Travel to Taiwan on a budget!
Make the most out of your long weekend, and book a trip to Taipei! This vibrant town is home to bubble tea, tremendous (and cheap) shopping experiences, and a whole lot of FOOD! With Taiwan being just a two-hour flight away, you’ll have to admit that this makes for the perfect long weekend destination!
To make your trip even better, we’re showing you how you can have it all on a budget! Keep reading to find out how.
Best time to travel
Taipei is one of the few visa-free destinations in Asia that experiences all four seasons. So if you’re looking for foliage, cherry blossoms, or snow, Taiwan’s got it all for you. However, it is good to note that summer and spring tend to bring in the most tourists, so unless you want to be bombarded with selfie sticks and body heat, it’s probably best to reschedule your trip!
The country experiences it’s fair share of rain (and sometimes, typhoons), so be sure to check the weather forecast before your visit.
Where to stay
Taipei has a great selection of budget hotels and hostels for money-saving travelers! For as low as USD7 to USD9 a night, you can book a comfortable bed at the Holo Hostel and Ximen Duckstay Hostel. These hostels are also located at central locations close to the MRT station, so you won’t need to worry about transportation!
If you’re sharing a room with a friend or two, Taipei’s got a bunch of budget-friendly hotels available as well! Some are even Instagram-worthy, so they’re definitely worth checking out.
Travel Essentials
1. 4G WiFi for Taiwan (TW Airport Pick Up)
Make traveling around Taiwan a whole lot easier and book yourself a 4G WiFi device! Taiwan’s bustling streets can be difficult to navigate — especially to those who are unfamiliar to the area — so do yourself a favor and stay connected at all times!
2. Taoyuan Airport MRT Ticket
Taxi fares from the airport to the city can do quite the damage to your budget, so skip that and purchase an Taoyuan Airport MRT ticket instead! We highly recommend you book this before your flight so you can hit the ground running!
3. Taipei Transport Fun Pass (TPE Airport Pick Up)
The best way to make your way through Taipei is by utilizing the city’s MRT system. It is incredibly efficient and made even easier with Klook’s Taipei Transport Fun Pass! With this, you can hop on and off the train to your desired destination for as low as USD5.79!
Your 3-Day 2-Night Itinerary that Won’t Break the Bank
Day 1:
1. Taipei Double Decker Bus Tour
If it’s your first time in Taipei, a hop on and off bus is a great way to see the city in a short amount of time. You can simply hop off the bus every time an attraction sparks your interest, and hop back on the next bus to travel to the nearest hot spot dictated on the map. You can opt for a 4-hour pass, 9-hour pass, or a 24-hour pass depending on how long you’d like to sightsee!
2. Taipei 101 Observatory
Of all Taipei’s attractions, this Taipei 101 is one you absolutely cannot miss! Climb up the observatory for panoramic views of Taipei — a sight you can’t see anywhere else. Before leaving, make sure to snap a photo of the building's exterior as well!
Day 2:
Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen Day Tour with Taiwanese Pastry Making
Visit three must-visit spots at one go with this Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen Day Tour! Your first stop will be at Yehliu Geopark, where you'll see different rock formations caused by coastal erosion. Some famous rock formations you shouldn't miss are the Queen's Head, Heart-Shaped Rock, and Cute Princess Rock.
Your next stop is at Jiufen Old Street, where you'll see the famous Spirited Away-inspired tea house. But apart from that, Jiufen is also packed with souvenir stores and local food stalls. You can buy cute souvenirs here like ref magnets, keychains, and accessories as well.
Some local food and snacks that you have to try include sweet taro balls, beef noodles, and milk tea.
Klook Tip: There's a Xing Fu Tang branch (famous milktea) here if you want to skip the long lines of the Xing Fu Tang branch in Ximending.
Your third stop is at Shifen, a famous spot for flying sky lanterns. Here, you can write down your wishes on a lantern and watch it fly away into the sky. This can be done alone or as a group! Don't worry about documenting your experience, a staff member will be there to take photos and videos for you.
Your last stop is at Shu Shin Bou Wagashi Museum where you'll learn how to make Taiwan's famous pastry — pineapple cake! While waiting for your masterpiece to bake, you can stop by their pastry store where you can buy different types of Taiwanese pastry as souvenirs or something to bring home.
Day 3:
Taipei Free Walking Tour Historic Route
Short on cash? No problem! With this historic walking tour, you’ll get to visit many of Taipei’s top attractions like the Memorial Park, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and the Ximen Red House entirely for free!
What to Eat
Fortunately for all you budget travelers, Taipei is a haven of delicious, cheap food. With food stalls in every corner, you definitely won’t go hungry! Be sure to visit Taipei’s night markets, like Shi Lin and Raohe Night Market for the best gastronomic experiences. By dining at these markets, you can average at around USD5 to USD8 a day as meals usually range from USD1 to USD2 per dish.
Here are a couple of dishes you can’t miss during your food trip:
1. Bubble Tea
Now that you’re in the land of bubble tea, you have absolutely no reason not to try an authentic bubble tea drink! With bubble tea shops in every corner, we totally understand if you’re feeling overwhelmed. But just to help you out, some must-tries include Tao Tao Tea, Comebuy, Chun Shui Tang, and Xing Fu Tang.
2. Stinky Tofu
This pungent dish will catch your attention from a mile away — and not really for the best reasons, hence, its name. However, despite it’s funky smell, it’s both delicious and filling! If you’re adventurous enough, this is one dish you need to try!
3. Crispy Chicken Cutlet
Don’t expect this dish to be the size of your fist. Taiwan’s crispy chicken cutlet, depending on where you get it, is about the size of your face, and it’s crispy like popcorn! This deep-fried dish is also incredibly juicy, and good for sharing!
4. Peanut Roll with Ice Cream
Photo Credit: Jirka Matousek on Flickr
Expect a long, long line anywhere they sell Peanut Roll with Ice Cream. This popular dessert is favored by both tourists and locals, and we’re glad to say that the hype is real with this one!
5. Pepper Bun
The pepper bun is a classic dish you’ll find in many, if not all, night markets. It’s got a crusty bun and juicy pork pepper filling that’ll have you lining up once again!
Transportation
1. MRT
Taipei’s most cost-efficient option is their MRT train system. This is the best way to get in and around the city, especially if your days are filled with attraction-hopping! We highly recommend getting yourself the Taipei Transport Fun Pass for a whole day’s worth of unlimited transportation.
2. Private Car
Renting out a car definitely isn’t the cheapest option, however, if in case you’re trying to get from Point A to Point B in a jiffy, this is also a great option! And when you book a private car charter, you wait for no one, and are in complete control of your itinerary!
3. Taxi
If you’re on a budget, taking the taxi isn’t the cheapest option. One trip can easily cost you USD10, which is around the price of two Taipei Transportation Fun Passes. However, if you’re in a rush, taxis are located all around town, so you definitely won’t have a difficult time looking for a cab!
🤗 Taiwan Essentials 🤗
❤️🔥 Popular Attractions in Taiwan ❤️🔥
🏨 Hotels in Taiwan 🏨
