We booked our hotel in close proximity (5 minute walk) to Taipei Main Station. It is known as the central hub, as it connects to almost anywhere you want to go. You can take MRT (metro), TRA (train), and HSR (high speed rail) at this station. You can even shop in the underground mall (which opens toward the late afternoon). It is seriously a maze down there.

Before we arrived, I had conducted some online research on whether I should get the EasyCard or the MRT One Day Pass. Although the one day pass seemed like a great deal (NT$150), most of our time was not spent on the MRT, but rather at the attractions and being located in close proximity to the attractions, we chose to walk anyways. 

How to get EasyCard?

To get the EasyCard (悠游卡), you could go to a nearby 7-Eleven or Family Mart, which was seen on almost every block in Taipei. You can choose from their original design (NT$100) or a special design (price depends on design). 

How to use the EasyCard?

First, purchase the EasyCard. Then ‘top up’ the card, which adds cash value. In the past, the NT$100 for the card was also included in the card’s value but that has changed. Now, the EasyCard does not come with a balance, so if you don’t add value, you can’t use the card. The EasyCard was extremely convenient as you can use it for transportation, food and shopping (at select locations only). If you are running low on funds, you can top up at the machines in every station. You can even add as little as NT$10 (I deposited all my coins on the card). All you need to do to use the card, is to tap it.

I find the MRT extremely easy to use. Taipei’s MRT utilizes the final station as their metro’s direction. For example, if you wanted to go to Taipei 101 from Taipei Main Station 台北车站, you would take the Red Line to Xiangshan 象山 and get off at Taipei 101/World Trade Center 台北101/世贸 station. Sometimes, you might notice that the metro you boarded is heading in the direction you want to go but its final destination was at a station before yours. Don’t fret, just get off at that metro’s final destination and wait for the next metro to continue on your way. 

Follow these steps to ride MRT:

1. Choose your destination
2. Map out your route
3. Find your closest station
4. Tap your card on the reader to enter
5. Head toward the correct metro line (ie. Red Line)
6. Stand on the correct side for boarding (based on your destination)
7. Arrive at destination
8. Tap card to leave station (the second tap calculates your fare)

What to do if you chose a destination that is far from you?

For example, you want to go to Taipei Zoo and you are currently at Taipei Main Station. We know that Taipei Zoo is on the Brown Line, but how to get on the Brown Line from Taipei Main? There are two choices.

Choice 1: Red Line
Take Red Line toward Xiangshan 象山, get off at Da’an 大安 Station, transfer to the Brown Line toward Taipei Zoo 动物园.

Choice 2: Blue Line
Take Blue Line toward Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center 南港展览馆, get off at Zhongxiao Fuxing 忠孝复兴 station, transfer to the Brown Line toward Taipei Zoo.

EASY? Ok, now go ride the MRT like a pro!