Taipei Layover Guide: How I Spent 21 Hours in Taiwan & What It Cost
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Every time I book a flight from Asia to Canada, I look for a stopover opportunity to see somewhere new.
This time, there was a convenient option with EVA Air where, for the same price, I could choose either a shorter connection or a 21-hour layover in Taipei.
Naturally, I chose the layover.
If you're considering leaving the airport during a layover in Taipei, the good news is that Taipei is easy to visit on a long enough stopover. Taoyuan Airport is connected to the city centre by a 45-minute train, luggage storage is readily available, and it's entirely possible to fit in a walking tour, some great food, and a bit of exploring before your next flight.
While 21 hours isn't enough time to truly experience Taiwan, it was enough to get an intro feel for Taipei.
Here's exactly how I spent my Taipei layover, where to stay, how to navigate the city, store luggage, what it cost, and what I'd do differently next time.
During the food tour I did, we ended by eating delicious mochi at this beautiful temple in central Taipei
Is a Taipei Layover Worth It?
Of course it is — I mean, what is there to lose? Provided you have a bit of budget and some time to spare, it’s a great way to break up a long trip, stretch your legs, and try some fun new foods along the way.
Would I have preferred a week in Taiwan? Of course. I would have loved to take the train and discover the countryside!
But even with less than a day, I was able to explore a bit, join a food tour, and get a sense of Taipei.
A layover can become part of the adventure rather than simply time spent waiting in an airport. So if you're flying between North America and Asia and spot a long layover option that doesn't increase your ticket price, it’s worth considering.
This traditional market is where we sampled seasonal fresh fruits while taking in a sensory local atmosphere
Before You Arrive: Visa, Arrival Card, eSIM & Airport Tips
Take it from a gal who doesn’t prepare much… a little preparation goes a long way when you only have a day. The little time gets eaten up quickly between airports, transport, and sleep!
Here’s what you can do before you land to help make the most of your short stay:
Check Whether You Need a Visa
Always check a government website source to know whether you need a visa to enter another country. The Taiwanese government has information on visa exemptions here — please check for your country as rules are subject to change.
NOTE: If you do not qualify for visa exemption, a layover may not be a financially or timely option for you.
Visa Exempt Countries in Taiwan
As of June 2026, according to Taiwan’s foreign affairs website, passport holders from the following countries can enter visa-free for a length of 14-90 days, depending on the nationality:
Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia (effective until March 31, 2030), Norway, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, and United States of America. Brunei, Philippines, and Thailand also have visa exemptions effective until July 31, 2026.
This is all subject to change without notice. Please check for yourself before booking.
Fill Out Your Arrival Card
Complete Taiwan's arrival card before you land to save time at immigration and get into the city faster. Keep the confirmation handy, but they likely won’t need it as it’ll show up on your file when you present your passport.
Taipei has loads of bright-colored signs hanging off the sides of older buildings, adding a lot of vibrance to an otherwise greyscale city
Set Up an eSIM
Having mobile data immediately upon arrival makes navigating Taipei much easier. There isn’t much public WiFi, and you’ll need a connection for checking Google Maps, consulting train schedules, ordering an Uber, finding your next coffee stop, etc.
I use Airalo for the most reliable eSIM setups and install it before takeoff. I personally use quite a lot of data and took 2GB, but you could get away with less.
Know Which Airport & Terminal You're Using
Since you’re traveling internationally, you are going through Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), which is about 45 minutes from central Taipei by train. Before heading back to the airport, double-check that you're navigating to the correct airport and terminal in Google Maps or your ride-hailing app.
You'll also want to confirm whether you're using Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 in Taoyuan Airport. The Airport MRT serves both terminals, so you want to check which you’ll be getting off at, or which to put into your rideshare app.
How to Get From Taoyuan Airport to Taipei
One of the biggest advantages of Taipei as a layover destination is that it’s connected by the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station. It takes about 45 minutes, costs 160 TWD ($5 USD), and the train is clean, efficient, and easy to use.
On the Airport MRT, one or two turnstiles on each row will have an option to tap your credit card directly to pay — no tokens or special card needed!
The MRT doesn’t require a ticket ahead of time, and you can directly scan your credit card at the first turnstile to enter. If you do that, you’ll need to tap the same card when you exit, and your card will be charged within the next 12 hours. Look for the turnstiles with the Visa/Mastercard symbol, as some only take tokens.
On my trip back, the trains were full, which meant I was standing for about 30 minutes until a seat opened up. If that’s a concern for you, make sure to go early to the station in case you want to wait for the next train with a seat available.
You could also take Uber, but I wouldn’t recommend it because the train is so inexpensive and easy to use.
Taipei Main Station has pretty good signage directing you towards the Airport MRT — just keep an eye out overhead
What to Expect at Taoyuan Airport (TPE)
If you're debating whether to leave the airport during your layover, it helps to know what you're leaving behind.
I found Taoyuan Airport easy to navigate, with reliable WiFi and plenty of dining options. In fact, their food court is worth a wander just to explore the variety of options — it’s really nice!
That said, I didn't find it to be the kind of airport where I'd happily spend an entire day. That’s because comfortable seating and seating near plugs can be quite limited in many areas, and finding a comfortable spot to work for hours may take some searching depending on how busy the terminal is.
If you do need a spot to work, there is a table with plugs at gate C1 in Terminal 2; however, there are only a handful of spots here, so you may have to wait patiently for a spot.
For a short connection, staying at the airport makes sense. But if you have a long layover as I did, I think Taipei offers far more value than spending the day in the terminal.
Where to Store Luggage During a Taipei Layover
If you're spending the day in Taipei before a late-night flight or overnight stay, you'll probably want somewhere to store your bag. I was able to check my big luggage straight through to Canada, but didn’t want to haul my carry-on backpack around while exploring the city.
You have 3 options:
Store Bags at Taipei Main Station: If you want access to your bags while in the city and just want a place to keep them while you’re exploring before heading to the airport, this is the most convenient option
Store Bags at Your Hotel: If your hotel is near Taipei Main Station, you should be able to store bags at reception while you’re out exploring. I wouldn’t recommend it unless it’s close to the main station or you’re planning to take Uber though, since going back and forth will eat up time.
Store Bags at the Airport: If you don’t need access to your bags while in the city, you can use storage lockers in the airport and avoid hauling them on the train.
These are the lockers I used in Taipei Main Station, located downstairs nearest to the Uber drop off entrance. It’s also near to the Airport MRT direction. That said, there are many lockers in different parts of the station, too — just don’t forget where yours is!
I used the luggage lockers at Taipei Main Station because I needed my bag at my hostel and just wanted to store it for 5 hours while I was walking around the city. This way, I could quickly grab it and head directly to the airport from the station.
My storage ended up costing 210 NTD in total. The initial storage fee was 70 NTD, but I paid two additional 70 NTD charges… one because I exceeded the original storage period and another because I accidentally reopened the locker before I was finished using it.
One thing to know: the lockers I used only accepted cash or local mobile payment methods. The only one that worked for me as a foreigner was Apply Pay, otherwise, I would have needed to withdraw cash to use it.
I also noticed another set of lockers operated by a different company near the MRT entrance at Taipei Main Station. Payment options and cost may differ depending on which you choose.
The instructions are written on the lockers and on the screen. That said, despite it saying that credit cards are accepted, I was only able to pay using Apple Pay, there was no credit card option in practice.
Where to Stay During a Taipei Layover
Why I’d Stay Near Taipei Main Station for a Layover
If I were planning another Taipei layover, I'd probably choose an accommodation close to Taipei Main Station for better convenience.
I also found parts of the city a little more challenging to navigate than the destinations I'm used to in Southeast Asia. Because of the language barrier and differing social norms, it felt harder to ask for directions or strike up conversations.
For a longer trip, my impressions might be very different. But for a one-day layover, I'd prioritize convenience and stay near Taipei Main Station so I could spend less time navigating and more time enjoying the city.
HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Here are some well-placed hotels you could consider for your layover — all within 500m of Taipei Main Station and rated 8+ on Booking.com:
HOSTELS
Taiwan Youth Hostel & Capsule Hotel (capsule dorms from $28 USD)
Old Door Hostel & Bar (dorms from $26 USD)
(Women-Only) Wondertime Taipei Station - Kaifeng Ladies Hostel (dorms from $21 USD)
HOTELS
⭐⭐ Just Live Inn-Taipei Station (rooms from $57 USD)
⭐⭐⭐ Morwing Hotel - Culture Vogue (rooms from )
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oani Taipei (rooms from $171 USD, dorms from $38 USD)
Why I Wouldn’t Stay in Wanhua for a Layover
I actually stayed in Wanhua during my layover, which was fine for an overnight stay, but not optimal. After arriving late in the evening from the airport, I didn't have much opportunity to explore Wanhua anyway. I got there around midnight and checked out by 9 AM. So I was only there to sleep and shower before carrying on.
If you have more time than I did, arriving earlier with time to explore in the evening, Wanhua does seem like a great choice. For this particular trip, though, I would have been better off within walking distance of Taipei Main Station. This would have avoided the need for a connection on the Airport MRT, which led to a late-night Uber because I couldn’t navigate there efficiently.
For maximum convenience, I’d opt for a hotel near Taipei Main Station:
What to Do in Taipei During a Long Layover
While I sometimes like to arrive somewhere and wing it, on a short layover trip, I think it’s best to plan a bit so you can make the most of the few hours you have. In particular, I recommend booking some kind of walking tour to help you get the lay of the land and hit some key points before exploring on your own. Personally, I went for a food tour so I could combine breakfast with a walking tour.
Book a Food Tour or Walking Tour
If you've never visited Taipei before, I highly recommend booking a guided tour.
I joined a 2.5-hour walking tour that started at 10 AM, and it ended up being a great way to force me out of bed in the morning and get me exploring the city, even though I was sleepy!
Enter the code “TRAVELYNNE” at checkout for 15% off any TourMeAway Taipei tour — click the banner to see options!
With limited time, a local guide can help you understand the city's history, culture, and neighbourhoods a lot more efficiently than wandering around on your own.
If you're trying to get a meaningful introduction to Taipei in just a few hours, a walking tour is one of the best investments you can make.
This is a 55 year old breakfast stall we started at during the food tour, located at a temple entrance, making it a unique atmosphere! The breakfast egg pancakes were delicious.
Wander Around Dihua Street
Personally, I opted to wander around Dihua Street for an hour or so after my food tour, and then walk back to Taipei Main Station from there. This was a great way to spend a short time in the city without straying too far.
Dihua Street is both touristic and local, with lots of shops to peruse along the way, foods and drinks you could try, and more local vibes if you wander into the side streets a bit. There are also many small businesses you can support along the way, like this cute bookshop selling hand-stitched notebooks with designs made by in-house artists.
If I buy a souvenir or gift, it’s almost always from local artisans — I love knowing that I’m directly supporting their work!
Alternative Idea: Go for a Hike
If you have more time than I did, and a place you can shower afterwards, you could consider heading to Elephant Mountain for a short hike (~1 hour round-trip) that offers panoramic views of Taipei 101 and the city.
Personally, I didn’t feel I had enough time to get there and back, and would want to shower afterwards if I’m also going for a long plane ride, but it does look great, not too difficult, and it is nice to be able to get exercise in between flights if you can hack it!
How Much Cash Do You Need in Taipei?
I didn't withdraw any Taiwanese dollars during my layover because my stay was so short. I only used credit cards while there, and admittedly that was a bit limiting.
For transportation, I didn't need cash at all. I tapped my credit card directly on the Airport MRT from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station and used Uber, connected to my credit card, for a couple of short trips in the city.
Cash was a bit of an issue for smaller purchases and services.
Many cafés, local businesses, souvenir shops, and even the luggage lockers didn't accept cards at all. In a way, this worked out well for me because I wasn’t able to spend as much money 😉
If you plan to visit markets, independent cafés, or local shops, having some cash on hand will be necessary. It also allows you to support smaller local businesses that may not have the same payment infrastructure as larger chains.
Also, if you need to take a local bus connection from the Airport MRT, cash is necessary to pay on board.
How Much Does a Taipei Layover Cost?
Admittedly, coming from Bali, Taipei felt more expensive than I anticipated. In total, I spent around $120 USD during my 21 hours in Taipei.
Accommodation, transportation, food, and attractions were all fairly reasonable by North American standards, but I wouldn't describe Taipei as a budget destination.
Here's what I spent during my layover:
eSIM: $8.60
Airport MRT (round-trip): $10 USD
Luggage storage: $7 USD
Walking tour: $35 USD
Hostel (female dorm): $22 USD
Uber rides: $10 USD
Souvenir: $15 USD
Airport dinner: $8 USD
Total: approximately $116 USD
My biggest expenses were the guided food tour and accommodations. Both were worthwhile investments that helped me make the most of a very short visit.
If you're travelling on a tighter budget, skipping the tour and exploring on your own could reduce the cost by almost a third, but you’d definitely need to spend more time planning what you’d like to do or where you’d like to go exactly to make the most of your unguided time.
Final Thoughts: Is a 21-Hour Taipei Layover Worth It?
Would I have loved more time in Taiwan? Of course! I love exploring.
But if the choice is a 2-day trip to Canada without breaks or breaking it up with a quick peek into another country, I’ll still always opt for the layover spent exploring. I think other adventurous people would agree!
Taipei is pretty efficient and accessible for transit travellers, too, thanks to the Airport MRT.
If you're flying between North America and Asia and have the option to spend a little longer in Taiwan, this could be a nice mini-adventure for you, too.
Travel well,
Lynne
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