(Cover photo credit: 趙建生)

Last year, a group of eight cruise passengers docked at Keelung and booked a private tour of Taipei. Partway through the day, their driver noticed a highway incident developing on the return route — and quietly rerouted around it. They made it back to the ship on schedule. Several other independently arranged tours that same day didn't return until up to 90 minutes late.

That's the real question behind any Keelung shore day: not just what you'll see, but whether you'll get back in time to see it again from the deck as your ship pulls away. One thing worth clarifying upfront: Keelung and Taipei are two different cities, about 40 minutes apart by road or rail — your ship docks in Keelung, and "going to Taipei" means an actual trip into the capital, not a walk from the pier. With the right plan, one day in Keelung is enough to experience real Taiwan — you just need to decide, upfront, which direction makes sense for the hours you actually have.

There are three ways to spend a Keelung port day, and which one fits depends mostly on time:

• 4–6 hours (shorter port calls): Stay in Keelung itself — Keelung Tower, Miaokou Night Market, and a proper local coffee

• 8+ hours (full-day port calls): Head into Taipei for the capital's landmark sights (Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum) — or explore the North Coast's natural scenery (Yehliu, Tamsui)

See private Keelung-based shore excursions →

Short on Time? Keelung Itself Is Worth a Look

If your port call is on the shorter side, don't discount the city you're already standing in. Keelung Tower, a short walk from the pier, has a free glass elevator up to a near-360° harbor view — a quick, low-effort way to spend an hour (free for now, though ticketing for non-local visitors may be introduced later, so it's worth checking current status). From there, it's a short walk to Miaokou Night Market, one of Taiwan's best-known food destinations, with stalls running throughout the day, not just at night.

One local secret: Keelung is said to have one of the highest concentrations of coffee shops in Taiwan — worth a stop if you have a spare hour. And pack a folding umbrella regardless of the forecast; the city's local nickname is "Rain Port" for a reason.

Heading Into Taipei? Here's What to Know First

Taipei is about 40 minutes from Keelung by direct train, or a similar drive by private vehicle — close enough that a half-day in the capital is genuinely doable within an 8-hour port call. A few things are worth knowing before you decide how to get there.

Yes, you can take the train or bus yourself. Keelung's train station is walkable from the port, tickets are available at vending machines with English options, and it's a straightforward ride if you're comfortable navigating on your own. Buses run into the city as well. For travelers with a generous window and no other stops planned, this is a legitimate way to see Taipei on your own schedule and budget.

Where it gets riskier is the return trip. DIY travel means you're personally responsible for the timing — line lengths at the National Palace Museum, unexpected train delays, or simply misjudging how long Taipei traffic takes back to the port. On a normal day, that's a minor inconvenience. On a cruise port day, it's the difference between watching your ship from the pier or from the water. This is exactly the gap a private, guided excursion is built to close — the driver and guide are watching the clock and the roads so you don't have to, the way the group in our opening story experienced firsthand. Every guide on our Keelung shore excursions speaks English, and the schedule is built with return margin already factored in.

MyTaiwanTour runs two versions of the Taipei day, and once you're set on the city, the only real decision left is whether you want to ride up Taipei 101.

The Private Taipei Shore Excursion includes Taipei 101 observatory admission, alongside the National Palace Museum, lunch at Din Tai Fung, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Longshan Temple — an 8.5-hour day, 08:00 to 16:30, pickup and drop-off at Keelung Port.

The Keelung to Taipei Shore Excursion covers the same core landmarks — National Palace Museum, lunch, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, plus a stop by the Presidential Office Building — but skips the 101 observatory ticket, so you'll see the tower rather than ride up it. Same 8.5-hour window, same Keelung Port pickup and drop-off.

If the view from the top matters to you, go with the Private Taipei Shore Excursion. If you'd rather spend that time at street level — or skip the ticket cost — the Keelung to Taipei Shore Excursion covers the same essential sights.

Prefer the Outdoors? The North Coast Is the Other Direction

Not everyone wants a city day, and Keelung's coastline gives you a real alternative. The North Coast Shore Excursion runs a slightly longer day — 09:00 to 18:00 — starting at Yehliu Geopark, where wind and sea erosion have carved surreal rock formations along the shore, including the famous Queen's Head. From there, the route follows the northern coastline into Danshui, a riverside town with roots in Spanish colonial history, old-street food, and — if your schedule allows — a river-view sunset before heading back.

One practical note before booking: lunch isn't included on this route. You'll choose between a seafood restaurant or a Western brunch option at your own expense along the way. Worth factoring into your budget, especially if you're traveling with picky eaters.

Practical Info: Getting Between Keelung and Taipei on Your Own

If you're going the DIY route, here's what you actually need to know:

• By train: Keelung Station is the northern terminus of Taiwan's rail line, so there's no wrong direction to worry about leaving Keelung — any train departing the station is heading toward Taipei. On the way back, just look for "Keelung" as the listed destination on the platform display at Taipei Main Station. One-way fare runs roughly NT$40–50, and the ride takes about 40–50 minutes depending on the train type.
   
• By bus: Kuo-Kuang Bus Route 1813 runs directly between Keelung and Taipei Main Station, no transfers required, with departures roughly every 10–15 minutes at peak times. Fare is around NT$60–75 one way, and the trip takes about 50 minutes.

Either option works fine if you're confident navigating on your own — the real planning question is simply what happens if something runs long.

The One Rule That Matters Most

However you spend the day — old street food in Keelung, museum halls and skyline views in Taipei, or wind-carved rocks and river sunsets on the coast — build your plan around your ship's departure time first, not the other way around. A private guided excursion takes that pressure off entirely: routing, traffic, and timing become someone else's job, and yours is simply to enjoy the day.

Not sure which direction fits your port call, or want to combine a few hours in Keelung with a shorter Taipei stop? Talk to MyTaiwanTour about building a custom shore day around your ship's exact schedule.