Taipei is already a fun city on its own. But one of the best things about staying here is how easy it is to escape for a day: coast, mountains, hot springs, countryside, even a quick “taste” of central or southern Taiwan.
If you use Taipei as your base and book a private car with driver, you can wake up in the same hotel every night and still see a lot of Taiwan without dragging your luggage on and off trains.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most popular day trips from Taipei, with simple info you actually need:
- Rough travel times
- Suggested order of stops
- Who each route is suitable for
- When a private car makes a big difference
Yilan Day Trip: Hot Springs, Countryside and Night Market
Yilan (宜蘭) is just on the other side of the mountains from Taipei. It feels more laid-back, with hot springs, rice fields and river areas – nice if you want to see a softer side of Taiwan.
Typical route
Taipei → Jiaoxi hot springs → Dongshan River / Traditional Arts area → Luodong Night Market → back to Taipei
Rough plan
- 08:00–09:00 – Leave Taipei. The drive is usually about 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
- Morning – Soak in Jiaoxi hot springs. You can choose a public bath, hotel day use, or simple foot-soak pools.
- Afternoon – Head to a countryside or river area (around 30 minutes), for example Dongshan River or the National Center for Traditional Arts. Kids can run around; adults can enjoy the scenery.
- Evening – Visit Luodong Night Market for food and a bit of shopping, then head back to Taipei (around 1.5 hours).
Who this is good for
- Families with small children or mixed-age groups
- Travellers who prefer countryside over crowded old streets
- Anyone who wants hot springs but already did Beitou
Why a private car helps
Trains and buses do run here, but getting between hot springs, river areas and the night market is much easier in one vehicle. Your driver can also keep things flexible if it rains or if the kids fall asleep.
Taichung in a Day: City Vibes and Sunset Wetlands
Taichung (台中) is better as at least an overnight stop, but if you’re short on time, a long day trip still works and gives you a feel for central Taiwan.
Typical route
Taipei → Taichung city → Gaomei Wetlands → back to Taipei
(or Taipei → Taichung city → Gaomei Wetlands → drop-off at hotel in Taichung)
Rough plan
- 07:30–08:00 – Depart Taipei. Drive time is roughly 2–2.5 hours each way.
- Late morning to afternoon – Explore Taichung city:
- Walk around the National Taichung Theater area
- Stroll along Calligraphy Greenway
- Coffee or lunch at a local café
- Dessert at Miyahara (famous for ice cream and pineapple cakes)
- Late afternoon – Head out to Gaomei Wetlands (about 40–50 minutes). Aim to arrive 1–1.5 hours before sunset, so you can walk the boardwalk and watch the tide.
- Evening – Either drive back to Taipei or ask your driver to drop you at a hotel in Taichung if you want to stay overnight.
Who this is good for
- Travellers who like cafés, architecture and city exploring
- People who want to see Gaomei but don’t want to change hotels too often
Why a private car helps
You avoid figuring out the mix of HSR + taxis + buses, and you don’t have to watch the time for the last train. It also lets you combine city and wetlands comfortably in one day.
Alishan: A Big Day Out or the Start of a Road Trip
Alishan (阿里山) is famous for sunrise, forests and sea of clouds. From Taipei it’s a long journey, so realistically:
- You treat it as a very big day trip, or
- You use it as the start of a longer route (for example, Taipei → Alishan → Tainan or Kaohsiung).
For most people, we recommend at least one night in or near Alishan. But if you really want to push it as a day trip, here’s what it can look like with a private driver.
Very long day option
- Very early departure from Taipei (for example 04:00–05:00)
- Long highway drive past Taichung and Chiayi, then into the mountains
- Explore Alishan area during late morning and afternoon: forest walks, sacred trees, ponds, viewpoints
- Evening drive back, reaching Taipei at night
More comfortable option
- Day 1: Taipei → Alishan with sightseeing → stay overnight
- Day 2: Sunrise in Alishan → continue down to Tainan or Kaohsiung instead of going back to Taipei
Who this is good for
- Mountain and nature lovers
- Travellers who don’t mind long drives
- People with flexible schedules who can stay at least one night
Why a private car helps
Mountain roads and changing weather are stressful if you’re driving yourself or rushing to match bus or train times. A driver who knows the route lets you rest between stops and focus on the scenery.
Southern Teaser: Tainan and Kaohsiung in One Day
If you don’t have time to fully explore southern Taiwan, but still want a quick taste, you can combine Tainan (台南) and Kaohsiung (高雄) in one long day.
Typical route
Taipei → Tainan → Kaohsiung → back to Taipei
(or Taipei → Tainan → Kaohsiung → overnight in Kaohsiung)
Rough plan
- 07:00–07:30 – Depart Taipei. Drive down the highway (around 3.5–4.5 hours depending on breaks and traffic).
- Late morning to early afternoon in Tainan – Focus on one area, for example:
- Anping: Fort, old street, canal area
- Try a few local snacks (danzai noodles, milkfish dishes, coffin bread)
- Anping: Fort, old street, canal area
- Afternoon to evening in Kaohsiung – Continue about 1–1.5 hours to Kaohsiung for:
- Pier-2 Art Center and harbor-side walk, or
- Cijin Island (short ferry ride), or
- Lotus Pond and its colourful temples
- Night – Either drive back to Taipei, or ask to finish at your hotel in Kaohsiung.
Who this is good for
- Travellers who really want to compare north vs south in one trip
- People who don’t mind a long day in the car but want someone else to do the driving
Why a private car helps
Doing two cities by HSR plus local transport in one day means managing a tight schedule, buying multiple tickets and watching the clock. A private car turns it into a simple “north–south highway” day, with your bags safely in the boot.
How to Choose the Right Taipei Day Trip for Your Group
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Choose Yilan if you want countryside, rivers and another hot spring town without changing hotels.
- Choose Taichung + Gaomei if cafés, creative spaces and sunsets appeal to you.
- Choose Alishan if mountains and forests are a must.
- Add Tainan / Kaohsiung if you’re curious how different southern Taiwan feels.
You don’t have to do everything in one visit. For most first-timers, one or two day trips from Taipei plus city time is already a very full trip.
If you tell us how many days you have, who you’re travelling with (friends, kids, parents) and how many hours you’re comfortable being out, we can help shape a realistic plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips from Taipei
How many day trips should I plan from Taipei?
As a simple guideline:
- 4–5 days in Taiwan: 1 day trip from Taipei is enough
- 6–7 days: 2 day trips work well
- 8 days or more: you can add a third day trip or start doing one-way legs to Taichung, Alishan, Tainan or Kaohsiung
If you travel with kids or elderly parents, it’s better to keep one “heavy” day trip (longer drives) and one easier day (for example hot springs and Tamsui) rather than booking a long day, every day.
What to do in a Taipei day trip?
If you want to stay inside the city for your day trip, you can do something like this:
- Morning: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, then Longshan Temple and the nearby old streets
- Afternoon: Short hike up Elephant Mountain for the Taipei 101 view, then explore the Xinyi shopping area or a café
- Evening: End at a night market such as Raohe or Ningxia for street food
If you don’t mind leaving the city, you can also:
- Turn it into a North Coast outing (Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu), or
- Focus on Yangmingshan + Beitou + Tamsui for mountains, hot springs and sunset
With a private driver, it’s easier to mix city stops and near-city attractions in one day without worrying about how to connect them.
Can I do these day trips from Taipei by public transport?
Some of them, yes:
- Jiufen and Shifen are reachable by train + bus
- Tamsui is on the MRT line
- Taichung is easy by high-speed rail
But once you want to combine several stops in one day, or travel with big luggage or older family members, public transport gets tiring. That’s where a private car works better: one vehicle, one driver, no transfers.
Is it realistic to do Taichung, Alishan, Tainan or Kaohsiung as a day trip?
It depends on your energy and expectations:
- Taichung: Yes, as a long day is still okay
- Alishan: Possible but very long; we usually suggest at least one night
- Tainan / Kaohsiung: Technically yes as a long day, but more comfortable as an overnight
A good compromise is to treat these as one-way sightseeing transfers. For example:
- Taipei → Taichung with stops → sleep in Taichung
- Taipei → Alishan → continue next day to Tainan or Kaohsiung
You still see a lot, but you cut down the backtracking.
What time should I start my day trip from Taipei?
Most travellers start between 07:00 and 09:00:
- North Coast / Yilan / Yangmingshan–Beitou–Tamsui: 8–9 am works fine
- Taichung: around 7:30–8 am to make Gaomei sunset
- Alishan / Tainan / Kaohsiung: as early as you’re comfortable, especially if returning to Taipei at night
When you book, we can suggest a start time based on season (sunset time) and your chosen route.
How much does a private day trip from Taipei cost?
The price depends on:
- How many hours you need
- Which route you choose
- Vehicle size (sedan, MPV, van)
It’s charged per vehicle, not per person, so if you’re a family or small group, you can share the cost together.
If you send your date, number of people and rough route (for example “North Coast loop, about 9–10 hours”), we can reply with a clear quotation before you decide.
What kind of vehicles and drivers does Go Taiwan Transport use?
We work with licensed private cars and vans in Taiwan. Vehicles are suitable for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups.
When you book, you can tell us:
- How many people and suitcases you have
- Whether you’re travelling with young children or elderly parents
We’ll match you with a suitable vehicle and driver so you’re not cramped and can sit comfortably on longer drives.
How do I book a day trip from Taipei with Go Taiwan Transport?
It’s simple:
- Send us a message on WhatsApp or LINE with your dates, hotel name, number of people and the kind of places you want to see.
- We’ll suggest a route, estimated hours and price.
- If you’re happy, confirm the booking and we’ll share your driver and pick-up details.
On the day, your driver meets you at your hotel lobby, follows the agreed plan, and adjusts the timing where possible based on weather and how fast or slow your group likes to move.
Ready to Plan Your Day Trips from Taipei?
You don’t need to see the whole island in one rush. With a few well-planned day trips, you can keep a comfortable base in Taipei and still taste Taiwan’s coast, mountains, hot springs, countryside and southern cities.
If you already have a rough idea – maybe “North Coast plus a hot spring day” or “I want to see Gaomei and Alishan” – send your plan to Go Taiwan Transport. We’ll help turn it into a realistic route with the right vehicle, a friendly driver and door-to-door service so you can just enjoy the trip.