Need to travel to Taichung and have a few questions that I hope the savvier among you can help with.

I was told that that the best way to get to Taichung given my circumstances is to fly to TPE and take a taxi to Taichung. Isn't this a 2 hour drive? How much is this going to set me back?

What hotels would you recommend (business type hotel)?

Thanks!

Can't really help you out in regards to hotels and TaiChung, Steve Fenton is the guy for that area.

However, I'd recommend taking a bus from CKS. Upon exit at immigration in Terminal 2, hang a right, and walk to the end of the room. There will be a hallway on your right hand side. Towards the end of that hallway, make a left into a small waiting room.

For Terminal one, you make a left and walk about 50 meters. There is where all the bus companies are located. I believe they should have buses to Taichung. Just FYI, it is written as 台中 and the sales people don't know english.

If not, You'll have to take the bus to the Taipei Main Station and there are definately buses there that go to Taichung. Pricing isn't usually too bad. A few hundred NT at most.

PM me if you have any more questions in regards to the transit there.

Take a taxi? Hmmmmm....... if money is no object perhaps.

You have multiple options.

Party Boy is right in that there are bus terminals within TPE airport that will take you directly there. I believe it was about 400-500 NTD for a ticket. Really recommend it if you have a lot of luggage.

Option 2:

Regular train. Take the shuttle or taxi to the train station and you will be there in about 1.5 hours to 2 hours.

Option 3:

High speed train. About 40 minutes and you are there. It will cost about 670 TWD. You need to take the shuttle or a taxi to the HSR station.

Personally, I would not take the taxi. Can't even imagine how expensive it will be. A taxi from Tainan to Kaosuing costs about 1200 TWD and this is easily 4 - 5 times longer in distance.

As for hotels, will make a separate post if others do not respond or you can PM me.

HI and thanks for the replies!

Looks like I'll take the train or bus to Taichung - sounds like it should be easy but my flight from Taipei leaves at 6:25 in the morning on the return, so a Taxi, even if it ends up being 4-5000 NTD, could be well worth it.

Travel Agent has recommended the Landis Hotel, and this is what I've booked.

FYI - busses work around the clock but if somebody else is footing the bill. Go for it.

PS - Landis is a good choice. One of the best in Taiwan and (expensive)

Will do! thanks for the tip!

whats the attraction at the gym ??

Would love to know more about peoples' favorite hotels...sounds like the Landis is the favorite! How is the Howard Prince? The Splendor also seems to be going downhill these days.

currently Howard Prince is taking loads of business from Landis but it is miles out of town. Hotel one is good and if you call them direct will give you around 4000 $NT Landis will give you $3500, both in best locations. Evergreen is also good and just across the road from Landis, PM me if you need any other help

Haven't stayed at the Landis in Taipei but have stayed a number of times at the one in Tainan - one of my favourite hotels anywhere. Room is a good size, nice amenities, great pool and spa and a pretty decent breakfast.

In Taipei I usually stay at the Hyatt. Good location and nice food in the club room. Pretty much your standard big hotel though so nothing outstanding servicewise.

Stayed @ Evergreen Laurel Hotel Taichung once and really hate it...so outdated...

If not for businss trip (or for weekend), I'll just go try different motels for fun

Mulan http://www.mulan.com.tw/
MoonRiver http://moonrivermotel.com.tw/

One of the newest hotels HotelOne in the heart of Taichung City.

Great building, great views, very courteous and caring staff (English friendly). They also have a business work table that is excellent ^

http://taichung.hotelone.com.tw

Slightly pricey but worth all the NTs you'll spend

So I guess you like the paid for hospitality then ?

Unless you can book a room with separate shower, I do not recommend to stay in Hotel One in Taichung since the regular room only has bath tube and my head (I am not tall) almost touches the ceiling during shower.

I actually have not had a problem with this. Usually in my rooms at HotelOne there are both facilities.

To the OP: Even though it is a 40+ story building, the lower you are, the bigger the room (incredibly weird I know), so the view can wait ^