
German tourist praises Taipei Metro’s cleanliness and accessibility
People living in Taiwan may take its public transportation for granted, but international visitors often find it outstanding. One German tourist highlighted the punctuality and accessibility of Taiwan’s trains and subway, comparing it to Germany, where trains are often late and public toilets charge a fee. He said he was pleasantly surprised to see station staff in Taiwan personally escort visually impaired passengers.
Taiwan’s railway, high-speed rail, and subway connect at Taipei Main Station, the nation’s biggest public transit hub. A German tourist recently praised the punctuality and accessibility of Taiwan’s trains and subway.
Chris
German tourist
Some of our restrooms in public they are really, really disgusting. Even on the highway, you have to pay for them. Your public transportation, at almost every train or metro station, it’s very, very safe. The airport metro and high-speed railway are always punctual.
Chris said that while security and cleanliness in Germany’s railway stations need improvement, Taiwan’s stations are clean, with free restrooms and orderly waiting lines on the platforms. But what surprised him most was their accessibility.
Chris
German tourist
I can’t imagine! My grandfather in Germany is almost blind, and if I see this, a security guard is helping him walking up the stairs, putting his hands behind his back so he doesn’t fall, it’s absolutely mind-blowing.
Taipei Metro provides comprehensive accessibility services for visually impaired passengers, including staff escorts, tactile paving, accessible elevators, and audio guidance. FTV recently filmed Ingo Brandenburg, president of Taiwan operations for the German multinational company Bayer, riding the metro. He spoke highly of it, also citing its accessibility services.
Ingo Brandenburg
Bayer Taiwan president
Coming from Europe, we cannot believe it is clean, it is punctual, it is on time, and it gets you everywhere. You have elevators on every train station and metro station, high-speed rail station, so visually impaired or any other impaired, you have thought this really well through. The service is fantastic.
Taiwan passenger
Staff are notified if someone has mobility issues and will come help. In other countries like Korea, there are stairs almost everywhere. Not long ago I saw someone faint on the metro, and someone came to help right away.
Even taking the chance to try a Taiwan Railways bento box, Chris emphasized that Taiwanese people might appreciate their country even more after traveling abroad.
Chris
German tourist
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Taiwan’s accessible, reliable public transportation stands out internationally, leaving a strong impression on foreign tourists.
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2026-06-22