Keelung Cruise Port in 2025: Gateway to Taipei

Dock in Keelung and step straight into the aromas of Taiwan’s most famous night‑market city, while standing less than an hour from buzzing Taipei, hot‑spring retreats, and volcanic coastlines.

This Keelung cruise port guide unpacks everything cruise visitors need: arrival logistics, transport hacks, 40‑plus shore ideas, food finds, budgeting tips, insider advice, and FAQs.

Port Overview & Arrival

Where your ship actually ties up

Keelung (officially “Port of Keelung”) is a deep‑water harbor that handles both ferries and cruise liners.

Large vessels usually berth at East Pier 4 or West Pier 2—both along the same inner basin and only a few blocks from downtown.

Gangways drop you onto a secured apron; within five minutes you’re outside the terminal gates and on a city sidewalk.

Pier	Distance to Keelung Station	View on Arrival	Common Cruise Lines
East 4	≈ 600 m (7 min walk)	Warehouse roofs, city skyline, forested hills	Royal Caribbean, MSC, Celebrity
West 2	≈ 800 m (10 min walk)	Ferry slips, fishing boats, night‑market neon	Princess, Holland America

Terminal facilities (small but efficient)

• Immigration & Customs: Photo and biometrics; usually 15–30 minutes from gangway to street.
• Currency & cash: Two 24‑hour ATMs just inside arrivals hall (accept Visa/MasterCard).
• SIM / eSIM counters: Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile pop‑ups sell tourist data plans (activate in 3 minutes).
• Free Wi‑Fi: “KEELUNG‑PORT‑FREE” network—good enough for messaging while you plan.
• Luggage drop & lockers: Coin lockers (carry ¥10 / NT$10 coins) for day storage; limited but handy if you’re hauling jackets or shopping bags.
• Taxi queue & rideshare zone: Uniform‑vested staff flag licensed yellow cabs; Uber/T‑Go pickup point 80 m away.

What to expect on the pier

Keelung handles containers too, so you’ll see cranes and warehouses—don’t worry, the gritty view hides a food‑lover’s paradise only a block inland.

Volunteers in blue vests hand out English maps and point you toward Miaokou Night Market (the city’s headline attraction) or Keelung Station if you’re shooting straight to Taipei.

Facing landside, turn left for Keelung Station, right for the night‑market district, and straight ahead for the Maritime Plaza boardwalk.

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Getting from Keelung to Taipei & Around Town

Three fool‑proof ways into Taipei

Mode	Travel Time (one‑way)	Cost	How to do it	Good to know
Local train(TRA)	35 – 40 min	NT$41 (≈ US $1.30)	Walk 5–10 min to Keelung Station → buy ticket or tap EasyCard → Taipei Main Station	Trains every 10–15 min; seats rarely sell out; restroom on board
Express bus 1813	45 – 55 min (traffic dependent)	NT$65	Board on Zhong‑1 Rd. outside station; pay driver or tap EasyCard	Air‑conditioning + luggage hold; runs every 15–20 min
Taxi / Uber	35 – 60 min	NT$900–1200 (meter + highway toll)	Grab from pier queue or book in app	Best for groups of four; fixed‑rate options negotiable with driver

Which to pick?
• Train if you’re comfortable reading station signs (all bilingual) and want on‑time reliability.
• Bus if you’re carrying bigger bags—most lines have under‑floor storage.
• Taxi if you’re a group, time‑squeezed, or heading straight to Taipei 101 or National Palace Museum without transfers.

EasyCard, ICASH 2.0, or single tickets?

• EasyCard is Taiwan’s Pay‑As‑You‑Go champion—works on trains, buses, metro, convenience stores, even Starbucks.
• Buy one (NT$100 deposit) at the kiosk just inside Keelung Station, top it up with cash or credit, and you’ll breeze through transit gates.
• Returning the card at day’s end? Any metro service desk in Taipei will refund unused balance + deposit (minus NT$20 processing fee).

Staying local: on‑foot and short hops in Keelung

• Miaokou Night Market: 600–700 m from gangway. Hit stall 22 for peanut‑roll ice‑cream or stall 58 for fried squid.
• Zhongzheng Park & Goddess of Mercy statue: NT$150 taxi or 25‑minute climb via stairs behind the market—panoramic harbor view.
• Heping Island Geopark: 10‑minute taxi (≈ NT$150) east of port. Alien rock formations and a seawater swimming pool, open daily except Mondays.
• Baimiweng Fort: NT$180 taxi; free hilltop batteries and lighthouse view over the Pacific.

Getting around once you reach Taipei

• Metro (MRT) dominates. Tap your EasyCard; most rides NT$20–30.
• Taipei 101 / World Trade Center station (Red Line) for skyline shots and Din Tai Fung dumplings.
• Shilin Station (Red Line) → 5‑min bus to National Palace Museum.
• Ximen Station (Blue/Green) drops you in the middle of teen‑fashion Ximending and the Red House craft market.

Quick transport hacks

• Download “Taiwan Railway (官方台鐵)” app: English interface, real‑time train departures.
• Google Maps transit data is accurate in northern Taiwan—set to “Leave now” for bus arrival predictions.
• Carry small change (NT$1,000 bills break easily at station booths, less so on buses).
• Platform etiquette: form single‑file lines on painted arrows; eating or drinking on transit is frowned upon.

With cruise port docking details and transport squared away, you’re ready to pick from more than 40 shore‑day activities—night‑market feasting, jade treasures in Taipei, volcanic coasts, or misty mountain temples—whatever fits your clock and appetite.

Top Shore Excursions & Things to Do

Below is a menu of more than forty ways to fill a port day from Keelung. Pick one cluster, mix‑and‑match, or combine two if your call is long.

Distances are given from the cruise pier; prices are ballpark in New Taiwan Dollars.

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Walk‑or‑Taxi Fun Right in Keelung

1. Miaokou Night Market (daytime too) – Snack on pepper‑pork buns, peanut‑ice rolls, squid tempura; open from mid‑morning.
2. Sea‑view boardwalk at Maritime Plaza – Bean‑bag loungers, public art, and coffee trucks ten minutes from the ship.
3. Zhongzheng Park hill climb – 400 stairs (or NT$150 taxi) to a 25‑metre Goddess statue and harbour panorama.
4. Fairy Cave & Buddha Cave – Tiny grotto temples carved into coastal bluff; incense meets sea spray.
5. Keelung Cultural Centre roof deck – Free elevator to a wraparound city outlook—great selfie stop.
6. Baimiweng Fort – Grass‑covered 19th‑century artillery positions guarding the bay.
7. Heping Island Geopark tidal pools – Other‑worldly mushroom rocks and summertime seawater swimming hole.
8. Lover’s Lake & Dawulun Fort – Short forest walk around a heart‑shaped reservoir plus ruined ramparts above.
9. Keelung Harbour sunset cruise – 60‑minute boat loop past container cranes and fishing fleets.

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Taipei Highlights in a Half‑ to Full‑Day (Train or Bus)

10. Taipei 101 Observatory – High‑speed lift, 360° deck, and the giant wind damper.
11. National Palace Museum – Jadeite Cabbage, 10,000 years of Chinese bronzes, calligraphy, and rotating treasures.
12. Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall – Marble pagoda, changing of the guard on the hour, lotus ponds.
13. Longshan Temple – Incense clouds, dragon pillars, fortune‑stick rituals.
14. Ximending pedestrian district – Street art, bubble‑tea chains, quirky fashion, historic Red House craft stalls.
15. Dihua Street (Datong Old Town) – Baroque shop‑houses, herbal pharmacies, chic cafés.
16. Shilin Night Market (opens 4 p.m.) – Giant chicken cutlets, oyster omelettes, endless game alleys.
17. Elephant Mountain trail – 20‑minute stair climb to postcard skyline vista; best at sunset.
18. Beitou Hot‑Spring Valley – Steaming sulphur pool, public foot soak, Japanese bathhouse museum.
19. Tamsui River sunset – Riverside bikes, Spanish fort, fried squid‑on‑a‑stick.

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Northern‑Coast Icons (Driver, Taxi, or Bus)

20. Yehliu Geopark – Queen’s Head hoodoo, honeycomb limestone, crashing surf.
21. Jiufen Old Street – Spiralling alleys, red lantern teahouses, peanut ice‑cream wraps.
22. Shifen Old Street & Sky Lanterns – Write wishes, launch them over a vintage railway track.
23. Shifen Waterfall – Taiwan’s own mini Niagara; rainbow mist on sunny afternoons.
24. Houtong Cat Village – Feline‑themed cafés, mountain rail stop, restored mining town.
25. Pingxi Line heritage train – Day‑pass lets you hop between waterfall hikes and coal‑town stations.
26. Jinguashi Gold Ecology Park – Abandoned mine tunnels, Japanese shrines, Yellow Gold Building.
27. Bitoujiao Cape trail – Clifftop boardwalk with bird‑eye views of headlands and turquoise coves.
28. Fulong Beach & Clear‑Water Coastal Bike Path – Golden sand plus a six‑kilometre ride through tunnels and over sea bridges.

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Nature & Hiking for Active Cruisers

29. Caoling Historic Trail – Rolling grasslands, wind‑bent trees, Pacific panoramas; 8‑kilometre one‑way hike.
30. Teapot Mountain scramble – Rock‑scramble summit above Jiufen; panoramic ridge walk.
31. Yangmingshan National Park quick loop – Sulphur fumaroles, calla‑lily fields (spring), buffalo‑grazed grasslands.
32. Neishuangxi Nature Reserve – Short boardwalk in cloud‑forest habitat; bird‑watching hot spot.
33. Sandiaoling Triple‑Falls trail – Jungle path linking three waterfalls with rope‑ladders for the brave.

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Culture, Workshops & Food Experiences

34. Pinglin Tea Museum & tasting – Try pouchong and Oriental Beauty teas, hand‑roll leaves.
35. Din Tai Fung dumpling masterclass (flagship branch) – Pre‑book to fold xiao‑long‑bao with a chef.
36. Taipei Puppet Theatre performance and backstage tour – Glove‑puppet heritage with English surtitles.
37. Calligraphy lesson in Dadaocheng – Ink‑grind ritual, brush practise, take‑home scroll.
38. Street‑photography walk in Ximen and Bopiliao – Neon, murals, Qing‑dynasty brick lanes.
39. Hot‑spring foot bath and izakaya dinner in Beitou – Soak weary legs then grill yakitori.

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Fast Hits for Short Calls (3–4 Hours)

40. Market trinity – Miaokou snacks → Keelung Temple photos → fish‑harbour sashimi at Kanziding.
41. Mini‑temple loop – Fairy Cave → Buddha Cave → climb to Zhongzheng Park pagoda.
42. Rail & ramen dash – Train to Taipei Main → walk two blocks to Huashan 1914 creative park → slurp tonkotsu.
43. Heping Island quick dip – Taxi east, swim natural pool, sip espresso at cliff café, back on board.

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Evening Sail‑Away Ideas (if your ship departs late)

44. Keelung Islet lighthouse view (seasonal boat) – Sunset cruise circles an offshore volcanic cone.
45. Shilin Night Market supper – Hit the MRT back to Keelung by 21:00 and still make an 22:00 all‑aboard.
46. Zhongzheng Park night panorama – Goddess statue lit gold; see ship lights below before returning.

Choose a single deep‑dive (Jiufen + lanterns, or Taipei culture) or combine a local Keelung stroll with a fast Taipei 101 photo run—either way you’ll fit more flavour, scenery, and history into one day than seems possible.

Food & Drink Near the Port

Keelung is often dubbed Taiwan’s “snack capital,” and your ship docks just a few hundred metres from its beating stomach—Miaokou Night Market.

Even if you dash to Taipei for sightseeing, plan to devote at least thirty minutes to Keelung’s food stalls on the way out or back. Here’s how to graze like a local without wasting precious port time.

Signature Keelung Bites

• Tempura Squid Balls – Hand‑pounded squid paste, deep‑fried, then simmered in soy–dashi broth; splash with garlic sauce.
• Butter Crab (奶油螃蟹) – Whole blue swimmers grilled, brushed with condensed‑milk butter—messy, sweet–savory heaven.
• Ding‑Bian‑Cuo (鼎邊銼) – Rice‑flour ribbons scraped into hot broth with pork, bamboo, and mushrooms; comfort in a bowl.
• Peanut‑Ice‑Cream Roll – Shaved peanut brittle, taro and pineapple ice creams, coriander, all wrapped in thin crêpe. Sweet, cold, herbal.
• Bubble‑Ice (泡泡冰) – Half‑slush, half‑gelato fruit ice; classic flavours are lemon, peanut, or watermelon on humid days.

Navigating Miaokou Night Market

Layout hack: Look for bright yellow stall numbers on vertical signs. Odd numbers line the left, even on the right as you walk inland.

1. Stall 22 – Peanut‑ice‑cream crêpe (NT$45)
2. Stall 5 – Butter crab weighed to order (NT$200–350)
3. Stall 58 – Fried squid tempura cup (NT$70)
4. Stall 40 – Braised eel thick‑soup; splash black vinegar (NT$65)
5. Stall 16 – Bubble‑ice mountains (NT$50); mango in summer, kumquat in winter

Strategy: Skip the first few stalls (crowded with hesitant tourists). Dive deeper, watch what locals queue for, point, smile, and say “yi ge” (one piece).

Quick Sit‑Down Seafood Near the Pier

• Liou He Seafood – Two blocks from the terminal. Choose live shrimp, clams, grouper; pay by weight; stir‑fried basil clams are the hero dish.
• Hai‑Bin Keelung Harbour Restaurant – White‑tablecloth, second‑floor windows facing container cranes—best for a lingering lunch if you have time. Try salted‑egg cuttlefish and steamed rock lobster.
• Xie Xie Clam House – Plastic stools, plastic aprons, heaps of garlic‑butter shellfish; perfect if you want serious seafood without a fancy bill.

Café & Sweet Pit‑Stops

• Café Du Harbour – On Maritime Plaza boardwalk; syphon‑brew single‑origin beans plus harbour‑view terrace.
• Hood Barista – Hole‑in‑the‑wall near Keelung Station; iced dirty coffee and miso‑caramel cake.
• Taro‑Ball Dessert House – Chewy taro‑sweet‑potato balls over shaved ice with boba and grass jelly—re‑energises after hot sightseeing.

If You’re Spending the Day in Taipei

• Din Tai Fung (Taipei 101 branch) – Legendary xiao‑long‑bao; beat the queue by arriving before 11 a.m.
• Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice – Five minutes’ walk from Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial; bowl of soy‑braised pork belly over rice for NT$40.
• Yongkang Beef‑Noodle Shop – Thick noodles, chilli‑pickled cabbage, melt‑apart shank; worth the 15‑minute wait.
• Modern Toilet Ice Cream – Gimmicky swirl served in mini porcelain bowl—good Instagram detour near Ximending if you’re travelling with teens.

Diet & Practical Notes

• Vegetarian? Look for the green (素) symbol. Popular options: scallion pancakes, tea‑eggs, taro balls, pickled‑veg rice.
• Allergies: Many stalls fry in peanut oil; ask “you hua‑sheng ma?” (any peanuts?).
• Cash only: Stalls seldom take cards. Withdraw NT$1 000 – 2 000 inside the terminal before you start snacking.
• Lines signal quality: Taiwanese happily queue for the good stuff; follow their lead.
• Port buffer time: From Miaokou it’s seven minutes’ flat walk back to the gangway—set a phone alarm 30 minutes before all‑aboard so food comas don’t ruin sail‑away.

Taste a few classics, pocket a bag of citrus mochi for the ship, and you’ll have sampled more of Taiwan’s flavour in an hour than most travellers manage in a week.

Budget, Currency & Timing

What a Port‑Day Really Costs

Keelung–Taipei can be a bargain stop or a mini‑splurge—your call. Below are ballpark numbers in New Taiwan Dollars (TWD).

• Local train to Taipei Main – NT$41 each way
• Express coach 1813 – NT$65 each way
• Taxi to Taipei downtown – NT$900–1 200 per cab (up to four riders)
• Full‑day private driver/guide – NT$5 000–6 500 per vehicle
• Street‑food snack – NT$40–70 per item
• Mid‑range sit‑down meal – NT$240–350 per person with soft drink
• High‑profile attractions
  • Taipei 101 Observatory – NT$600
  • National Palace Museum – NT$350
  • Yehliu Geopark – NT$120
• Souvenirs – NT$150 for an EasyCard charm, NT$300–500 for artisan tea, up to NT$1 500 for hand‑cast oolong teapot

Shoestring DIY day: train, bus, snacks, one temple – ≈ NT$500–700 (US $15–25)

Comfortable highlight run: train, Palace Museum, beef‑noodle lunch, bubble tea, MRT fares – ≈ NT$1 200–1 500 (US $40–50)

Door‑to‑door private tour and fancy dinner: driver, Yehliu + Jiufen, multicourse seafood – NT$4 000–5 000 pp (US $130–160)

Cash, Card, & EasyCard Basics

• Currency – New Taiwan Dollar; coins in 1, 5, 10, 50; bills 100, 500, 1 000.
• ATMs – Global machines in the cruise terminal, Keelung Station, every 7‑Eleven. English interface; daily withdrawal limit usually NT$20 000.
• Credit cards – Widely accepted in Taipei, big restaurants, museums, taxi apps. Most night‑market stalls remain cash‑only.
• EasyCard – Pre‑paid tap card. Buy at station counter or convenience store. Deposit NT$100, top‑up in increments of NT$100. Refund deposit + remaining balance (minus NT$20 fee) at any Taipei MRT service desk before sailing.

Timing Your Day for Maximum Return

Morning rhythm

• 06:45–08:30 – Ships clear immigration; early risers beat train crowds.
• 09:00 – National Palace Museum opens; tour buses arrive after 10:00—go first if that’s on your list.
• 10:30 – Jiufen’s main alley starts to fill with day‑trippers.

Mid‑day shuffle

• 11:30–13:30 – Taipei lunch hour; beef‑noodle shops see queues, MRT trains busiest on blue and red lines.
• Noon sun in Jiufen and Yehliu can be intense; pack a hat or duck into a tea house.

Afternoon dip

• 14:00–16:00 – Good window for Taipei 101 observatory or Zhongzheng Memorial; many tour groups head back to hotels.
• 15:00 – Miaokou Night Market stalls fire up grills, but crowds stay light till dinner.

Return buffer

• Plan to be back in Keelung no later than one hour before all‑aboard. Trains can be delayed by rain; buses hit rush‑hour traffic from 16:30 onward.
• From downtown Taipei allow 45 minutes on the train platform plus 10 minutes harbour walk.

Seasonal Factors

Season	Weather & What It Means for You
Oct–Apr (dry, mild)	15–24 °C, low humidity, crisp evenings—ideal walking, maybe light jacket.
May–June (plum rain)	Frequent short showers; pack folding umbrella, quick‑dry shoes.
July–Sep (hot, humid, typhoon risk)	28–34 °C, feels hotter; watch cruise line alerts for storm reroutes. Carry electrolytes.

Public‑holiday watch: Lunar New Year (late Jan/Feb) and Mid‑Autumn Festival crowds double transit times and market queues. Museum hours may shift; verify the week before your sailing.

Quick Money‑Saving Hacks

1. Early‑bird Museum tickets – Palace Museum gives NT$30 discount before 10 a.m.
2. Split a taxi – Two couples share, cost under US $10 each for city‑to‑city run.
3. Lunch specials – Many Taipei eateries discount set meals by 10–15 % before noon.
4. Free viewpoints – Skip Taipei 101 fee if content with Elephant Mountain sunset (just sweat equity).
5. Bring your own bottle – Public water dispensers are everywhere; refill instead of buying NT$30 plastic teas multiple times.

Plan your wallet and your watch, and you’ll squeeze maximum value—and flavour—out of every Keelung minute.

Keelung Cruise Port – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where exactly will my ship dock?
Almost every cruise vessel ties up at either East Pier 4 or West Pier 2, both inside the same inner basin. Check the daily program; field signage on the quay also shows pier numbers.

2. Is the terminal right in town?
Yes. Walk seven to ten minutes and you’re at Keelung Station or Miaokou Night Market.

3. How long does immigration take?
With several booths open, most passengers clear in 15–30 minutes. Arrive early in the queue if you’ve booked a tight morning tour.

4. Do I need a Taiwanese visa?
For most nationalities arriving by cruise ship, Jeju‑style visa‑free entry applies. Your passport is scanned; you keep a small paper slip for re‑boarding.

5. Is English widely spoken?
Port staff and train‑station agents speak basic English. Street vendors less so, but menus are photo‑heavy and pointing works.

6. Where can I get local currency?
Two global ATMs sit in the arrivals hall; more at 7‑Eleven two blocks away. Exchange desks also operate next to the SIM stalls.

7. Can I use my credit card in the night market?
No—cash only. Cards are fine at restaurants, museums, taxis booked through apps, and chain stores.

8. What’s the best way to reach Taipei?
Take the local train from Keelung Station: 35–40 minutes, NT$41, departures every 10–15 minutes.

9. Do trains run late?
Yes, past midnight, but play it safe: aim to board your return train no less than 90 minutes before all‑aboard.

10. Is there a direct bus to Taipei 101?
Yes—express coach 1813 stops at Taipei City Hall, a three‑minute walk to Taipei 101.

11. Are taxis expensive?
Meter starts at NT$85; Keelung to Taipei city centre averages NT$900–1 200. Four passengers splitting the fare pay only slightly more than train plus metro.

12. Can I hire a private driver at the pier?
Plenty wait outside the gate. Negotiate before you get in: full‑day island loop usually NT$5 000–6 500 per car (not per person).

13. How far is Miaokou Night Market from the ship?
About 550 metres—seven minutes on foot, flat pavement.

14. Is Miaokou open during the day?
Many stalls operate from late morning; peak food scene fires up after 17:00.

15. What must I eat there?
Pepper‑pork buns, butter crab, squid tempura, peanut‑ice‑cream wrap, bubble‑ice.

16. Is the food safe?
Yes. Taiwan’s street‑food hygiene standards are excellent; everything is cooked to order. If you’re spice‑sensitive, ask for “xiao la” (little chilli).

17. Are there vegetarian options?
Look for the green 素 character: scallion pancakes, sweet‑potato balls, grilled corn, tofu skewers, sugar‑coated fruit.

18. What time does the National Palace Museum open?
09:00 daily. Arriving before 10:00 avoids the tour‑bus rush.

19. Can I see Jiufen and Taipei 101 in one day?
Possible but rushed. Allocate three hours for Jiufen, two hours for Taipei 101, plus two hours total travel and buffer—works only on a 12‑hour port call.

20. How long to reach Yehliu Geopark?
About 40 minutes by taxi, one hour by coach. Plan 90 minutes on‑site.

21. Does Keelung Station have luggage lockers?
Yes—large and small coin lockers, handy for leaving backpacks while sightseeing.

22. Is Wi‑Fi available outside the terminal?
Many cafés and chain bakeries provide free Wi‑Fi. Taiwan also offers iTaiwan public hotspots—register online with your passport number.

23. Where are the cleanest public toilets?
Inside Keelung Cultural Centre (behind night market) and at Maritime Plaza. Most are Western‑style and stocked with paper.

24. What’s the tipping culture?
No tipping expected in taxis or restaurants. A small note to a private guide is welcome but optional.

25. Is Keelung safe at night?
Extremely safe. You’ll see families and students out eating until midnight. Still, watch your step on wet streets and keep phones secure in crowds.

26. What souvenirs are uniquely Keelung?
Dried squid, citrus‑peel tea, lava‑stone jewelry, maritime‑themed postcards, EasyCard charms shaped like warships.

27. Is smoking allowed in markets?
No—Taiwan enforces smoke‑free public areas. Designated ashtrays are set on some side streets.

28. How bad is summer heat?
July–September can top 33 °C with high humidity; carry water, wear a hat, and duck into air‑conditioned cafés.

29. What happens if a typhoon approaches?
Port authority may cancel shore access or the cruise line could skip Keelung entirely. Typhoon season peaks July–October; monitor the ship’s announcements.

30. Do escalators follow a stand‑left or stand‑right rule?
In Taipei MRT stand on the right, walk on the left—opposite to some countries, so pay attention.

31. Are EasyCards refundable the same day?
Yes. Any Taipei MRT service booth refunds remaining balance and NT$100 deposit (minus NT$20 fee) instantly—handy before returning to the ship.

32. How early should I be back at the pier?
Plan to cross the terminal gate at least 30 minutes before the printed all‑aboard time; add extra buffer if you’re travelling independently from Taipei or Jiufen.

These answers should clear up most pre‑arrival worries so you can focus on devouring street snacks, marveling at jade treasures, or watching lanterns float into a misty Pingxi sky—all within one unforgettable day ashore.