10 Best Day Trips from Taipei 2026: Jiufen, Shifen, Hot Springs, Coast and Mountains
Taipei is one of the best Asian cities for easy day trips. You can reach old streets, waterfalls, hot springs, coast, mountains and food towns without changing base.
The best day trip from Taipei is Jiufen and Shifen for first-timers, Beitou/Tamsui for an easy MRT day, and Yangmingshan or Yehliu/Keelung if you want nature or coast. Tours are most useful when you want to combine Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu and transport-heavy stops in one day.
Which day trip should you choose?
Jiufen and Shifen
The classic first Taipei day trip: old street, lanterns, waterfall and mountain/coastal scenery.
Beitou and Tamsui
MRT-friendly, low stress and good when you do not want a full tour day.
Yangmingshan
Hot springs, trails and volcanic scenery close to Taipei.
Best day trips from Taipei
The best Taipei day trip depends on how much transport you want to handle. Some are simple MRT days; others are better as guided combos because the route is awkward.
Jiufen
Old streets, teahouses and mountain views. Go with crowd expectations and avoid building the whole Taiwan trip around one photo.
Choose it forClassic first day trip.
Shifen
Lantern railway street and waterfall. Usually best paired with Jiufen on a combo day.
Choose it forWaterfall and lanterns.
Yehliu Geopark
Coastal rock formations and a popular add-on with Jiufen/Shifen tours.
Choose it forCoast and photos.
Beitou
Hot springs, park walks and a very easy MRT escape from the city.
Choose it forSoft half-day.
Tamsui
Riverside snacks, sunset and an easy end-of-line MRT afternoon.
Choose it forLow-effort afternoon.
Yangmingshan
Nature, volcanic scenery, hot springs and seasonal flowers. Better when weather is clear.
Choose it forMountain day.
Keelung
Harbour city and night market that pairs well with the north coast.
Choose it forSeafood and evening food.
Maokong
Gondola, tea houses and city views without leaving Taipei properly.
Choose it forTea and easy views.
Wulai
Hot springs, waterfalls and an indigenous culture angle south of Taipei.
Choose it forHot spring/nature day.
Houtong Cat Village
A niche stop that can pair with the Pingxi line if you like slower, quirky days.
Choose it forSlow repeat-visitor day.
Easy ways to fit them into your trip
Bookings worth comparing
Accommodation
Compare location first, then price. A cheap room in the wrong area can cost more in time and transport.
Search Taipei StaysHostels
Use hostel filters if you want budget/social stays rather than only private hotel rooms.
Compare Taipei HostelseSIM
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Get A Taipei eSIMInsurance
Price travel insurance before the trip. SafetyWing starts from about $2/day and trips need to be at least 5 days.
Get Travel InsuranceTours
Compare timed tickets, day trips and activities where transport, queues or local context genuinely matter.
Compare Taipei ToursMistakes to avoid
- Doing too many day trips: Taipei itself needs time.
- Expecting Jiufen to be quiet: it is popular and often crowded.
- Ignoring weather: mountain and coastal days are much better when visibility is decent.
- Booking the cheapest tour blindly: check route order and time at each stop.
Final pick
For a first Taipei trip, choose a Jiufen/Shifen day trip first. Then add Beitou/Tamsui or Yangmingshan only if you have enough days left for Taipei itself.
Compare the classic Taipei day trips
If you want Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu in one day, compare tour timing carefully before booking.
FAQ
What is the best day trip from Taipei?
Jiufen and Shifen is the best first choice. It gives you old streets, waterfall scenery and a classic Taiwan day.
Can you visit Jiufen without a tour?
Yes. Public transport works, but a tour is easier if pairing multiple stops.
Is Beitou worth it?
Yes if you want an easy hot spring half-day. It is much simpler than the transport-heavy day trips.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. Plans, ticket prices, schedules, hotel rates and insurance wording can change, so treat the checkout page or official site as the final source before booking. Last updated June 2026.
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