I have been using the MRT for a few weeks now, and while it’s a great system, I feel like I’m still missing some tricks to make my commute smoother. I was hoping to get some advice from locals or long-time residents on how to really master the MRT.
A few specific questions I have:
Are there any particular times or stations I should avoid if I want to beat the crowds? Or maybe certain stations have faster connections or alternative routes?
I’ve been using the EasyCard, but I’m curious if there’s anything else that might offer more perks or discounts, like for frequent riders?
I’ve heard there are some interesting places or food stalls right near certain MRT stations. Are there any spots you’d recommend checking out?
I’ve seen people with bikes on the MRT—how does that work? Is there a specific way to combine biking with the MRT for getting around efficiently?
I check this: https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taipei-main-station-to-get-new-navigation-syste But I have not found any solution. Could anyone guide me about this? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I’d love to feel more like a local and less like a confused foreigner when getting around the city!
If you want to take the MRT like a local, a key thing would be to absolutely leg it when switching lines on the same platform (e.g., between the red and green lines and vice versa), even though the train is going to still be there for a good 5–10 seconds after you’ve bolted on because they usually time it to allow people to make the connection at a slow walking pace. I’m not sure how people take the MRT every day without realizing this.
I transfer at those stations so infrequently that I’ll often start by sauntering, see the crowd dashing, wonder what I’m missing, and then dash myself. And then I’ll feel like an idiot.
This makes unlimited ride for all public transportation in Taipei/New Taipei/Taoyuan/Keelung cost 40nt a day. If you spend more than this (and it’s not hard to), it’s worth it.
A trip from Taipei main station to Fulong will cost about 80 something each way. A trip from Taipei main to danshui is 50 each way. If you live in danshui, you’re foolish to not get a tpass.
For bikes on the MRT you must buy a bike ticket, which I think is about 80nt. If you can fold your bike up to where it will fit in a compact bag, then no one will care. Tpass includes youbike so it’s almost unnecessary.
There’s frequent rider MRT discounts, but in addition to it only counting for the Taipei MRT (and not other train/bus systems), the discount is marginal compared to Tpass.
I heard there’s talks of shorter validity tpass for people in Taipei for shorter time.
In fact the time to buy the Tpass (assuming you plan to be here for more than a month) is when you land. It works on the Taoyuan metro.
To navigate like a local have to be kind of confused not really know where you’re going, don’t how to read a map, become lost once you exit the mrt station, only know one route to get somewhere even though they’re multiple routes and some even shorter, and don’t really know how the system works.
Also, when walking, make sure you walk very, very slowly, and never in a straight line. No, you must move side to side at random times, so that people can’t pass you. You must also be watching dumb tiktok videos on your phone in the meantime. Also make sure you are wearing a HUGE backpack, never remove them, always look around on the train as though you are looking for your long lost friend. When seated, keep the bag on your back, or make sure it’s spilling over to the next seat. Also, stand VERY close to a seated person, make sure your bag swings around unpredictably into the guy’s face.
Surely minus points for headphones? OK, it’s not universal - yet - but most rides I hear someone’s video game or YouTube stream or whatever going through their phone speakers.
Another thing: Make sure your phone’s flash is constantly on. I am not sure why but not only are they blasting whatever content they are watching, they have to blind you at the same time.
Not walking on escalators: Actually the MRT system don’t want you to walk on the escalator anymore but the culture stuck. Reason being people have gotten hurt. The speakers just says “hold the handrail and stand firmly on the escalator”.
