Getting Your Bearings
Tamsui (also spelled Danshui) is a seaside district of New Taipei City, sitting at the mouth of the Tamsui River where it meets the Taiwan Strait. For visitors, the good news is that the district's main sights cluster tightly around the waterfront and the MRT station, so you can cover a lot of ground without any wheels at all. The transport network is simple: a metro line, a light rail, local buses, ferries, taxis, and your own two feet.
Arriving by Metro
The easiest way into Tamsui from Taipei is the MRT Tamsui (Red) Line, which runs to its northern terminus at Tamsui Station. From Taipei Main Station the ride takes roughly forty minutes. Tamsui Station is the most convenient stop for most of the district's tourist attractions.
Two other stations on the same line serve the district:
- Hongshulin Station — the interchange point for the Danhai Light Rail system serving Danhai New Township.
- Zhuwei Station — a further stop along the line.
If you're staying in central Taipei, the Red Line effectively functions as your direct link to the district, and you can tap in with the same stored-value card or ticket you use for the rest of the Taipei metro network.
Getting Around on Foot
Most of Tamsui is easily accessible on foot from the MRT station. The classic route: turn left as you exit the MRT, then right along the river. From there the waterfront, Old Street, and the historic sights unfold in front of you. This is the simplest and most rewarding way to see the core of the district.
By Tram (Danhai Light Rail)
The Danhai LRT connects Fisherman's Wharf with MRT Hongshulin Station by way of Danhai New Town. It's a handy option if you've already walked a long way and want a restful ride back. Note that a planned link extending from the wharf to Bali has not been built — don't be fooled by brochures advertising it.
By Bus
Local buses fill the gaps that walking can't cover. The R26 bus runs from Tamsui MRT Station to Fort Santo Domingo and on to Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf is beyond casual walking distance from the MRT, so the bus is probably your best choice if you don't want to take a boat or rent a bike.
By Boat
Ferries are part of the Tamsui experience, not just transport. They depart from the Tamsui Ferry Pier, about ten minutes north of the MRT station on foot, near the north end of the waterfront area. Two routes are useful to visitors:
- Across the river to Bali — tickets run around NT$50.
- North to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf — tickets run around NT$100.
Sightseeing boats traversing Taiwan's northeast coast and the Tamsui River also depart from Fisherman's Wharf. One practical warning: when taking the ferry, don't stand outside unless you enjoy getting wet. Ferries are closed in the event of bad weather.
By Bike
Renting a bike is a popular and cheap way to explore the riverside. Several rental shops sit on the main road north of Tamsui MRT Station, where a normal rate might be around NT$300 for the whole day. Alternatively, you can hire a bike in Bali and ride up and down the riverside there — rates run from about NT$30 for a small bike to NT$100 for a tandem per hour. Look the bike over before you ride, as safety standards vary.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material for Tamsui doesn't detail taxi stands or ride-hailing apps, so treat these as a fallback rather than a plan. For the short hops within the waterfront area, walking, the bus, or the ferry will almost always be simpler and cheaper. If you do need a car, hail one from the MRT station area or arrange a ride through the usual apps on your phone.
Getting In from the Airport
The reference material doesn't cover airport transfers to Tamsui specifically. In practice, the reliable approach is to reach the Taipei metro system first — the airport metro line connects to the network, and from there you transfer onto the Red Line heading north to Tamsui. Allow extra time for the transfer and the roughly forty-minute Red Line ride from central Taipei. Confirm current airport line connections and any transfer details locally when you arrive, since these are the kind of specifics that change.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near Tamsui Station if you want to do the district mostly on foot.
- Use the MRT Red Line as your spine, and the R26 bus or a ferry to reach Fisherman's Wharf.
- Keep small change handy for ferry tickets and bike rentals.
- Check the weather before planning a ferry or boat trip — services stop in bad conditions.
- Don't count on the promised Bali tram link; it isn't built yet.