Flights
Bangkok → Taipei (Taoyuan)
Flight time: ~3.5 hours · +1h time zone ahead
| Airline | Airport | Est. Price (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai VietJet | BKK (Suvarnabhumi) | 2,900 – 4,100 | Budget, cheapest option |
| Thai AirAsia | DMK (Don Mueang) | 2,800 – 7,000 | Budget |
| Thai Lion Air | DMK (Don Mueang) | 2,600 – 8,500 | Budget |
| EVA Air | BKK | 4,200 – 12,000 | Full service, excellent reputation |
| Thai Airways | BKK | 4,200 – 12,000 | Full service, direct |
| Starlux Airlines | BKK | 4,000 – 15,000 | Full service, newer airline |
| China Airlines | BKK | 6,500 – 25,000 | Full service |
Taipei (Taoyuan) → Singapore
Flight time: ~4.5–5 hours · Same time zone (UTC+8)
| Airline | Est. Price (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scoot | 2,500 – 5,000 | Budget, Singapore Airlines subsidiary |
| Tigerair Taiwan | 2,800 – 5,500 | Budget |
| EVA Air | 4,500 – 13,000 | Full service, excellent reputation |
| Singapore Airlines | 5,000 – 15,000 | Full service, direct |
| China Airlines | 5,500 – 14,000 | Full service |
| Starlux Airlines | 4,500 – 14,000 | Full service, newer airline |
EVA Air and Starlux are generally the best value for full-service on BKK→TPE. For TPE→SIN, Singapore Airlines and EVA Air are both strong; Scoot if budget matters more.
Day 1: Bangkok → Taipei
Afternoon
Fly BKK → TPE (~3.5h, +1h time zone). Aim for a morning/midday departure to arrive in the afternoon. Clear immigration, pick up tourist SIM at arrivals.
Evening
Ningxia Night Market — smaller, more local, and arguably better food than Shilin. Famous for braised pork rice, oyster omelette, taro balls.
Walk through Dadaocheng / Dihua Street nearby — Taipei's oldest trading street with restored shophouses, herb shops, and craft stores. Atmospheric at night.
Stay: Taipei (Hotel A)
Day 2: Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen
Morning
Check out of Taipei hotel but store luggage at the front desk (confirm at check-in that next-day pickup is OK). Take TRA from Taipei Main Station → Ruifang (~45 min, ~NT$76), then Pingxi Line → Houtong (one stop).
Getting There
TRA Taipei Main Station → Ruifang (~45 min, ~NT$76), then Pingxi Line to Houtong (1 stop).
Pingxi Line runs roughly once per hour — check the timetable at railway.gov.tw.
Late Morning
Spend 1.5–2 hours at the cat village — cats everywhere, a cat-shaped pedestrian bridge, and a small coal mining history museum.
Early Afternoon
Pingxi Line back to Ruifang (one stop), then bus #788 or #827 to Jiufen Old Street (~15 min). Winding alleyways, tea at A-MEI Tea House (the red-lantern building associated with Spirited Away), taro balls, stunning coastal views.
Evening
Jiufen is at its best when the day-trip crowds thin out and the lanterns light up at dusk. Being here overnight means you experience that atmosphere without rushing. Explore the quieter alleys, have dinner at a local spot, and enjoy the mountain-and-sea night views.
Packing Tip
Travel light to Jiufen — just a daypack with overnight essentials. The old street is steep, narrow, and car-free. Your main luggage stays at the Taipei hotel.
Stay: Jiufen
Day 3: Jiufen → Taipei → Chiayi
Early Morning
Jiufen is peaceful and uncrowded in the morning — take a short walk along the old street or enjoy the coastal views before checking out.
Jiufen → Taipei
~9–9:30am: Bus from Jiufen → Ruifang (~15 min), then TRA to Taipei (~45 min). Arrive ~10:30–11am.
Late Morning
Pick up stored luggage from your Taipei hotel. If time allows, grab an early lunch near Taipei Main Station or Ximending before heading south.
HSR to Chiayi
~12–12:30pm: HSR Taipei → Chiayi (~1.5h, ~NT$1,080). Arrive Chiayi HSR station ~1:30–2pm. BRT shuttle to city center (~20 min, ~NT$30).
Book early-bird tickets at thsrc.com.tw for up to 35% off.
THSR Booking ↗Evening
Wenhua Road Night Market — Chiayi's main night market, famous for turkey rice (火雞肉飯), the city's signature dish. Also walk through Hinoki Village — restored Japanese-era cypress wood buildings with shops, cafes, and cultural exhibits.
Stay: Chiayi
Day 4: Full Day Alishan
Getting There
Join a guided day tour from Chiayi (depart ~7–8am, return ~5–6pm, ~NT$1,000–2,000/person) or DIY with the Alishan Forest Bus from Chiayi Bus Station (first bus 6:10am, ~2.5h ride, ~NT$237 each way).
At Alishan Forest Recreation Area
- 1.Sacred Tree Trail — the star attraction. Walk among giant 2,000+ year old red cypresses on misty boardwalks.
- 2.Sisters Pools — two connected forest ponds surrounded by cedar and cypress.
- 3.Alishan Forest Railway — take the short scenic section within the park (Zhaoping → Sacred Tree, ~10 min ride).
- 4.Tea Plantations — Alishan high-mountain oolong is one of Taiwan's most prized teas. Some plantations offer tastings.
Sunrise Note
Alishan's famous sunrise requires staying overnight on the mountain. A day trip from Chiayi won't include it — the giant trees and cloud forest are the main draw. Park entrance: NT$200.
Evening
Return to Chiayi. Turkey rice dinner — try a different spot from last night to compare.
Stay: Chiayi
Day 5: Chiayi → Taipei, Longshan Temple
Morning
Breakfast in Chiayi. Optional quick visit to Chiayi Park or pick up Alishan tea souvenirs from shops near the station.
HSR to Taipei
~10–11am: BRT shuttle to Chiayi HSR station (~20 min). HSR Chiayi → Taipei (~1.5h, ~NT$1,080). Arrive Taipei ~12:30–1pm.
THSR Booking ↗Afternoon
Check into Taipei B hotel, drop luggage. Then visit Longshan Temple (MRT Longshan Temple station) — one of Taipei's oldest and most important temples with ornate architecture and a mix of Buddhist, Taoist, and folk deities. Spend about an hour.
Evening
Explore your Taipei neighborhood. Good options: Yongkang Street (Daan area — beef noodles, mango shaved ice) or Ximending (pedestrian district, street food, nightlife).
Stay: Taipei (Hotel B)
Day 6: Taipei — Remote Work Day
Daytime
Work from your hotel or a Taipei cafe. The city has excellent coworking-friendly cafes and strong WiFi. Good areas: Daan, Zhongxiao, Songshan.
Remote Work Tip
Confirm WiFi speed and desk space when booking your hotel. Have a nearby backup cafe scouted. Taipei convenience stores also have seating and WiFi.
Evening
Taipei comes alive at night. Options: Shilin Night Market (the biggest, MRT Jiantan), Daan / Yongkang Street (restaurants, bars), or Zhongxiao Dunhua area (cocktail bars, nightlife).
Stay: Taipei (Hotel B)
Day 7: Taipei — Remote Work Day
Daytime
Work from hotel or cafe.
Evening
Last free evening before the packed Day 8. Options: Tonghua / Linjiang Street Night Market (smaller, more local, near Daan), Huashan 1914 Creative Park (converted sake brewery with galleries), or Taipei 101 observation deck (open until 9pm, city views at night).
Stay: Taipei (Hotel B)
Day 8: Museum, Tea & Sunset Day Trip
Morning
MRT to Shilin, then bus R30 to National Palace Museum. Allow 3+ hours. The Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-Shaped Stone are the star pieces, but the calligraphy and ceramics halls are where the real depth is. Take bus R30 from Shilin MRT. Opens 9am.
Lunch
Near Shilin area before heading south.
Afternoon
Maokong Gondola (MRT to Taipei Zoo station, ~40 min from Shilin). Ride the glass-bottom Crystal Cabin up over tea plantations (~25 min ride). Pick a tea house at the top for local oolong tea, tea noodles, tea-flavored snacks, and mountain views. Spend about 1.5 hours at the top.
The gondola is closed Mondays; Saturday is fine.
Late Afternoon
Gondola down, then MRT to Xiangshan area (~25 min via transfer at Daan). Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for sunset — get there 30–40 min before sunset for a good spot. One of the best views of Taipei 101.
Evening
Walk down to Raohe Street Night Market (nearby, MRT Songshan) — the pepper buns at the entrance gate are legendary.
Stay: Taipei (Hotel B, night 4 of 4)
Day 9: Fly to Singapore
Morning
Sleep in, or take one last breakfast in Taipei at Fuhang Soy Milk (shaobing + youtiao). Last-minute shopping before heading to the airport.
Onward Journey
~1pm: MRT to Taipei Main Station
Airport MRT Taipei Main Station → Taoyuan Airport (35 min, NT$160)
~2:30pm: Arrive airport and check in for evening flight TPE → SIN (~4.5–5h)
Fly to Singapore
Intercity Transport Summary
| Segment | Mode | Duration | Cost (NT$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → Taipei | MRT | 35 min | 160 |
| Taipei → Ruifang (Day 2) | TRA | ~45 min | ~76 |
| Ruifang → Jiufen (Day 2) | Bus #788/#827 | ~15 min | ~15 |
| Jiufen → Taipei (Day 3) | Bus + TRA | ~1.5h | ~100 |
| Taipei → Chiayi (Day 3) | HSR | ~1.5h | ~1,080 |
| Chiayi → Taipei (Day 5) | HSR | ~1.5h | ~1,080 |
| Taipei → Airport (Day 9) | MRT | 35 min | 160 |
| Total intercity transport | ~2,671 (~3,000 THB) | ||
HSR early-bird tickets (book 28 days ahead) offer up to 35% off, bringing each Taipei↔Chiayi leg down to ~NT$700. Chiayi HSR station ↔ city center: BRT shuttle (~20 min, ~NT$30). Within Taipei: EasyCard on MRT and buses.
Hotels
All ratings from Booking.com. Mid-range budget assumed for two.
Taipei A — Arrival
1 night · Apr 4–5NT$2,000–2,800/night
NT$2,200–3,000/night
NT$1,800–2,500/night
Choose near Taipei Main Station or Ximen for MRT/HSR convenience. Confirm luggage storage for next-day pickup.
Search Taipei hotels ↗Jiufen
1 night · Apr 5–6The Loft Jiufen
Map ↗NT$2,500–4,500/night
Jiufen The Ore Inn
Map ↗NT$2,200–4,000/night
Sunny Room Jiufen
Map ↗NT$2,000–3,500/night
Look for mountain + sea views. Jiufen guesthouses are small (5–10 rooms) — book early. Travel light; old street is steep and car-free.
Search Jiufen hotels ↗Chiayi
2 nights · Apr 6–8NT$2,000–3,200/night
NT$1,800–2,800/night
NT$1,500–2,500/night
Stay near Chiayi TRA station / city center — Alishan tour departure point. HSR station is 15km away in Taibao (BRT shuttle).
Search Chiayi hotels ↗Taipei B — Extended Stay
4 nights · Apr 8–12NT$2,500–3,500/night
NT$2,800–4,000/night
NT$2,500–3,800/night
Prioritize WiFi/desk space for remote work and a lively neighborhood for evening options. Daan and Ximending are both great bases.
Search Taipei hotels ↗Key Booking Reminders
- HSR tickets Taipei↔Chiayi — Book at thsrc.com.tw. Early-bird tickets (28 days ahead) offer up to 35% off (~NT$700 instead of ~NT$1,080). Apr 6 tickets open Mar 9; Apr 8 tickets open Mar 11.
- Alishan day tour — Book guided tour in advance (April is peak). If DIY, check Alishan Forest Bus schedule — buses from 6:10am, returns until ~2–3pm.
- Jiufen guesthouse — Jiufen is small and popular. Book well in advance for a room with mountain + sea views. Many guesthouses are 5–10 rooms only.
- Taipei A hotel luggage storage — Confirm at check-in that the hotel can hold your bags for next-day pickup. Choose near Taipei Main Station or Ximen.
- Taipei B hotel for remote work — Confirm WiFi speed and desk/workspace. You'll work two full days from this hotel.
- Flights — EVA Air or Starlux for BKK→TPE. Singapore Airlines or EVA Air for TPE→SIN; Scoot if budget matters more. Book soon — April is peak season.
Food Suggestions by City
Shortlist of well-known spots and local staples to try in each city.
Practical Notes
Visa
Thai passport holders get visa-free entry for up to 14 days (verify closer to date).
Money
NT$ (New Taiwan Dollar). ~1 THB = 1.1 NT$. ATMs everywhere; cards widely accepted.
EasyCard
Buy at any MRT station or convenience store. Works on MRT, buses, trains, convenience stores. Essential.
EasyCard info ↗HSR (High Speed Rail)
Taiwan's bullet train connects Taipei to Chiayi in ~1.5 hours. Book early-bird tickets at thsrc.com.tw for up to 35% off.
THSR website ↗April Weather
20–28°C in Taipei. Chiayi is slightly warmer at sea level; Alishan is significantly cooler (~10–15°C) — bring a layer for the mountain.
SIM / eSIM
Buy a tourist SIM at Taoyuan Airport arrivals (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile). For a 9-day trip, get a 10-day or 15-day unlimited plan (~NT$500–700).