Taipei
A weekend in Taipei: 2-day itinerary
Two days is enough for Taipei's core: Old Town and Ximending on day one, Taipei 101, Da'an and the night markets on day two, all on the MRT. Stay near Taipei Main Station or Zhongshan. Skip it if you want day trips to Jiufen or Beitou — that needs three days.
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GuideTaipei
Key facts
- Time needed
- 2 full days for the city core; add a third day for Jiufen, Beitou or Yehliu
- Best months
- October–December and March–April (parent country facts)
- Getting around
- MRT plus walking; an EasyCard covers metro, buses and most convenience stores
- Airport transfercheck
- Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station; journey time and fare check
- Where to stay
- Taipei Main Station or Zhongshan for transport; Ximending for nightlife and budget beds
- Daily budgetcheck
- 2026 estimate: NT$1,500–3,500 per person per day excluding hotel
- Rain plan
- October–March north-east monsoon drizzle; keep one indoor block per day
Top picks
If you have one weekend, build it around three things: the old streets of Dadaocheng and Wanhua, the view from Taipei 101 or Elephant Mountain, and at least two night markets. Everything else is optional and can be swapped for weather.
Day one stays west and central: Longshan Temple, Bopiliao and Dadaocheng in the morning, Ximending in the afternoon, then Ningxia or Shilin night market in the evening. Day two goes east: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Yongkang Street for lunch, Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain for sunset, then Raohe night market.
Book Taipei 101 observatory tickets online a day ahead if you are going on a weekend; walk-up queues are longer after 15:00. Elephant Mountain is free and takes about 20–25 minutes of stairs from the trailhead near Xiangshan station.
- Day 1: Longshan Temple → Bopiliao → Dadaocheng → Ximending → Ningxia Night Market
- Day 2: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall → Yongkang Street → Taipei 101 → Elephant Mountain → Raohe Night Market
- Rain swap: National Palace Museum or Huashan 1914 Creative Park instead of the mountain
| Pick | Price (2026 estimate) | Hours | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei 101 observatory | NT$600–700 (check) | 11:00–21:00 daily (last entry about 20:15; check) | The one paid view worth it on a clear day |
| Elephant Mountain trail | Free | Open 24h; go before sunset | Best free skyline photo |
| Longshan Temple | Free | About 06:00–22:00 (check) | Oldest temple area, pairs with Bopiliao |
| National Palace Museum | NT$350 (check) | 09:00–17:00, closed Mon (check) | Half-day if it rains |
| Maokong Gondola | NT$120–150 one way (check) | About 09:00–21:00, closed Mon some weeks (check) | Tea hills, 30 min from Taipei Zoo |
| Shilin Night Market | Free entry; food NT$60–200 per dish (check) | About 16:00–00:00 (check) | Biggest market, easiest MRT access |
| Raohe Night Market | Free entry; food NT$60–200 per dish (check) | About 17:00–00:00 (check) | Compact, next to Songshan station |
Prices and hours are 2026 estimates; confirm on the operator's site before you go.
Prices and hours
Taipei is cheap by US or UK standards. A metro ride is NT$20–65 depending on distance, a bowl of beef noodle soup NT$150–250, a night-market plate NT$60–200, and a mid-range hotel room NT$2,500–5,000 per night. Add NT$300–600 a day for sights and NT$200–400 for drinks if you go out. All figures are 2026 estimates and unverified — check current prices before you commit.
Most museums open around 09:00 and close at 17:00, and many close on Monday. Temples open early and close around 21:00–22:00. Night markets run from late afternoon to around midnight, busiest between 19:00 and 21:00. Taipei 101's observatory is open daily and is the main sight that stays open into the evening. Treat these hours as a planning guide and confirm on the operator's site.
An EasyCard costs NT$100 for the card plus whatever you load; it works on the MRT, city buses, the Maokong Gondola and convenience stores. Buy one at any MRT station machine or service desk.
- Museums: about 09:00–17:00, many closed Monday (check)
- Temples: about 06:00–22:00 (check)
- Night markets: about 16:00–00:00 (check)
- Taipei 101 observatory: 11:00–21:00 daily (check)
| Item | Price (2026 estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MRT single ride | NT$20–65 (check) | EasyCard gives a small discount |
| EasyCard | NT$100 deposit plus top-up (check) | Refundable at some stations |
| Beef noodle soup | NT$150–250 (check) | Yongkang Street and Zhongshan are reliable |
| Night market dinner | NT$200–400 (check) | Three or four dishes |
| Mid-range hotel | NT$2,500–5,000 per night (check) | Book 2–4 weeks ahead for weekends |
| Hostel dorm bed | NT$700–1,200 per night (check) | Ximending and Taipei Main Station |
| Taipei 101 observatory | NT$600–700 (check) | Cheaper online in advance |
| National Palace Museum | NT$350 (check) | Closed Monday |
All figures are 2026 estimates and unverified; check current prices before booking.
Getting there
Most visitors land at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). The Airport MRT runs to Taipei Main Station; the express service is faster than the commuter service and both use the same line. Journey times and fares are unverified — check the Airport MRT site for your date. A taxi takes longer in traffic and costs considerably more. Songshan Airport (TSA) sits inside the city and is used mainly for domestic and some regional flights.
Once in the city, the MRT covers almost everything on this itinerary. Taipei Main Station is the hub for the MRT, the airport line, the high-speed rail to Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, and regular trains. If you plan to leave the city for a day trip, that is the station to start from.
For flights from your home country, compare arrival times: landing after 22:00 means the Airport MRT may have stopped, so budget for a taxi or an airport hotel. Check the last train time for your date before you book.
- Land before 22:00 if you want the Airport MRT
- Buy an EasyCard at Taipei Main Station on arrival
- High-speed rail south leaves from Taipei Main Station
| Route | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| TPE airport → Taipei Main Station (Airport MRT express) | Check | Check |
| TPE airport → Taipei Main Station (commuter) | Check | Check |
| TPE airport → city centre (taxi) | Check | Check |
| Taipei Main Station → Taipei 101 (MRT) | Check | Check |
| Taipei Main Station → Shilin Night Market (MRT) | Check | Check |
| Taipei → Jiufen (bus or train plus bus) | Check | Check |
Times and fares are unverified; check the Airport MRT, Taipei Metro and Taiwan Railways sites for current schedules.
Questions people ask
How do I spend a weekend in Taipei?
Day one: Longshan Temple, Dadaocheng, Ximending and a night market. Day two: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Yongkang Street, Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain and Raohe Night Market. All of it is reachable by MRT and walking, so you do not need a car.
Where should I stay for a weekend in Taipei?
Taipei Main Station or Zhongshan for transport and easy MRT access; Ximending for nightlife, budget beds and late food. All three put you within 20–30 minutes of every stop on this itinerary. Book two to four weeks ahead for weekend dates.
Is a weekend enough for Taipei?
Yes for the city core: temples, old streets, Taipei 101, one mountain view and two night markets. It is not enough if you also want Jiufen, Beitou hot springs or Yehliu; each needs a separate half-day or more, so add a third day (check).
What if it rains all weekend?
Swap Elephant Mountain for the National Palace Museum or Huashan 1914 Creative Park, and move night markets earlier. October to March brings drizzle to the north, so keep one indoor block in each day. In July to September typhoons can disrupt exposed outdoor plans such as trails and coastal trips; closures are possible but check locally.
Do I need cash in Taipei?
Carry some. Convenience stores, hotels and larger restaurants take cards, but many night-market stalls and small shops are cash only. EasyCard covers metro, buses and some stalls. Withdraw NT$2,000–3,000 for a weekend.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialTaiwan Tourism Administration
- officialTaipei City Government
- officialTaoyuan Airport MRT
- officialTaipei Metro
- officialTaiwan High Speed Rail
- secondaryWikivoyage – Taipei