and world-class cuisine. From the neon-lit streets of Taipei to the serene temples of Tainan and dramatic gorges of Taroko, Taiwan offers diverse experiences for every traveler. This subtropical paradise combines excellent infrastructure, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.
- Public
- Excellent — Taipei's MRT is world-class, clean, safe, and punctual. Buses cover gaps. EasyCard makes all public transit seamless. Kaohsiung and Taichung also have MRT systems.
- Taxi
- Good — metered, reliable, and affordable. Uber widely available in cities. Language barrier manageable with address in Chinese (Google Translate or hotel card).
- Rental
- Moderate — scooter rental practical outside cities; car rental useful for east coast road trips; parking difficult in Taipei and unnecessary given the MRT.
- Walking
- Very good — Taipei city center, Tainan's historic core, and Jiufen village are walkable. Night markets best explored on foot. Cycling infrastructure excellent.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airport MRT - $5, 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station
- Shuttle
- Bus 1819/1960/1961 - $3-4, 50-70 minutes
- Bus
- Taxi - $35-45, 40-60 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus networks in all cities. Taipei buses announce stops in English. Most buses accept EasyCard.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike_rental
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $2.20 base fare in Taipei (first 1.25km)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive intercity bus network covers entire Taiwan including remote areas. Major operators include Kuo-Kuang, Ubus, and local companies.
Cost: Generally 30-50% cheaper than trains. Taipei-Taichung $10, Taipei-Kaohsiung $20.
- Tips
- Bus terminals usually near train stations. Online booking available through operators' websites. Night buses available for long routes.
Flights
Daily flights connect Taipei with Taitung, Hualien, Penghu, Kinmen, and offshore islands. Mainly useful for island destinations.
Cost: $50-100 depending on route and season
- Airlines
- UNI Air, Mandarin Airlines, Daily Air operate domestic routes
- Tips
- Flight times 30-60 minutes. Consider train for west coast destinations - often faster door-to-door.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
From centre: 40 km to Taipei
Options: Airport MRT - $5, 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station; Bus 1819/1960/1961 - $3-4, 50-70 minutes; Taxi - $35-45, 40-60 minutes; Private car service - $50-80
Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA)
From centre: 5 km to central Taipei
Options: MRT Brown Line - $1, 10-15 minutes; Bus - $0.50, 15-20 minutes; Taxi - $8-12, 10-15 minutes
Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)
From centre: 10 km to Kaohsiung city center
Options: MRT Red Line - $1.50, 20 minutes to central Kaohsiung; Bus - $1, 25-35 minutes; Taxi - $10-15, 15-20 minutes
Taichung International Airport (RMQ)
From centre: 20 km to Taichung
Options: Bus 156/302 - $1, 45-60 minutes; Taxi - $20-25, 30 minutes
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
EasyCard App (悠遊卡)
Check balance, reload EasyCard, and find nearby accepted locations — essential for managing your transit card
Taiwan Railways (台鐵)
Official app for conventional TRA train bookings including east coast and scenic routes; supports English and allows seat selection
THSR App (高鐵)
Official Taiwan High Speed Rail app for booking, early-bird tickets, and train status updates
Uber Taiwan
Fully operational in all major cities — fastest way to book private rides without language barrier; set pickup/dropoff in map
LINE Taxi (LINE計程車)
Taiwan's most popular local ride-hailing app integrated with LINE messaging; metered pricing same as regular taxis
TaiwanBus+ (台灣公車通)
Real-time bus arrival information for all cities in Taiwan — essential for planning bus-dependent day trips outside Taipei
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy an EasyCard (悠遊卡) at any MRT station immediately on arrival — it works on all MRT, buses, YouBike, and even convenience stores with 20% transport discount
Download the Taiwan Railways (TRA) app for east coast train bookings; THSR app for high-speed rail — book 14-28 days ahead for popular routes and holidays
Uber functions well in all major cities — often faster than flagging a taxi and avoids language barrier; tap 'enter destination' before requesting to ensure correct location
YouBike public bicycle rental (3,000+ stations in Taipei) is free for the first 30 minutes with EasyCard — perfect for short city trips
For the east coast (Hualien-Taitung), renting a scooter gives the most freedom; locals ride 125cc scooters requiring a motorcycle license internationally
Airport MRT from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station costs NT$150 ($5) and takes 35 minutes — far better value than taxis for solo and couple travelers