When I started traveling to touristic cities in Asia, I’ve found out the use of tourist passes. Tourist passes were utilized when I traveled to Japan for two weeks as well as my stay in Hong Kong and Macau. What I liked about these passes is its convenience and the hefty amount of money you can save. Most of these allow entry to of the city attractions as well as unlimited ride on buses and subways. Another discovery I had on my last visit to Taipei is the Taipei Fun Pass.
What is Taipei Fun Pass?
Three of the major cities of northern Taiwan namely Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung, created a fun pass to provide a hassle-free tour for travelers visiting the mentioned cities. The pass includes free entry to the following popular attractions (check the prices if you book them individually versus availing the Taipei Fun Pass. DISCLAIMER: The list of attractions may change without prior notice. Always check the Taipei Fun Pass inclusions to ensure it doesn’t affect your itinerary.
Klook.com
Klook.com
In addition to the free entry access to the 12 attractions, the pass also includes unlimited transportation on the Taipei Metro, Taiwan Tourist Shuttles (Beitou-Zhuzihu, Muzka-Pingxi, Crown Northern Coast, Gold Fulong, and Keelung), and Taipei and New Taipei city buses (4-digit buses). You can also redeem exclusive discounts on partner stores and additional e-coupons.
Where can I get the Taipei Fun Pass?
Klook, the biggest online tour provider, offers the Taipei Fun Pass on different versions. You can check this link to pre-purchase your fun pass. You can avail either a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day passes depending on your itinerary. After booking your fun pass on your desired pick-up date, a voucher will be sent to your email on how you can pick up the pass. You can pick up the pass at these pick-up locations:
- Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Hall: Unite Traveler Service (Counter No. 3), 24 hours open
- Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 Arrival Hall: Unite Traveler Service (Counter No. 3), 5:30 AM – 1:00 AM
How to use the Taipei Fun Pass?
The Taipei Fun Pass comes with a User Guide listing down all attractions included, metro lines, and bus networks. A tourist map is also enclosed for the metro lines and marking the locations of the free-entry attractions. The pass is a card that you can simply tap on the sensors for the train and buses. For the attractions, entry points will ask for your card for them to scan it on their phones or machines. You can also show the card to avail e-coupons and enjoy discounts at participating stores.
In terms of validity, the pass will be reactivated on its first use, may it be on the train, bus, or redeeming a free-entry access. Take note that the card doesn’t work on a 24-hour basis and ends only at 12:00 midnight. If you purchased either the 2 or 3-day pass, the card works on a consecutive day basis. For example, a 1-day pass is only valid on the day of first use. On the other hand, if a 2-day pass is used on 1/1/2018 then the pass expires at the end of 1/2/2018.
Sample One-Day Taipei Itinerary with the Taipei Fun Pass
To maximize a 1-day pass, I’ve already prepared a sample itinerary with all the attractions covered ordered by the accessibility of an attraction to the next one. Let’s say you’re staying in Ximen or Taipei Station area, for the first stop, head to the nearest metro station and go to Longshan Temple station. Check my separate post for a more comprehensive Taipei itinerary and travel guide.
7:00AM Longshan Temple 7:30AM Fuhang Soy Milk 8:30AM National Sun Yat Sen Memorial 9:00AM Taipei 101 and Observatory 11:00NN Lunch Din Tai Fung, Taipei 101 12:00NN Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall 1:00PM National Palace Museum 2:30PM Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence 3:30PM Tamsui Museum and Tamsui Old Street 5:00PM Tamsui Ferry Wharf Cruise 7:00PM Shilin Night Market 9:00PM Ximending Night Walking Market
