Day Trips from Taipei: Yehliu, Pingxi, Jiufen and Taroko (2026)

Taipei is a good base for day trips. The north coast, the old railway towns and the mountain town of Jiufen are all within reach of the city, and you can go by bus, by train or with a private car and driver. Here’s how each one works, and which ones fit into a day.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu is a park of rock formations on the north coast. The official site lists opening hours of 8:00 to 17:00 all year, and 8:00 to 18:00 in summer, with the last ticket sold at closing time. It doesn’t say which months count as summer. A full ticket is NT$120. Students, children aged 6 to under 12 and visitors aged 65 and over pay NT$60. Children under 6 get in free.

For getting there, the park lists three bus routes from Taipei, all of which stop at Yehliu: Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport route 1815 from Taipei Main Station, and Keelung Bus routes 953 and 1068. From Tamsui, Tamsui Bus route 716, a Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service, runs to Yehliu Geopark station. Timetables change, so check each operator before you go. If you drive, the park lists parking at NT$50 a day on weekdays for cars.

The Pingxi line

The Pingxi branch line runs through Shifen and Jingtong, among other stops. Taiwan Railway also sells a tourist pass that covers the Pingxi, Neiwan and Jiji lines. Timetables and fares aren’t quoted here, so check the Taiwan Railway timetable before you go.

Jiufen

Jiufen is an old mountain town in the hills east of Taipei. We don’t quote travel times or fares here, because the New Taipei City tourism site wasn’t available when we checked. Look up the current bus and train options, or ask for a private car.

Taroko Gorge needs a night

Taroko is a famous Taiwan sight, but a round trip from Taipei in one day is long. The express train takes about two to two and a half hours each way, and the main road through the gorge has run with traffic control and set time windows since the April 2024 earthquake. You’ll get more out of it with a night in Hualien. See the 5-day Taiwan itinerary, or our Taroko National Park page.

Go by private car

If you’d rather not juggle bus stops and train times, a private car and driver can combine two stops in a day. Ask for a quote with your dates, and tell us what you’d like to see. You can also see how day trips fit into a whole trip in our 4-day Taiwan itinerary, and look at our Taiwan tours.

Sources (read in Chinese): Yehliu Geopark official website (tickets, hours, transport); Taiwan Railway; Taiwan Tourism Administration (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle). Last checked 9 November 2026.

Day trips from Taipei: FAQ

What are the best day trips from Taipei?

Yehliu Geopark on the north coast, the Pingxi railway line and Jiufen are the usual choices.

How do you get to Yehliu from Taipei?

By bus. Yehliu’s official site lists Kuo-Kuang route 1815 from Taipei Main Station and Keelung Bus routes 953 and 1068, which stop at Yehliu.

How much does Yehliu Geopark cost?

A full ticket is NT$120. Students, children aged 6 to under 12 and visitors aged 65 and over pay NT$60.

Can you visit Taroko as a day trip from Taipei?

You can, but it’s a long day. The train takes about two to two and a half hours each way. A night in Hualien is better.