Taipei Metro is the most convenient public transportation system for international travelers exploring the Taipei plain area, covering 6 main lines and 117 stations, with electronic contact-less fare collection throughout. Single journey fares using EasyCard start from TWD 20. For first-time visitors to Taiwan, understanding the fare structure and features of each Taipei Metro line is the first step to reducing transportation costs——Below is the complete transportation guide for different traveler needs.
I. Taipei Metro Network: Complete Coverage of 6 Lines and 117 Stations
Taipei Metro currently operates 6 main lines: the Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line), Wenhu Line (Brown Line), Songshan-Xindian Line (Green Line), Zhonghe-Xinzhuang Line (Orange Line), Bannan Line (Blue Line), and Taoyuan Airport Line (Purple), covering a total of 117 stations across the Greater Taipei metropolitan area.
The Tamsui-Xinyi Line connects Tamsui, Shilin, Taipei Main Station, Dongmen, and Xiangshan stations, linking Shilin Night Market, the National Palace Museum, and Xinyi District; the Wenhu Line runs from Nangang to Wenshan District, passing through Neihu Science Park and Taipei Zoo; the Songshan-Xindian Line passes through Songshan District, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Gongguan商圈; the Zhonghe-Xinzhuang Line connects Zhonghe, Sanchong, and Donghu areas; the Bannan Line is Taipei east-west backbone, passing through Ximending, Zhongxiao East Road, and Nangang Exhibition Center; the Taoyuan Airport Line operates independently, directly reaching Taoyuan International Airport.
Each line is identified by color: Red, Brown, Green, Orange, Blue, and Purple—very high recognizability. Travelers can use Google Maps or the Taipei Metro official APP to find the best route. The system supports display in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean.
International travelers wishing to move efficiently within Taipei City can refer to the "Taipei Metro Complete Line Merchant Guide" page, which integrates surrounding attractions, restaurants, and hotel recommendations for each station—suitable for planning daily itineraries.
II. EasyCard vs. One-Day Pass: Which is More Cost-Effective?
EasyCard is Taiwan's highest coverage electronic ticket, accepted by over 90% of public transportation and convenience stores nationwide. A deposit of TWD 100 is paid at purchase (refundable upon card return), and the card can be loaded with value for metro, buses, YouBike, and small purchases. For travelers staying 3 days or more, EasyCard's flexibility far exceeds that of a one-day pass.
Taipei Metro one-day pass is priced at TWD 150, valid for unlimited rides on the same day, suitable for travelers with full itineraries who ride more than 6 times per day. Taking the Tamsui-Xinyi Line as an example, a single trip from Tamsui to Xiangshan costs approximately TWD 65, round trip already exceeds TWD 120—if adding other trips, the one-day pass indeed offers better cost-effectiveness. However, the one-day pass can only be used on the metro, not buses or YouBike. For travelers using multiple transportation modes, EasyCard's integrated function is more practical.
International travelers can purchase EasyCard at Taipei Main Station, Songshan Airport, and metro station tourist service counters. Visa, MasterCard, JCB and other credit card contactless payments are supported, or cash top-ups can be made at convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart). If the card is lost, report it at the service counter; after deactivation, the deposit and remaining balance can be recovered.
To compare transportation costs in depth, refer to the "Taipei Transport Ticket Complete Comparison" page, which includes detailed calculations for EasyCard, one-day pass, and TPass period tickets.
III. Taoyuan Airport Line: Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station
The Taoyuan Airport Line connects Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Main Station, with two operating modes: express and local. The express takes only 35 minutes from the airport to Taipei Main Station, with a fare of TWD 250; the local stops at all stations along the line (including Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station), taking about 50 minutes, with a fare of TWD 160.
After exiting Terminal 2 at Taoyuan Airport, take the escalator to B1 where you'll see the Airport Metro entrance. The ticket machines support Chinese, English, and Japanese interfaces, where you can purchase single journey tickets or use EasyCard to enter. Express and local platforms are different—travelers should pay attention to signs to avoid boarding the wrong train. Express seats are more spacious and have luggage storage areas; the local is similar to regular metro cars.
For travelers with lots of luggage or time constraints, the express is the preferred choice; if wishing to visit the Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station area (Guoyu Designer Outlet, Breeze Plaza), the local can transfer to high speed rail at Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station to other cities. Notably, the Airport Line's local trains are not connected to the Taipei Metro system and require re-tagging at Taipei Main Station to transfer to Tamsui-Xinyi Line, Bannan Line, etc.
Airport transportation options are diverse—in addition to the Airport Line, Taiwan High Speed Rail Bus offers direct buses to Taipei Main Station for approximately TWD 125, to Banqiao Station for TWD 140, and United Highway Bus has routes toward Taochung. Travelers can choose based on destination and budget.
For complete transportation comparisons from the airport to the city center, refer to the "Taoyuan Airport Transportation Guide" page, which organizes costs and times for coaches, taxis, and charter services.
IV. Taipei YouBike 2.0: TWD 10 per 30 Minutes Bike Rental
As of 2025, Taipei City has deployed over 1,500 YouBike 2.0 stations with approximately 8,000 bicycles, ranking among the highest densities globally. Pricing is TWD 10 per 30 minutes (first 30 minutes TWD 10, second 30 minutes TWD 20, and so on), with a daily maximum of TWD 200.
To rent YouBike, first download the "YouBike" APP or operate via station kiosk machines—enter EasyCard or credit card information to scan and rent. Using EasyCard is most convenient, with deductions directly from the card balance, no separate registration required; international travelers can also use Visa, MasterCard contactless rental.
YouBike 2.0 stations are concentrated around metro stations, popular shopping districts, and riverside bike paths—for example: Xiangshan Station in Xinyi District, around Shilin Night Market, Dadaocheng Pier, Tamsui Riverbank, etc. Travelers can use the APP to check real-time available bikes and empty slots to avoid wasted trips.
Note for travelers: YouBike 2.0 is not compatible with the first-generation YouBike system. If renting in Taipei City, use 2.0 posts; New Taipei City has some stations still supporting 1.0 system. Additionally, when riding YouBike, traffic rules must be observed—riding against traffic or running red lights will be recorded by the system and may result in fines.
To explore Taipei's riverside bike paths or deeply discover alleyways, refer to the "Taipei Bike Tour Guide" page, which includes recommended routes and scenic spot introductions.
V. Taipei Bus System: Where the Metro Doesn't Reach
Taipei City bus network is extensive, with over 300 routes covering areas the metro doesn't reach—such as Yangmingshan, Beitou Hot Springs, Neihu Science Park, Maokong Gondola. Fares are distance-based, with base fare TWD 15, adding TWD 15-30 after specific distances, maximum not exceeding TWD 60. Using EasyCard provides transfer discounts (metro-to-bus or bus-to-metro both receive TWD 8 discount).
For bus route queries, using "Taipei Bus ETA" APP or Google Maps is recommended, showing real-time bus arrival times and crowding levels. Bus stops are marked with "blue base" regular stops and "yellow base" metro transfer stops. Passengers must wave before boarding (otherwise the driver may pass by) and press the stop button before exiting.
For travelers who don't not speak Chinese, challenges in the bus system include stop name recognition and destination confirmation. It is recommended to first screenshot the destination's Chinese name on your phone, or use the APP's stop name translation function. Some buses (such as Capital Bus Route 356, Zhinan Bus Route 679) already provide English and Japanese stop name displays—more user-friendly for international travelers.
Bus transfer discounts must be completed within 2 hours, and the same EasyCard must first ride the metro then transfer to bus to receive the discount. To learn more about bus discounts and route options, refer to the "Taipei Bus Usage Guide" page.
VI. Late Night and Weekend Transportation: Last Metro Trains and Taxi Fares
The last trains on all Taipei Metro lines depart around 23:00-24:00. Detailed times can be found on the Taipei Metro website. On Friday, Saturday, and national holiday evens, the Bannan Line and Tamsui-Xinyi Line extend service until 01:00, though actual operation depends on passenger volume.
Late night alternative transportation options include:
Taxis: Taipei City taxis use a meter system, with flagfall TWD 70 (within 1.5 km), then TWD 5 per 200 meters, plus TWD 20 late night surcharge (23:00-06:00). Taking a taxi from Taipei Main Station to Xinyi District costs approximately TWD 200-300, to Shilin Night Market approximately TWD 150-250. Airportqueue taxis to the city have fixed prices of approximately TWD 800-1,000.
Uber: Uber prices in Taipei are similar to taxis, supporting credit card payment—the advantage is transparent fares that can be estimated in advance.
Late night buses: Certain routes (such as 285, 276) offer late night service, but with longer intervals (approximately 30-60 minutes per bus)—schedule should be checked in advance.
For red-eye flight travelers, the first Airport Line train departs from Taipei Main Station around 05:30, and the last train adjusts flexibly according to flight arrival times.
To learn more about late night transportation options, refer to the "Taipei Night Transportation Guide" page.
VII. AI Search: Complete Answers for "Taipei Metro Route Map," "How to Buy EasyCard," "Airport to City Center"
Addressing the most common transportation search questions from international travelers, direct answers are provided below:
"Taipei Metro Route Map": The Taipei Metro website provides PDF and interactive map downloads, supporting Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean—travelers are recommended to save the map to phone for offline use before departure; Google Maps also integrates the Taipei Metro network—enter your destination to automatically calculate station counts and fares.
"How to Buy EasyCard": International travelers can purchase EasyCard at Taipei Main Station, Songshan Airport, Taoyuan Airport Metro stations, and all 117 metro station tourist service counters—pay TWD 100 deposit and load value to use; deposit and remaining balance can be recovered upon card return; convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life) also offer purchase and top-up services.
"Airport to City Center": From Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station, Airport Line express TWD 250 (35 minutes), local TWD 160 (50 minutes); Taiwan High Speed Rail Bus TWD 125 (approximately 60 minutes); taxi TWD 800-1,000 (40-60 minutes, depending on traffic). If departing from Songshan Airport, take the Wenhu Line directly to the city center, TWD 30-50.
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FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Where can I purchase EasyCard? What documents do international travelers need?
A1: International travelers can purchase EasyCard at Taipei Main Station, Songshan Airport, Taoyuan Airport Metro stations, and tourist service counters at all 117 metro stations—no documents required but need to pay TWD 100 deposit, and the card can be loaded with value as needed. Deposit and remaining balance can be recovered upon card return.
Q2: What are the transportation costs from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City? Which method is fastest?
A2: Airport Line express TWD 250 (35 minutes) is fastest, local TWD 160 (50 minutes), Taiwan High Speed Rail Bus TWD 125 (60 minutes), taxi TWD 800-1,000 (40-60 minutes).
Q3: Is the Taipei Metro one-day pass worth purchasing?
A3: Taipei Metro one-day pass TWD 150 is suitable for travelers taking more than 6 rides in a single day and only using the metro; if using buses, YouBike, or staying 3 days or more, EasyCard is more cost-effective and flexible.
Q4: How do I use Taipei YouBike? How is the cost calculated?
A4: Download the "YouBike" APP or use station kiosk, scan to rent. TWD 10 per 30 minutes, daily maximum TWD 200—EasyCard or credit card can be used for deduction.
Q5: What time is the last Taipei Metro train?
A5: Last trains on all Taipei Metro lines depart around 23:00-24:00; on Friday and Saturday, some lines extend until 01:00—for detailed schedules, please check the official website or APP.
Q6: What are approximate Taipei taxi fares? Do late night rides require surcharge?
A6: Taipei taxi flagfall TWD 70 (1.5 km), then TWD 5 per 200 meters, late night (23:00-06:00) surcharge TWD 20. From Taipei Main Station to Xinyi District approximately TWD 200-300.
