Monthly Breakdown for Food Chasers, Chill Walkers, and Ximending Addicts

Taipei is still one of my top picks in Asia. Night markets? Elite. Shopping? Dangerous. Weather? Perfect for late-night strolls with fried chicken in hand. I stayed in Tamsui this time — quiet and by the water — but trust me, the city never feels too far with their metro system.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD1,200
→ I booked a place in Tamsui and just checked — the price has now more than doubled (what the flying fish ball?).
→ But it did have a private onsen, so maybe the host finally realised they were undercharging.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD50/day
→ Best part of the stay. I lived on night market food, and honestly would again.
→ Top eats: cold-weather soup from Chen Tung, peanut ice cream rolls, fried chicken cutlet, oyster omelette, and sweet potato balls.
🚇 Transport: SGD200
→ Don’t be like me. I bought day passes for half the month until I realised there’s a monthly concession for foreigners.
→ Even buying it late, it saved me money.
💄 Grooming: SGD300
→ Little things — snacks, train souvenirs, beauty products, and random Ximending finds.

Total: ~SGD3,250 (excluding activities)

📌 You could do it cheaper. But not if you eat like I did.

🏡 Where to Stay in Taipei

✔️ Ximending — Central, youthful, and always buzzing.
✔️ Tamsui — Quiet, by the water, slower pace.
✔️ Taipei 101 Area — Best for upscale shopping and a more polished vibe.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Airbnb = more charm (and surprises, like private onsens).
✅ Hotels = more convenience, especially around Ximending.

📌 I booked in Tamsui and only realised later my Airbnb had a private onsen — and that the price has since doubled (LOL). Taipei’s got range, so book early and read the fine print — sometimes the best stays are hiding in plain sight (and underpriced… until they’re not).

🍽️ Food and Dining in Taipei (SGD50/day)

✔️ Chen Tung (Raohe Night Market) — Soup with a medicinal kick. My go-to on cold nights.
✔️ Peanut Ice Cream Roll — Sweet, salty, fresh.
✔️ Fried Chicken Cutlet — The size of your face.
✔️ Oyster Omelette — Crispy, gooey, addictive.
✔️ Sweet Potato Balls — Lightly chewy, slightly sweet — snack perfection.

📌 There’s no such thing as “too much night market food.”

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD200 for the Month)

✔️ Get the monthly public transport pass for foreigners — available at most MRT stations.

📌 Even if you switch halfway through the month, it’ll probably still be cheaper than day passes.

Taiwan Transport: EasyCard

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Easy, fast, and stable.

📌 Great for remote work, uploads, or aimlessly scrolling while waiting in line for fried stuff.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Taipei

✔️ Night Markets — Raohe, Shilin, Ningxia — go hungry.
✔️ Ximending Shopping Districts — Streetwear, cosmetics, random souvenirs you don’t need but still buy.
✔️ Day Trips
 – Taichung and Keelung — easy train options if you want to explore further.
– Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu, Golden Waterfall

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD3,250 Worth It?

✔️ 100%. Food alone is worth moving here for.
✔️ Easy transport, great vibe, stable internet, and night market food that lives in my head rent-free.
✔️ I’ll be back — and hopefully next time I won’t buy the wrong train pass.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Food-motivated travellers
• Night market lovers
• Remote workers who like a side of chaos with their bubble tea