I am quarantining in Taoyuan. I will go to Taipei when it’s over.
Google map suggests I take the HSR to Taipei. Other routes that take only subways but not HSR take longer time. But does this shorter route with HSR cost more?
I think it’s only $160 if I’m remembering right.
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Where roughly are you quarantining? Where are you intending on going?
For me, I would take a Taxi as its door to door with Baggage and about 35Euro/NT$1100 (maybe but more or less) or Uber/App.
It really depends on exactly where you’re located and exactly where you’re going.
Google Maps public transportation options are usually pretty accurate.
If it’s saying HSR that probably means your next to HSR station. But that also means your next to the MRT so you could also take the MRT to Taipei main station and transfer to another line as necessary if your next location is located next to an MRT station.
But then your final destination could be by MRT or bus or taxi or walking.
MRT is usually cheapest.
The key question is: where in Taoyuan are you?
And where in Taipei do you wish to go?
Guy
Alright right next to the airport. And I am fine heading to either around Taipei main station or somewhat southern Taipei.
If you’re next to the airport, just hit the airport MRT or airport buses. The airport MRT goes right to Taipei Main Station while buses have more specific destinations like Banciao, Sansia etc…
To take the HSR you need to backtrack to the HSR station using the MRT and then spend more money on what is otherwise probably a trip that would break even on time. Airport MRT is cheaper and the buses are even cheaper for little to no benefit.
In summary:
- Cost sensitive: MRT, cheap and reliable, but inconvenient if with a lot of baggage and might need several transfers. Preferable to bus if Chinese level is lower, since it’s all clearly written and signalled. Bus to Sogshan airport is a very good alternative too and the price is roughly similar and is a tad faster if no traffic jam.
- Convenience sensitive: taxi/uber (which is completely legal here), uber very good service for a higher fare than taxi but it gets u exactly where u want without any Chinese needed and pay by credit card.
- You want to try HSR and maybe the train bento: well, take mrt to hsr taoyuan, then transfer to hsr station, take the ticket to hsr, go to Taipei main or Nangang, transfer to MRT or taxi or else. (I used to do this only to get and eat the train bento, that’s it, no real advantage than bus or taxi or mrt).
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If you can carry your bags, then I would get to the airport, and take the Taoyuan MRT Express train into Taipei. It’ll dump you off part way between Taipei Main Station (with Blue Line and Red Line connections) and Beimen MRT Station (with Green Line connections). It’s also easy to get a taxi there to head to precisely where you want to go.
If you cannot carry your bags, then taxi / Uber as recommended above.
No need to backtrack to take the HSR, as others have noted. That’s useful for folks headed to points south, not to Taipei and environs.
Guy
The MRT itself has places to store luggage. He said he’s going to Taipei Main Station. To go to the HSR means he has to do unnecessary transferring, of which neither the Express MRT or buses have.
The buses do not need Chinese. Their destinations are clearly written in English and they’re incredibly simple.
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+1 met. very convenient now.