Day 01: Taoyuan Airport to Ximen

We went to Taipei via Philippine Airlines. Our plane's touchdown in Taoyuan Airport was around 9:45 AM. However we experienced long queues for the Immigration, we were able to leave the airport around 11:00 AM.

Before leaving the Airport, we had our Philippines Peso exchanged to NTD and picked up our wifi pocket at the Unite Traveler booth.


There are many option for transportation from the Airport to the City. If you're heading to Taipei Main Station, you may either travel by Bus or by Airport MRT. The bus ride (Kuo-Kuang bus 国光客运 1819) will cost around NTD 125 and travel time will be around 1 hour. We selected the second option: the Airport MRT. The Airport MRT operated commercially last March 2, 2017 and we were lucky to avail the 50% (normal cost from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station is at NTD 160).

There are a lot of sign boards in the Arrival Hall instructing where the MRT. It's a walk, around 5 to 10 minutes, from the Arrival Hall. You will pass by the departure hall and will go down the escalator. Upon reaching the MRT entrance, you will see counters and ticket vending machine. You may buy your single entry ticket or your Easy Card at the ticket vending machine.

We bought our Easy Card since we're planning to use it around the city. Initially loaded it NTD 100 per card (paid additional NTD 100 for the card deposit). Upon entering the MRT, we went down the elevator for the platform.

The screen on the platform indicates the time of arrival of the next train and the type of train arriving: Commuter or Express. Train arrives every 15 minutes. For faster travel to the city, 35 minutes, ensure you're riding the Express Train.



How to know if it's express: (1) written on the facade of train (2) announced on the screen (3) the seat arrangement inside the train

Express Train

Commuter Train
(Credits to owner; both photos grabbed from the Internet)

The travel was comfortable but not as spacious as Hongkong Airport MRT. There were also not much view was in sight.

view from the Airport MRT

We arrived Taipei Main Station around 11:45 and transferring to Taipei Bannan Line (Blue Line). We walked around 5 to 10 minutes from Airport MRT to Blue Line Entrance. There were sign boards everywhere so you won't really get lost within the station. Not much crowded during that time. We were able to sit inside the train although we will immediately alight at the next stop (Ximen).

Our hotel, City Inn Plus Hotel in Ximending was literally few footsteps away from Ximen Station Exit #3. Our hotel was insight as soon as we exit the MRT.

Our Day 01 activities will be posted on my succeeding entries.

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Wifi Pocket in Taipei

To stay connected in Taipei, I booked our wifi pocket through Klook. Price at Klook was at Php 92 per day but if you have discount vouchers (ie. Php 65 off on first Mobile App Booking) or credits you may use it.  

Wifi Pocket case 

Ensure that your pick-up location is correct, depends on your arrival terminal. Ours was at Terminal 1. Upon exit of the arrival door turn right and go straight to United Travel booth. Present your voucher from Klook. They also requested for a credit card and let you signed into a "contract". Pick-up was fast around 5 to 10 minutes, I was fourth in line. 

Upon pick-up they will instruct you on how to connect. The username and password is written at the back of the device. Before leaving the airport, try to connect your device to the wifi. They also gave some contact number which you may call if you encounter problems with your device. Included on the wifi pocket device is the case and a charger. 

During the entire stay in Taiwan, we had no problem with the connection. It is just it takes too long to charge the device. It took more than 6 hours to fully charge it. While on the road, we had to use our powerbank  to charge our device. But for data speed, we got no problem at all. Even on trains, we had internet connection. We can also connect 3 devices at the same time (based on the website: it can connect up to 5). 

At first, I carried the wifi pocket case on my tours. However I find it so heavy, I just brought the device and put it on one of my pouches for protection. But I would recommend you to bring it with the case to ensure that the device is safe (who wants to pay for it).

On our departure, we had to return the device to the same counter where we picked it up. It's a bit long walk from the departure check-in counters to the Unite Traveler booth. The return was fast, they check the inclusion (device and charger) then scanned the bar code then signed the "contract" and gave me my copy, that's it. No customer was in the booth when I returned my device that's why I was attended immediately. 

Overall I am satisfied with the service. From pick-up, use in Taiwan and for return. Hassle-free and worth the price. 


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City Inn Hotel Plus Ximending

For our Four days-three nights vist in Taipei, we stayed in City Inn Hotel Plus Ximending branch.

Being first time in Taiwan, I read multiple blogs and hotel review to select our place to stay. My option of area to stay were either within Taipei Main Station or within Ximending. In the end, I considered Ximending area because it was closer to the shopping and food area.

Almost all comments I read about City Inn were positive; staffs are nice, close to MRT station, comfty room, etc,. The only negative thing I read was rooms were small. There were also several comments that the hotel tends to be fully booked if your late on reservation. From the reviews, I decided to book our hotel last quarter of 2016 although our trip was for March 2017. I also booked direct to the hotel because I read on blogs that hotels in Taipei are more expensive on booking sites such as Agoda.

By booking online through hotel website you will needing a credit card. Deposit is charged to secure your room. Hours after my reservation, I received an email for confirmation of my room. Then come March 2017, a day before my check-in, a staff from the hotel called me via international call to confirm my reservation including my flight details.

The hotel facade.

Upon arrival in Taipei we transport via the newly opened Taoyuan Airport MRT to proceed to our hotel. The hotel is visible from Exit 3 of Ximending Station We arrived at our hotel at 12NN (1 hour delay from my expected time of arrival). Check-in was fast. They required us to pay the remaining balance for the room. However, our room was not yet available til 3PM. They did advice us to comeback around 2PM because it might be possible that our room will be already be free by then.

While waiting, we spend our time in Ximending. We got back to the hotel at 2PM, waited at the lobby for the room key. Around 2:30, they already gave us our room, ready for occupancy.

We were too tired to take a photo of our room on our check-in, but it looks like exactly what was posted on the website.

Photo credits to cityinn.com.tw
The room and toilet exactly looks like on the photos except for the wall artwork.

Because our room was for 3, we had a single bed and a double bed. In the room, there were refrigerator, safety box, electric kettle, tea, water, snack (Doritos and cookies), slippers, hairdryerand toiletries (a lot!!), everything is free!!. You almost don't need to bring anything. The room was bigger than what I expected. (If you've been in Hongkong, the room is bigger than the standard room in HK.) 

The cable TV is worth mentioning too. For non-Mandarin speaking guest, there were Western Channel. However, personally I was not able to watch a lot because we were always out. When I am in the room, I am always on wifi. The wifi was very fast. No password for all and separate wifi connection for every floor. Inside the room, they had a lot of electric sockets for the appliances and chargers. 

                                     

What I love most on our hotel is their B1 Area (accessible from stairs in lobby and elevator). They provided Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and water on the pantry. Microwave and Oven were also in the pantry for use. They provided table for dining. They also had a room for laundry and washing machine, free of charge. Two (2) desktop computer were also installed (1 more PC on the lobby). Most of the time I went to the pantry to get drinks, their hot chocolate was so delicious. Coffee was so-so. 

The hotel does not provide breakfast but no worries Ximending is two traffic light away and KFC serves breakfast. If you love Chinese food, food carts were also on the street. In front of the hotel is Family Mart and FE21 department (Mcdo on basement but open only during department store hours).

Overall, I have a very pleasant stay, all staff I met were helpful and courteous. I definitely will stay again in the hotel when I visit Taipei. I would also recommend this place to anyone (just remember to book your room in advance!!)

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