Is Taipei Worth Visiting with Kids? Our Complete 8-Day Family Guide

The short answer? Absolutely yes. After spending eight incredible days exploring Taipei with our three daughters (ages 5, 7, and 8), we can confidently say this vibrant capital is one of Asia's most underrated family destinations. From affordable street food and world-class museums to efficient public transportation and kid-friendly attractions, Taipei delivered experiences that had us planning our return visit before we even left.

We spent eight days discovering temples, night markets, museums, and hidden gems throughout the city on a total budget of $2,400 USD ($300 per day for our family of five). Here's everything you need to know about visiting Taipei with children, including our honest assessment of costs, logistics, and whether it's truly worth adding to your family travel itinerary.

Why Taipei Works So Well for Families

Exceptional Value for Money

Our eight-day stay in Taipei cost exactly $2,097 USD for our family of five, averaging just $262 per day. This came in well under our typical $300 daily budget and included accommodation in the trendy Ximending district, all meals, transportation, activities, and even splurges like cooking classes and guided tours.

World-Class Public Transportation

Taipei's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is clean, efficient, and incredibly family-friendly. Children under 6 ride completely free, while kids 6-12 pay half price on buses and full price on the MRT. We purchased EasyCards for 100 TWD each (about $3 USD) and topped them up as needed. The entire system is air-conditioned, which provides welcome relief from Taiwan's humid summers.

English-Friendly Environment

While Mandarin is the primary language, we found Taipei surprisingly English-friendly. Most signs include English translations, restaurant menus often have pictures or English options, and many locals speak at least basic English. The abundance of convenience stores (7-Eleven and FamilyMart are everywhere) made it easy to grab snacks, drinks, and essentials.

Our 8-Day Taipei Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions

After arriving via airport transfer, we settled into our Airbnb in Ximending, often called "the Harajuku of Taipei." This vibrant pedestrian district became our perfect home base, surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and nightlife that caters to younger crowds.

Our first meal was at Fu Hong Beef Noodles, a 24-hour spot right next to our accommodation. The beef noodle soup was exceptional - rich, flavorful, and surprisingly kid-friendly despite being a local favorite.

Day 2: Comprehensive Taipei Tour with Edison Tours

We partnered with Edison Tours for a full-day guided experience covering Taipei's essential landmarks. While we typically prefer independent exploration, this tour provided invaluable cultural context and historical background that enriched our entire week.

Tour Highlights:

• Grand Hotel Taipei: This architectural marvel features over 300,000 dragon motifs and spectacular city views. While staying here costs $588 USD per night, visiting for photos and exploration is free.
• National Palace Museum: Home to the world's largest collection of Chinese treasures, this museum requires at least 2-3 hours to appreciate properly. Adult tickets cost 350 TWD ($11 USD) with free entry for children under 18.
• Dihua Street: One of Taipei's oldest trading streets, now filled with traditional markets, tea shops, and local delicacies.
• Lungshan Temple: An active Buddhist temple where we learned traditional practices like using moon blocks to communicate with deities.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: The changing of the guard ceremony fascinated our daughters and provided insight into Taiwan's complex political history.
• Taipei 101: The former world's tallest building remains Taipei's most iconic landmark.

Cost:

Edison Tours cost us 11,440 TWD ($352 USD) for our family, making it our single largest expense but worthwhile for families seeking comprehensive cultural education.

Day 3: Northern Coast Adventure

We hired a private driver through Tripool (a local ride-sharing app) for approximately 5,000 TWD ($160 USD) to explore Taipei's stunning northern coastline.

Yehliu Geopark: This geological wonderland features incredible rock formations carved by centuries of erosion. The famous Queen's Head rock formation may only survive a few more years due to ongoing weathering. Entry costs are minimal, but bring sun protection - there's virtually no shade along the coastal paths.

Jiufen Old Town: This former gold-mining village served as inspiration for Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away." The winding alleyways filled with tea houses and traditional snacks create a magical atmosphere, especially as evening approaches. We enjoyed vermicelli chicken noodles and Taiwan beer while overlooking the coast.

Golden Waterfall and Yin Yang Sea: These natural phenomena result from mineral-rich water meeting the ocean, creating distinct color contrasts. The viewing platforms provide excellent photo opportunities.

Shifen: Famous for its waterfall (dubbed "Taiwan's Niagara") and the tradition of releasing wish lanterns into the sky. Our daughters loved decorating lanterns with their dreams and watching them float away.

Day 4: New Taipei Metropolitan Park and Underground Shopping

We tested Taipei's family-friendly public transportation by taking the MRT to New Taipei City. The journey cost just 20 TWD per adult (about $0.65 USD) with Harper riding free.

New Taipei Metropolitan Park: Built in a flood plain, this innovative park features hundreds of slides built into the landscape. While there's minimal shade, the creative playground equipment provided hours of entertainment for our daughters.

Taipei City Mall: Taiwan's largest underground shopping street connects multiple train stations and provides air-conditioned relief from summer heat. The maze-like layout offers everything from electronics to gacha toys.

Day 5: Science and Discovery Day

Taiwan Science Education Center: At just 100 TWD for adults and 70 TWD for children (approximately $3 and $2 USD respectively), this hands-on museum offered incredible value. Interactive exhibits covering physics, biology, and technology kept our daughters engaged for over three hours.

Taipei Astronomical Museum: This space-focused museum includes a planetarium show and interactive displays about solar system exploration. Combined tickets for museum and dome theater cost around 470 TWD for our family.

Day 6: Culinary Adventures

Cook Inn Taiwan: This hands-on cooking class cost us 6,600 TWD ($203 USD) for our family. While our biggest single activity expense, it provided invaluable cultural insight and skills we still use today.

Din Tai Fung: We compared our homemade soup dumplings with those from the world-famous restaurant. Surprisingly, our cooking class versions held their own against the professionals!

Day 7: Taipei Zoo and Gondola Adventure

We took the Brown Line MRT to its terminus at the zoo, then rode the crystal-bottom gondola to the south entrance. This strategy meant walking downhill all day instead of uphill.

Maokong Gondola: The crystal cabin option (same price as regular) features glass floors for spectacular views over Taipei's mountains and forests.

Taipei Zoo: One of Asia's largest zoos, featuring pandas, koalas, penguins, and diverse wildlife. At 320 TWD for our entire family (about $10 USD), it provided exceptional value for a full day of entertainment.

Raohe Street Night Market: Our evening culminated at this incredible night market, widely considered Taipei's best. From pepper buns cooked in clay ovens to fresh-made scallion pancakes, every bite was memorable.

Day 8: Cultural Conclusion

National Taiwan Museum: This beautifully preserved colonial-era building houses excellent exhibits on Taiwan's natural history and indigenous cultures. At just 90 TWD for our entire family (under $3 USD), it represents incredible value.

228 Peace Memorial Park: This sobering memorial commemorates victims of the February 28, 1947 incident, providing important historical context about Taiwan's journey to democracy.

Taipei Children's Discovery Center: Located inside City Hall, this free interactive museum about Taipei's development provided our daughters with hands-on learning experiences.

Essential Practical Information

Where to Stay in Taipei with Kids

Ximending District proved perfect for our family. This pedestrian-friendly area offers:

• Walking distance to metro stations
• Abundant restaurants and convenience stores
• Safe, well-lit streets perfect for evening strolls
• Proximity to night markets and attractions

Our Airbnb cost $512 USD total ($64 per night), significantly less than hotel options while providing kitchen facilities and washing machine access.

Transportation Tips

EasyCard: These rechargeable cards work on all public transportation. Children 5 and under ride free everywhere, while ages 6-12 pay half price on buses.

MRT System: Exceptionally clean, efficient, and air-conditioned. The Brown Line to the zoo features automated trains with front-row seats offering unobstructed views.

Tripool: Local ride-sharing app offering competitive private driver rates for day trips outside the city.

Food and Dining

Family Mart and 7-Eleven: These ubiquitous convenience stores became our lifeline for snacks, drinks, and quick meals. Prices inside tourist attractions match regular store prices.

Night Markets: Essential Taipei experiences offering incredible variety and value. Expect to spend 50-150 TWD per person for satisfying street food meals.

Restaurant Dining: Traditional beef noodle soup restaurants and dumpling houses provide authentic experiences at reasonable prices. Most offer picture menus or English translations.

Connectivity

For seamless internet access throughout Taiwan, we highly recommend Holafly eSIM with our exclusive code ADAMANDLINDS for the best rates on unlimited data plans. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs activate instantly and work across all devices.

Weather and Timing Considerations

Summer Reality Check: We visited in summer, experiencing daily temperatures around 34°C (94°F) with afternoon humidity that made it feel like 40°C (105°F). Afternoon rain showers arrive like clockwork, so always carry umbrellas.

Optimal Visiting Seasons: February-April and October-December offer more comfortable temperatures and less humidity. Avoid typhoon season (June-October) when possible.

Cultural Learning Opportunities

Taipei provides exceptional worldschooling opportunities that we detail extensively in our book "Taipei 2024: A One-Week Worldschool Guide to Affordable Family Travel":

• Museums: From natural history to space exploration, Taipei's museums offer hands-on learning at incredibly affordable prices
• Temples: Active religious sites where children can observe and participate in traditional practices
• Transportation Engineering: The MRT system provides real-world examples of urban planning and engineering
• Geology: Day trips to northern coast formations offer practical lessons in erosion and rock formation
• Cultural Exchange: Cooking classes and guided tours provide deep cultural immersion
• Language Learning: Daily interactions in Mandarin-speaking environment build confidence and skills

Detailed Budget Breakdown for Family of Five (8 Days)

Based on our actual expenses with exchange rate of 0.0308 USD per Taiwan Dollar:

This breakdown demonstrates exceptional value compared to other major Asian cities like Tokyo ($400+ daily), Singapore ($350+ daily), or Hong Kong ($300+ daily) for similar family experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taipei worth visiting with kids?

Absolutely. Taipei combines urban sophistication with family-friendly infrastructure, cultural richness with modern convenience, and exceptional value with memorable experiences. Our daughters still talk about their favorite moments from this trip.

Is Taiwan good for family travel?

Taiwan excels for family travel due to excellent healthcare, safe environment, efficient transportation, and welcoming culture toward children. The combination of traditional culture and modern amenities creates ideal conditions for worldschooling families.

What is there to do in Taipei for families?

Beyond our itinerary, Taipei offers hot springs, hiking trails, additional museums, cultural performances, festivals, and seasonal events. The city provides enough activities for weeks of exploration.

How many days in Taipei is enough?

We recommend minimum 5-7 days to experience major attractions without rushing. Our 8-day stay felt perfect for thorough exploration while maintaining relaxed pace suitable for children.

Where should I avoid staying in Taipei?

We found all areas we visited felt safe and family-friendly. However, staying near MRT stations provides maximum convenience for families with children.

Is 3 days enough in Taipei?

While possible, 3 days only allows surface-level exploration. You'd miss cultural depth, outdoor adventures, and the relaxed pace that makes family travel enjoyable.

Is Taipei cheap for tourists?

Compared to other major Asian cities, Taipei offers exceptional value. Accommodation, food, transportation, and activities cost significantly less than Tokyo, Singapore, or Hong Kong while maintaining high quality standards.

Where to visit for the first time in Taiwan?

Taipei provides the perfect introduction to Taiwan, offering cultural attractions, natural beauty, culinary experiences, and modern conveniences in one accessible location.

What to know before going to Taipei?

• Download translation apps for easier communication
• Always carry umbrellas during summer months
• Book popular restaurants in advance
• Purchase EasyCards immediately upon arrival
• Embrace the night market culture - it's essential to the Taipei experience

Final Verdict: Why Taipei Deserves a Spot on Your Family Travel List

After visiting over 20 countries as a worldschooling family, Taipei ranks among our top destinations for family travel. The combination of affordability, safety, cultural richness, and genuine warmth toward children creates an environment where families can truly thrive.

Our daughters gained confidence navigating public transportation, trying new foods, and engaging with different cultural practices. They learned about history, science, and geography through hands-on experiences that no classroom could replicate.

Most importantly, Taipei reminded us why we chose this lifestyle. Watching Harper confidently order in Mandarin, seeing Lily's excitement about pandas, and observing Cora's fascination with temple rituals reinforced that travel truly is the best education we can provide our children.

Ready to plan your own Taipei adventure? Contact Lindsay at [email protected] for personalized family travel planning services. As a certified travel advisor specializing in worldschooling families, she can help design the perfect Taiwan itinerary for your family's interests and budget.

Want to dive deeper into worldschooling strategies? Check out our comprehensive guide "Taipei 2024: A One-Week Worldschool Guide to Affordable Family Travel" for detailed insights on educational travel, budgeting for long-term family adventures, and creating meaningful learning experiences on the road.

For seamless connectivity throughout your Taiwan adventure, don't forget to grab your Holafly eSIM with code ADAMANDLINDS for exclusive rates on unlimited data plans.

Watch our complete Taipei adventure on YouTube: Taipei 2025 Travel Guide: 1 Week Budget Family Travel