Biking Taiwan accommodation recommendations
for the Taiwan bicycle loop
October 25, 2023
The reason for writing this post is that after completing about half of my trip I come to the conclusion that it would be actually really fun to do another loop, because this time I would know where to stay comfortably when arriving at a location. I want to share my experiences to other bicycle enthusiasts so that the loop is a better experience for everyone.
As described in my other post about which towns to avoid for accommodation, Taiwan is notorious for hostels and hotels that rack up prices to unreasonable levels and provide sub-standard accommodation.
On the other side of the spectrum are wonderful lodgings that for themselves are hidden gems and attractions by themselves. I have talked to lots of owners of these places, and I found that while they also run accommodations to make a living, they at the same time do it out of passion and many are proud to also promote Taiwan as a wonderful country by delivering an amazing lodging experience.
Please give consent to cookies of type advertisment to display the Youtube video here.
All recommendations are based on my personal travel experience if not indicated otherwise. I have tried to pay as little as possible for accommodation and to keep the cost between 12 USD and 17 USD per night. I will only write about positive experiences here.
Hotels in Taiwan are usually very bike-friendly and normally you can leave your bike safely inside.
In 2023, during workdays good hostels in cities cost between 350 TWD and 550 TWD. Expect to pay 50%-75% more for nights from Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday.
For the weekend I highly recommend booking early in advance. Taiwanese have little vacation days, so basically all of the traveling happens on the weekend. Be especially careful about public holidays! If you find yourself in the situation that it is weekend and most hostels/hotels quote prices up in the thousands of TWD try to physically go to hotels around train stations and ask for their rates. While it can be very hard to find availability, the prices at hotel desks are usually much lower for such situations than online.
For online booking I recommend Booking or Agoda.
Tip: Book the first night online and then book follow-up nights directly at the desk, you usually will pay about 10% to 20% less this way.
West Coast 東部
Taipei (Taibei) 台北市
As with many Taiwanese bigger cities, its usually better to book something a bit further away from the main train station.
Recommendation:
Corner Hostel & Cafe (小角落青旅咖啡)
Modern and big communal areas, just next toYuanshan MRT station.
Yuanshan District is a laid-back place in the metropolis of Taipei absolutely worth to discover! Quite close to Main Train station (Note: Bicycles are not allowed in Taipei Main Railway station, neither for trains nor MRT).
Taichung (Taizhong) 台中市
Recommendation:
It&rsquos one of the best in Taiwan! Super comfortable.
Recommendation:
A great hotel for a low price (around 850 TWD) at international standard hotel level. Convenient location. Stay here if you need to recharge your batteries! Taichung has lots to offer!
Tainan 台南市
Recommendation:
清淨背包客棧-民權新館Quiet Hostel - Minquan Inn
This is my favorite hostel in Taiwan, a hidden gem, stay a few days to find out why by yourself. The host is amazing and often introduces travelers to each other.
Recommendation:
福憩背包客棧-和平館 Fuqi hostel - HePing Branch
This hostel is a little bit famous, great communal experience and it is fun to brush your teeth in the morning on the balcony, overseeing the hip street near the popularShennong Street 神農街.
Meinong 美濃
Recommendation:
A homestay/hotel worth discovering. Opened by musicians who turned a rice paddy into a forest. The trees are big now and they have created quite a special place. Gives a good opportunity for a stay far away from the cities. Good bicycling opportunities in the area that is characterized by Hakka culture.
Kaohsiung (Gaoxiong) 高雄市
Recommendation:
Recommendation:
Fangliao 枋寮鄉
Recommendation:
The host is awesome. A foreigner I met in Chaozhou who lived in Taiwan for many years called Fangliao his favourite place in Taiwan.
East Coast 西部
Hualian 花蓮市
Hualian probably has the cheapest hostels in all of Taiwan. On normal weekdays the city is really empty. On public holidays the sky is the limit for hotel prices and its absolutely packed.
Recommendation:
This hostel is hands down spectacular! Be sure to ask for one day trip recommendations for traveling theTaroko Gorge. Do not use the notoriously unreliable public transportation for the sightseeing, if you do not have a bike, you can rent a simple bike cheaply from the hostel. Nearby is also a GIANT store that rents professional bikes for 400 TWD/day. Hitchhiking in Hualian is also an experience you will not forget!
Recommendation:
WOW hostel is so good that it some way might seem like a hotel. If you want it a bit cozier and more social, check out this place. In Hualian don&rsquot forget to check out the 1709 bar. It&rsquos small, cozy and they start with live music and into the night it is hot mic time where anyone brave (or drunk) enough can sing.
Changbin Township 長濱
Recommendation:
台東跑者之家民宿 Runners&rsquo House Taitung
Just along the coastal street, cool place opened by a guy who found his passion in marathon running!
Doulan (Dulan)
My favorite town in Taiwan. The vibes are so cool that quite a few foreigners end up buying a house there and stay forever.
Recommendation:
Find the nearest beach here 鉛橋海灘. Recommend the surfing school at the beginning of the road that leads to the beach for wave surfing.
Staying in hostels can actually be more convenient than in a hotel in some ways because you usually can do some basic cooking, meet lots of people and do your laundry.