Back in 2023, I decided to make it a yearly tradition to travel around my birthday and chose Taipei as my destination. Let me share with you my surprising and budget-friendly accommodation choice for this solo travel.

This was my second time traveling abroad, and to prioritize experiencing the local food scene and immersing myself in the culture, I opted to stay in shared (backpacker-friendly) accommodation.

While Taipei Main Station and Ximending are popular choices, I found that many options in these areas either had poor reviews, were fully booked, or exceeded my budget.

After extensive research and encountering several roadblocks in my search for the perfect accommodation, I found Fun Inn Taipei 瘋台北青旅 – a hostel conveniently located in a quiet neighborhood, steps away from a major road with bus stops, convenience stores, various local food options, and even massage places.

I booked a Dormitory — Female Only single bunk bed, payable at the hostel. I originally reserved an 8-night stay through Agoda around 10 weeks before my trip. I arrived before 11 am (a few minutes before reception opens) and opted to leave my luggage so I can start exploring. I went to the second floor but there wasn’t anyone on site so I called the number posted by the door so they could let me in.

I went back at 2:30 pm to check in and I was assigned to a lower bunk in Room 208, located on the second floor (they also occupy the 7F). Standard check-in is at 3 pm and thankfully, they have a bed already available so I was able to rest before heading out again for dinner.

I received an access token that granted me access to several areas of the hostel. These included the main entrance to our assigned floor, the main door leading to the shared dormitory area, the door to my specific dorm room, and my personal locker.

What to Expect

My dorm room had a mix of single and double bunk beds. There was a centralized air conditioning unit, which could make for a chilly or slightly warm environment depending on the preferences of your roommates. Be prepared to adjust to varying temperatures.

The bed was surprisingly spacious for a single bunk bed, and I found the slightly weighted blanket quite soothing, helping me relax and fall asleep more quickly during the first few nights.

Each unit had a single power outlet. My extension cord came in handy when I needed to charge multiple devices at night. I also appreciated the small space at the foot of the bed where I could store my backpack or ecobag when my locker was full.

Speaking of lockers, I was assigned on the top shelf and required the access token to unlock. It provided a secure and convenient storage space for my belongings, particularly my laptop. This gave me peace of mind, especially when I don’t intend to work outside or have to travel light. There was no dedicated storage area for luggages so I stored mine along our shared hallway.

Even with what seemed like a lot of people staying in the dorms (at least 16 people split between two dorms), the shared bathrooms and toilets were surprisingly well-maintained (cleaned at least twice daily). The shower pressure was good, and hot water was readily available, with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner also provided. Towels are not usually provided in hostels so I brought one with me (you can also rent from the front desk).

Amenities

There is one elevator in the building servicing all floors except the basement, which can be accessed after climbing a short flight of stairs from the main entrance.

Eating inside the dorms is not allowed but there’s a common area in the basement where people can have meals, co-work, read, socialize and even do laundry. There’s a kitchen with a microwave, stovetop, and fridge for anyone who prefers to prepare their meals. Likewise, the on-site coin-operated laundry facilities made it easy to maintain a fresh wardrobe during my extended stay, eliminating the stress of a laundry pile upon my return home.

The reliable WiFi enabled me to stay connected with loved ones, work remotely, plan the rest of my trip, and share my experiences on social media.

One minor observation was the infrequent floor sweeping within our room. Travelers without a local SIM card might face a minor challenge contacting the hostel via SMS or phone for early luggage storage, even with prior notification. This could be an inconvenience, especially for early arrivals. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a local SIM card at the airport through Klook, so this wasn’t an issue for me.

Price

I paid a total of 4,545 NTD for my Agoda reservation upon check-in. However, the hotel divided my payment into two separate charges: 3,000 NTD and 1,545 NTD (Php 5,539.34 and Php 2,853.02 respectively, based on my SOA).

I extended my trip by five nights, booking on-site due to lower rates. The total cost was 3,630 TWD (Php 6,684.52).

My total accommodation cost for 13 nights came to 8,175 TWD (Php 15,076.88), averaging 628.85 TWD per night (Php 1,159.76).

*Price will depend on when your trip is and how far in advance you do a reservation.

Tips for your future stay at Fun Inn Taipei

• Luggage storage: If you’re arriving before 11am and plan to leave your luggage, be sure to SMS or call them in advance (you can find the number by the door) so they can remotely unlock the main door. You can also leave your luggage after check-out.
• Late check-in: Inform them of your late arrival so they can prepare your self check-in instructions.
• Bring an extension cord to accommodate multiple devices.
• Bring ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper.
• Save money by bringing your own towel, toiletries, and liquid detergent (if you plan to do laundry).
• Be mindful of noise levels. Remember that you’re sharing a space with other travelers.
• Bring additional hangers. Each locker typically provides only one, so consider bringing portable hangers if you need to keep clothes hanging and wrinkle-free.
• Hours
  • Check-in: 3PM – 10:30PM (self check-in available for those arriving late at night)
  • Check-out until 11:30AM
  • Reception hours: 11AM – 10:30PM

Travel time by foot (note: I’m not a fast walker)

• Transportation
  • <20 mins – Taipei Main Station (TRA/HSR) via Z10 exit
  • <15 mins – Taipei Main Station (Airport MRT) via Z10 exit
  • 10 mins – Ximen Station (option to walk via the Ximen Underground Street Entrance in front of Sushiro if it’s warm or raining)
• Food
  • Outside the hostel – Lao Chang Muslim Beef Noodle Restaurant 清真黃牛肉麵館 (Halal), cama café 延平開封店,
  • 3 mins – 7-ELEVEN, Family Mart, 永和豆漿大王 (alternative to Yong He)
  • 5 mins – MKCR / Mountain Kids Coffee Roaster 山小孩咖啡
  • <10 mins – Yong He Soy Milk Ximending, Tian Tian Li Delicacies, McDonald’s Taipei Guanqian, Starbucks Ximending, STARBUCKS Huaining Shop 星巴克 懷寧門市
• Attractions
  • Presidential Office
• Shopping
  • <5 mins – Taipei Animate Store
  • 10 mins – Don Don Donki Ximending, Uniqlo Ximending

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a fantastic stay at Fun Inn Taipei during my 13-day trip. While it may not be the most luxurious choice, the convenient location, comfortable accommodations, and friendly staff made it an excellent base for exploring the vibrant city of Taipei and Taichung as a first-timer in the country.

I would highly recommend this budget-friendly hostel for folks looking for female solo travel-friendly accommodation. Book your stay here.

Fun Inn Taipei 瘋台北青旅

台北市中正區延平南路21號2樓｜2F, No.21 , YanPing S.Rd, ZhongZheng Dist., Taipei City 100, TAIWAN

Disclaimer: This review, first posted on Google, is paid out of pocket and reflects my personal experience during my stay at Fun Inn Taipei. Individual experiences may vary.