Taipei to Jiufen: How to Get to Jiufen Yourself + Best Jiufen Day Trips (2025)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Jiufen in Taiwan turned out to be one of my favorite places I visited on my trip. I hadn’t even heard of it until I started doing some research, but it quickly popped up as the most popular day trip from Taipei.

Jiufen is a small misty mountain town that supposedly inspired the movie Spirited Away, and once you get there, you’ll see why. The winding alleys, hanging lanterns, and red-roofed teahouses definitely have that type of vibe. You’ll also spot souvenir shops everywhere selling little No Face dolls and other Spirited Away merch, which is kinda fun.

When planning your visit, you’ve got a couple of options: you can either book a day trip or get there yourself. I went the DIY route and even stayed a night, which I personally loved. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get from Taipei to Jiufen on your own, what to expect, and whether it’s worth doing a guided day trip instead.

How to Get from Taipei to Jiufen and Back – My Experience

Before I visited Jiufen, I wasn’t sure if I should just book a day trip or figure it out myself and stay the night. In the end, I went for the DIY route and stayed overnight and I’m really glad I did.

Getting there turned out to be super easy. Public transportation in Taiwan is honestly amazing, so it wasn’t a big deal at all. We just took the MRT to the main bus station in Taipei, and from there, hopped on a public bus that goes directly to Jiufen Old Street ( Jiufen Bus Stop). You can just tap your EasyCard to get on, and the ride takes you straight into the heart of Jiufen. I’ll break down exactly which bus to take a bit further down.

On the way back from Jiufen to Taipei, we switched it up and took the train. First, there’s a short 10-minute bus ride from Jiufen down to the nearest train station, and then from there we took a train directly to Taipei Main Station. Also super smooth, and probably a bit more comfortable than the bus.

So if you’re unsure about getting to Jiufen yourself, don’t stress. It’s super straightforward, and the public transport in Taiwan makes the whole journey almost foolproof.

Jiufen Day Trip vs. DIY Travel to Jiufen

Before we get into all the different ways of how to get there, here’s a quick breakdown of doing a DIY Jiufen trip versus booking a day tour, just to help you figure out what’s right for you.

DIY Jiufen Trip:

Getting to Jiufen by yourself is honestly super easy. The whole journey from Taipei takes about an hour, and it’s smooth all the way. If you go this route, you’ve got full freedom, go whenever you want, stay as long as you like, and stop wherever you feel like it. It’s also pretty cheap, definitely cheaper than a guided day tour.

Jiufen Day Trip:

The main perk here is convenience. You don’t have to figure anything out, they’ll pick you up from your hotel, sort all the transport, and bring you straight to the best spots. Most day tours also include other stops like Shifen or the Golden Waterfall, so you get a bit more variety in one go. Great if you’re short on time or just want someone else to take care of the planning.

1. Taipei to Jiufen Bus (This is What I Did)

We took the bus all the way from Taipei to Jiufen, and honestly it was super easy. One thing I loved about Taiwan is how accurate Google Maps is. Every bus and train connection shows up perfectly, so getting around is a breeze.

Here’s exactly what we did: we first took the MRT to Songshan Station (which is also where Raohe Night Market is), and from there we caught Bus 1062. That bus takes you straight to the Jiufen Old Street stop with no transfers, no hassle.

You just tap on with your EasyCard (I don’t actually remember how much it was, but I always kept around $10 USD loaded on my card and never had an issue). You can either follow along on Google Maps or just tell the bus driver you’re going to Jiufen, they’re used to it and will make sure you get off at the right place. Super easy.

2. Taipei to Jiufen Train

Another easy option is taking the train, which is actually what we did on our way back from Jiufen. There are regular trains running between Taipei Main Station and Ruifang Station, and from there it’s just a short bus ride up to Jiufen.

One thing to note though, we made a little mistake. We assumed we could just tap in with our EasyCard, but that only works for local trains. If you take one of the express trains (not the high-speed rail, just the regular express), you’ll need to buy a separate ticket at the station. The machines are in English and super easy to use, and the ticket only costs a few dollars.

We, however, didn’t know this at the time and ended up getting a small fine for riding the express without the proper ticket. So, learn from us and just buy that ticket!

Once you arrive at Ruifang Station, it’s super simple to get up to Jiufen. You can hop on Bus 1062 again, or there are other options like the 859 Tourist Shuttle. I’d recommend just using Google Maps to check which one comes next. Either way, it’s a short ride and really straightforward.

3. Taipei to Jiufen By Car

Of course, there’s always the option to rent a car in Taiwan. It’s actually pretty popular, especially if you’re planning to explore the east coast. While the west side of the country is super developed and easy to get around by train, the east coast is much more rural, with stunning beaches and scenic drives so having a car there makes total sense. In that case, Jiufen could be your first stop on a longer Taiwan road trip.

But if that’s not your plan, I wouldn’t really recommend renting a car just to get to Jiufen. Driving in Taipei can be a bit hectic, parking in Jiufen is limited, and the roads up the mountain are narrow and windy. Public transport is just so easy here, you really don’t need a car for this one.

4. Taipei to Jiufen Day Trip

Another super popular option is just booking a day trip to Jiufen and honestly, it’s a great choice if you want a super easy, no-stress experience. You’ll have a local guide with you all day, and you’ll be cruising around in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Most tours include a few stops along the way, like Shifen and the Shifen Waterfalls, before heading to Jiufen, where you’ll usually get around two hours to explore. That’s plenty of time to wander the old street, grab some food, and snap a few photos.

If you’re short on time or just don’t want to deal with public transport, this is definitely a great option, and they’re usually really affordable too. Just make sure to book an English-speaking tour, which is why I’d recommend booking through GetYourGuide instead of your hotel or homestay.

Book Here: Jiufen Day Trip

Where to Stay in Jiufen

So Jiufen is tiny and I mean really tiny. It’s basically one winding road along the mountainside, with a bunch of narrow little alleyways that are only accessible on foot. No cars, no traffic, just people walking around, browsing shops and tea houses. That’s part of the charm, but it also means you’ll want to be smart about where you stay.

When you’re booking a place, just make sure it’s close to Old Street, that’s where everything happens. If you’re using Booking.com, just open the map view and check that your hotel is near Old Street. That way you’re within walking distance of the shops, restaurants, and the main bus stop.

Here are a couple of spots I liked and recommend:

• Jiufen Nostalgic Inn: This is where I stayed and it was perfect. Cozy, with amazing views over the hills and rooftops of Jiufen.
  
• Jiufen The Dragon B&B: A little more upscale, beautifully decorated, and also has those incredible mountain and sea views Jiufen is known for.

FAQs About How to get to Jiufen from Taipei

What are things to do in Jiufen Taiwan?

Jiufen is mostly about wandering the little alleyways, trying street food, visiting old teahouses, and enjoying the mountain views. It’s small but super atmospheric, perfect for a slow afternoon.

Is Jiufen worth visiting?

Yes, 100%. I honestly didn’t expect much, but it ended up being one of my favorite spots in Taiwan. It’s touristy, sure but still really charming and fun.

How to get to Jiufen?

Easiest way is either by public bus or train to Ruifang + bus. Both are cheap and super doable. If you want zero hassle, just book a day trip.

Final Thoughts on How to get to Jiufen from Taipei

If you’ve got the time while you’re in Taiwan, I’d definitely recommend staying a night in Jiufen. We got there around 2 p.m., perfect for check-in to our hotel and spent the afternoon just wandering around, doing some shopping, trying local tea, and grabbing a beer at one of the little bars with amazing views. Then later that night, we went back out for dinner and saw all the red lanterns lit up, which was honestly so beautiful.

The next morning, we got up early and hiked Teapot Mountain. Even Carae who’s not big on hiking loved it, so it’s not too intense but still super fun. So yeah, if you’re not rushed for time, I’d skip the day trip and just make your way there yourself. The bus or train is easy enough, and spending the night makes the whole experience way better.

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