Taipei 101 turns time-saving into serious sightseeing. With a Priority Pass-style skip-the-line ticket, you get express elevator queues that can save hours in a place where crowds form fast. You’re also going up to the city’s signature tower for 360-degree views that work just as well for a calm afternoon as for sunset.

I especially like the smooth, fast ride: Taipei 101’s ascent to the 89th floor takes about 37 seconds. I also love what you can actually see once you’re up there, from telescopes for distance spotting to the tuned mass damper you can photograph.

One drawback to keep in mind: visibility. If it’s foggy, cloudy, or rainy, your view can turn from wow to blurry, and some outdoor areas may be limited.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Express elevators both ways: fast access up and a priority queue back down from the 88th floor
• 89th-floor height fix: reach the main observatory quickly, then roam the 87th, 88th, and rooftop areas
• Fast elevator experience: a roughly 37-second ride that feels extra smooth compared with standard queues
• 360 views with real tools: telescopes help you see far beyond downtown
• See the engineering up close: a 660-ton tuned mass damper sits between the 87th and 91st floors
• WiFi is included: handy for saving photos, checking weather, or finding your way back down

How the Express Pass Changes Your Taipei 101 Day

Taipei 101 is the kind of attraction where “just one stop” can eat your day—mostly because crowds pile up around ticketing and elevator access. This priority ticket is built for people who want the experience without losing a big chunk of their itinerary to lines.

The big value is not just skipping the ticket counter. You get an express queue for the elevators on the way up, and you also get express access for the elevators down from the 88th floor. That second part matters. The descent line can be long because everyone starts leaving at the same time, especially after sunset.

If you’re traveling with limited time—say you’re squeezing Taipei 101 into an afternoon or you want to catch a specific light change—you’ll feel the difference fast. Even if you arrive and the lines don’t look awful at first, the express setup tends to keep things moving once you’re inside.

Getting There: Taipei 101 Fast Pass Counter on the 5th Floor

Your meeting point is practical and easy to follow if you use the MRT station as your anchor. Go to the Taipei 101 Fast Pass Counter on the right-hand side of the desk, located at 5/F inside Taipei 101 (Taipei Financial Center). It’s at Exit 4 of the Taipei 101–World Trade Center metro station.

When you arrive, redeem the physical ticket using your QR code voucher. Staff will guide you to the express queue for the elevator up. Keep calm if you see lots of people around—this can be busy, especially on weekends and holiday periods—but the staff flow is designed to get you positioned for the faster elevator line.

Two smart tips from real-world use:

• Keep your voucher handy through your visit, because you’ll need it again for the fast-track on the way down.
• Double-check you’re in the correct priority area before moving into the elevator queue. The wrong line is the quickest way to lose the whole point of buying a priority ticket.

The 37-Second Elevator Up to the 89th Floor

Then comes the part people remember: the elevator ride. Taipei 101’s ascent to the observatory deck takes about 37 seconds, and the experience is smooth enough that you’ll barely have time to think. This is one of those upgrades where paying for speed feels almost unfair—because you realize how much time elevators and queues can normally steal.

The express queue setup means you should board the elevator earlier than the standard lines. Once inside, you’ll be carried up to the main observatory level at the 89th floor, which functions like your hub for the rest of the experience.

From there, you’re not stuck staring at one view from a single room. The layout encourages you to move—look out from the main area, then head toward the 87th and 88th floors and the rooftop if you want the widest sense of height and distance.

If you’re a photo person, don’t rush. The elevator gives you a quick thrill, but the best shots come when you step out and give your eyes a minute to adjust to the light.

What You’ll See on the 87th, 88th Floors, and Rooftop

Once you’re up, you’re in the part of Taipei where the city suddenly feels organized. From the observation decks—87th and 88th floors—you get 360-degree panoramas over downtown Taipei and beyond. The rooftop area adds a more dramatic feeling of open air and height, which is especially memorable when the sky is clear.

This is where planning helps. Daytime views are great for city grid details and for spotting rivers, districts, and big landmarks. Night views bring a different vibe—dense lights, sharper contrast, and a more “you can see everything at once” feeling.

There’s also a practical element: the decks include telescopes. These are meant for distance spotting, and they help turn generic skyline photos into something more specific. If you want a fun challenge, pick a landmark you can see immediately, then use the telescope to confirm it and get your bearings fast.

Time-wise, this is a flexible “roam at your pace” experience. It’s not a guided tour with rigid stops. You’ll choose your rhythm: quick look, long photos, or a slow transition from daylight to sunset.

The Engineering Stops: Bamboo Architecture and the 660-ton Damper

Taipei 101 isn’t only pretty. It’s also an engineering lesson you can experience without a textbook.

On the upper levels, you’ll have a chance to learn about the bamboo architecture and technology behind the tower. Even if you don’t care about construction nerd stuff, it makes the building feel less like a random tall structure and more like something designed to handle Taipei’s conditions.

The headline engineering feature is the tuned mass damper (TMD). It’s a massive 660-ton spherical device located between the 87th and 91st floors. You can take a photo with it, and it’s there for a reason: it helps stabilize the tower against movements caused by high winds.

That “see it in person” part matters. Online, the damper is just a fact. In the building, it becomes a visual reminder that this tower is coping with real weather and real forces—while still giving you a comfortable ride.

Sunset Timing and Weather: When Taipei 101 Is at Its Best

Sunset is the obvious draw here. The deck is designed for day-and-night viewing, and you can watch the sun set over the city while you’re in the sky.

But weather is the big swing factor. When conditions are clear, the 360 views feel crisp and huge. When it’s foggy or low-cloud, visibility can drop fast, and the first part of your experience may look muted until the clouds lift.

I’d plan like this:

• If you can, aim for a time slot that gives you both daylight and early night.
• If you’re visiting on a cloudy or rainy day, treat the trip as still worth it for the engineering and the views you can get, but don’t expect crisp visibility.
• If you notice outdoor viewing areas are closed due to weather, shift your focus to indoor decks and telescope views (where available).

One useful mindset: you bought the express pass for time, not guaranteed sunshine. In bad weather, you still get the iconic building, the elevator thrill, and the panoramic experience in whatever form the sky allows.

Price and Value: Is $38 Worth the Priority Pass?

At $38 per person, this is not the cheapest way to ride up Taipei 101. The value comes from how you spend your time at the top—not from the sticker price.

Here’s the practical math. If standard lines are long on your day (and Taipei 101 often gets crowded), the express queues can buy back a big block of your day. The pass also covers both directions: fast access up and express elevators down from the 88th floor, which helps you avoid the late-stage logjam when everyone leaves at once.

Also consider your alternatives. If you’re only going once—this is a signature stop—then spending a bit more to protect your schedule can feel reasonable. A ticket is usually about the view, but a priority pass is about reducing stress. You’re less at the mercy of crowd waves.

Where this doesn’t always pay off: if you arrive at a quiet moment and general lines are already short, the “skip-the-line” savings may feel smaller. Still, the express flow tends to keep the visit smoother overall, especially for the descent.

And yes, there are costs up there. Food and drinks are not included, and some items can be pricey compared with options on the ground. The good news: you may get discount vouchers for snacks or coffee at top venues, plus some gift-related discounts depending on what’s available during your visit.

Practical Tips Inside Taipei 101 (So You Don’t Lose Time)

A few details can help your experience feel effortless.

What to bring

• Passport or ID card

Know what’s not allowed

• Pets
• Food and drinks
• Slippers
• Smoking

Plan for last entrance

• Opening hours run from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
• Last entrance is 8:15 PM

So even if you want sunset, don’t wait too long to start your climb. You need time to fully enjoy the decks and still make your way down.

Audio guide

• Audio guide hire isn’t included, so if you like commentary, you’ll either skip it or plan to use your own phone resources.

Also: keep an eye on your photo setup. Lighting and indoor glare can make certain shots harder than you expect, especially during transitions from bright exterior light to darker deck interiors. The fix is simple—move a few steps and try different angles rather than assuming every spot works.

Who This Priority Pass Is Best For

This ticket is best for you if:

• You want the iconic Taipei 101 experience but you’re tight on time
• You hate waiting in lines and prefer to buy your way out of delays
• You want both sunset and nighttime views without betting your evening on crowd timing
• You care about not only getting to the top fast, but getting down fast too

It’s also a strong fit if you’re traveling solo, in a couple, or with a small group who can move at your own pace. The experience isn’t rigid, so you can linger at the observatory decks and still meet your schedule.

Wheelchair accessibility is supported, so if you rely on accessibility accommodations, you’ll want to confirm how the express queue works with your needs once you’re there.

Should You Book This Taipei 101 Priority Pass?

Book it if your priority is time and you want a low-stress visit. The express elevators up and the fast-track descent from the 88th floor are the real wins, and that often turns Taipei 101 from a time-sink into a highlight you can actually fit into a day.

Skip it if your trip is flexible, you’re okay with waiting, and you’re visiting at a time when you expect crowds to be light. Also, if you’re going during a season when fog and storms are common, remember: the express pass won’t fix the sky. It still won’t hurt the experience, but weather can change how spectacular the views look.

If you’re on the fence, I’d make the call based on this: Are you going for the view at a specific time like sunset? If yes, this pass is a smart choice. If no, you might be able to enjoy Taipei 101 without paying for priority.

FAQ

What floors do I access with this ticket?

You’re taken up to the 89th floor. You can then enjoy views from the 87th and 88th floors and also reach the rooftop.

How do I redeem the Priority Pass ticket on arrival?

Go to the Taipei 101 Fast Pass Counter on 5/F (right-hand side of the desk). Redeem your physical tickets using the QR code voucher, then staff will lead you to the express queue. Keep the voucher for the return trip.

Do I need to show the voucher more than once?

Yes. You redeem the voucher at the 5/F Priority Pass desk for the express elevator up. Then you show your voucher again at 88/F for the fast-track on the way down.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Are WiFi and telescopes included?

WiFi is included throughout the attraction. Telescopes are available on the observation decks for distance viewing.

What are the opening hours?

Taipei 101 is open 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with the last entrance at 8:15 PM.

Is food, drinks, or pets allowed?

No. Food and drinks are not allowed, and pets are not allowed. Smoking and slippers are also not allowed.

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