Weekend and Holiday Escapes from Taipei, No Car Needed
By Raytio Ray
Hot springs, mountain views, riverside bike paths and old towns: easy weekend and holiday day trips from Taipei by MRT, bus and train.
One of Taipei's best features is how easy it is to leave
Taipei is a compact city surrounded by mountains, hot springs, rivers and coast, and most of it is reachable by public transport. You don't need a car to have a great weekend. Below are some reliable options, roughly grouped by how much time and effort they take. Opening hours, ticket prices and routes change, so check current details before you go.
Within the city (MRT and a short walk)
Beitou hot springs. Take the MRT to Beitou station and switch to the short branch line to Xinbeitou. The area has public hot spring baths, a hot spring museum, a library in a green building and a hillside park. Public and private baths are available at different price points, and some have specific rules, such as swimwear requirements, so read the entrance notice.
Tamsui. Ride the Red line all the way to the end for a riverside promenade, old street, ferry rides and sunset views. It gets very busy on weekend evenings, so go earlier in the day if you prefer quiet.
Elephant Mountain (象山). A short, steep walk from Xiangshan station gets you to a famous view of Taipei 101 and the city. It's popular at sunset, so bring water and go a bit early for a good spot.
Riverside bike paths. Taipei has extensive riverside cycling routes, and public bikes (YouBike) are available across the city. Renting is easy with the right card or app, and it's a lovely, flat way to spend a few hours.
Cultural spots. Creative parks, museums and old warehouses converted into galleries are scattered across the city, and many host weekend markets and events.
A short bus or train ride
Maokong (貓空). A gondola from near Taipei Zoo takes you up into tea-growing hills, with views and tea houses at the top. The gondola periodically closes for maintenance, so check its status before you go.
Yangmingshan. A national park north of the city with hiking trails, volcanic scenery, hot springs and seasonal flowers. Buses from MRT stations go up, but service can be less frequent, so check the schedule and return times.
Jiufen and the northeast coast. The old mining town of Jiufen is famous for its narrow lanes, tea houses and sea views. It's reachable by bus or by train and bus combinations, and it's extremely crowded on weekends and holidays, so consider a weekday or an early start.
Pingxi line and Shifen. A small railway line through old villages, known for waterfalls and lantern releases. Trains are infrequent and get crowded, so plan your return carefully.
Keelung. A port city with a famous night market and coastal walks, easily reached by train from Taipei.
Longer day trips by train
Yilan and Jiaoxi. A train ride to the northeast coast gets you to hot springs, farmland and beaches. Jiaoxi is known for its hot spring hotels and public foot baths.
Hualien and Taroko Gorge, Taichung, Tainan and beyond. These are better as overnight or long weekend trips, and both the Taiwan Railway and high-speed rail sell out for busy periods.
Holidays are different from weekends
Taiwan's major public holidays include Lunar New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. Long holiday weekends see huge numbers of people traveling, and both trains and popular destinations fill up.
- Book trains early. Rail tickets are usually released several weeks ahead and popular ones sell out quickly, so check the booking window and buy as soon as it opens.
- Expect crowds at famous spots, and consider lesser-known places or weekday visits.
- Lunar New Year is unusual. Many shops and restaurants close for several days, especially small family-run ones, and some cities feel quiet while others are packed.
- Check for adjusted work days. Taiwan sometimes shifts working days to create longer breaks, which can catch newcomers by surprise.
Practical tips
1. Get a reloadable transit card (EasyCard or similar) so you can tap on MRT, buses, trains and public bikes.
2. Watch the weather. Rain and typhoons can change plans, especially for mountain and coastal trips.
3. Start early. The most famous places are much nicer before mid-morning.
4. Bring cash for small shops, night markets and temples.
5. Sunscreen and water, even in winter for hikes.
If you're new to the city and still settling in, a good weekend away is one of the best ways to feel at home in Taiwan, and we're happy to help you get set up so you have the time for it. See our services page.