Day 1 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

Here we go with our trip. We touchdown in Taipei on Sunday @ 10.30pm.

Normally cheap flight tickets will schedule flights at odd hours. So we took Airasia and arrive at Taoyuan airport. Before continuing my schedule, the new airport for all Airasia flight had been moved to KLIA 2 instead of the usual LCCT.

Make sure that you arrive an hour earlier at the boarding area before the boarding time, this is because the distance from the departure hall to the boarding area, will take up to 20 - 30 min walk. We were running like mad fellows from the inspection area to the boarding area when we were being inform that our flight was on " last call". The run took us 10 minutes - 15 minutes. It was really an "awesome" experience.

Dont forget to ask for directions in KLIA, because the compound is big & somewhat confusing.

Note that there is also only 1-2 moving walkway in the area. If you are bringing any elders, you can get a "taxi" in which there will be a guard that drives around to pick guest from the passport checking area to the boarding area.

Finally we boarded our flight with sweat, Airasia X. It is a larger plane compared to the domestic ones.

Leg space is also sufficient for an economy flight

The flight did not provide us with any arrival card, so make sure you get one once you touch down and filled up accordingly before proceeding with the queue. It was thoughtful for them to place these spectacles for those who needed it.

And to our amazement that the queue was so long and it took us an hour to chop our passports. Especially arriving during late night, it was crucial for us to catch the last bus. If not we will need to ride a taxi to Taipei would be costly.

An hour queue

 After passports being chop, you will just need to take the escalators to the lower level. It leads to a big hall to pick up luggages. We did not take any pictures because we were in a rush. If you are flying with Airasia, please ask around where to pick up your luggages. Because it was not shown neither on the screen nor on the pick up luggage area. (I'm not sure why, but other airlines they do list down the luggage pick up lane #).

Following the signboards, we walk towards the area to board a bus. We took the Kuo Kuang 125 bus (国光）to taipei main station. The last stop of the bus is at the taipei main station, so dont worry that you will miss the stop. The bus ticket will be TWD 125 each (approximately RM125).

On the bus towards taipei main station with our tired faces

Note: There will be no booth or stall in the airport that sells phone card, you can always get one in any 7-eleven that operates 24/7.

 It took us an hour journey to arrive at taipei main station, we took a cab and proceed to our stay.
We lodge in Taipei Backpackers Hotel for day 1 & 2 @ Ximending.
We stayed in Deluxe room for 4 (CD 1015) @ TWD 2500 per night for 4 person.
The lady boss is a friendly boss, and the room is almost the same as shown in their pictures.
Do take note of their square feet as well, because it will give you a rough estimation on how big the room will be.
I will upload the room pictures for reference soon.

Personal rating:
Cleanliness: 3 out of 5
Accessibility: 3 out of 5 (Ximending night market could be access by 3-5 minutes walk)
Washing machine: Yes
Towels: Not provided
Daily cleaning: Not provided


We settle down in our hostel and it was about 2am in the morning. We walk around to get some supper.
We dawn upon this noodles stall and immediately walk in without a second thought, we were starving.
The famous item was there dumpling (云吞), I will rate this 4 out of 5, maybe is because we were too hungry.

鲁肉饭，水饺面 和 肉圆面

This ends our day 1 with our tummy filled with good chinese food. Don't worry to walk around in the middle of the night in Taiwan. It is a low crime country, but still be reminded, low crime doesn't mean no crime. It will still be good to walk in groups for ladies.

** The currency conversion shown will be of TWD 10 to MYR 1, but the actual conversion is around TWD 10 to MYR 9.2**