TPE: Crazy idea for a layover?
Nov 18, 2009, 6:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 236
TPE: Crazy idea for a layover?
I have a six hour layover at TPE and since it begins at 17:00, it's too late to visit the Aviation Museum. So to kill time and because I'm weird, I was thinking of taking UBus to the Taoyuan High Speed Rail station, taking the HSR to Taipei station and then back to the airport. I've never taken the THSR so this will allow me to check it off the list (as I said, I'm weird).
Anyone see issues with this plan? Crowded buses, not being able to get a seat on the return train, equipment breakdowns leaving me stranded in Taipei, total waste of time?
Thanks.
Anyone see issues with this plan? Crowded buses, not being able to get a seat on the return train, equipment breakdowns leaving me stranded in Taipei, total waste of time?
Thanks.
Nov 18, 2009, 7:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
I don't foresee a problem with your high speed rail itinerary. I took the HSR from TPE to the Main Station and it was quite easy. I took it specifically so I could say I had gone faster than 100mph on a train in Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan 
You probably have sufficient time to roam the city if you are comfortable with that. Check your luggage at the storage facility or locker and head into town.
Just check out the HSR website and note the times. Unless there's some special event, you can get a seat pretty easy.
A cab ride to/from TPE/city center is around $40 USD IIRC. You can negotiate/haggle for a flat rate.
You probably have sufficient time to roam the city if you are comfortable with that. Check your luggage at the storage facility or locker and head into town.
Just check out the HSR website and note the times. Unless there's some special event, you can get a seat pretty easy.
A cab ride to/from TPE/city center is around $40 USD IIRC. You can negotiate/haggle for a flat rate.
Nov 20, 2009, 9:07 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
No, No!
Why take bus to train and not just the bus directly into town? Eva Air has coach bus service for NT$150 and multiple stops and trip anywhere from 45 minutes up, depending on where you get off?
Taxi service btw NT1000-1200 for ride into town.
Taxi service btw NT1000-1200 for ride into town.
Nov 20, 2009, 10:09 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
NAH... the OP is a train buff! Good luck to her...
No problems with that plan. The buses do work well though, at least FROM TPE. Going from the city centre can be a little more confusing.
If you're really keen you should go to London.... train to Paddington and then a lap of the circle line on the tube whilst you can. (It will soon be a spiral line...)
No problems with that plan. The buses do work well though, at least FROM TPE. Going from the city centre can be a little more confusing.
If you're really keen you should go to London.... train to Paddington and then a lap of the circle line on the tube whilst you can. (It will soon be a spiral line...)
Nov 23, 2009, 10:11 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 126
I can assure you the rates are not for negotiation, I would love to know how often you have managed to pull this off ?? The easy thing to do is jump on the shutle to the HSR you will need change for this. Take the next train into Taipei. Go outside the station for a quick walk around. Dont worry you wont get lost the station is huge. GRab some street food .Jump on the next train back. Three hours max.
Nov 24, 2009, 9:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
You could take the train into Taipei, have a quick dinner and take the bus or taxi directly back to the airport.
IME, taxis *from* the airport charge 1.5x meter rate--they are specially licensed and this rate is legally set. Taxis *to* the airport will usually give you a flat rate no more than TWD1,000. I have negotiated TWD800, and even been offered the ride for 700. But these are hard times for the drivers, and I think 900 from the train station to the airport is a fair price.
An airport bus also leaves from next to the Taipei RR Station every 20 minutes and costs 125.
IME, taxis *from* the airport charge 1.5x meter rate--they are specially licensed and this rate is legally set. Taxis *to* the airport will usually give you a flat rate no more than TWD1,000. I have negotiated TWD800, and even been offered the ride for 700. But these are hard times for the drivers, and I think 900 from the train station to the airport is a fair price.
An airport bus also leaves from next to the Taipei RR Station every 20 minutes and costs 125.
Last edited by taipeipeter; Nov 24, 2009 at 9:27 pm