Travel Tips for Taiwan
How about we kick things off with an adventurous tone to make this Taiwan travel blog sound epic: “Taiwan, an undiscovered land packed with mystery, where those without a guiding hand (a.k.a. this Travel Tips for Taiwan guide) will be lost and helpless”.
Uhh! Sounds enigmatic and dangerous, right? But let’s be real – it’s baloney. You will feel the absolute opposite of lost and helpless in Taiwan. It is a welcoming, safe, and easy place to visit, blending the organization of South Korea with the easygoing charm of Southeast Asia.
This Taiwan travel blog aims to share all the information we wish we’d known before visiting, ensuring you make the most of your first time in Taiwan. Learn how to navigate their efficient transportation system, understand cultural nuances, and find answers to all those questions keeping you from packing your bags.
Ready to take notes? Let’s dive into the best Taiwan travel tips!
Things to Know Before Visiting Taiwan
During your first time in Taiwan, you will often be able to go with the flow and figure out how some things work along the way. However, there are a few travel tips for Taiwan that you will be better off knowing before boarding the plane, so you can start off on the right foot.
How many days in Taiwan?
Don’t judge a book by its cover – Taiwan might not be a huge island, but it has a LOT to see. How many days you spend in Taiwan will depend on the number of activities and places you want to visit. However, we would recommend no less than seven days to get a small taste of what Taiwan has to offer, but ideally, two to three weeks to not only focus on the main cities, but also to explore the fantastic natural parks around Taiwan.
Some tour operators offer a 5-day Taiwan highlights package for those looking for a super compacted experience with all the arrangements in place. While attempting such a compact itinerary solo is something we wouldn’t suggest, it can be the perfect fit to many travelers looking for a short, sweet, and hassle-free trip to Taiwan. Check the package details here*.
Book in Advance:
Accommodation in Taiwan
Taiwan offers accommodation options suitable for all types of travelers. However, the best value for money alternatives are often fully booked weeks in advance, especially during Taiwanese public holidays (Chinese New Year is the most notable), seasonal attractions (like cherry blossom season), or the Summer months (in July and August there are school holidays and Taiwan has a strong domestic travel culture).
National Park Permits
If you plan on hiking some of Taiwan’s popular trails, such as Yushan (Jade Mountain) or Xueshan (Snow Mountain), you will need a couple of permits. Apply online through the specific park’s permit system at least 30-60 days in advance. Be sure to check whether a police permit is also necessary – this applies to remote and high-altitude trails.
If there is a particular restaurant you really want to go to, try to make a reservation (famous high-end restaurants can be fully booked 1 to 2 months in advance), especially if you plan on visiting during the weekend. Well-known restaurants of all price points, especially in Taipei, will place you on a waiting list, which could result in up to 2 hours of your day being wasted.
Restaurants
Taiwan Visa Requirements
Traveling to Taiwan is fairly easy for citizens of over 60 visa-exempt countries, most of which are allowed to stay for up to 90 days. These countries include most European countries, USA, Canada, Australia, and others.
For other nationalities or stays longer than the granted visa-free period, you will need to apply for a visa before your arrival. In most cases the eVisa is the easiest option, allowing a stay of up to 30 days for around 49€. Alternatively, you can contact your local Taiwan embassy or consulate.
Rules and regulations change from time to time, so make sure to double check the requirements for your particular case before planning your trip to Taiwan.
Travel Tips for Taiwan Immigration Control:
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Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date and have at least 2 empty pages.
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Have a return or onward ticket, as immigration officers often ask for it.
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Speed up the process by filling in the arrival card before boarding your flight. Alternatively, the airport provides free wi-fi so you can complete it before reaching immigration control.
Taiwan’s airport immigration control is fairly quick and easy.
Taiwan Lucky Draw for Tourists
Did you know you get a shot at a lucky draw on your first time in Taiwan? Until the end of June 2025, every foreign traveler arriving in Taiwan via Taipei, Kaohsiung, or Taichung International Airports can participate in the Taiwan Tourism draw for free and win prizes such as NT$5,000 accommodation vouchers or pre-loaded EasyCards or iPass cards.
We were born without the “lucky” gene, so we have no exciting story on how we purchased 100 bubble teas with our vouchers – sorry!
You need to pre-register at least one day before you arrive in Taiwan. So register here and good luck!
What to Pack for Taiwan
One question we are often asked is what to wear in Taiwan, and the answer is the least exciting thing you will hear all day: dress normally. Like in many countries, big cities such as Taipei and Kaohsiung are more open-minded, and you will find a mix of Western and Asian fashion. However, when traveling to more rural areas, expect more modesty, with people dressing in a more conservative way.
If you visit a temple, wearing clothes that cover your shoulders and knees is the most respectful way to present yourself. That being said, we didn’t witness any strict enforcement of this rule at most temples.
Packing Travel Tips for Taiwan:
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Pack according to the season during which you are visiting, but make sure to toss in a rain jacket just in case. In Taiwan’s subtropical climate, lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must. However, bring warmer layers for the cooler months and higher altitudes.
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If hiking in Taiwan is on your agenda, bring boots! Taiwan is home to several venomous snakes, 6 of which are considered highly dangerous to humans. Most of them avoid human interaction, but it is good to be aware of their presence.
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You will need a travel adapter for Taiwan unless your country uses type A or B (110V) outlets, like the USA or Canada.
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Sunscreen – the sun in Taiwan is no joke.
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Mosquito repellent – don’t go to any park, lake, or hike without it.
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Communication Travel Tips for Taiwan
The best part of visiting a new place is getting to know its people, culture, history, and of course, gastronomy. But when the official and most widely spoken language is Mandarin Chinese, and all you can pronounce is Nǐ Hǎo (Hello) and Xièxiè (Thank You), that conversation won’t go very far. Which begs the question:
Do Taiwanese Speak English?
The use of the English language in Taiwan is common in touristic areas and hotels, with many people being impressively fluent in it. That being said, outside the tourism and hospitality sectors, the use of English is quite limited. Learning a few key Mandarin expressions and words will take you a long way.
Oh! But don’t think anything will stop a Taiwanese person from communicating with you, because it won’t. Taiwanese people are incredibly friendly, and they will use gestures, find a friend who knows a couple of words in English, use Google Translator, or do whatever it takes to get their message across. If you take away just one thing from this Taiwan travel blog, make sure it is to download Google Translator and try to talk to the locals.
SIM card in Taiwan
Having data on your phone makes communication so much easier, not only with our loved ones back home but also with people we cross paths with along the way. Not to mention how easy it is to navigate a new city when you have access to Google Maps and tons of transportation apps. That being said, one of our top travel tips for Taiwan is to buy yourself a SIM card.
The best value for money deal (not to mention hassle-free) is to purchase your SIM card online via Klook* and pick it up upon arrival at the airport. In less than 2 minutes we had our card with unlimited data ready to go, and off we went to the hotel. Not many airports make it this easy, and the price was better than what we found downtown.
If you don’t like the hassle of changing cards, there is also an eSIM* alternative available for about the same price. Make sure your phone is compatible before purchasing.
Culture & Etiquette Taiwan Tips
One of the most important Taiwan travel tips we suggest – though it is really applicable to any destination – is to learn about some of the local customs. This will allow you to show respect for the local culture and traditions while having a more in-depth experience. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind:
Do's
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Queue Up: Taiwanese people value order, so always queue for public transport or at attractions.
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Use Both Hands: When giving or receiving something, use both hands as a sign of respect.
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Keep Your Trash: Public trash bins can be rare. Keep a small bag to carry your waste until you find a proper disposal bin.
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Respect Temples: Dress modestly, speak softly, and follow any posted guidelines. It is polite to bow slightly when entering or leaving a temple.
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Keep Your Glass Low: When clinking glasses during a toast in a formal or traditional setting, it is customary to position your glass slightly lower than that of someone older or of higher status as a sign of respect.
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Remove Your Shoes: Take off your shoes when entering someone’s home. This is not required in businesses and most temples.
Don’ts
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Point with Your Finger: Use an open hand to gesture, as pointing is considered rude.
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Touch Someone’s Head: The head is considered sacred, so avoid touching it, even in children.
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Stick Chopsticks Upright in Rice: This resembles a ritual for the dead and is seen as bad luck.
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Discuss Sensitive Topics: Avoid political topics, such as Taiwan-China relations.
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Open Gifts Immediately: Wait until later to open gifts unless encouraged by the giver.
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Touch Religious Items: Avoid touching altars, statues, or offerings at temples unless it is clearly allowed.
Taiwan Celebrations
One of the most important things to know before visiting Taiwan is whether your trip coincides with an important public holiday or celebration. If that is the case, while you might encounter higher accommodation prices and larger crowds, you will have the opportunity to experience the local culture to a whole new level. Here are some of the most important celebrations in Taiwan:
Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year)
The most important holiday of the year, marking the start of the lunar calendar with lion dances, firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and red envelopes (hongbao) gifted for good luck. It usually takes place in late January or February.
Lantern Festival
People often talk about the Yi Peng lantern festival in northern Thailand, but what if we told you there is one in Taiwan? During the Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi, held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (February or March), thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky, symbolizing hopes and wishes and marking the end of Lunar New Year festivities.
Dragon Boat Festival
This festival honors Qu Yuan, a poet who drowned himself in protest against corruption, and is associated with warding off evil and disease. Held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (May or June), teams paddle in rhythm to drummers, creating a thrilling spectacle.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
Get ready for the most wholesome festival ever. The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely observed in Taiwan and usually falls in September or October. Families gather to eat mooncakes and contemplate the full moon, which represents reunion and completeness.
Ghost Month (Zhongyuan Festival)
This Taiwan travel blog could not go without mentioning this festival. We visited Taiwan not long after this celebration and it was amazing to learn about some of the rules, traditions, and superstitions surrounding the date. It falls on the seventh lunar month (August or September), and it is believed the gates of the afterlife open, and the ghosts are free to visit the living. With the burning of incense, joss paper, and food offerings, the well-being of the transient spirits is ensured.
Transportation: Travelling in Taiwan Tips
Our travel tips for Taiwan transportation will hopefully save you loads of time and money. We have gathered information we could not find in any other Taiwan travel blog, and we wish we had found earlier to avoid long travel days in more remote areas. First things first, get yourself a:
Taipei Easycard
The Taipei Easycard is the best method to pay for transportation in Taiwan. You can use it for buses, metro, train, ferries, and even bicycles (YouBike), as well as convenience stores.
Wait, the whole of Taiwan? Why do some people call it “Taipei Easycard” then? Because it was created in Taipei, and other regions have their own cards, such as the iPass in Kaohsiung, but they are interchangeable and can be used across Taiwan.
Where to purchase your Easycard?
The Easycard is available for purchase at most convenience stores. The cost is NT$100 (3€), which is non-refundable, and you top it up with the amount you plan on using. You can request a refund for the remaining balance at the end of your stay.
We decided to purchase it online*, already charged and ready to use. We picked it up at the airport at the same counter as the SIM card, right after the baggage claim. We highly recommend you do the same to make your arrival fast and easy.
You can easily top up the easycard at any convenience store or station, so don’t go over the top with what you load. If you plan to get a refund at the airport before departing Taiwan, be aware that the desk responsible for it has limited operating hours. For early or late flights, your best bet is to spend the balance at the airport convenience store.
Good to Know About Your Easycard:
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Only cash is accepted to buy or top up an easycard.
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You can’t use it for Express trains – typically used to travel between cities.
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To use it, simply touch the card reader when entering and exiting the bus or metro station.
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It is particularly useful on buses, where you need to pay the exact amount if paying with cash.
How to Get Around in Taiwan?
Taiwan offers a variety of convenient and efficient transportation options for getting around, no matter your budget or travel style. Here is what you need to know:
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Currently available only in Taipei and Kaohsiung, the MRT is fast, affordable, and easy to use, with stations signed in both Chinese and English. A one-way journey costs 20 to 65NT$ (0.60€ to 1.90€). In the big cities this is by far our transport of choice.
Most people refrain from talking (at least loudly) in the MRT to avoid disturbing others. You will also notice that the priority seating areas, marked by colored chairs, are often empty, as people don’t sit in them unless absolutely necessary.
Train
In Taiwan you will find the regular trains (TRA) that connect cities and towns across the island, as well as the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) – perfect for traveling quickly between major cities on the west coast, like Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung!
For reference, with the Taiwan High-Speed Rail, it takes less than 2 hours to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung – from north to south of the island.
We did all our long-distance train journeys on the high-speed rail, and we highly recommend it. It is fast (duh!), efficient, and comfortable. Not to mention, foreigners can take advantage of special fares and discounts by purchasing tickets online via Klook*. It was the most affordable high-speed train we have ever been on.
There are several airports in Taiwan offering domestic flights, but with such a good value for money on the high-speed train, we don’t really recommend domestic flights as a transportation alternative in Taiwan.
Bus
Buses are widely available and connect both cities and rural areas. They are affordable and fairly straightforward, but mainly outside of the bid cities, they are not very frequent. That being said, you can’t afford to miss your bus (unless you are cool with waiting an hour for the next one), so don’t trust the times given on Google Maps, or you will miss them every time. One of the apps for Taiwan you need to download is Bus+, which provides bus arrival times updated every minute.
Bike (YouBike)
Taiwan has a well-developed bike-sharing system, especially in Taipei. YouBike stations are everywhere, and it’s a fun way to explore cities while staying eco-friendly.
Sharing systems are increasingly popular in Taiwan. There is even an umbrella-sharing app that allows you to rent umbrellas by the hour in all Taipei MRT stations. Raingo was an absolute lifesaver during our rainy days in Taipei.
Rental Car
Renting a car is fairly easy with an international driving license and is a great option if you want to get off the beaten path and have more freedom to explore the country. However, if your plan is to mainly explore the larger cities, we would recommend sticking with public transportation, as parking can be a hassle.
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Taxis are also available and relatively inexpensive, but chances are the driver won’t speak English. You might be better off using a familiar ride-sharing app, like Uber.
Weather in Taiwan
The best time to visit Taiwan is during Autumn (October-December) and Spring (March- May). Autumn offers mild weather, clear skies, and minimal typhoons, while Spring features beautiful blooming landscapes, though occasional rain.
A kind side note from yours truly, who visited in Autumn and got a full week of rain and a typhoon: the weather can be a sneaky bastard, no matter when you visit. Be positive, flexible, and if it rains, watch it fall while drinking bubble tea and getting a knife massage (yeah, that’s a thing).
If you are on a budget, traveling during the shoulder season can offer amazing accommodation deals, but also fewer crowds.
Travel Tips for Taiwan Natural Disasters
Taiwan is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and the subsequent floods and landslides. While earthquakes can occur year-round, typhoons typically happen between July and September. We recommend avoiding travel during this season.
Taiwan’s location within the Pacific Ring of Fire should not deter you from visiting. The country is highly prepared to handle these events, boasting advanced early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and exceptional disaster response agencies.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for Taiwan, to be covered in case of, not only, unexpected medical emergencies, but also costs associated with flight cancellations. Click here to get a discount on your Heymondo Travel Insurance*.
Is Taiwan Safe?
Yes! Taiwan is safe to visit. Not only is it considered a welcoming destination, but it is also often ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, boasting an impressively low crime rate. Seeing people leaving their bags unattended on the sidewalk to mark their spot in the bus queue was one of those “wow” moments for us, considering the number of countries we have visited where that could not be a common practice.
Is Taiwan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Taiwan is a safe destination for solo female travelers, thanks in large part to the island's cultural emphasis on respect and politeness. We met many individuals who chose to solo travel in Taiwan – most of them women. From biking across the island from north to south to hiking mountains and exploring bustling cities, they encountered no limits to their adventures.
Nice extras: There is a wide variety of accommodations with female-only floors and dormitories, and the metro stations include women-only waiting areas to ensure safety and comfort, especially during late hours.
Is Taiwan LGBTQ friendly?
Taiwan is considered one of the most LGBTQ friendly destinations in Asia, making history in 2019 as the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Big cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung boast vibrant LGBTQ scenes and are very welcoming. However, rural areas tend to be more conservative, so discretion is advised. That said, discrimination or hostility towards the LGBTQ community is rare.
Taiwan hosts Taipei Pride in October, one of the largest Pride events in Asia.
Money Travel Tips for Taiwan
Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). While you can pay with your debit card or easycard in many places, carrying cash at all times is essential, with night markets, and several restaurants only accepting cash.
Most ATMs in Taiwan do not charge local fees, but your bank may apply steep international transaction fees – be sure to check with them before your trip!
We rarely exchange money before traveling to a new country. Using a card with no international transaction fees makes it much easier and more affordable to simply withdraw cash upon arrival. The Wise card has been the most reliable and widely accepted option we use. Open your Wise account here for free*.
Is Taiwan Expensive?
As a modern and advanced nation in Asia, most travelers on their first time in Taiwan expect their wallets to have a tough time recovering from the visit. But guess what? Taiwan is surprisingly affordable! With accommodation options for all budgets and travel styles, public transportation that is incredibly value for money, and food choices ranging from high-end restaurants to budget friendly night markets, it is a destination that won’t break the bank. That said, one of the things to know before visiting Taiwan is that you will need a Bubble tea budget of its own – it’s addictive!
For reference, you can find a lovely double room with a private toilet in Taipei city center anywhere from 35€ per night and enjoy a meal at a simple local restaurant for around 5€ per person.
Planning Time
If you are ready to start planning your next trip, here you have all the usefull links you need to make it happen! By using them you are supporting our work as we might get a small fee from it. But hey! You pay the same (or might even get a discount), so is a win-win situation!
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