Welcome to our ultimate Taiwan travel guide, designed to make your Taiwan trip an unforgettable experience. We fell head over heels for this incredible destination, with its breathtaking natural landscapes, the best night markets in Asia, and incredibly friendly locals, who might just be the nicest people we’ve ever met on our world travels.
Happy Irish Wanderers spent three weeks visiting Taiwan, a lesser-visited Asian country when compared to more popular destinations like China, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.
This Taiwan travel article provides comprehensive information on all the essential questions around visa information, the best things to do in Taiwan, the ideal time to visit Taiwan, a detailed breakdown of your Taiwan budget with insights from our own spending, answers to crucial safety questions, and our opinion of whether Taiwan is worth visiting. – It is!!
1 – Do I Need a Visa for my Taiwan Holiday?
Firstly, do you need a Taiwan visa for your trip?
Visa requirements for Taiwan vary depending on your nationality, but the good news is that citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, the European Union, and Australia, can enjoy visa-free entry for stays ranging from 14 to 90 days.
It’s important to check the specific visa requirements for your country before planning your Taiwan holiday.
Before arriving in Taiwan, please complete an online immigration arrival card on the website of the National Immigration Agency. Alternatively, this can be completed on arrival in Taiwan and arrival cards will also be available at immigration.
When traveling to Taiwan, it’s essential to be aware of the country’s restrictions on certain items that cannot be brought into the country. Taiwan has a ban on certain food items, such as meats, fruits, and seeds. This includes the sandwiches and snacks you may have brought with you!!
Taiwan Tourist Lottery – Taiwan the Lucky Land Draw
Now that the Taiwan visa information is out of the way, let’s get to the important stuff – the Taiwan Tourist Lottery! This is a lotto available for every tourist arriving in Taiwan. You must register for this lotto before arriving on your Taiwan holiday to be in with a chance of winning some cash.
Upon arriving at any Taiwan Airport you scan a personal QR code that will have been emailed to you after registering, press one of the coins on the screen, and find out if you are a winner.
AND GUESS WHAT, we won 150 USD!! What an amazing start to our Taiwan holiday!
Watch the video below to know what NOT TO DO when it comes to Taiwan’s tourist lotto.
2 – What are the Best Taiwan Attractions?
From stunning natural landscapes, awe-inspiring architecture, cultural learnings, and delicious Asian cuisine, visiting Taiwan proves to make for one incredible Taiwan holiday.
Let’s check out what the best Taiwan Attractions are.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Taipei 101
Once the world’s tallest building, The Taipei 101 building offers stunning views of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, from its observation deck.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Elephant Hill Viewpoint
Instead of looking out from the Taipei 101 building, why not look at the skyline of Taipei with this massive skyscraper dominating the skyline of Taipei. A short but steep hike of Elephant Hill offers many panoramic views of the city, especially popular for sunset and night views of Taipei 101 that’s sure to leave you in awe.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Located in the heart of Taipei, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall is a stunning Taiwan attraction that was built as a tribute to the former leader of the Chinese Nationalist government, who escaped to Taiwan after World War II.
Visitors can explore the memorial hall’s exhibitions and learn about Chiang Kai Shek’s life and the complex history of Taiwan’s struggle for independence, all while witnessing the daily military ceremonial display outside.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Liberty Square Arch
Just a short walk from the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, visitors can also visit the iconic Liberty Square Arch, as well as the two National Theater Halls on either side. We strongly recommend visiting these must-see attractions of Taiwan both during the day, as well as nighttime when it is lit up, espiacally after it has rained.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: National Taiwan Museum
The National Taiwan Museum, located in Taipei, is the oldest museum in Taiwan and offers a comprehensive collection showcasing the island’s natural history, cultural heritage, and artifacts. Make sure to visit both buildings!
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Taroko Gorge
Located near the city of Taipei, Taroko Gorge is a marble-walled canyon with many hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic spots. Some might even say Taroke Gorge is the most popular Taiwan attraction. However, we did not visit this destination during our Taiwan travels.
This was not by choice, and we are certain this Taiwan attraction would have topped our list of if we had been allowed to visit. However, due to the recent 7.4 earthquake that occurred, the Taroko Gorge National Park was severely damaged and closed for obvious reasons.
It just gives us a great reason to visit Taiwan again.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Teapot Mountain
Luckily, we were able to hike Teapot Mountain. Easily reached from Taipei by public transport, Teapot Mountain offers a challenging hike due to the many steps but will reward you with stunning views of Taiwan’s northeastern coastline and the historic towns of Shifen, Jiufen, and Qitang.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: The 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan
Unfortunately, Taiwan has been hit by many earthquakes and this definitely shows in the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan. The museum is a former school that was destroyed during the earthquake.
Located outside Taichung City, the 921 Earthquake Museum provides a poignant and educational experience, featuring exhibits on the devastating 1999 earthquake, the devastation it caused, and the resolutions that came from the earthquake.
This visit was even more heart-wrenching and significant given Taiwan’s most recent earthquake just before our arrival.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan’s largest lake is known for its picturesque setting and recreational activities.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
The largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan is located 30 minutes from Kaohsiung. The Buddha Museum houses the largest sitting Buddha in all of Asia with 8 stunning pagodas dominating the skyline. This place wasn’t on any list of “best things to do in Taiwan”. Thank Buddha we came across a poster of the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in an elevator in our hotel in Kaohsiung and we decided to check it out.
And we are so happy we did, what a cool place to visit in Taiwan, and most definitely one of Taiwan’s best attractions.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Kenting National Park
Situated on the southern tip of Taiwan, Kenting National Park is a top Taiwan attraction, known for its beautiful beaches, tropical climate, vibrant nightlife, and some of the coolest forests we have ever seen. Envision a scene of ancient fig trees like in Angkor Wat, growing over coral cliffs, with mischievous monkeys running around, all at the top of a mountain. Sounds pretty amazing right!
Kenting National Park was without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Taiwan.
Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Night Markets
Some of the best things to do in Taiwan are the famous Taiwan night markets. Every major city in Taiwan will have one of these vibrant hubs of activity, offering a diverse array of street food, shopping, and entertainment.
The most popular night markets in Taiwan are the Shilin Night Market in Taipei, Fengjia Night Market in Taichung, Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, and in our opinion Taiwan’s best night market – Miaokou Night Market in Keelung.
3 – Taiwan Weather: What is the Best Time to Visit Taiwan?
The best time to visit Taiwan is generally during the fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons.
During these times, Taiwan’s weather is pleasant with mild temperatures and lower humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and enjoying Taiwan’s best attractions, natural beauty, and cultural sites.
Taiwan also hosts several festivals during these seasons, such as the Lantern Festival in February/March, Cherry Blossom Festivals in March/April, and the Mazu Pilgrimage in April/May which could add immensely to your already fantastic Taiwan holiday.
We visited in June and it was hot and wet, but we got good reflections!
4 – What is The Currency in Taiwan?
The Taiwan currency used is the New Taiwan Dollar, abbreviated as TWD or NT$.
As of the latest exchange rates, 1 USD (United States Dollar) is approximately equivalent to 28-30 NT (New Taiwan Dollar).
5 – Taiwan Budget: How Much Should I Budget for my Taiwan Holiday?
If you are used to backpacking South East Asia countries with an extremely lost cost of living like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, then expect to pay more during your Taiwan trip.
Your budget for a Taiwan holiday can vary widely depending on your travel style, preferences, and activities, but luckily all of the best Taiwan attractions are very reasonably priced or free to visit.
Here’s a rough breakdown of average daily costs to help you plan your Taiwan budget and in the following section we will break down our actual Taiwan budget so you can see in real life what this looks like.
At the time of writing, the US Dollar and Euro were nearly equivalent in value.
Here’s a rough breakdown of average daily costs to help you plan:
Taiwan Budget: Accommodation
Budget accommodation (hostels or guesthouses) can range from $20 to $50 per night. Mid-range hotels typically cost between $50 to $100 per night. Luxury hotels and resorts can start from $100 per night and increase drastically.
Taiwan Budget: Food
Street food in Taiwan and local eateries are affordable, with meals costing around $3 to $10 per person. Dining at mid-range restaurants may range from $10 to $30 per meal. High-end dining can cost $30 or much more per person.
Taiwan Budget: Transportation
Taipei’s MRT system and buses are convenient and affordable, with fares starting at $0.70 per trip. Intercity trains (e.g., Taiwan High-Speed Rail) and buses are more costly, with prices varying based on distance. Budget around $20 to $40 for longer journeys.
Taiwan Budget: Taiwan Attractions
Entrance fees to the best Taiwan attractions range from $3 to $18 per person. Some museums and cultural sites may have free admission or discounted rates, for example, Kenting National Park had discounted rates on weekdays.
Taiwan Budget: Miscellaneous
Budget for additional expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and unexpected costs. Tipping is not customary in Taiwan.
Overall Taiwan Budget Estimate:
For a moderate-budget traveler, plan for approximately $40 to $80 per day, including accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. This estimate can vary based on your preferences and travel habits.
Adjust your budget accordingly if you plan to indulge in more luxurious accommodations, fine dining, or extensive shopping.
How Much is our Taiwan Budget for a Month?
For our 3-week Taiwan holiday, we spent 915 euro/ 979 USD altogether, making it a daily spending of 45 euro/ 48 USD. The following is the breakdown of our Taiwan budget:
Accommodation: We spent 424 euro on accommodation during our Taiwan holiday which works out at 20 euro/ USD per night.
During our visit to Taiwan, we booked basic accommodation but always with a private bathroom, aircon, and in a good location to Taiwan attractions.
Discover the best deals and discounts on a wide range of accommodations in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and many more of the best places to visit in Taiwan through Booking.com – and make your Taiwan trip truly an unforgettable experience!
Food: We spent 331 euros on food during our Taiwan trip, which averages out to 16 euros per day.
Keep in mind that we are traveling full time and we ate in local markets and local restaurants during our visit to Taiwan.
Alternatively, it is possible to have pretty decent meals in stores such as Family Mart and 7-Eleven, as well as snacks such as sandwiches for when you are on the go.
Dare we say Taiwan’s 7-Elevens had the tastiest food in all the 7-Elevens in Asia?
Read all about how we eat cheaply around the world.
Alcohol: We did not drink alcohol during our visit to Taiwan. I know we are from Ireland but it is true!
Transportation: We wanted to see as much as we could during our Taiwan holiday and we visited 6 different places in Taiwan, which meant lots of transportation.
We spent 125 euro/ 133 USD of our Taiwan budget on transportation – which was extremely efficient and comfortable.
Taiwan Attractions: We spent only 17 euros during our visit to Taiwan on Taiwan activities – we told you that Taiwan attractions were very cheap or free!
Miscellaneous: The remaining 18 euros was spent on shopping.
Once again it is important to remember that we are travelling full time and are experts at keeping costs down.
If you’re planning a Taiwan trip, make sure you take into consideration expenses for tours, transport, more luxurious accommodations, and eating out, we’d suggest budgeting almost double our spending for a typical Taiwan holiday.
6 – Can You Drink Alcohol During Your Taiwan Holiday?
Yes, alcohol is readily available in Taiwan. Taiwan has a vibrant drinking culture, and you can find a variety of alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits in bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets throughout the country.
We are sure that many of the locals will love for you to join them for a beer!
7 – Taiwan Transport: How to Get Around During Your Taiwan Holiday?
It is relatively easy to get around during your Taiwan holiday thanks to its efficient and extensive transportation network. After a month of traveling around China, this was a welcomed relief!
Here are the main modes of transportation and how you can use them:
Taipei Metro (MRT): Taipei’s MRT system is clean, and efficient, and covers most major areas of the city and its outskirts. It’s a convenient way to navigate Taipei’s attractions and neighborhoods.
Buses: Both Taipei and other cities in Taiwan have comprehensive bus systems that cover areas not served by the MRT. Buses are economical and useful for reaching destinations off the metro grid.
Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR): The THSR connects major cities such as Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. It’s the fastest way to travel long distances within Taiwan, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph).
Railways: Taiwan’s conventional railway network operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) covers the entire island, including more remote areas. It’s a scenic way to travel, especially along the east coast and through mountainous regions.
Local Trains and Commuter Rail: In addition to the THSR and TRA, there are local trains and commuter rail services connecting suburbs and smaller towns to major cities.
Taxis: Taxis are widely available in urban areas and can be flagged down on the street or hired from taxi stands. They are metered, and drivers generally do not expect tips.
Scooters and Bicycles: Scooter rentals are popular in Taiwan, especially in cities like Taipei. Bicycles are also available for rent and are a great way to explore smaller towns and scenic areas.
Car Rental: If you prefer driving, car rental services are available at major airports and cities.
Taiwan Transportation Tips:
- EasyCard: A rechargeable smart card that can be used on the MRT, buses, and some taxis, offering convenience and discounts. You can purchase and top up these smart cards in shops such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart.
- English Signs: Many signs and announcements in major transportation hubs are in English, making navigation easier for tourists.
- Planning Ahead: Use apps like Google Maps or local apps (e.g., Taipei Metro) for real-time information on routes, schedules, and fares.
Is There Uber in Taiwan?
Yes, Uber is available in Taiwan, particularly in major cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
Uber operates similarly in Taiwan as it does in other countries, allowing users to request rides through the Uber app and pay electronically.
It’s worth noting that Uber services may not be available in all areas of Taiwan, especially in more rural or remote locations.
8 – Can you use ATMs in Taiwan?
Yes, you can use ATMs in Taiwan. Taiwan has a well-developed banking system with ATMs available throughout the country, including at banks, convenience stores, shopping malls, and transportation hubs.
A good idea is to order a travel card from your bank or a Revolut travel money card to avoid any additional fees/charges.
Read all about our travel tips for saving money on the road.
9 – What Socket Type to use During my Taiwan Holiday?
The socket type in Taiwan is Type A, which is the same as in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries using similar electrical systems.
Consider purchasing a Multi Travel Adapter not only for your visit to Taiwan but to anywhere in the world.
10 – Is Taiwan Safe to visit?
Did you know that for many consecutive years, Taiwan ranked as one of the safest countries in the world?
In answering the question “Is Taiwan safe to visit?”, Taiwan was the safest place we have ever visited. Petty crime is low and Taiwanese people are well-known for their hospitality and friendliness, which we can now vouch for.
However, Taiwan is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. We even felt aftershocks from the earthquake that happened over two months before we visited Taiwan. Thankfully the government has strong measures in place to prepare for disasters, reducing risks and ensuring the safety of the public.
While visiting Taiwan is safe overall, it’s always advisable to exercise normal precautions and follow basic travel safety tips as you would anywhere in the world such as safeguarding your belongings, using reputable transportation services, and being aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded or touristy areas.
11 – What Language is Spoken in Taiwan?
While Mandarin Chinese is the primary language, English is also spoken and understood to varying degrees, particularly in urban areas, tourist destinations, and among younger generations.
Basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese phrases can be helpful for communication and is just a nice and considerate thing to do when interacting with locals.
We’ll help you out with some of the basics for your Taiwan holiday:
谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – Sorry / Excuse me
我要 (wǒ yào) – I want / I would like
多少钱？(duō shǎo qián?) – How much is it?
不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – Excuse me / Sorry
我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng) – I don’t understand
我要去… (wǒ yào qù…) – I want to go to…
这里在哪里？(zhè lǐ zài nǎ lǐ?) – Where is this?
可以帮我吗？(kě yǐ bāng wǒ ma?) – Can you help me?
再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
Admittedly Mandarin is not the easiest language to learn, but a little goes a long way right? Given the fact that Taiwanese people are so welcoming to tourists visiting Taiwan, we think that learning a few words in their language is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their kindness.
12 – What SIM Card to Get for Your Taiwan Holiday?
We did not get a SIM card for our visit to Taiwan and opted instead to utilize the free WIFI in various areas such as convenience stores, some cities, and at our accommodation.
Do not always expect this to be the strongest of WIFI but it was enough to get us by, and at the very least, find out which direction to go in!
However, if you would prefer the convenience of our own data during your Taiwan holiday, there are options for purchasing SIM cards at the airport on arrival, you can find booths offering SIM cards specifically for tourists, or in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.
Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone all offer data packages popular for tourists during their Taiwan holidays.
13 – Is Taiwan Worth Visiting?
We hope by now that you can tell our answer to the vital question “Is Taiwan worth visiting”, but just in case it is not clear, our answer is yes,100% Taiwan is worth visiting, even just for the Taiwanese people alone!
But luckily visiting Taiwan offers even more than great people; from beautiful nature, the many great Taiwan attractions, educational museums, stunning architecture, and last but definitely not least, delicious Taiwanese food at every turn.
Get all of this at an extremely affordable cost and you are in for one epic Taiwan holiday.
When planning your Taiwan trip, your best route is to fly into one of the three main international airports: Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) in Taipei City, Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in Kaohsiung City, or Taichung’s Ching Chuang Kang Airport (RMQ). These three airports offer the most convenient connections to various destinations around the world.
Enjoy Your Taiwan Holiday!
We truly hope you enjoy your Taiwan holiday as much as we did, and we can even go as far as guaranteeing that you will.
This article focused on offering information regarding the best things to do in Taiwan, the best time to visit Taiwan, breaking down your Taiwan budget while sharing our own Taiwan spending, and answering the vital questions if Taiwan is safe and finally, is Taiwan worth visiting.
If we have left anything out please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
Feel free to leave a message below or contact us on our socials.
Slán go fóil
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