Public Transportation Guide: How to Get Around Taipei Like a Local
okay so first off, Taipei's MRT is ridiculously clean and efficient, like it's almost unsettling how quiet and organized it is compared to other cities. but here's the thing - if you wanna blend in, don't stand on the right side of the escalator. locals walk up the left, and you'll get side-eyed hard if you block the flow. get an EasyCard from any convenience store - it works on buses, MRT, even some taxis and Ubikes. and yes, you can use it at 7-11 too, which is dangerous because late-night toast sandwiches are too easy to buy.
now, buses. they're air-conditioned, reliable, and the drivers don't mess around. but the routes can be confusing if you don't read Chinese. use Google Maps - it's actually accurate here. and if you're standing, hold onto something, because these drivers treat every stop like a drag race.
pro tips for pretending you live here
- *never eat or drink on the MRT. not even water. locals will judge you.
- stand in line for the train - it's a thing here, and cutting is basically a war crime.
- avoid rush hour if you can. 7-9am and 5-7pm are like being in a human sardine can.
- Ubike is great for short rides, but return it to a dock or you'll get fined.
real talk: Taipei is one of the safest cities in the world, but that doesn't mean you should leave your phone on the seat. rent's not cheap either - a decent studio in the city can run you 15-25k NTD/month, but you can find cheaper if you're okay living a bit further out. jobs? tech and teaching English are the big ones, but if you're a digital nomad, the co-working scene is popping off.
and the weather? it's hot. like, "why am I sweating in October" hot. bring an umbrella - it's not just for rain, it's for sun protection too. locals carry them like it's fashion.
if you're heading out of the city, Jiufen and Pingxi are just a train ride away, and Taroko Gorge* is a short flight. don't sleep on those.
overheard from a local: "the MRT is so clean, I once dropped my phone and the staff sanitized it before giving it back." another said, "if you see someone eating on the train, they're either a tourist or a rebel with no cause."
check out these links if you wanna go deeper:
- Taipei MRT Map
- Ubike Station Finder
- Reddit Taipei
- TripAdvisor Taipei Forum
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