MRT Proximity: Your Gateway to Urban Exploration

If there’s one single factor that disproportionately impacts your daily experience in Taiwan’s metro-serviced cities, it’s proximity to an MRT station.

Taiwan’s MRT systems, particularly in Taipei and Kaohsiung, are efficient, clean, affordable, and air-conditioned: a significant comfort in Taiwan’s humid climate. Taipei’s network alone serves over two million trips daily, and there’s good reason for this popularity.

The value of MRT access isn’t just about reaching tourist attractions, though it certainly enables that. It’s about flexibility and spontaneity. With accommodation near an MRT station, you can:

Explore without detailed planning. Spot an interesting neighbourhood or restaurant mentioned in conversation? You can simply go there on a whim, without negotiating taxis or deciphering bus routes.

Extend your day comfortably. Taiwan’s heat and humidity can be draining. The ability to pop back to your accommodation midday for a rest, then head out again in the evening, transforms your stamina for exploration.

Navigate with confidence. MRT systems use clear English signage, announcements in multiple languages, and logical colour-coded lines. Even if you’re typically anxious about getting lost in unfamiliar cities, the MRT provides a confidence-building framework for exploration.

Save money and time. MRT fares range from NT$20-65 per trip, making it dramatically cheaper than taxis whilst often being faster than buses in congested traffic.

However, “near an MRT station” requires nuance. In Taipei, where the network is extensive with 100+ stations across the metro area, you’re rarely far from a station. But not all proximity is equal.

Consider the difference between being 50 metres from a station on a major interchange line versus being 50 metres from a station at the end of a branch line. The interchange location offers one-seat rides to multiple destinations and frequent service. The branch line station might require transfers and operate less frequently, particularly late at night.

For cities without comprehensive MRT coverage, such as Taichung, Tainan, and smaller towns, the same principle applies to train stations. Being within walking distance of a Taiwan Railways (TRA) station provides similar freedom, connecting you to the island’s extensive rail network.