Taipei Travel Guide: The Best Tips for Taiwan’s Capital
- Lucy Binder
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Taipei is ideal for a stopover on long-haul flights — for example on your way to Southeast Asia or Australia. This travel guide shows you how to make the most of 48 hours in Taipei and experience the city’s highlights.
Go directly to:
Why a stopover in Taipei is worth it
Getting around Taipei
Things to do in Taipei in 48 hours
Food in Taipei: quick but important
Practical tips for 48 hours in Taipei
Taipei travel guide: the essentials at a glance
My takeaway: do the Taipei stopover
For many travelers, Taipei is mainly one thing: a transfer point. The international airport is considered one of Asia’s most popular hubs, especially on routes to Japan, Southeast Asia or Australia. But if you simply board your next connecting flight, you’ll miss one of East Asia’s most exciting cities. Two nights are enough to get a real first impression — and to understand why Taipei is much more than just a stopover. So if you’re considering a flight that connects via Taipei, think about arriving one or two days earlier and using the time to explore this special city.
This Taipei travel guide is designed to help you use 48 hours wisely — and still see the best of the city in a short amount of time.
Why a stopover in Taipei is worth it
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is easy to explore even if you’re short on time: the main sights are close together and quickly reachable by metro. Public transport is reliable, distances are manageable, and even first-time visitors find their way around fast. For a short stay, the city is ideal because modern architecture, nature, and food culture come together in a compact area.
If you stay for two nights, you can experience Taipei without rushing and without feeling like you’re just ticking off one highlight after another.
Getting around Taipei
Taipei’s city center is easy to explore via the metro (MRT). The trains are clean, punctual, and simple to navigate — even if you don’t speak the language. Many of the city’s key places sit along just a few lines, so you rarely lose time changing trains.
From Taoyuan International Airport, the easiest way into the city is the Airport MRT. Important to know: there are two services. The Express Line (yellow) goes straight into the city center and stops only at a few stations, while the blue line stops at every station and takes significantly longer. If you’re in Taipei for a short stopover, the Express Line is the better option.
Good to know: you don’t necessarily need to buy a ticket at the machine. At the gates you can simply hold your smartphone to the reader when entering and exiting and pay contactless. It’s quick, uncomplicated, and saves time — especially on a 48-hour stopover.
For your stay, it’s worth choosing a hotel in a central location, ideally near an MRT station. That way, you spend less time commuting and more time actually experiencing the city.
Things to do in Taipei in 48 hours
The following stops are easy to spread across two days and give you a good first impression of Taipei.
Visit Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. For a long time it was the tallest building in the world, today it’s mainly a symbol of modern Taipei. From the observation deck you’ll get sweeping views over the city and the surrounding mountains.
If you’re short on time, plan your visit either early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid long lines. The area around the tower is also great for a walk.
Sunset on Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain is one of the best places to see Taipei from above and it’s surprisingly easy to reach. The climb takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on your pace. The trail is well maintained, but there are many steps.
At the top, you’re rewarded with a view of the skyline and Taipei 101 — especially beautiful at sunset. You don’t need hiking boots, but comfortable shoes make the climb much easier.
Experience a night market
A night market is simply part of Taipei. This is where the city feels most alive: food stalls, small stands, voices everywhere, and the smell of freshly cooked dishes. Perfect for your first evening and for tasting your way through Taipei.
The most famous ones are Shilin Night Market and Raohe Night Market. If you don’t have much time, choose one market and let yourself wander instead of trying to see everything. Tip: Even though Taipei is highly digital, you’ll still need cash at most night market stalls.
Eat dumplings at Din Tai Fung
If there’s one culinary classic in Taipei, it’s dumplings — and hardly any place is as well known for them as Din Tai Fung. Their Xiaolongbao, soup-filled dumplings, are the signature dish and a must for many visitors.
Din Tai Fung has several locations across the city, but depending on the time of day, you should expect a wait. When you arrive, you’ll see the estimated waiting time and take a number. We originally planned to go to the location in the basement of Taipei 101, but the wait was nearly two hours. At another branch it was “only” 45 minutes, which we bridged with a short walk and a bit of shopping. If you want to avoid waiting, go outside peak times or choose a location away from the biggest shopping centers. The food is super good — and it’s a great way to get a first impression of Taiwanese cuisine.
Coffee culture in Taipei
Anyone who knows me knows that I spend an above-average amount of time researching the best coffee places on my trips. I’m not an excessive coffee drinker, but my one or two cappuccinos a day have to be the best in town.
Taiwan has developed a remarkable coffee culture in recent years, and in Taipei it’s everywhere. In between traditional tea houses you’ll find small roasteries and cafés that care deeply about origin, brewing methods, and quality. Many places focus on lighter roasts and offer filter coffee, pour-over, or cold brew. The cafés are often minimalist, calm, and perfect for a break between activities. If you step away from the main sights, you’ll quickly discover places that aren’t designed for quick turnover, but rather as meeting points for locals. Some of the best cafés in Taipei include Coffee Law, Simple Kaffa (run by a world champion barista), or Coffee: Stand Up.
Explore one neighborhood properly
Instead of trying to tick off as many places as possible, it’s worth exploring one neighborhood intentionally. Areas like Daan or Zhongshan show everyday Taipei: small cafés, bookstores, parks, and quiet side streets. Especially on a short trip, this creates a counterbalance to the big sights and gives you a more realistic feel for the city.
Food in Taipei: quick but important
Taipei is considered one of Asia’s best food cities. Even simple street stalls often serve surprisingly good meals. If you’re short on time, don’t try to do everything — eat with intention. One great meal beats five average snacks. Beyond dumplings, it’s worth trying noodle soups, fried rice, and sweet snacks at the night markets.
Tip: Book a guided food tour right at the beginning of your stay. You’ll not only get a feel for the city but also discover the best restaurants and stalls recommended by locals — for example the “Iconic Foods Tour” by Taipei Eats.
Practical tips for 48 hours in Taipei
Taipei is easy but a few things make the stay even smoother. A local SIM or eSIM helps with stress-free navigation. Cash is still useful at night markets, even though many places do accept cards.
Depending on the season, the climate can be humid and warm. Light clothing and comfortable shoes are a good idea. Rain is always possible, and short showers are simply part of the city.
If you fly to Taipei and arrive early in the morning, jet lag can hit hard. To adjust quickly, try to stay awake as long as possible on arrival day (ideally until evening). Plan activities that keep you moving and distracted — for example a food tour during the day, Elephant Mountain at sunset, and a night market in the evening.
Taipei travel guide: the essentials at a glance
Recommended duration: 2 nights / 48 hours (or longer, of course)
Best time to visit: March–May and October–November
Airport: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Getting around: Metro (MRT), contactless payment possible. Uber is comparatively expensive
Best areas to stay: Zhongshan, Daan, Ximending
Paying: Cards are widely accepted, but markets often require cash
Language: Mandarin; English is generally well understood in the city
My takeaway: do the Taipei stopover
Taipei surprised me in the best way. Originally, I hadn’t planned to leave the airport and just fly on — but since my connection would have been many hours later, I decided to book my flight two days earlier and actually see the city. Luckily I did. Two nights are enough to get to know Taipei properly, and it’s absolutely worth it. Taipei is perfect for a stopover on long-haul routes — for example on flights from Europe via Asia to Australia or Southeast Asia, where Taoyuan is a practical hub. The city is well organized, easy to access, and offers a lot in a short time: modern architecture, lively markets, green hills, and a vibrant food scene. What surprised me most: despite being a major metropolis, everything feels so clean, calm, and green. Next time I have to choose where to stop over, I would happily fly via Taipei again and stay at least two nights.
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