Taipei Budget Travel: See Taipei on $50 a Day
Want to explore Taipei without blowing your budget? Learn how to enjoy top attractions, devour amazing street food, and stay comfortable for under $50 a day. Insider tips included.
Read storyTaipei 101
Taipei 101 Travel Guide View all
Best Time to Visit Taipei 101: Avoid Crowds & Get Perfect Views
Wondering when to visit Taipei 101 to skip the queues and snap stunning photos? I’ve taken hundreds of groups there. From sunrise to late evening, here’s the exact hour you should book – plus the one time I never recommend.
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3 Days in Taipei: The Smart Itinerary to Skip Crowds & Save Money
Planning 3 days in Taipei? Avoid the common tourist traps and time-wasting routes. This guide reveals the exact itinerary with insider tips on transport, food, and hidden gems.
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Taipei Travel Guide: Avoid Crowds & Eat Like a Local
Planning a trip to Taipei? Discover how to skip long lines at Taipei 101, navigate the MRT like a pro, and find affordable street food that most tourists miss. Expert tips from a local guide.
Read storyTaipei 101 Overview
Formerly the world's tallest building, this iconic bamboo-shaped skyscraper defines the city's skyline. It offers panoramic views from its multi-level observation decks and houses a massive 660-metric-ton tuned mass damper that stabilizes the tower against earthquakes and typhoons.
Taipei 101 Opening Hours & Tickets
- 10:00–21:00 (Last entry at 20:15)
- Best season: Arrive around 16:30 to experience daylight, sunset, and the sparkling night skyline all in one visit.
- Ticket note: Standard tickets grant access to the 88th and 89th floors. Priority passes are a...
Essential Taipei 101 Visitor Information
- Enquiries: +886 2 8101 8800
- High-speed elevators
- Luxury shopping mall
- Restaurants and food court
- Indoor and outdoor observation decks
- Restrooms
How to Get to Taipei 101
Take the Taipei Metro (Red Line) directly to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station and use Exit 4.
Taipei 101 Travel Safety & Advice
Dial 119 for medical/fire emergencies and 110 for police in Taiwan. First aid is available on the observation deck.
Practical Info
- No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
- 10:00–21:00 (Last entry at 20:15)
- +886 2 8101 8800
We keep this guide current.
Ratings
★★★★☆
4.4
(10 reviews)
On-site notes & editorial review
Tickets
- Standard tickets grant access to the 88th and 89th floors. Priority passes are a...
Online booking may be required
Tips
Book tickets online in advance to save time. Do not miss viewing the giant golden tuned mass damper suspended between the 87th and 92nd floo...
Reality Check
- Long queues for the elevators, especially just before sunset.
- The outdoor observation deck closes during high winds or rain.
- Visibility is highly dependent on Taipei's frequently cloudy weather.
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Taipei 101 Travel FAQ
I only have 2 hours in the area—is Taipei 101 worth rushing for?
Only if the weather cooperates. 2 hours is tight: line, elevator, viewing, back down. You'll feel rushed. I'd suggest skipping it and instead visiting the free Elephant Mountain trail for a classic Taipei 101 photo—takes 40 minutes round trip.
Is Taipei 101 worth visiting at night instead of daytime?
Night has its own charm—lights everywhere—but photographs can be tricky through the glass (reflections). If you go at night, use a lens hood or press your phone directly against the glass to kill glare. Also, the outdoor deck closes at 21:00, so plan accordingly.
Is it worth the money compared to other observation decks?
Compared to the Empire State Building ($44 USD), Taipei 101 ($20 USD) is a bargain. But if you're on a strict budget, head to the rooftop bar of the W Hotel (10 min walk) for a drink with a similar view. Spent ~$15 USD on a cocktail, no ticket needed.
Can I use my international credit card at Taipei 101?
Yes, at the ticket counter and gift shop—Visa, Mastercard accepted. But the self-service kiosks only take local bank cards. I've seen many tourists stuck at the kiosk. Just go straight to the counter with your card.
I'm coming from Taipei Main Station during rush hour—how do I avoid the crowd?
Rush hour (7:30–9 AM and 5:30–7 PM) is a pain. The Red Line gets packed. My trick: board the train at the very front or very rear car—those are usually less crowded because people cluster in the middle. Also, if you can wait 10 minutes, the next train is often emptier. But honestly, it's only about 12 minutes—just wear a mask and endure.
Can I use my Visa card on the MRT or bus?
Not directly. You need an EasyCard (purchased with cash) or a smartphone NFC ticket. Some international credit cards now work on the MRT gates if they have contactless symbol—but this is hit or miss. I always tell clients: carry NT$500 in cash and buy an EasyCard. It's easier.
Is there a direct bus from Taipei 101 to Maokong Gondola?
No direct bus. Take MRT Red Line to Taipei Zoo Station (37 minutes), then walk to the gondola. A taxi would cost about NT$300 and save 15 minutes. But the MRT is cheaper and easier (no traffic).
The taxi driver dropped me at the wrong side of the building. How do I find the main entrance?
That happens a lot. The main entrance to the observatory (89th floor) is on the west side, facing the outdoor plaza. If you're at the back (east side), you'll see a smaller entrance to the mall. Walk around to the front—look for the giant green bamboo-like structure. Enter through the mall entrance on the 1st floor, then look for signs saying "Observatory Ticket Office." There's an escalator down to B1 where the ticket counter is.
I heard I can't use my Visa card for tickets at the counter—is that true?
Yes, walk-in ticket counter often only accepts cash or local cards (Visa debit sometimes works, but not always). Save the hassle: use Klook or KKDay with your foreign card. If you must pay on-site, bring enough cash—NT$700 per adult. There's an ATM inside the mall, but it charges a fee.
What's the fastest way to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei 101?
Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station (35 min), then switch to the Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi line) to Taipei 101/World Trade Center station (15 min). Total time around 1 hour. Taxi costs about NT$1200 and takes 50 min in no traffic—but you'll hit traffic often. I always recommend the MRT.
Recent Reviews
Taipei 101 is a masterpiece of engineering. I'm not usually into skyscrapers, but the design and the tuned mass damper are seriously cool. I spent an hour just staring at the structural details. The observation deck is spacious with plenty of seating, and the cafe serves decent coffee. Highly recommend for architecture nerds like me!
Absolutely loved my visit to Taipei 101! Went just before sunset and watched the city lights flicker on – magical. The glass floor section near the elevator gave me a little thrill, but not too scary if you're afraid of heights. The staff were friendly and the audio guide included interesting facts about the damper. A must-do in Taipei!
Decent experience overall, but honestly overhyped. The view is nice, but on a hazy day you can barely see the city. The building itself is impressive from outside, but inside it's just another tourist trap with overpriced souvenirs. We spent more time in the queues than actually enjoying the view. Not bad, but I'd recommend hiking Elephant Mountain instead for a better photo op.
Taipei 101 is iconic, no doubt. The observatory is clean and well-organized, and the high-speed elevator is a cool experience. But I was a bit underwhelmed by the indoor mall area – felt like any other luxury shopping center. For the price of admission, I expected more interactive exhibits or history. Great for a one-time check, but I wouldn't rush back.
Honestly, the view from the top is breathtaking and worth the ticket price, but the crowds were insane on a Saturday afternoon. We waited almost an hour for the elevator both up and down. If you go, try to visit on a weekday or right when it opens. Still, the 360-degree panorama of Taipei is unforgettable.
I might have just been unlucky with the weather, but the day I visited was so foggy and cloudy that I couldn't see anything from the top. Literally a grey wall. The indoor exhibits are interesting but not worth the steep ticket price alone. The mall downstairs is just a regular luxury mall – nothing special. Probably skip if the forecast is bad.
Really cool building and the view is stunning – no doubt about that. But I have to deduct a star because the queue to get up took almost 45 minutes even with a pre-booked ticket, and the observation deck felt a bit crowded. The price is also on the higher side compared to other observation decks worldwide. Still, if you can handle the wait, it's a great experience.
We booked dinner at one of the restaurants inside Taipei 101 – what an experience! The food was delicious (we had the set menu with local ingredients) and the floor-to-ceiling windows made for a romantic night view. Service was impeccable. Yes, it's pricey, but for a special occasion it's totally worth it. The mall downstairs is also great for shopping.
Incredible engineering and design. I'm a fan of skyscrapers and Taipei 101 didn't disappoint. The wind damper is huge – they have a whole exhibition about it. The observation deck is open-air on some levels so you can feel the breeze. Also loved the souvenir shop with unique Taiwan-themed items. Highly recommended for architecture lovers.
Absolutely breathtaking! The view from the 89th floor observatory at sunset is something I'll never forget. The whole city lights up as it gets dark, and you can see all the way to the mountains. Super smooth elevators, friendly staff, and the audio guide gives great historical context. 100% worth the ticket price. A must-do in Taipei!
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