Taipei MRT Guide: Lines, Fares, the 1200 Pass, YouBike, and Etiquette
The Taipei MRT is the city's circulatory system — clean, punctual, and bilingual. Six lines, 117+ stations, and one set of rules that will keep you out of trouble.
The six lines
| Line | Color | Key stops |
|---|---|---|
| 文湖線 Wenhu | Brown (BR) | Taipei Zoo, Xihu (Neihu tech park) |
| 淡水信義線 Tamsui-Xinyi | Red (R) | Tamsui, Shilin, Taipei Main, Xinyi (101) |
| 松山新店線 Songshan-Xindian | Green (G) | Songshan, Ximen, Gongguan, Xindian |
| 中和新蘆線 Zhonghe-Xinlu | Orange (O) | Luzhou, Huilong, Nanshijiao |
| 板南線 Bannan | Blue (BL) | Nangang, Taipei Main, Ximen, Dingpu |
| 環狀線 Circular | Yellow (Y) | New Taipei circular connector |
Transfers between lines are well-signed in English. Note the rookie traps: Shilin Night Market = Jiantan Station (not Shilin Station), and Raohe Night Market = Songshan Station.
Fares and tickets
- Distance-based, NT$20–65. Ten tiers, NT$5 steps. The gate shows your deduction on exit.
- Single-journey tokens (代幣): buy at machines, tap in, drop the token in the exit gate slot — it is recycled.
- EasyCard / iPASS / icash: tap in and out. This is what residents use, and it is the only way to get transfer discounts and the frequent-rider rebate.
- Credit cards and mobile pay: Visa/Mastercard tap and most phone wallets now work at gates, charged at single-journey rates — but no transfer discount and no frequent-rider rebate. Fine for visitors, wasteful for commuters.
Discounts worth knowing
- Transfer discount: with an electronic ticket, transfer between MRT and bus (either direction) within 1 hour for NT$8 off (regular card; NT$6 student, NT$4 concession).
- Frequent-rider rebate (常客優惠): ride 11–20 times a month for 5% cashback, 21–40 for 10%, 41+ for 15% — credited back automatically. Commuters should never pay full fare.
- TPASS 基北北桃 1200: the monthly pass that replaced the old 1280 ticket. NT$1,200 for 30 days of unlimited MRT, city buses, TRA local trains, and highway buses across Keelung–Taipei–New Taipei–Taoyuan, plus YouBike's first 30 minutes free. Load it onto any EasyCard at station machines. (Note: the central TPASS budget has been under legislative review — confirm it is still on sale before buying, though it has remained available.)
YouBike integration
Every major MRT station has a YouBike dock outside. Register your EasyCard on the YouBike site first, then tap to unlock. In Taipei the first 30 minutes are free (city subsidy), then NT$10 per 30 minutes — perfect for the last mile from station to office.
Etiquette (unwritten, but enforced by stares)
- No eating or drinking anywhere in the paid area or trains. The fine starts at NT$1,500. This includes chewing gum and open coffee cups.
- Escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left — though the official guidance now emphasizes holding the handrail and standing steady.
- 博愛座 (priority seats): dark blue seats reserved for elderly, pregnant, disabled, and injured passengers. Sitting in one when healthy invites public shaming.
- Queue: lines are marked on the platform floor — stand behind them and let passengers exit first.
- Quiet: phone calls on speaker are a social crime. Keep volumes down.
Hours and frequency
Roughly 06:00–24:00 daily, trains every 2–6 minutes at peak. Last-train times are posted in every station; the system is famously on time, so don't cut it close.
Frequently asked questions
Is the old 1280 monthly pass still available?
No — it was discontinued on June 30, 2023. The replacement is the TPASS 基北北桃 1200 pass described above.
Can I take luggage?
Yes, but during rush hour (07:30–09:00, 17:30–19:00) large suitcases draw glares. The Airport MRT (Taoyuan Metro) is designed for luggage and a better choice to/from the airport.
What if I tap in and change my mind?
Exit at the same station within 15 minutes and you are typically charged nothing or a minimal handling amount — check the station's posted rules.
Sources
- Taipei Metro, frequent-rider and transfer discount rules: https://www.metro.taipei/cp.aspx?n=AB56163F79ECB2C2
- Taipei Metro multi-payment discount guide: https://web.metro.taipei/QRCode/multipayment//Discount/directions.html
- Taipei MRT fares and tickets overview: https://roo.cash/blog/metro-taipei-article/
- YouBike Taipei rates and subsidies: https://www.youbike.com.tw/region/taipei/rate/