Taipei Budget Travel Guide for Filipinos (₱15,000 Total + 4D3N Itinerary)

Last updated on April 6, 2026

Planning a trip to Taiwan but worried about the travel cost? Do you have a budget travel tips? How do I get a cheap flight to Taipei?

Here’s how I traveled to Taipei from the Philippines for as low as ₱1,800 (flight!) and explored the city for 4 days without overspending. This guide includes a full budget breakdown, itinerary, and practical tips perfect for Filipino travelers and independent woman planning a sulit trip. Rewritten version of my blog. 2026-04-06

Total Budget Breakdown
How I Booked a ₱1,800 Flight
4D3N Taipei Itinerary
Beginner’s Guide to Taipei Metro
Tips to Travel Taipei and Avoid Overspending
Frequently Asked Questions

Budget: ₱ 13,000 + 2,000 other allowances baka kasi kung saan ako mapunta. If I convert ₱ 15,000 to my necessities, this sums up 2 months of my house rent already.

I tracked all of these using my notebook and pen.

Later, I upgraded to a personal MS Excel budget system where I can easily see a total amount of how much I’m investing on myself through travel. I personally agree when people say that the new teacher is “experiencing life” in another form. Mine is through travel.

Hindi madaling makaipon para lumakwatsa especially for someone bringing home the bacon. Well, this was when I was starting my career kaya I’m grateful for a chance like this. I’m able to travel solo embracing uncertainty. Imagine a woman, someone from a third world country like the Philippines and traveling to a highly developed country like Taiwan. It’s like Mulan from the country side to a battle field. Stepping outside my comfort zone was unnerving at first but I was able to make it.

DOWNLOAD PDF copy of BUDGET Guide

If you look closely at how I spent my money, you would notice that the big chunk went to food purchases. Syempre naman nasa ibang lugar ako, try ko din kumain ng food nila. I remember eating a bun with bihon, egg, and gulay inside. It was tasty and was like 25 pesos each. That was my breakfast for some days. 2 of 3 pieces of it. I also brought water in a tumbler the whole journey and that saved me hundreds already.

There were drinking water fountains in most MTR stations so I just refilled my yellow Hydro Flask tumbler. Oh! I remember now, I’m still using that tumbler until today. It has some small and big dents now and bottom color has chipped off already. But, it still is keeping my water warm. “Buti pa ‘yung tumbler nakapunta na ng Taiwan”, my friend commented on one of my stories about my trip. I brought water or a tumbler wherever I go. I did this except when I enter the airport because Taoyuan Airport has refill stations as well. Not in Manila airport. Or not that I am aware of.

I was working on a project few years ago that required flying from Manila to other domestic areas around the Philippines. Amazingly, I was able to accumulate rewards points in every flight I made for more than a year. Those points can be used to purchase another flight ticket through the same airline I flew in. From then on, I made it my mission to grab low flight fare using the points. How daunting it may seem, I got the chance to do so.

By September of 2017, a budget-friendly airline in the Philippines announced a ticket sale. That was when I got the chance to go to Taipei for purchasing the ticket using 2,000 rewards points and with the addition of Php 1,800. Good deal, right?

“Good for you. Most don’t get the chance to travel and earn points”, you might be thinking. To tell you the truth, you can earn rewards points in other ways. How?

Loyalty points. For many who drives their car, gas companies here in the Philippines has a reward point system that lets you earn points every gas up. This points can be used to purchase fuel or convert it to affiliate airlines’ rewards points. No need to go out of your way for new membership. If you’re using GoTyme, gas up at CALTEX for GoRewards and later, convert it to affiliate airlines points to purchase airline tickets. The same loyalty system is used by other store. For GoRewards, merchants like Robinson’s Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, Easymart, The Marketplace, Southstar drug, DAISO Japan, and Uncle John‘s which is just few yards away from where I stay. This means I can easily rack up points which I can later use to purchase flight ticket.

If you’re looking for cheap travel flights from the Philippines, timing and flexibility are key. Many months bago ang intended travel, I check out countries I like to go to. Libre naman mangarap and when we do, it’s better to have a plan. I believe that our dreams will remain a dream if we don’t act on it. Kaya I check places I dream to go to, I list down what I want to do there even the seemingly small things like walking to the park, casual conversation with the local and playing chess with the elderlies which I did when I went to Taipei. Amazing how little things can be achieved when you start to dream and plan.

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I went to Taipei on March. The weather was humid and the temperature plays between 15 to 22 degree C. Parang naka-AC and then windy during early morning and late afternoon so I wore my pink thermal jacket. Galing pa yun sa UK (short for ukay-ukay); T-shirt & scarf and barrel jeans by mid-morning. Thanks Mango for that nice fitted jeans. I still use it until today.

I wrote the itinerary below so I can share my happiness from getting the following stamps. Ha! Going from one destination to another felt like a pokemon hunt.

Legend
GREEN: Cash Saving Tip
ORANGE: Highly Recommended
1. Use Taipei City Map with the Fun Pass to spot the go-to places easily
2. Use Fun Pass for unlimited MRT ride
3. Get STAMPS as souvenirs

Day 0, Saturday
11:30 PM : Flight from NAIA, Manila to Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan, 2hours

Day 1, Sunday

1:30 AM : Arrival in Taoyuan International Airport
3:00 AM : Sleep at the Airport until the train to TMS is available
6:00 AM : Take train from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station(TMS)
7:30 AM : In TMS, Buy Fun-Pass Ticket with Taipei City Map or easily get it through klook.com.
1 day Fun-Pass has free access to different attractions. Too bad, I was not able to use Gondola Ride. I think I’m supposed to use it on the first day. There is also 3 days Fun-Pass.

8:30 AM : From Taipei Main Station to Ximen Station Exit 5 to Fun Inn Hostel

Leave unnecessary belongings at Fun Inn Hostel; check-in time is at 2pm. Fun Inn Taipei Hostel is also available now at klook.

9:30 AM : Breakfast: Outside hostel in Ximen
10:00 AM : From Ximen Station to Taipei Zoo Station Exit 1 for TAIPEI ZOO:
Get STAMPS stamps stamps.
[X] Use 1 day Fun- Pass Ticket to get the free Gondola ride

3:00 PM : From Taipei Zoo Station to Tamsui Station.

From Tamsui Station take Bus to Wuji Tianyuan Temple (use Fun Pass). Photo shoot with the beautiful cherry blossom tree. In Taiwan? Yes! Meron din doon.
I had the chance to read and finish the book of The Count of Monte Cristo under the cherry blossom tree. Imagine reading Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. What a dream come true! Parang sa anime lang. Take the ride bus back to Tamsui Station. Mamamangha ka sa dami ng bikes. Food trip (Xiaolongbao, Iron Egg, Ice Cream). Fish spa (while eating Xiaolongbao).

7:00 PM : Back to Fun-Inn Hostel for proper check-in.
8:00 PM : Dinner at Ximending District in Ximen. Madami ditong mga street artists. This is like a haven of the street performers. You can also watch the Cyr Wheel performer. Just be careful and watch out for pick pocketers when you walk around the shopping district.

Day 2, Monday

8:00 AM : Breakfast: Outside hostel in Ximen. Keep using 3 Days Fun-Pass for the next activities.
8:30 AM : From Ximen Station to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Exit 1, to Jiufen. From Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Exit 1, take bus 1062 to Jiufen Check with the driver if you can use Fun Pass before paying with cash. There was this famous Amea Tea House where you can drink Oolong Tea. I’m travelling on a budget so I had to skip the place. Instead, I took a lot of photos where it can be seen in the background. Haha! Then, I walked around Jiufen. That is where I would say the best cup of tea is. What would you say are the chances of finding a book nook in Jiufen wiith a story telling from the book keeper? Tea at 207 Book Shop.

11:30 AM : Lunch in Jiufen
2:00 PM : Back to the city. Alight in bus stop at Songshan Station. From Songshan Station to MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Station for
Eslite Bookstore. Walk around (long walk to Xiangshan Station) and more reading at the park near Taipei 101 / Go inside Taipei 101. Plus also get lost in the MRT. What is adventure if you don’t get lost?

7:00 PM : From Xiangshan Station To Jiantan Station Exit 1 for dinner at Shilin Market’s street food (stinky tofu, seafood)
Bought few take home stuff. Check out all the crazy stalls.
8:30 PM : Back to Fun-Inn Hostel

Day 3, Tuesday

8:00 AM : Breakfast: Outside hostel in Ximen
8:30 AM : From Ximen Station to Xinbeitou Station. Get STAMP from Old Xinbeitou Station. More walking to Taipei Public Library and Beitou Thermal Valley. Mabaho lang. Expect mo na. There is also Ketagalan Culture Center and Fuxing Park where you can dip your legs to a warm spring. This is where the elderlies and other locals go to. Wear shorts or bring bath suit if ever you want to try the Millenium Hot Spring. They require proper clothing.

12:00 NN : Lunch: in Xinbeitou
01:00 NN : From Xinbeitou Station to Tamsui Station. Seafood trip by the bay.Walk around Tamsui Old Street. Watch street performers play drums. This was an interesting time.
4:30 PM : Watch sunset at Fisherman’s Wharf. More reading by the bay. Parang MOA sa Pasay tapos may mga street performers and variety of seafood to choose from.

8:30 PM : Back to Fun-Inn Hostel
9:00 PM : Watch people pass-by the park near the Hostel. I realized I like watching people walk-by. Not in a creepy way!

Day 4, Wednesday

8:00 AM : Breakfast: Outside hostel in Ximen
8:30 AM : From Ximen Station to Longshan Temple Station
9:30 AM : From Longshan Station To Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Station for Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall
10:30 AM : From Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Station to Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station.
Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hall: STAMP

11:30 : From Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hall To Songshan Station for Songshan Market. Namili ako dito ng mga pasalubong and I waited for some shops to open.
3:00 PM : From Songshan Station To Xiangshan Station Exit 2 for Elephant Mountain (2 hours hike up and down). This was one of the crazy things I did.

6:30 PM : From Xiangshan Station to Ximen Station
Dinner: You Yu Fan (Squid Shop) 鱿鱼焿 . Noodles. Oolong Tea. Walk around the wet market
8:00 PM : Prepare to leave for airport.
9:00 PM : Check – Out
10:00 PM : From Ximen Station to Beimen Station. From Beimen Station to Taoyuan Airport. Last trip to Taoyuan Airport is at 11:00 PM.
4:00 AM : Flight back to NAIA, Manila

I went to Taipei to see how people live. I ate where I can find food, I walked until my feet got tired, and smiled with my heart. Places I have been to can be squeezed into 3 days but I did not do that to not miss out on the opportunity of being in the moment and to experience the beauty of being in a new place. Please feel free to ask questions about my itinerary. I
would love to help you out.

It’s now 2026 and I have a different perspective on my first solo trip. It was not just a dream come true. It has changed my life…IN A GOOD WAY.

DOWNLOAD PDF copy of Itinerary.

Other Activities

Now, you can easily book through travel apps like klook.com for convenience. I mainly use this to avoid queuing at the booths and of course to get discounts on tickets. If you are not signed up yet to the app, feel free to use my referral code and get ₱250 discount as soon as you sign up.

Taipei Double Decker Bus Tour
Taipei 101 Observatory E-Ticket
Taiwan Car Rental (TPE Airport Pick Up)
Taipei Motorbike Tour
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PALAGING naliligaw. Ay naku. Madaming palapag, at napakalaki ng mga major stations nila. For my fellow third world traveler, here’s a guide to Taipei Metro. Remember this and you will find taking Taipei Metro an easy feat.

1. Get a printed map of MRT route or an e-copy.
Download map from Metro Taipei website.

2. Each COLOR represents different direction. Hey! Go back up and check first Metro Taipei Map. Got it? Every line is colored which represents the train route.

3. Follow END station names for direction. Note where you are headed to using the END STATION name as reference. Check which line COLOR to take. Now, look overhead and just FOLLOW that END STATION name to figure out where to go.

4. Taipei Main Station (TMS) is a big area of connecting lines so if possible avoid it. Remember to follow the END station name for direction.

5. EXIT numbers are important. Each station has Exit Information board so watch out before heading out.

6. Ask and do not be afraid if you are confuse.
Google is not the only source of information. Try the classic way. Ask people. English or try a little Mandarin, perhaps? This is an awesome way of connecting to people.

7. Be calm and head on out. Confusion only last until the last-minute before we calm down. Haha! Don’t you think?

My 5 days stay in Taipei was a blast. I did not worry so much about my transportation because I used their newly launched Fun Pass Card with unlimited access for 5 days. Read about it here.

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1. Use Taipei Metro.
2. Eat where the local eats
3. Avoid tourist traps.
4. Stick to your budget. But remember that budget does not mean rigid. You can always change plans but see to it that it is within your limits.

How I Track My Travel Budget

I don’t just guess my expenses. I track everything using notes. Now, I use a simple Excel system. Request for a copy when you message me at jalopez@libottayo.com or comment from any posts on my Facebook page, Libot Tayo with Lily.

How much budget for Taipei trip from Philippines? I spent 13,000 Philippine Peso. My budget was 15.

Is Taipei expensive? The answer depends on who is asking. I was working for 4 years already when I started saving for the trip. I didn’t always have something to save but I’m able to do it. So, if I am asking my old self. Yes, for someone starting out a career.

Helpful Links:

What to do in Taipei City, A Solo Traveler’s Guide to TaiwanBeginners Guide to Taipei Metro
How I flew from Manila to Taipei and back for Php 1,800?
How to Exchange Philippine Peso (Php) Currency to New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) outside Taiwan Airport?

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