Solo Travel Taipei: My Tips & Tricks for Visiting Taipei City Solo (2025)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Hey everyone, Carae here! Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city, was one of the most different (in the best way) cities I’ve been to in the past couple of years. I’ve spent time in Latin America, Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia, but Taipei was the first place where the culture, food, and language felt totally new to me. 

It honestly reminded me of what I imagine China to be like, though I haven’t been yet just way more approachable.

That said, I had the best time in Taiwan, and Taipei ended up being my favorite city. As a solo female backpacker, I know new cities can come with their own set of challenges, so in this guide on solo travel Taipei, I’ll break down everything I think you should know before exploring the city on your own.

Solo Travel Taipei – My Experience

I spent about three weeks traveling around Taiwan, and yes, I was with Oliver (my partner) the whole time. But after 6+ years of solo backpacking, I feel like I still have a pretty good sense of what solo travel in Taipei would be like.

From the week I spent in the city, I can honestly say my experience was super positive. Taipei felt really safe, even late at night. We never once felt like we were in a sketchy area or had to be on guard. There’s a strong night-time culture here too, so it’s completely normal for people to be out and about until midnight (without being drunk or partying), especially around the night markets. That constant buzz really helps you never feel weird walking around alone after dark.

The public transport is also excellent, so I rarely had to walk long distances anyway. The MRT is cheap, easy to use, and goes pretty much everywhere.

We stayed in quite a few hostels, and if you’re hoping to socialize, just know that a lot of hostels in Taiwan aren’t super social. Taipei definitely has the most lively options though, so I’d recommend booking through Hostelworld and going for the most popular ones if you’re looking to meet people.

Oh, and quick heads up: weekends are weirdly intense in Taipei. Hotels book out fast and prices almost double on Fridays and Saturdays. Not sure why, but it’s definitely a thing, so plan ahead.

A Quick Taiwan Travel Guide: Things You Should Know Before Visiting Taipei

Join the Taiwan the Lucky Land lottery: It’s a free tourist lottery where you can win up to $150 USD. It takes 2 minutes to sign up and you can redeem it right at the airport.

English isn’t widely spoken: Menus, signs, train stations… most things are in Chinese. Have Google Translate with the photo feature ready to go.

Weekends are chaos: Hotels and trains book out fast and get way more expensive. Plan ahead and book early, especially for weekend travel.

Tap water isn’t drinkable: Always buy bottled water or refill at filtered water stations (most hostels and hotels have them).

EasyCard is a must: Grab one at any MRT station or 7-Eleven. It works for metro, buses, convenience stores, and even some attractions. Super handy.

Where to Stay in Taipei as a Solo Female Traveler

Just to clarify, not every solo traveler is a backpacker. Some of you are, like me, and might prefer hostels because they’re cheaper and social. But I know a lot of solo travelers just want a comfortable trip without sharing a dorm. Totally fair.

So here are a few great places to stay in Taipei, from budget hostels to more upscale hotels. Some are social and cheap, others are a bit nicer if you’re happy to splurge.

Meander Taipei

Probably the most popular hostel for international travelers in Taipei and definitely the most social. It’s super clean, well-maintained, and a great place to meet people. A little more expensive than Southeast Asia hostels, but worth it for the vibe.

👉 Book here: Meander Taipei Hostel

We Come Hostel

Another really great option. Also social, also clean, and they offer affordable private rooms which is perfect if you’re traveling solo but don’t want to stay in a dorm. You still get the hostel atmosphere without sacrificing privacy.

👉 Book here: We Come Hostel

Mitsui Garden Hotel

If hostels aren’t your thing and you’d rather stay in a proper hotel, Taipei has some great places to stay. Mitsui is a beautiful 4-star hotel that feels upscale but still pretty affordable for what you get. This is where I’d stay if I came back for a shorter trip and wanted something a bit more comfy.

👉 Book here: Mitsui Garden Hotel

Is Taipei safe for a Solo Female Traveler? How Safe Did I Feel?

Yes, 100%. I touched on this above already, but even though I wasn’t walking around completely on my own, Taipei never felt sketchy, not once. Actually, it felt like one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to.

I looked into this a bit too, and it turns out Taiwan has an incredibly low crime rate. Taipei specifically is considered one of the safest cities in the world and honestly, I felt that the entire time I was there. Everything is always well-lit, no one ever tried to scam us, and nothing ever felt off.

I think a big part of that safety comes from how active the city stays, even late at night. There are always people out, shops open, and night markets buzzing, not with drunk party crowds, just regular people out grabbing food or walking around. Maybe it’s because of the heat during the day, but Taipei really comes alive at night, and it definitely helps make the city feel safe.

Solo Friendly Activities in Taipei ( What to Do in Taipei)

Just to clarify, I’m a big believer that you can do pretty much anything solo. You can go to museums, wander night markets, or sit down for a proper dinner completely by yourself and still have a great time. That said, there are definitely a few activities that are either more fun solo or great for meeting other people if you’re feeling social.

• Join a food tour: Taipei is all about the food, and a food tour is not only a great way to try the best bites, it’s also an easy way to meet other travelers. I’d especially recommend doing this early in your trip.
  
• Do a free walking tour: These are perfect for your first day in Taipei. You’ll get your bearings, learn a few things, and possibly meet people to explore more with afterwards.
  
• Take a group day trip to Jiufen: Jiufen is a popular spot, and going with a small tour group can be a great way to avoid the hassle of planning while meeting people along the way.
  
• Work from a cafe or co-working space: If you’re a digital nomad and working remotely, Taipei has loads of cafes that are solo-traveler friendly. Some coworking spots even host social events or language exchanges.
  
• Check out a night market solo: Don’t overthink this one. Taipei’s night markets are made for solo wandering. Grab a pepper pork bun, people-watch, and eat your way through the chaos.
  
• Try a local class: Things like calligraphy, tea tasting, or even a cooking class can be a cool way to learn more about the culture and connect with others in a small group setting.

Eating Out Alone? Taipei The City of Solo Eaters!

One thing I really feel like we’re not getting right in Western cultures is the idea of eating out alone. Don’t get me wrong, I love a big dinner spread with friends, wine, and hours of chatting. But sometimes, I just want a quiet table for one, and even then, I still feel weird doing it in Europe or the U.S.

But in Taipei, that issue doesn’t really exist. Eating alone is completely normal here. A lot of restaurants even have long counter seating with little dividers specifically set up for solo diners. Walk around the city and you’ll constantly see locals enjoying a quiet meal on their own at small tables or tucked into bar seats. It’s part of the culture, and honestly, it’s amazing.

So please, don’t let being a solo traveler stop you from diving headfirst into Taipei’s food scene. You’ll fit right in.

I’ve written full guides on where to eat in Taipei, the best cafes, the best street food and what to try, definitely check those out. But here are a few of my personal favorite restaurants to get you started:

• 湯包樂 (Soup Dumplings)
• Din Tai Fung (the Taipei 101 location is great)
• Chef Yu’s Pan-Fried Buns in Ximending
• Fuzhou Pepper Buns at Raohe Night Market
• Fuhong Beef Noodle Soup
• Crispy Milk Donuts
• Summer Savage (coffee)

FAQs About Solo Travel to Taipei

Is Taiwan safe for solo female travellers?

Absolutely. Of course, it’s still a big city, but from my experience, Taipei felt like one of the safest places I’ve ever been.

Are there hostels in Taipei?

Yep, there are plenty. The hostel scene isn’t quite as social as what you’d find in Southeast Asia, but you’ll still find some great options with a bit of a backpacker vibe.

Is Taipei worth visiting?

100%. Taipei, and Taiwan in general, was one of the most exciting and unique places I’ve been to this year.

Can you travel alone in Taiwan?

Totally. You can travel alone anywhere, but Taiwan makes it especially easy with its safe environment and top-notch public transport.

Final Thoughts on My Taipei Solo Travel Female Guide

Travelling solo in Taipei, or anywhere in Taiwan, shouldn’t be an issue at all. The whole country feels safe, modern, and super easy to get around. People are friendly (even with limited English), the MRT system in the city is great, and trains between cities are fast, comfy, and affordable.

So if you’re thinking about doing Taiwan solo then do it. I loved my time here, and I’d absolutely come back.

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