Updated:
Taipei Transportation Guide 2026: MRT, Buses, Fares & Tickets
Last Updated: 2026-05-09
Taipei is one of the easiest cities in Asia to navigate. For most travelers, the best choice is simple: buy an EasyCard or iPASS, use the MRT for most trips, add buses when needed, and store your luggage before you start sightseeing.
The ticket choice only gets complicated if you plan to ride the MRT many times in one day, visit outer destinations like Jiufen and Yehliu, or pack several paid attractions into a short stay. This guide explains which card or pass actually fits each travel style, including what to do on the first day when you arrive with luggage before hotel check-in.
If you are still planning the airport leg, start with our Taoyuan Airport to Taipei guide. Once you reach the city, come back here to choose your Taipei transit card.
Key Takeaways
- Most visitors should use EasyCard or iPASS because they work on MRT, buses, YouBike, TRA trains, convenience stores, and small payments.
- If you only use the MRT heavily, consider a Taipei Metro One-Day Pass for NT$150 or 24/48/72-hour passes for NT$180/280/380.
- Taipei city bus fares start at NT$15 per section, and smart-card users should tap on and tap off.
- Taipei FunPASS is useful mainly for travelers visiting places like Jiufen, Yehliu, Pingxi, the North Coast, or several paid attractions.
- If you arrive before hotel check-in or leave after checkout, check Taipei luggage storage before dragging bags through the MRT.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: Which Taipei Transit Card Should You Buy?
- If You Just Arrived From Taoyuan Airport
- Taipei Transit Cards and Passes Compared
- EasyCard and iPASS: Best for Most Travelers
- Taipei Metro Passes: One-Day and 24/48/72-Hour Tickets
- Taipei FunPASS: When It Is Worth Buying
- How to Take the Taipei MRT
- How to Take Taipei Buses
- Traveling With Luggage in Taipei
- FAQ
- Sources and Fact Check
Quick Answer: Which Taipei Transit Card Should You Buy?
| Your Trip Style | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First time in Taipei, flexible itinerary | EasyCard or iPASS | Simple pay-as-you-go transit and small payments |
| One full day mostly on MRT lines | Metro One-Day Pass or 24-hour pass | Useful if you take several MRT rides |
| Arrive in the afternoon and leave the next afternoon | 24-hour Metro Pass | Valid for 24 hours after first use, not just the calendar day |
| Two or three days mainly using the MRT | 48/72-hour Metro Pass | Good for continuous city routes |
| Going to Jiufen, Yehliu, Pingxi, or the North Coast | Taipei FunPASS Transport | Covers MRT, buses, and selected Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes |
| Visiting Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, Maokong, and more | Taipei FunPASS Unlimited | Good only if you will use enough included attractions |
| Arrive early or check out before an evening flight | Store luggage first, then travel | Bags make transfers, stairs, markets, and crowded stations harder |
If You Just Arrived From Taoyuan Airport
Most international visitors enter Taipei through Taoyuan Airport, arrive at A1 Taipei Main Station by Airport MRT, and then face a practical question: should you go to the hotel, start sightseeing, or store your bags first?
Use this simple arrival flow:
| Arrival Situation | Best Next Step | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel check-in is available now | Go to the hotel first | Drop bags, reset, then start using Taipei transit |
| You arrive before check-in | Store luggage near Taipei Main Station, Ximending, or your first stop | Avoid dragging bags through MRT transfers and crowded streets |
| You are going straight to Ximending | Store first if you have a suitcase | Ximending is walkable but crowded, with narrow food lines and small shops |
| You are heading to Xinyi or Taipei 101 | MRT is convenient, but luggage slows transfers | Consider storing near your starting point or taking a taxi if bags are heavy |
| You leave Taipei at night after checkout | Store luggage for the day, then return for pickup before Airport MRT or bus | Your last day becomes usable instead of airport waiting time |
If your first city stop is flexible, pick the storage point first, then plan the route around it. That is usually faster than taking luggage to a hotel, leaving it at reception, and doubling back across town. Start with Drop2Go Taipei luggage storage, then choose your MRT or bus route.
Taipei Transit Cards and Passes Compared
| Card or Pass | Price Notes | Covers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyCard / iPASS | Card usually around NT$100 before top-up | MRT, buses, YouBike, TRA, convenience stores | Most independent travelers |
| Taipei Metro One-Day Pass | NT$150 | Taipei MRT and New Taipei Circular Line | Full day of heavy MRT use |
| Taipei Metro 24-hour Pass | NT$180 | Taipei MRT and New Taipei Circular Line | Afternoon arrival or cross-day city route |
| Taipei Metro 48-hour Pass | NT$280 | Taipei MRT and New Taipei Circular Line | Two-day MRT-focused itinerary |
| Taipei Metro 72-hour Pass | NT$380 | Taipei MRT and New Taipei Circular Line | Three-day MRT-focused itinerary |
| FunPASS Transport | NT$210 / 340 / 470 / 730 | MRT, buses, selected tourist shuttles | Jiufen, Yehliu, Pingxi, North Coast |
| FunPASS Unlimited | Adult NT$1,300 / 1,700 / 1,800 | Transit plus multiple attraction tickets | First-timers with packed sightseeing plans |
| FunPASS Exploring | NT$650 / 850 / 1,050 | Attraction entries, transport requires top-up | Families and attraction-heavy trips |
| FunPASS Classic | NT$950 | Taipei 101 Observatory and National Palace Museum | Short stays or business travelers |
EasyCard and iPASS: Best for Most Travelers
If you do not want to overthink it, buy an EasyCard or iPASS. It may not be the absolute cheapest option for every itinerary, but it is usually the most practical.
- Works on: Taipei MRT, buses, YouBike, TRA trains, convenience stores, vending machines, and many small payments.
- Where to buy: MRT stations, convenience stores, some airport and transport counters.
- Card cost: Usually around NT$100 before adding stored value.
- Best for: Flexible itineraries, mixed MRT and bus use, and travelers who do not know exactly how many rides they will take.
Taipei rewards spontaneous decisions. If it rains, you can switch to an underground mall. If it is too hot, ride one MRT stop. If you suddenly want dinner in Ximending, just tap in and go. EasyCard and iPASS are built for that kind of travel day.
Taipei Metro Passes: One-Day and 24/48/72-Hour Tickets
Taipei Metro passes are useful if your route stays mostly on MRT lines. The key detail: the One-Day Pass and 24-hour Pass are different.
| Pass | Price | Validity | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Day Pass | NT$150 | From activation until end of service that day | Start in the morning and ride often |
| 24-hour Pass | NT$180 | 24 hours from first gate entry | Arrive in the afternoon and travel into the next day |
| 48-hour Pass | NT$280 | 48 hours from first gate entry | Two-day city route |
| 72-hour Pass | NT$380 | 72 hours from first gate entry | Three-day MRT-heavy trip |
These passes cover Taipei MRT and the New Taipei Circular Line. They do not cover Taoyuan Airport MRT, buses, TRA, or THSR. Before buying one, ask whether you will actually ride the MRT enough, or whether a stored-value card is simpler.
Heading to Ximending by MRT? Read our Ximending travel guide before you go. It is one of the best first-day or last-day neighborhoods, but it is much better without luggage.
Taipei FunPASS: When It Is Worth Buying
Taipei FunPASS is useful when your itinerary is clear. It is not a required purchase for every tourist. It becomes valuable when you are covering outer areas or using several paid attractions.
Transport Pass
| Duration | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | NT$210 | A packed day using MRT, buses, or a longer route |
| 2 days | NT$340 | Weekend Taipei plus nearby areas |
| 3 days | NT$470 | Jiufen, Pingxi, Yehliu, North Coast, and city travel |
| 5 days | NT$730 | Longer stays with repeated transit use |
The Transport Pass covers Taipei MRT, New Taipei Circular Line, city bus services, and selected Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes. Think of it as a transport pass, not an attraction pass.
Unlimited Pass
The Unlimited Pass combines transit and multiple attraction entries. It is best for first-time visitors who have the energy and schedule to visit many included spots. Adult pricing is NT$1,300 for 1 day, NT$1,700 for 2 days, and NT$1,800 for 3 days. Children’s pricing is NT$1,100, NT$1,500, and NT$1,700.
If you only plan to visit one or two paid attractions, the Unlimited Pass is usually more than you need. Its value depends on actually using the included admissions.
Exploring and Classic Passes
The Exploring Pass is more of an attraction bundle; transport still requires top-up. The Classic Pass focuses on Taipei 101 Observatory and the National Palace Museum. Both are good only when your attraction plan is already clear.
How to Take the Taipei MRT
The Taipei MRT is the easiest way to move around the city. Stations have English signage, transfer routes are clear, trains are clean, and service is frequent.
- Fare: Distance-based, usually around NT$20 to NT$65 per ride.
- Hours: Most lines run roughly 06:00 to midnight, but first and last trains vary by station and direction.
- Tapping: Tap in at the gate and tap out when you exit.
- Useful transfer stations: Taipei Main Station, Zhongxiao Fuxing, Zhongshan, Songjiang Nanjing, Dongmen.
- No food or drink: Eating, drinking, and chewing gum are prohibited after the ticket gates and on trains.
Popular MRT stops for travelers:
| Destination | Station | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ximending | Ximen | First day, last day, street food, nightlife |
| Taipei 101 / Xinyi | Taipei 101/World Trade Center, Taipei City Hall | Shopping, skyline views, nightlife |
| Shilin Night Market | Jiantan | Night market dinner |
| Zhongshan / Chifeng Street | Zhongshan, Shuanglian | Cafes, boutiques, slower walks |
| Longshan Temple / Wanhua | Longshan Temple | Historic Taipei |
| Tamsui | Tamsui | Riverside, sunset, half-day trip |
How to Take Taipei Buses
Buses fill the gaps the MRT does not reach, including Yangmingshan, some riverside areas, residential neighborhoods, and transfer points. They are not hard to use, but first-timers should remember two rules: wave when your bus arrives, and tap both when boarding and getting off.
- Fare: Adult fare starts at NT$15 per section. Longer routes may charge two or three sections.
- Payment: Cash or smart card. If paying cash, prepare exact fare because buses do not give change.
- Smart-card rule: Tap when boarding and tap again when alighting.
- Hailing: Raise your hand when your bus is approaching.
- Getting off: Press the stop bell before your stop.
If you are new to Taipei, use Google Maps for route planning and the official bus system for real-time arrivals. For your first day, MRT is usually easier; buses become more useful once you understand the city layout.
Traveling With Luggage in Taipei
Taipei transit is good. Taipei transit with large luggage is less pleasant. Elevators exist, but popular stations can have queues; underground malls are long; night markets, Ximending, and small shops are not built for rolling suitcases.
Store luggage first if:
- You arrive in Taipei before hotel check-in.
- You check out at noon but leave by train or flight at night.
- You want to visit Ximending, Shilin Night Market, Dihua Street, Zhongshan, or Xinyi.
- You have a 28 or 29-inch suitcase, multiple bags, or children with you.
- Your route requires several transfers.
Drop2Go helps travelers find luggage storage with verified local partner stores in Taipei. You can check storage points online, book without downloading an app, and avoid relying on station locker availability. See Drop2Go Taipei luggage storage before planning a bag-heavy travel day.
FAQ
Should I buy EasyCard or a Taipei Metro day pass?
Most visitors should buy EasyCard or iPASS. Choose a Metro day pass only if you expect to ride the MRT many times in a short period and do not need buses.
What is the difference between the Taipei Metro One-Day Pass and 24-hour Pass?
The One-Day Pass is valid only until the end of service on the day it is activated. The 24-hour Pass is valid for 24 hours after first gate entry, which is better for afternoon arrivals.
Do I need to tap off Taipei buses?
Yes. Smart-card users should tap when boarding and tap again when getting off. The system calculates whether an additional section fare is needed.
Is Taipei FunPASS worth it?
It depends on your itinerary. It is usually not needed for casual city travel. It can be useful for Jiufen, Yehliu, Pingxi, North Coast routes, or if you will use several included attraction tickets.
Can I store luggage near Taipei Main Station or Ximending?
Yes. Options include lockers, staffed storage, and online-bookable luggage storage. If you want to confirm a location before arrival, check Taipei luggage storage.
Related Guides
- How to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei
- Taipei Main Station luggage storage guide
- Things to Do in Ximending
- Luggage storage in Taipei