How Much Does Taipei Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Taipei offers a high-tech urban experience with a surprisingly approachable price tag, making it more affordable than neighboring hubs like Tokyo or Hong Kong. Visitors can expect to navigate the city comfortably on a daily budget ranging from $43 / NT$1,343 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $687 / NT$21,695 for those seeking a luxury stay in the Xinyi District. The city's value is centered on its world-renowned street food and a public transit system that ranks among the most efficient and inexpensive in Asia. While iconic sights like Taipei 101 carry a premium, much of the city's charm is found in its free temples, bustling night markets, and mountain trails. With winter temperatures remaining mild at 15–20°C (59–68°F), it serves as a year-round destination that balances modern convenience with historical depth.
Is Taipei expensive to visit?
Taipei is a moderately priced destination where travelers should plan for a daily budget of $43–$687 / NT$1,343–NT$21,695 depending on their style of dining and accommodation.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Taipei
$43
per person /day
$191
per person /day
$687
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $127 | $572 | $2,061 |
| 5-Day Trip | $213 | $953 | $3,434 |
| 7-Day Trip | $298 | $1,335 | $4,808 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to maintain a 15% buffer to account for the standard 10% service charge at sit-down restaurants and the $18–$29 / NT$558–NT$930 surcharge applied to hotels on Friday and Saturday nights. This extra margin also covers the $3.15 / NT$100 non-refundable fee for an EasyCard and any potential ATM withdrawal fees.
How Does It Compare?
See how Taipei stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Taipei
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Classic Pearl Milk Tea (Chun Shui Tang) Street vendors charge about ~$1.58–$1.89 / NT$50–NT$60 (NT$50–$60 / NT$1,579–NT$1,895). | $3.15 NT$100 |
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Standard price for a bowl of beef noodles or a set lunch. | $6.3 NT$199 |
Transport (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport MRT (Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station) The Express Train takes ~35 minutes and costs the same as the Commuter Train. | $5.04 NT$159 |
| Taipei Fun Pass (All-Inclusive 1-Day) Includes unlimited transport and entry to 25 attractions. Best for high-intensity sightseeing. | $47 NT$1,493 |
| Taipei MRT Short Trip (Min fare) Using an EasyCard gives a small discount compared to single tokens. | $0.64 NT$20 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Central Taipei) Hostels near Taipei Main Station are slightly more expensive but save on transit. | $27 NT$846 |
| Mid-range Hotel Double Room Prices spike significantly on Friday and Saturday nights. | $132 NT$4,180 |
| Luxury Hotel (W Taipei / Mandarin Oriental) Luxury hotels in Xinyi District offer the best views of Taipei 101. | $473 NT$14,928 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taipei 101 Observatory General Ticket (Non-Resident) Covers levels 88 and 89. Access to the 101st floor costs an additional ~$12 / NT$378 (NT$380 / NT$12,004). | $19 NT$597 |
| National Palace Museum Adult Admission Students with International Student Identity Card (ISIC) pay ~$4.72 / NT$149 (NT$150 / NT$4,738). | $11 NT$348 |
| Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Hiking Trail Best views of Taipei 101 at sunset. Free for all visitors. | $0 NT$0 |
| Longshan Temple Entrance Donations are welcome. Free entry to the main temple grounds. | $0 NT$0 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-Day Unlimited Tourist SIM Card Pick up at the airport for immediate activation. | $9.45 NT$299 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Adult EasyCard (Card Fee) This is a non-refundable card purchase fee. You must add credit separately. | $3.15 NT$100 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is dominated by a vibrant street food culture where a classic pearl milk tea costs as little as $1.58–$1.89 / NT$50–NT$60 at street stalls. Even at established sit-down spots, an inexpensive restaurant meal like a bowl of traditional beef noodles typically costs around $6.3 / NT$199. For those looking to splurge, Michelin-recognized establishments and high-end tea houses provide world-class quality at a fraction of Western prices.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice
$1.11–$4.72 / NT$35–NT$149Zhongzheng · Local chain
Ordering a small bowl (~$1.11 / NT$35) and a side of braised eggs is the classic local combo.
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
$1.89–$2.37 / NT$60–NT$75Ximending · Street food area
There are no seats; join the crowd standing on the street to eat your noodles (~$1.89 / NT$60).
Fu Hang Soy Milk
$1.26–$3.78 / NT$40–NT$119Huashan Market · Bakery
Arrive before 07:00 to avoid the 1-hour queue. The savory soy milk is a must-try for ~$1.26 / NT$40.
Yong Kang Beef Noodle
$8.82–$11 / NT$278–NT$348Da'an · Local chain
Considered a bit 'touristy' but still high quality. A bowl costs ~$8.82 / NT$278.
Raohe Night Market Stalls
$1.58–$6.3 / NT$50–NT$199Songshan · Night market
Start with the famous Fuzhou Ancestor Pepper Bun at the entrance (~$1.89 / NT$60).
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is exceptionally affordable, with short MRT trips starting at just $0.64 / NT$20 when using an EasyCard. The Airport MRT provides a swift link from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station for $5.04 / NT$159, while the extensive bus network and the YouBike sharing system offer even cheaper alternatives for short distances.
Accommodation Overview
A hostel dorm bed in a central location typically costs $27 / NT$846, while a mid-range hotel double room averages $132 / NT$4,180. For travelers seeking the height of luxury, five-star hotels in the Xinyi District like the W Taipei or Mandarin Oriental command prices around $473 / NT$14,928 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Taipei
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase an EasyCard for $3.15 / NT$100 at any MRT station to access discounted transit fares and pay at convenience stores.
- 2 Show an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) at the National Palace Museum to reduce the admission fee from $11 / NT$348 to just $4.72 / NT$149.
- 3 Eat at night markets like Raohe or Ningxia where several small plates of award-winning street food cost less than one standard restaurant meal.
- 4 Hike Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for a $0 view of the skyline instead of paying the $19 / NT$597 entry fee for the Taipei 101 Observatory.
- 5 Utilize the free purified water dispensers found inside every MRT station to avoid buying bottled water.
- 6 Look for 'Set Meals' at lunch in neighborhoods like Da'an, which often include a main, side, and drink for approximately $6.3 / NT$199.
- 7 Withdraw cash from Bank of Taiwan or Mega Bank ATMs, as they often do not charge the $3.15 / NT$100 fee found at other local banks.
- 8 Stay in the Zhongzheng or Ximending areas for high-value hostels and hotels that are within walking distance of major transit hubs.
- 9 Use the YouBike system for trips under 2km; it is often faster and cheaper than the MRT for short hops across the city.
- 10 Buy the 5-Day Unlimited Tourist SIM Card at the airport for $9.45 / NT$299 to avoid high roaming charges or more expensive city-center data plans.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jan, Feb, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
+20-40%
Jun, Jul, Aug
-15-25%
Mar, Sep
The best weather is Oct–Dec, but prices are higher. Summer (Jun–Aug) is very hot and humid with typhoon risks, leading to lower prices but less comfortable sightseeing. Winter (Jan–Feb) is mild (~15–20°C / 59–68°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb): +100% hotel prices and major closures
- ● Taipei Cycle / Computex (Mar/June): +50% hotel rates near Xinyi
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hike the Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Trail for the most famous sunset views of the city.
- 2 Observe the daily rituals and architecture at the historic Longshan Temple.
- 3 Watch the hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
- 4 Explore the steaming geothermal pools and sulfuric vents at Thermal Valley in Beitou.
- 5 Visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum to see the historic Japanese-style bathhouse architecture.
- 6 Walk through the Bopiliao Historical Block to see preserved Qing Dynasty-era architecture.
- 7 Stroll through Daan Forest Park, the city's largest green space.
- 8 Browse the eco-friendly design of the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch.
- 9 Attend the guard change and explore the gardens at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
- 10 Wander through the art installations and grassy plazas of the Huashan 1914 Creative Park.
- 11 Watch the sunset over the Tamsui River at the Dadaocheng Wharf.
- 12 Explore the colorful street art and youth culture of the Ximending Pedestrian Area.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Taipei 101 Skyline460 Package
It is the highest outdoor viewing platform in Asia. Includes a photo and beverage for ~$95 / NT$2,986.
Private Hot Spring Soup House in Beitou
Private 90-minute soak in high-end hotels like Villa 32 or Grand View Resort for ~$79 / NT$2,488.
Michelin Dining at Mountain and Sea House
Authentic high-end Taiwanese banquet cuisine in a restored Japanese-era villa (~$88 / NT$2,787).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Taipei
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Taipei and what they cost
Jiufen Old Street
$6.18 / NT$195 by bus
Free
$25 / NT$796
Beitou Hot Springs
$2.52 / NT$80 by metro
$1.26 / NT$40
$19 / NT$597
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
1 $ ≈ 32 $
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels, department stores, and mid-to-high-end restaurants. Cash is essential for night markets, small local eateries, and recharging EasyCards.
Tipping is not expected or common. A 10% service charge is usually already included in your restaurant bill. Rounding up taxi fares is appreciated but not required.
7-Eleven (7-Bank) and FamilyMart ATMs are everywhere and generally reliable for foreign cards. Avoid 'dynamic currency conversion' and always choose to be charged in TWD.
Bargaining is common in non-food markets (like Shilin clothes sections) but never in malls or for food. Aim for 10-20% off at most.
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$29 for 5GB-15GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $9.42 / NT$297 for 5 days of unlimited data
WiFi: Excellent. Available in all MRT stations, government buildings (iTaiwan), and most cafés.
Local SIM cards from the airport are the best value for unlimited data, though Airalo eSIMs are convenient for short trips.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Taipei.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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