Getting Around Taipei Shih

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If you are traveling around Taipei shih, it’s better that you purchase an EasyCard. It can be use for Metro and public buses. The initial deposit will be NT$500, you will be able to refund the balance.

The fare varies from NT$15 to NT$60. The frequency per Metro is about 7 to 10 mins. Refer to the website for more detail.

It’s really very easy to get around Taipei shih by the Metro. Information at the station are clearly stated. Taiwanese are really helpful. If you are not sure of anything, don’t be scare. Simply ask them for help.

EasyCard:
¡EEach card can be used by one passenger only. When passenger leaves through the gate, his or her EasyCard must be read by the sensor and value of the trip taken will be deducted. If the balance is not enough to pay the trip, the passenger can still leave the station and shall have it reloaded immediately otherwise, the ticket will be invalid when being used again. The debit will be deducted when new value is added.
¡EHow to use the card:
Place the EasyCard on the sensor of the EasyCard mark at the gate. When it beeps push the lever and pass.
¡EHow to reload:
Manual reloading
Go to any convenience store with a EasyCard mark and have it reloaded. Every reloading will be NT$500 or its multiples.
Add-Value Machines
The card can also be reloaded at Add-Value Machines in the station by cash or credit card and each reloading is NT$100 or its multiples.

There are 4 bus companies that make the trip to Taipei city from the Airport.They are very comfortable and extremely reasonablly priced. Adult single fares vary from NT$125 to $145 compared to taxi fares of NT$1,200.

It is always best to take the bus into the city then take a cab to your hotel.

For return to the Airport from the city:
http://crazyazn.webs.com/busstationtoairport.htm

To visit most of the known tourist sites,shopping malls and night markets in Taipei use the Metro (M R T) .

Easy Card:
For first-time buyers NT$500, including NT$400 bus credit. Amount corresponding to the ticket price for a given distance is deducted from the Easy Card for every M R T ride.
1. Suitable for tourists planning to use the M R T to get around Taipei.
2. Accepted by M R T, city buses.
3. Available at the customer service counter in every M R T station.
4. One pass is for one passenger only.

One Day Pass
NT$200 (includes NT$50 deposit which can be reimbursed within three days of purchase at the information booth in each station, damaged cards will not be reimbursed)
1. Suitable for one-day visitors who intend to use the M R T to see the most of Taipei.
2. Effective on the day of purchase. Pass holder can take the M R T for an unlimited number of times before the pass expires. On pass is for one passenger only.
3. Passes are issued for unlimited travel on the M R T from 6am till Midnight .

Signs are in English and the Tourist Information counter at the Taipei Main Station has excellent quality maps for you , free of charge.

Two popular bus company that send you from Taipei airport to Ximending area are Freego and Guo Guang.

Freego provide transport services from airport straight to the doorsteps of various hotels in Ximending. Even if your hotel in not in their list, I believe they can drop you at one of the hotel nearest to your hotel. Cost is $140.

Guo Guang stops at Taipei main station which is one stop from Ximending MRT station. You can take the MRT to Ximending or cab straight to your hotel. Cost is $125.

Check out their website for more details.

Note: For my return trip from XMD to Taipei airport, I tried booking the Freego bus to fetch me at the hotel. Initially I approached Rainbow hotel to help me book the timing and they charge me $180 per person. Later, my hotel staff at King National hotel gave me the Freego contact to call directly and Freego is charging me only $140 per person. Hence, I guess it will be cheaper if you can call Freego directly to arrange the time to fetch you at your hotel. The number i provided is the number my hotel staff gave me. For more numbers, see the details in my pic.

If you want to travel to Taiwan from Guangzhou via Hong Kong, you can:
1) Take coach from GZ to HK airport, read that you still need to come down the coach and cross the immigration yourself. (I didn't try, not sure of the details)
2) From GZ East station, take the direct train to HK and go central to take their express train.
3) From GZ, take train to Shenzhen, walk thru the immigration to HK Luo Hu. Take their KCRC, (now merged and called MTR) to Shang Shui (1 stop fr Luo Hu) and then take airbus A43 to HK airport.

I chose method 3 this time to HK airport bcos it's easier to control the timing. The train to Shenzhen is more frequent than the direct train. And I only need to travel 1 stop of MTR to Shang Shui to take the airbus. Hence, I find this method more convenient.

From Luo Hu, take the MTR to Shang Shui. Try to board on the cabin that is AFTER the 1st class cabin. This is bcos when you reach Shang Shui, the MTR exit you should get out will be right in front of you once you step out of your MTR cabin. After you get out of the station, turn left walk straight. You will see a sign on the pillar about the Airbus. Walk further down to the bus stop in front of you. That's the A43 busstop. Cost is HKD$28 to airport. (May08)

The journey takes about an hour and you get to see beautiful scenery of HK is you sit at the upper deck. Do find out if you should alight at HK airport terminal 1 or 2 in advance.

Within Jhong-Li you can use the bicycle to ride around the city. You can even hire a scooter or use the taxi to move around Jhong-Li. Taxi's may be a little expensive as compared to buses that also serve the city and the county of Taoyuan. Buses may cost $NTD15.00 - 20.00.