Cleveland88

I am going to Grand Hyatt in Taipei in 2 weeks and I am going to take the bus 1960 from the airport which will stop right in front of Hyatt. Has anyone had experience with it in terms of traffic jams for example? It seems the best option because it is a direct bus ride.

jpdx

I've taken the bus a number of times, to GH and Taipei City Hall (W, LM, etc). It's a cheap option, but infuriatingly slow. Once it exits the freeway, it meanders from one hotel to the next, and it can spend an hour easily in (unnecessary) city traffic. If you want to take the bus, I'd get off at the first stop once it reaches Taipei, and then take a taxi from there. Or just take the MTR to Taipei station, and then a cab from there to the Hyatt.

WantOnlinePoker

I arrived here at GH Taipei yesterday and took the MRT from the airport. The transfer at Taipei main station was straightforward, just a short-ish walk to switch to the red train line. It's a separate fare but the machine wasn't too difficult to figure out. No credit cards accepted so you need a little cash. It was something like 150 NT$ and 30 NT$ for the 2 rides. As long as you're not dragging a lot of luggage with you, I'd recommend the MRT. I just had a backpack and carry-on suitcase.

OsakaWino

My wife and I have taken the bus RT once and the airport train + taxi RT once, both times with large poorly rolling suitcases for long stays. We have also walked the rout from the airport trains terminal at Taipei Station to the subway just to check it out.

With baggage I would definitely recommend the airport train + taxi. There is an easy elevator up from the platform at Taipei Station and it is right there at the taxi queue. We did note, however, that the taxi ride was slightly longer and more expensive than expected in both directions due to traffic.

I I were alone with just an easy rolling carry on I would take the airport train and then the subway. While I personally would never call the route from the airport train to the red line "short" it is an easy and pleasant walk. However, the walk from the subway to the GH would not be pleasant with even just small roll-on if is is raining, especially if you need to use the elevator, since that means more uncovered distance.

The main advantage of the bus is the low cost, and I did not think the time required for the trip to be significantly longer. However, there is likely to be a certain amount of wait time, especially on the return because the bus can be 5+ min late, but you still have to be out there waiting at the scheduled time. The bus was not terribly uncomfortable, but not exactly comfortable either, and the driver seemed a bit put out to have to load/unload our luggage underneath the bus, even though I did half the work. The bus let us off at the bottom of the entrance driveway at the GH and picked up on the street at the side entrance, neither of which would be too nice if it is raining.

bworrell

I just stayed here a few days ago again.

Transportation: This time I did MRT-to-Taxi, and then Uber-to-MRT on the way back. I was a little tired and just wanted to make it as fast as possible.

Dining: I walked to the Xinyi area (walking mall) for dinner. Unfortunately most of the places close at midnight, with food stopping at 11pm. I ended up having ramen at Ichiran (24 hours).

Breakfast: I've been having breakfast at the restaurant, which I realized this stay was included as part of my inexpensive corporate rate. In three stays I haven't had breakfast at the lounge yet.

skywalkerLAX

That's a bit over dramatic. It stops at the Subway station and two hotels along the way to Grand Hyatt.

I have a bigger problem with the temperature on board the bus. It's usually cold as a fridge.

luvFclass

Sometimes not only as cold as fridge, but humid as well when it is raining buckets outside. TPE>MTR>Xinyi or Taipei 101 with small carryon/trolleys is fine mode of transport, unless its rush hour. Then I would take the taxi option from Main Station, but my flights usually arrive at a ungodly 5:00 am from YYZ.

skywalkerLAX

I tried that once and stopped the time. Didn't gain anything after running around to get the train and then connecting at the train station. Maybe I try the train/taxi combo next time but generally I just find the CitiAirBus more convenient.

luvFclass

What does the CitiBus cost from TPE>GH TPE door to door? I will have time on my hands over the Lunar NY, so I may give it whirl as an option.

gengar

CitiAir Bus is 145 NTD: https://www.taiwanbus.tw/information...e=3463&Lang=En

skywalkerLAX

As Gengar wrote above it's 145 NTD per trip and has to be paid in cash (at the airport - no CC accepted), GH can sell you tickets too and obviously you can pay by card but they seriously charge you a cash-out fee for that 'service'.

illico

OsakaWino

From a Google translation of that article, it seems like a rumor that even the writer of the article doubts. Here's hoping that it is no more than a rumor.

gengar

For late night eats, definitely consider Tonghua night market. It's straight down Jilong Rd (the night market runs down Linjiang St with one entrance at Jilong Rd). Probably 15 mins tops walking. It's my favorite night market in Taipei, in part because it's not nearly as touristy as some of the others.

stillplayswithbarbies

what is the best option for a room for a family of four? We have stayed here in the past when we had three adults and two children so we had to book two rooms. This time we are two adults and two children but I am not seeing any rooms that are a king bed with sofa bed or something like that where children can sleep.

I don't have status with Hyatt but want lounge access. Is there any way to get that upgrade other than booking that rate?