10 Helpful Tips for Planning a Senior-Friendly Trip to Taipei
Are you planning a trip to Taipei with your elderly parents or grandparents?
Taipei is a great place to visit if you’re traveling with seniors. The city has many senior-friendly attractions, easy transportation, and plenty of spots to sit and relax.
If your loved ones need to take it slow or rest often, a bit of planning will make the trip much more comfortable and enjoyable.
In this post, I will share 10 helpful tips to ensure a comfortable Taipei experience for the elderly members of your travel group.
Hi, I’m Grace, a native of Taiwan now living in the United States. I return to Taipei every year to visit family, and each trip gives me the chance to rediscover familiar places and explore something new.
I hope my experiences and insights can help you plan a comfortable and enjoyable trip with your elderly family members.
10 Tips To Make Your Trip To Taipei More Senior-Friendly
Tip#1: Best Area To Stay – Xinyi District
Xinyi District (信義區） is one of the easiest areas in Taipei for seniors to get around.
The sidewalks are wide and flat, and the pedestrian crossings are designed with longer signals, so your loved ones can walk safely and comfortably without feeling rushed.
If they prefer a relaxed pace, they can simply take a stroll, unwind at a café, and enjoy people-watching.
With many comfortable restaurants, cafés, and shopping malls, Xinyi provides plenty of places where they can take a break and rest throughout the day.
For a more comfortable stay, Xinyi has some of the best 5-star hotels in Taipei, such as Grand Hyatt, W Taipei, and Humble House. These hotels offer spacious rooms, better sound insulation, excellent service, and senior-friendly amenities.
Tip#2: Alternatives To Night Markets
Night markets are a big part of Taipei’s food scene, but they may not be the best choice for elderly travelers.
Night markets are crowded and noisy, and they can be difficult to navigate. There is limited seating, and food is often eaten while walking.
In addition, if your elderly parents or grandparents have sensitive stomachs, night market food, which tends to be greasy and heavily seasoned, may not sit well with them.
For a more comfortable dining experience, consider food courts in department stores or traditional Taiwanese restaurants. These places offer similar local dishes in a cleaner, quieter, and more relaxed setting with proper seating.
Here are a couple of suggestions for a sit-down Taiwanese restaurants:
- Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine And Champagne (富錦樹台菜香檳）- The restaurant is a One Star Michelin Restaurant. See it on Google Maps.
- Shin Yeh (欣葉台菜）－Good to go with a group of people so you can order dishes to share. There are many branches, and this one in Xinyi District is the one our family likes to go.
- YongShin (永心鳳茶）－A more relaxed ambience with personal set meals. There are several locations (Google Maps). This is also one of my favorite restaurants!
Tip#3: Manage Wait Time At Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) is a must-try restaurant, but since they don’t take reservations, wait times can be very long, even up to two hours.
The good news is that the waiting system has improved. After getting a number ticket at the counter, you can scan a QR code to check your status remotely. This means you don’t have to wait by the restaurant.
You can go to the restaurant to get the number first while your elderly parents/grandparents take time getting ready at the hotel or relax at a nearby café.
To be more efficient, you can view the menu and pre-order your dishes using the same online system. This way, once you’re seated, your food will arrive quickly, minimizing wait time at the table.
Tip#4: Public Transportation (MRT)
If you plan to use public transportation in Taipei, the MRT is a much better choice than public buses for elderly travelers.
The MRT system is clean, safe, and easy to navigate, while buses may require stepping up and down frequently, which can be difficult for seniors.
When riding the MRT, look for the seats painted in deep blue, which are designated priority seats for people in need.
Before exiting the MRT station, check the exit maps at each station to find exits with elevators and escalators. Not all exits have them, so checking the map will prevent unnecessary walking.
Another great thing about the MRT is the availability of public restrooms. Every MRT station has clean, well-maintained restrooms that are free to use. This can be especially helpful for elderly travelers who may need frequent restroom breaks.
Tip#5: Use Taxi And Uber
While Taipei’s MRT is efficient and convenient, it can be crowded during rush hours, which may not be ideal for elderly travelers. If the journey is long or requires multiple transfers, taking a taxi or Uber can be a more comfortable option.
The starting fare is NT$85, and then NT$5 for every additional 200 meters. If the taxi is stuck in traffic, the meter will also add small charges based on waiting time.
For an even more hassle-free experience, consider using Uber. I personally prefer Uber because there’s no need to explain directions to the driver, and I don’t have to worry about handling cash, as the payment is done through the app.
If you’re traveling to farther destinations from the city, such as Tamsui, Beitou, or the National Palace Museum, Uber or a taxi can make the trip much more comfortable for your elderly loved ones.
Tip#6: Take Advantage Of Convenience Stores For Breaks
If your elderly loved ones need frequent breaks when walking, stopping at a convenience store is the easiest way to rest.
Taipei’s convenience stores, like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, are everywhere. Just look around you, and you are likely to find one. You can grab a drink or a snack and take a break in the seating area.
In addition, many convenience stores have public bathrooms, making them a great spot to take a quick break during your journey.
Tip#7: Early Morning Activities
Taipei is a city that wakes up late, but if you’re traveling with elderly companions, there are still great ways to start the morning.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall （中正紀念堂 Google Maps) and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館 Google Maps) are both excellent for a leisurely walk, with wide open spaces and plenty of seating.
You will also watch the locals practicing folk dances and tai chi in groups. The changing of the guard at CKS Memorial Hall, which happens every hour from 9 AM to 5 PM, is also worth seeing.
If you prefer a more garden-like setting, Shilin Residence offers well-maintained paths, seasonal flowers, and shaded areas to rest along the way. My mother (in her late 70’s) often visits Shilin Residence and shares photos of beautiful flowers with me!
For a quiet and scenic walk, you can also visit Daan Park (大安森林公園 Google Maps)or Taipei Botanical Garden (台北植物園 Google Maps). Both have easy, senior-friendly trails and plenty of benches to take a break and enjoy the greenery. These spots are all relaxed, accessible, and perfect for a slow-paced morning in Taipei.
I have a stand-alone post about what to do in the morning in Taipei, if you are interested in learning more.
Tip#8: Senior-Friendly Cultural Attractions
Taipei has plenty of senior-friendly cultural spots that are easy to explore at a relaxed pace.
The National Palace Museum (故宮博物院 Google Maps）is a great place to learn about Chinese history. The museum’s well-organized layout, elevators, seating areas, and self-guided audio tours make it accessible and comfortable.
To learn about Taipei’s history, Dihua Street (迪化街 Google Maps) is a good choice. The historic street is lined with well-preserved shophouses, traditional medicine stores, and specialty food shops. It’s also a great spot for picking up local souvenirs.
If you’re looking for something that blends history with modern creativity, Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914 Google Maps) is worth visiting. The open space, gentle walking paths, and numerous cafés make it an easy and comfortable place to explore. Benches and shaded areas are scattered throughout, so your loved ones can take breaks as needed.
Tip#9: Visit Maokong (貓空）Instead Of Jiufen
Maokong is a great choice if you’re looking for a senior-friendly day trip in Taipei.
Unlike Jiufen and Shifen, where steep staircases and uneven paths can be difficult to navigate, Maokong is much easier to walk around, with flat walkways and gentle slopes that won’t leave your elderly loved ones exhausted.
You can take the Maokong Gondola from Taipei Zoo MRT Station （BR 01 of the MRT Brown Line, see Google Maps) and enjoy a scenic, comfortable ride up the mountain. Once at the top, you’ll find paved paths leading to tea houses, small restaurants, and some of the best panoramic views of Taipei.
Tea culture is the highlight of Maokong. Many tea houses have indoor seating with large windows or outdoor terraces where you can sip a pot of locally grown tieguanyin (鐵觀音）or baozhong （文山包種）tea while taking in the view.
If you’re not in the mood for a full tea ceremony, you can stop by a café for tea-flavored ice cream, mochi, or pastries.
Tip#10: Enjoy The Sunset
There are 2 places to watch the sunset: Tamsui （淡水 Google Maps) and Dadaocheng Wharf (大稻埕碼頭 Google Maps）
In Tamsui, you can take a leisurely stroll along the riverside promenade with your loved ones or simply find a bench and enjoy the view together as the sun sets over the water.
The wide, flat paths make it easy to walk at a comfortable pace, and there are plenty of cafés and seafood restaurants where you can sit down for an early dinner while taking in the scenery.
If you prefer something closer to the city, Dadaocheng Wharf offers a relaxing sunset experience. With food stalls and cafés nearby, it’s easy to grab a snack or a drink and enjoy the view together. It also works well to combine a visit here with a stroll along Dihua Street.
Final Thoughts
Taipei is a convenient and comfortable destination, and with some thoughtful planning, you can make the trip smooth and enjoyable for your loved ones.
Choosing accessible places, allowing for enough breaks, and making smart transportation choices can make all the difference. Also, while public transportation is great, sometimes taking a taxi or Uber is just the easier choice.
I hope this article is helpful to you!
