Will be in TPE next month, quick layover from 9:40OPM to 9:00AM and would appreciate some simple suggestions on just how to spend my time. Old bones need a little rest ($50'ish???) and although public transport is second nature, I would like to keep it simple. Earlier in the day I will be transiting all over Tokyo and sure to be exhausted.

With those hours, I'd either stay at the Novotel or stay at the Evergreen Transit Hotel. By the time you get out of the airport, it'll be at least 10:40pm and then for you to travel into Taipei will be at least another fourty minutes. Seems like a lot of hassle for a quick look around, especially when you'll need to head back to the airport in the morning.

Agree, you really can do nothing useful in that time given you must be back at TPE so early and it seems you will arrive somewhat exhausted.

IF you were keen to see Taipei AND you were well rested, then you could consider an all nighter. Check in at airport hotel, taxi to city centre, a couple of night markets, a wander around, taxi back. Wash, a couple hours kip and off you go. I did it once (except stayed in the Monarch Plaza, Taoyuan as my GF was a FA and was put there. She was keen to see a bit of TPE). It only worked cos she was mad and I was well rested. The flight times were similar to yours. I did say never again and it hasn't happened since.

Can't do Evergreen as I will be out of the sterile area and not allowed back in until check-in time.

Is there a hotel near one of the better more vibrant Night Markets and accessible with airport transportation??

i.e.

Land . . Train/Bus . . Check-in . . . Market . . Sleep . . . Train/Bus . . Leave

Not too familiar with hotels in Taipei but as long as you're in central Taipei, you could quickly take a taxi or take the MRT to one of the night markets. I'd say that the most central one is probably the Shida Night Market near Guting MRT station. Your other options are Gongguan Night Market (Gongguan MRT), Shilin Night Market (Jiantan MRT), Huaxi Night Market (Longshan Temple MRT) and Raohe Night Market (Songshan Station). Be aware that the MRT shuts down around half past midnight.

Also, the train is really not an option to get to Taipei from the airport. You can, of course, take a bus to the Taoyuan high speed rail station and then catch a train into Taipei Station, but overall the airport buses are quicker and with you limited time, I would really consider a taxi instead.

Taipei downtown is not huge, so getting around by taxis is quite practical. Night markets don't really stay open all night, so you'll want to be efficient about getting to one. One option: airport bus to Taipei (train) Station, taxi to Shida night market, eat, buy; then taxi to a hotel such as Howard Plaza, where you can get a direct airport bus in the morning. Have addresses written out in Chinese for the taxi drivers.