See Schedule Spreadsheet. Use the flight time calculator.
Flight Times
Japan to South Korea - 1hr, 30min
South Korea to Taiwan - 2hrs, 20min
Taiwan to Philippines - 2hrs
Philippines to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 3hrs, 30min
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore - 1hr
Darwin to Sydney - 4hrs, 25min
Sydney to Auckland - 3hrs, 10min
Auckland to Fiji - 3hrs
Vancouver to Toronto/Montreal - 4hrs, 30min
Auckland to Los Angeles - 13hrs, 30min
Los Angeles to Tahiti - 8hrs, 45min
For a next visit try the Formosensis aka the Alishan Forest Railway which is Taiwan’s most popular tourist railway line, and reaches the highest point of any railway in Asia at 2451m (8,000ft). However, it is notoriously difficult to get tickets, so book as early as possible. One sure way of getting a ticket is to buy the Taiwan Pass – High Speed Rail Edition which includes unlimited HSR rides for 3 consecutive days, one MRT pass, and one Taiwan Tourism Shuttle Bus pass OR the Alishan Forest Railway ticket.
The most luxurious train in Taiwan is the Haifeng (meaning "sea breeze"). See also the Breezy Blue and the Formosa Express (which circumnavigates the island).
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| Haifeng interior | Breezy Blue route |
Taipei 101 Tower was good. A great view of the city and area, and got to try great tea at TWG and great coffee at Das Kafe D located at the top of the tower (see both below).
Beitou Thermal Valley Park was worth the visit. About a half hour subway ride from Taipei Station.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial was worth the visit.
Walking food tour of night market was very good.
ACCOMMODATION
Stayed at citizenM hotel in Taipei. Would not stay again - I had an inside room with no view. First time ever. Like being in a basement or submarine. Creepy. Though they did have a nice bar. Here is the bar menu which includes some snacks as well.
FOOD
Had a fantastic lunch and tea at TWG in the Taipei 101 Tower next to the Observatory entrance. They have over 800 varieties of tea. The roasted chicken with porcini mash was fantastic. TWG, based in Singapore and has shops in 20 countries, typically in the major city in each. The shops are mostly located in Asia and the Far East, as well as London, New York, Paris and Casablanca. TWG stands for The Wellbeing Group.
Had the delicious Blue Mountain no. 1 coffee at the top of Taipei 101 at Das Kafe D, an award winning coffee maker. Coffee was strong and very smooth without any bitterness. I had it black without sugar. Not cheap - $15 for 150ml.
Two other restaurants that look interesting at Taipei 101 are Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne which is rated as a must-visit restaurant in Taiwan by Louis Vuitton City Guide, and a one-star award in the "Michelin Guide Taiwan" from 2021 to 2023; and Shi Ling Shabu which is considered to be the pioneer of "boutique hot pot" that uses "carefully select seasonal fresh produce and the highest quality ingredients."
According to an American I spoke to during a walking tour, he said he was told the best coffee in Taipei was at The Folks.
TWG locations: Singapore, London, Taipei, New Delhi, Tokyo, Paris, Dubai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Jakarta, Casablanca, Kuwait City, Shanghai, Doha, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City.
Flight time from Osaka, Japan to Seoul, South Korea is 1.5 hours. Express train from Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul Station takes about 45 minutes. There is a non-express train that takes about 1 hour and costs less.
From Youtube video channel, Lais, entitled 3 Days in Seoul South Korea - A Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors.
Get a T-Money card at kiosk for metro and buses - 20k won (about $20) is good for 3 days.
Google maps works good for metro, bus and driving but not so good for walking. For walking download the NAVER Map app.
I did a cooking class at the Korean Cooking School.
I did a GYG walking tour in the Gwanjang Night Market in Seoul; the guide's name was Rocky.
MAJOR SITES
Gyeongbokgung Palace - the grandest of the royal palaces
Hanok Village - traditional architecture but modern shops and restaurants (Soho Salt Farm)
Cheonggyecheon Stream riverside walk
Bukchon Hanok Village - traditional architecture and scenic streets
Gwangjang Market - great evening food stall market - I did a GYG tour - excellent
Starfield Coex Mall - huge multi-story library
For a good breakfast try Cheong su dang Bakery, 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno District (Closest subway stop is Jongno 3-ga on the number 1 line.)
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 3, 139, Toegye-Ro, Jung-Gu, Seoul - a very popular and highly rated 3-star hotel.
I stayed at Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul, 58, Sejong-Darron, Jung-gu, 04526 - a fantastic place! I had the deluxe double room which had a separate living room and bedroom with a king size bed. Closest subway stop is City Hall on the 1 line which is about a five minute walk to the hotel. The City Hall stop is only one stop north of Seoul Station.
Looking to tour Thailand to sites like Bangkok and Chiang Mai and to do much of the travel by rail. Information and ticket purchases are ava...
