A GUIDE TO USING TAIPEI'S METRO (MRT) SYSTEM

 

The Taipei Metro, also known as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), is the rapid transit system serving Taipei and New Taipei, the two largest cities in Taiwan. It began operations in 1996 and has since expanded to cover a significant portion of the Greater Taipei metropolitan area. The Taipei Metro currently consists of several lines, including the Wenhu Line (Brown Line), Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line), Songshan-Xindian Line (Green Line), Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Orange Line), Bannan Line (Blue Line), and Circular Line (Yellow Line). These lines connect various parts of Taipei and New Taipei City. There are over 100 stations in the Taipei Metro system. The Taipei Metro or MRT is not to be confused with the Airport MRT, which is a different system entirely, whose primary purpose function is to transport people from Taipei to Taoyuan Internationa Airport and beyond. These stations are equipped with facilities such as ticketing machines, information boards, and accessibility features for disabled passengers.

 Fares on the Taipei Metro are distance-based, with passengers paying based on the distance traveled. The fare is calculated using an RFID smart card system called EasyCard or by purchasing single-journey tokens. Passengers can also use contactless payment methods such as credit cards or mobile payment systems. Trains on the Taipei Metro operate at frequent intervals, especially during peak hours, with trains arriving every few minutes. The operating hours generally run from around 6:00 AM to midnight, though the exact times may vary slightly depending on the line and the station. The Taipei Metro is integrated with other modes of public transportation, including buses and the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR). Many stations have bus stops nearby, allowing for easy transfers between different modes of transportation. The Taipei Metro is known for its cleanliness and safety. Stations and trains are well-maintained, and security measures are in place to ensure the safety of passengers. Signage and announcements in the Taipei Metro are provided in both Mandarin Chinese and English, making it accessible to both locals and tourists. Overall, the Taipei Metro is an essential part of the transportation infrastructure in Taipei and plays a significant role in facilitating convenient and efficient travel throughout the metropolitan area. This is a guide for using the Taipei Metro or MRT, and how you should plan your trip accordingly. Don't want to waste your time in buying tokens at the stations, instead you should purchase an EasyCard on Klook.

Wenhu Line (Brown)

The Wenhu Line, also known as the Brown Line, is one of the lines of the Taipei Metro system in Taipei, Taiwan. It runs from Taipei Zoo Station in the south to Neihu Station in the north. It passes through several important areas and districts, including the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Muzha, and Neihu District. The Wenhu Line serves a total of 24 stations along its route. Some of the notable stations include Taipei Zoo (connecting to the Maokong Gondola), Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain), Songshan (connecting to Songshan Airport), and Dazhi.  The Wenhu Line intersects with other lines of the Taipei Metro system at various stations, allowing passengers to transfer easily between different lines. For example, passengers can transfer to the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line at the Daan station, Zhongxiao Fuxing for the Bannan (Blue) Line, Nanjing Fuxing for the Songshan (Green) Line and Jiannan Road for the Circle (Yellow) line. The Wenhu Line serves as a crucial transportation artery, connecting the southern parts of Taipei City with the northeastern area, including the densely populated Neihu District. It provides commuters with a convenient and efficient means of transportation, reducing travel times and alleviating congestion on the roads. Overall, the Wenhu Line plays a crucial role in the Taipei Metro system, providing residents and visitors with a convenient, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation between various parts of Taipei City and New Taipei City. The Maokong Gondola is a gondola lift transportation system that operates between the Taipei Zoo and Maokong; although this is not a directly a part of the MRT system, it is shown on the MRT map, and you can access the Maokong Gondola easily, as it has a station at the Taipei Zoo, which is a stop on the Wenhu line.

Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red)

The Tamsui-Xinyi Line, also known as the Red Line, is one of the major lines of the Taipei Metro system in Taipei, Taiwan. The Tamsui-Xinyi Line runs from Tamsui District in the north to Xinyi District in the south. It covers a significant portion of Taipei City, passing through various districts such as Beitou, Shilin, Zhongshan, and Daan. The Tamsui-Xinyi Line serves a total of 29 stations along its route. Some of the notable stations include Tamsui (the northern terminus), Beitou (known for its hot springs), Shilin (home to the famous Shilin Night Market), Zhongshan (near Taipei Main Station), and Taipei 101/World Trade Center (serving the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper). The Tamsui-Xinyi Line intersects with other lines of the Taipei Metro system at various stations, allowing passengers to transfer easily between different lines. For example, passengers can transfer to the Wenhu (Brown) Line at Daan Station, Zhonghe-Xinlu (Orange) Line at Dongmen, Bannan (Blue) Line at Taipei Main Station, and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall for the Songshan (Green) line . The Tamsui-Xinyi Line serves as one of the primary north-south routes of the Taipei Metro system, connecting the historic district of Tamsui with the modern commercial and business district of Xinyi. It provides commuters with access to key areas of the city, including shopping centers, cultural attractions, and residential neighborhoods. If you

are visiting Tamsui, it is well connected by local bus services and you could even take a ferry over to Bali or the Fisherman's Wharf as well. Tamsui also has it's own light rail system, that is a different system from the Taipei Metro entirely. Two other popular attractions on the Tamsui-Xinyi line is Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and Daan Park. 

Songshan-Xindian Line (Green)

The Songshan-Xindian Line, also known as the Green Line, is one of the primary lines of the Taipei Metro system in Taipei, Taiwan. The Songshan-Xindian Line runs from Songshan District in the east to Xindian District in the southwest. It covers a diverse range of neighborhoods and districts within Taipei City and New Taipei City. The Songshan-Xindian Line serves a total of 24 stations along its route. Some of the notable stations include Songshan (near Songshan Airport), Zhongxiao Xinsheng (close to Taipei Arena), Gongguan (near National Taiwan University), and Xindian (the southwestern terminus).  The Songshan-Xindian Line intersects with other lines of the Taipei Metro system at various stations, allowing passengers to transfer easily between different lines. For example, passengers can transfer to the Tamsui-Xinyi Line at Nanjing Fuxing station for the Wenhu (Brown) Line, Sangjiang Nanjing and Guiting for the Zhonghe-Xinhu (Orange) line, Zhongshan and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall for the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) line, Ximen for the Bannan (Blue) line, as well as Dapinglin station for the Cirle (Yellow) line. The Songshan-Xindian Line serves as a crucial transportation artery, connecting the eastern and southwestern parts of Taipei City and New Taipei City. It provides commuters with access to key areas of the city, including commercial districts, educational institutions, and residential neighborhoods. The popular Raohe Night Market is located in the Songshan District and is easily accesible from the Songshan MRT station.

Bannan Line (Blue)

The Bannan Line, also known as the Blue Line, is one of the major lines of the Taipei Metro system in Taipei, Taiwan. The Bannan Line runs from Nangang Exhibition Center Station in the east to Dingpu Station in the southwest. It covers a significant portion of Taipei City and extends into New Taipei City. The Bannan Line serves a total of 24 stations along its route. Some notable stations include Taipei Main Station (a major transportation hub), Zhongxiao Xinsheng (near Taipei's eastern commercial district), Zhongxiao Fuxing (a busy shopping area), and Ximen (connecting to the Songshan-Xindian Line). The Bannan Line intersects with other lines of the Taipei Metro system at various stations, facilitating easy transfers between different lines. For example, passengers can transfer to the Songshan-Xindian (Green) Line at Ximen Station, Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line at Taipei Main Station, as well as the Wenhu (Brown) Line at both Zhongxiao Fuxing and Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. The Bannan Line serves as one of the primary east-west routes of the Taipei Metro system, connecting eastern and western parts of Taipei City. It provides commuters with access to key areas such as commercial districts, educational institutions, and residential neighborhoods. Ximending is a popular shopping street in the Wenhua District of Taipei, Taiwan;  it is known as the "Harajuku of Taipei" and is a popular destination for shopping, entertainment, and dining. Many tourist also enjoy stopping by the Sun Yet-Sen Memorial Hall, which pays tribute to Sun Yet Sen. 

 Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Orange)

Another popular line in Taipei is the Zhonghe-Xinlu Line, also known as the Orange line. The Zhonghe-Xinlu Line runs from Huilong Station in Zhonghe District to Fu Jen University Station in Xinzhuang District. It covers a significant area in New Taipei City, passing through districts like Yonghe and Xindian. The Zhonghe-Xinlu Line serves a total of 21 stations along its route. Some notable stations include Nanshijiao (interchange station with the Tamsui-Xinyi Line), Yongan Market, Jingan, Dingxi, Guting (interchange station with the Songshan-Xindian Line), and Fu Jen University. As mentioned, the Zhonghe-Xinlu Line intersects with other lines of the Taipei Metro system at various stations, allowing passengers to transfer easily between different lines. For instance, passengers can transfer to the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line at the Mingquan W. Rd and Dongmen stations as well as jingan for the Circle (Yellow) line. The Zhonghe-Xinlu Line serves as a crucial transportation link connecting various residential, commercial, and educational areas in New Taipei City. It provides commuters with access to key destinations, including universities, markets, and shopping districts.

Circular Line (Yellow)

The Circular Line of the Taipei Metro is a medium-capacity line serving as a loop line through sections of New Taipei City, traveling from Dapinglin south of Taipei City toward Banqiao in the southwest, turning north toward Sanchong in the west. Planned as a circular line, the first phase of the line's construction focuses on the southwestern portion as this densely-populated area is under-served by metro services into the downtown. The Circular or Yellow line runs from Dapinglin to New Taipei Industrial Park and has a total of 14 stations.  There are still stations undergoing contruction, with estimated completion in 2029. Some Notable Stops on the Circular line include Dapinglin (connecting with the Songshan-Xindian), Jingan (connecting with the Zhonghe-Xinlu line), Bangqiao (Connecting with the Bannan Line), and New Taipei Industrial Park (Connecting with the Airport MRT). The current western terminus of the line is New Taipei Industrial Park, offering a transfer to the Taoyuan Airport MRT, running counter-clockwise to Touqianzhuang with an Orange Line transfer, Banqiao Station with a train and HSR transfer, Jingan Station with an Orange Line transfer, terminating at Dapinglin Station with a Green Line transfer. Unlike the other lines on the MRT, this line is still under construction, and there will surely be more changes to the line as more stations get added.

What is the best way to get around Taipei?

Navigating Taipei is relatively easy due to its efficient public transportation system and pedestrian-friendly streets. The Taipei Metro is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to travel around the city. It covers most major areas of Taipei and offers frequent services. With several lines connecting different parts of the city, the metro is a popular choice for both locals and tourists. The MRT operates from early morning until midnight, with trains running every few minutes during peak hours. Besides using the MRT, Taipei has an extensive bus network that covers areas not served by MRT; while it might be more challenging to navigate the bus system for visitors, it could be an option for reaching

destinations not directly accessible by the metro. Taipei is a pedestrian-friendly city with well-maintained sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, so if your destination is not directly next to an MRT station, you can look for one closest to it

and then walk to it; this is also a great way to explore the city at your own pace. Visitors can also choose rent scooters in Taipei, as it it very popular to ride a scooter as opposed to driving a car. Depending on your itinerary and destination, you can choose the mode of transportation that best fits your plans and enjoy exploring this vibrant city.

Why use the MRT in Taipei?

There are several reasons why using the Taipei Metro (MRT) is the best choice for getting around Taipei:

1. Efficiency: The Taipei Metro is known for its efficiency and punctuality. Trains run frequently, especially during peak hours, ensuring minimal waiting time for passengers.

2. Coverage: The Taipei Metro covers most major areas of Taipei and extends into neighboring New Taipei City. With several lines and numerous stations, it provides extensive coverage, allowing passengers to reach their destinations conveniently.

3. Speed: The metro is often faster than other modes of transportation, particularly during rush hours when traffic congestion is common on the streets.

4. Reliability: The Taipei Metro is known for its reliability. It operates on a regular schedule, and delays are rare. This makes it a dependable option for commuters and travelers alike.

5. Comfort: Taipei Metro trains are modern, clean, and well-maintained. They offer comfortable seating, air conditioning, and designated areas for passengers with special needs.

6. Accessibility: The Taipei Metro is designed to be accessible to all passengers, including those with disabilities. Stations are equipped with elevators, ramps, and tactile paving for visually impaired individuals.

7. Safety: The Taipei Metro is considered safe, with security personnel stationed at stations and onboard trains. Surveillance cameras are installed throughout the system to ensure passenger safety.

8. Affordability: The Taipei Metro offers affordable fares, especially for short-distance trips. Passengers can save money by purchasing stored-value cards such as EasyCard or using contactless payment methods.

9. Multilingual Support: Signage, announcements, and ticketing machines in the Taipei Metro are available in both Mandarin Chinese and English, making it accessible to tourists and non-Mandarin speakers.

The MRT is an easy network to navigate and it makes traveling in Taipei that much easier.