Taipei,Taiwan.

Most international flights arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 40 km west of the city. The fastest and cheapest way into the centre is the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express service, which runs every 15 minutes from both terminals and reaches Taipei Main Station in approximately 35–36 minutes for around NT$160 (~US$5) per adult. Taxis are available 24/7 but cost NT$1,000–1,200 (~US$33–40) and take roughly 45 minutes depending on traffic. A smaller number of regional flights — mainly from Japan and domestic routes — land at Songshan Airport (TSA), which sits inside the city and connects directly to the MRT Green Line, just a few stops from the centre. Complete an online Taiwan arrival card within three days before landing; as of October 2025 the process is fully digital.

Taipei's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the backbone of city transport — clean, punctual, and bilingual, operating 6:00–midnight daily with trains every 2–5 minutes at peak times. Fares are distance-based, ranging from NT$20–65 (~US$0.65–2.10) per ride; an EasyCard (rechargeable contactless card, available at any station or convenience store) gives discounts of 10–30% depending on monthly usage. For longer stays, the TPASS monthly pass covers MRT, city buses, and more. City buses fill in MRT gaps affordably. The Maokong Gondola (NT$180 flat fare) provides scenic access to the tea hills southeast of the city. Taxis start at NT$70 (~US$2.30) for the first 1.25 km, and Uber is also available though typically pricier. Many residents and nomads also rent scooters (~US$100/month). Cycling infrastructure is excellent along riverside paths, and the YouBike public bike-share scheme is widely used.

The sweet spot for visiting Taipei is spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November). Spring delivers mild temperatures of 18–24°C, blooming cherry blossoms in Yangmingshan National Park, and the buzz of outdoor music festivals in April — all before the Plum Rain season drenches the city in May and June. Autumn, and October in particular, is beloved by long-time Taiwan hands: skies clear after typhoon season, daytime highs hover around 23°C, and the cool evenings make night-market crawls especially pleasant. December is also worth considering — crowds thin, rainfall is at its annual low (~60 mm), and the city sparkles with festive lights and New Year's Eve fireworks over Taipei 101. Avoid July–September if possible: typhoon season peaks in August, bringing intense heat (30–33°C highs), humidity above 90%, and potential travel disruptions. Winter (January–February) is the cheapest time to visit, with lowest tourist arrivals and excellent deals on flights and hotels, but Taipei's chilly, damp grey skies can be dispiriting — offset them with a soak in Beitou's sulphuric hot springs.