It's been a while since I posted something here. You might want to read this if you're planning to visit Taipei anytime soon. We went to Taipei last July 7-11, 2018. We booked our plane tickets in January of this year. We got it for Php 6,742 per person (it’s quite expensive than expected but that’s the cheapest that we could get via cebu pacific) that's round trip plus luggage (so if you plan to go as backpackers you'd save around 1,300) but if you're the type who brings a lot of things going to places and would buy pasalubong and stuff, additional luggage is helpful.
Tips:
1. Buy your tickets ahead of time (para hindi na rin sya kasama sa mga iipunin nyo pa for the trip) and you might get cheaper/seat sales.
2. Adding luggage is cheaper during your online booking than availing it after you have booked your tickets and much much expensive if you buy on the day itself at the airport
3. If you're not sure about getting luggage, do not check in online yet because once you're checked in, you cannot add luggage via online. you can only buy additional baggage at the airport.
4. They are implementing strict rules on hand carry. you're only allowed to have 1 bag as hand carry that will not exceed 7kilos; it also has measurement which you may check in their website.
Hotel:
Super happy ako sa hotel na nakuha namin sa agoda. We booked July 7-11 at Hotel Fun Linsen for only Php 5,457.6 (per person) with free buffet breakfast and unlimited bottled water every single day! So before tour, you may get free bottled water and you get to save at least NTD 25. The hotel was very clean, staff are helpful and friendly (although language barrier is real; most of them do not speak English). You may also use their laundry area for free. The hotel is 5 minutes away from the MRT. It's perfect!
Tips:
1. Look at the REVIEWS, read through it!
2. Book ahead of time
3. hotel is a better choice than Air BnB (because they cancel transactions in Taipei). We first booked via Air BnB then they cancelled it 2 weeks before our arrival. Good thing, they're able to refund our money but if you're using credit card, I don't know how they'll return the money. It only took few days for the refund.
Itinerary:
We stayed in Taipei and did city tour, we're not able to see the North of Taiwan due to bad weather. So we basically took our time going around the city, shopping and eating. Of course you can also do other things/activities and visit other places in Taiwan if you're up for it.
Getting around the city is simple and easy especially via MRT. You just have to remember the lane’s color and exit of each destination that you wish to visit. Riding a cab is also convenient (if you have extra budget and you don’t wanna walk) although the drivers don’t speak english (that’s the major struggle). Taipei is a nice city to visit though there’s not much activity that we don’t already have here in the Philippines but pretty much an interesting destination for family or friends. Always remember that it’s not always the destination but the journey, experience and the people we travel with that make it more special!