Upcoming trip to Taipei – Advice welcome on things to do, transport, food and accommodation options

[Monya Meow Meow]

To assist anyone in the future:

I checked in at the airport 5 hours before the flight at terminal 2. Seems the China airlines desks are open all the time (at least for F and J passengers) similar to QF desk at SYD.

Which lounge did you end up using?

 

[Dr Ralph]

The one in T1. It was a long walk from T2, espcially as I went the wrong way around. Multiple staff assured me:

1) That I couldn't later go to the lounge in T2.
2) That the lounges in T1 and T2 were virtually identical.

 

[I love to travel]

Any thoughts on the best/cheapest way to get currency? Will need at least a little bit on arrival for transportation.

 

[tizey]

There was an ATM in the foyer of terminal 2 once you pass through customs. One thing I noticed is they aren't scared to charge ATM fees - 100 TWD per withdrawal was common. Make sure you've got your ING card to waive those fees!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Any thoughts on the best/cheapest way to get currency? Will need at least a little bit on arrival for transportation.

No great advice from me. I usually use theperfectgift cards in Australia, so at least I earn points.

Do get an Easy Card or I Pass before you leave the airport. They are essential. And can look rather wacky!

This was mine:

 

[AIRwin]

I withdrew cash from Citibank ATMs around Taipei...

 

[Inlander]

Taiwan has a good rail system. You can travel completely around the island.
Railway.gov.tw

 

[Dr Ralph]

Taiwan has a good rail system. You can travel completely around the island.
Railway.gov.tw

More than good in my view. I'd call it world class.

 

[Inlander]

More than good in my view. I'd call it world class.

Yep so would I and very affordable. Also Air China Business class is pretty good as well

 

[jase05]

Yep so would I and very affordable. Also Air China Business class is pretty good as well

I presume you mean China Airlines who have an excellent J product?
Air China is pretty average IMO

 

[Inlander]

I presume you mean China Airlines who have an excellent J product?
Air China is pretty average IMO

Damn predictive text LOL

 

[Ktan89]

Thinking of staying at Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao but is Banqio too far from everything.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thinking of staying at Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao but is Banqio too far from everything.

Banquia is NOT too far from everything. I stayed here for 4 nights after staying at the Lee Foo Residences in Zhongshan district for 6 nights before this.

The hotel is fine. The pool looks attractive but I avoided it due to the number of people using it. I actually preferred the Lee Foo (rooms very large).

Taipei is VERY spread out. There's no one central CBD area. So where ever you stay means you'll need to travel to different things not in that area. So I stayed at these two hotels because they allowed easier access to different things to see and do in those different areas. But where ever you stay in Taipei you will need to travel unless you plan on staying in your hotel room for the entire time. So staying in Banqiao means you will need to travel to see things outside of the district, but staying in any district means you'd need to travel outside that district to see other things as well. And there is no one district on Taipai that has everything you'll want to see.

Fear not the public transport system is great. I used the metro system and local buses frequently.

The only caveat I'd add is that if you were staying for 3 days or less I'd not recommend Banqiao.

 

[p--and--t]

Just saw this thread for the first time.

Had a great circumnavigation tour of the island organised by a company in Sydney (formosatravel).

A standout was staying at Fleur De Chine, Sun Moon Lake. This hotel had hot spring baths in our room (I think all have) and fantastic hot spring pools in the basement. Guests are encouraged to totally relax and are provided fluffy white dressing gowns to wear instead of clothing while staying at the hotel. Nice restaurants and bars on the main level and great mountain views from the room.

 

[maia200]

Try in-town check-in?

Taoyuan Airport MRT A1 Taipei Main Station IN-TOWN CHECK-IN SERVICE

www.taoyuan-airport.com

Great advice thanks.

 

[Ktan89]

Thanks @Dr Ralph. Might skip Banqiao then since we are only there for 3 days and the only thing i liked about the place was the pool.
I wanted to spend an afternoon there lounging and maybe have a drink.

The plan at the moment is something like this:

Sat - 9.30pm arrival. Night market at Wanhua if we can make it after check in.
Sun - Beitou or Hualien (day trip) during the day. Roof top bar + night market somewhere.
Mon - Juifen during the day. Ximending and 101 tower at night
Tuesday - Free day, maybe do a walking tour? Flight is at 11pm.

 

[maia200]

I have read this with interest and it answered a lot of questions for my first time in Taipei at the end of February - good recommendations for hotels I had wondered about, areas to stay, activities (only two days), airport (leaving late night as well) - recommendations for the J lounge..... Thank you all for this - much appreciated.

 

[Pele]

KTan89,

I agree with Ralphy about where to stay. For 2 days stay more centrally although you will still end up having to get the metro for some attractions.

I stayed in the Hilton for a week late last year which is next door to the Cesar park hotel and I believe shares the same pool. I went up a few times but the water was way too cold and explains why i was the only person there each time i went up to use it. A bit of a waste really.

One good thing about staying at Banquiao is that if you like high speed rail you can get on at Banquiao and go one stop to Taipei main station. It takes 7 minutes and costs less than $AUD2! Gold.

Pele.