So you’re thinking about traveling to Taiwan but you’re not sure yet. In this guide, well show you exactly why you should plan your next trip to “the heart of Asia.”
Table of Contents
Why Travel to Taiwan?
Although a little island on this massive globe we call earth, Taiwan sure has a lot of big things going on, not to mention a BIG building (see: Taipei 101). This travel guide is called Big Little Island – because that’s exactly what Taiwan is: a big, little island.
Taiwan has a little bit of everything for every type of traveler personality. Seriously, you’ve got your party animals, the nature seekers, the foodies, budget travelers, solo traveler, culture junkies and the list goes on.
And even with the wide array of travelers on that list, Taiwan would make the perfect destination for them all.
Running a little low on cash? The trip expenses in Taiwan are relatively cheap. This makes Taiwan a popular destination for budget travelers and college students alike. Plus, if you follow this guide, you will find several great money saving tips for your trip.
Traveling to Taiwan should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. Still not convinced? Here are 10 Reasons why you should travel to Taiwan.
Interesting Facts About Taiwan
As an avid traveler, the one thing I look forward to most (other than actually going on the trip itself) is researching about the country I’m going to. Yes, I sit there for hours researching and people call me “boring” for doing so. I get it, it’s not everybody’s thing.
But I’ll save you some time and tell you interesting facts about Taiwan that you probably don’t have a clue about.
Thank me later: 10 Facts About Taiwan You Didn’t Know
Planning a Trip to Taiwan – Step by Step
The purpose of this guide is to take you through the chronological steps in planning a trip to Taiwan so that you spend more time enjoying yourself and less time worrying while on your trip.
If you have any questions not covered, feel free to leave a message in the comments section below or shoot me an email.
How to Get a Taiwan Visa
So you’ve decided to visit Taiwan? Great! Here’s what to do first: find out if you need a visa.
The following countries are Visa-exempt for 90 days: Andorra, Australia (Effective from January 1, 2015 for one year), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A. and Vatican City State.
The following countries are Visa-exempt for 30 days: Malaysia and Singapore.
If your country isn’t on these lists, check this out: Taiwan Visa – Everything You Need to Know.
Picking a Date: Holidays, Events & Festivals
Picking the right time to travel to Taiwan is crucial if you want to experience it the most ideal way possible. There are plenty of annual events that you might find especially intriguing based off personal preference.
For example, partygoers might want to consider the Spring Scream Festival in April (Taiwan’s version of Coachella in Kenting). And the foodies would drool all over the Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival.
To help pick the perfect events and thus dates for your trip, check out the complete list of Taiwan Holidays, Events & Festivals.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan (Weather)
In terms of weather, finding the ideal time to visit Taiwan is a little bit tricky because it depends on the destination in Taiwan you want to visit. For example, in Taipei it rains – like a lot.
But don’t let that deter you from visiting Taipei because there are plenty of indoor activities. And when it’s not raining, the city’s beauty is unlike any other. As for destinations in the south, you’ll experience much less rain and a milder summer scorch.
Find out why in the full weather guide: The Best Time to Visit Taiwan.
Finding the Best Deals for Flights to Taiwan
Scouring the net for the best deals on flights is an art, but luckily we’re here to help you with that. There are certain holidays or times of the year when prices will generally be higher and times when prices will be lower.
For tips and tricks on getting the best deals, check this out: The Cheapest Time to Fly to Taiwan.
Popular Destinations in Taiwan
If you have a destination in mind – great! If not, browse through our city travel guides to find out the best possible destination(s) for you and your trip.
Check out some of our city guides:
Where to Stay in Taiwan?
MUST READ for Taipei Travelers: Best areas to stay in Taipei?
After you’ve booked your flight out to Taiwan, you must figure out where to stay for the trip. Luckily, Taiwan offers housing for luxury travelers, budget travelers and everybody in between.
In all major cities, you’ll be able to find top 5 star hotels and hostels for your accommodations. It really depends on how you want to live.
Pro-tip: If you don’t mind having non-5star service, then I would highly recommend finding B&Bs and hostels while staying in Taiwan.
Some of the private hostels, which may be considered as budget hotels, are uniquely decorated and clean. In fact, many cities (especially outside of Taipei), such as Tainan or Hualien are famous for having great B&Bs. When I travel around Taiwan, I always go for those options.
Taiwan Packing List
Whenever I pack for a lengthy trip somewhere far, I always fear that i’ve forgotten something crucial. Plenty of times, I actually do leave something crucial when packing for my trip. Don’t be like me. Be prepared. Here are a list of essentials you should bring to Taiwan.
The Essentials:
- Shirts (duh.)
- Underwear (if you forget this, i don’t know what to say…)
- Shorts/pants (depending on the weather)
- Sneakers (plenty of walking in Taiwan)
- Toiletries (bathroom stuff)
- Phone & charger (remember the charger!)
- Passport
- Boarding Pass
- Money
Highly Recommended:
- Mosquito repellent (especially if you’re going south)
- Sunscreen (cloudy weather is still dangerous)
- Sandals (for water attractions or the rain)
- Swimwear
- Backpack
- Small portable umbrella (to block sun or rain!)
- Deodorant (the humidity will make you sweat like no other)
If you have it:
- Camera (borderline “highly recommended”)
- GoPro (just look at all the awesome shots we got!)
- Laptop
You may disagree with some things on our list. Some items may even have you scratching your head asking “why?” For the full packing list and our reasoning for why you should bring what, check this out.
Flying to Taiwan
If you’re relatively new to solo traveling or just clueless when it comes to airports, this quick airport guide shows you exactly how to get out and to your hotel as quick as possible.
Don’t worry, Taoyuan International Airport is a small.
READ: What do I do at Taoyuan Airport?
Next step: Filling out the Immigration Arrival Card.
For visitors that want data/internet for their phones, Taoyuan International Airport offers temporary SIM cards for cheap. Here’s how to get one.
How to Travel Around Taiwan
Getting around and traveling to different destinations in Taiwan has become fairly easy, relatively cheap and convenient.
It’s a big reason why Taiwan has become increasingly popular for travelers over the past decade. These are the most popular ways people travel from city to city in Taiwan:
- Taiwan High Speed Railroad (THSR) – Full Guide
- Taiwan Railway Train (TRA) – Full Guide
- Domestic flights (Only worth it if you’re going from the top to bottom of Taiwan or to the off-shore islands of Taiwan).
- Hire a private driver (The most expensive, but sometimes the best and most convenient option).
As for in-city transportation, some cities are much harder to get around than others. Check out the chart below to see what each city has to offer:
Taipei – MRT, taxi, uBike, walking, bus
Taichung – Taxi, bus, MRT (expected 2018), walking Hualien – Taxi, bus, walking, train
Yilan – Taxi, train, bus, walking Tainan – Taxi, bus, walking, train
Kaohsiung – MRT, taxi, bus, walking Taitung – Taxi, bus, walking, train
Kenting – Taxi, bus, walking, train Getting around in Taipei.
When it comes to convenient and cheap transportation, Taipei definitely does it the best.
Taipei visitors: If you plan to use public transportation, you should get an Easy Card. Learn about all the benefits of the Easy Card here.
And if you’re in Taipei, expect to be taking the MRT often because it’s too convenient and cheap to not utilize. To make the best out of your Taipei MRT travel experience, visit the Taipei MRT tourist map & guide.
We show you popular attractions at each stop and proper etiquette in the metro system. How much do taxis cost in Taiwan? The short answer: It depends on the city. You’ll be surprised which cities cost the most for a quick taxi ride.
Money & Costs
How much do taxis cost in Taiwan? The short answer: It depends on the city. You’ll be surprised which cities cost the most for a quick taxi ride.
How much money should I bring with me on my Taiwan trip? A quick guide to budgeting for your trip to Taiwan.
Where do I go to exchange for New Taiwan Dollar currency? Learn about all the best places you can exchange your currencies for NT dollars.
A Quick Guide to Eating in Taiwan
If you’re coming to Taiwan, then you have to try the local cuisine. It’s a big reason why so many tourists travel to Taiwan every year. Taiwanese cuisine is just special.
The Taiwanese Food Culture
The food culture in Taiwan is truly something special. Learn more about it before you eat your heart out in the food capital of Asia.
Foods to Try in Taiwan
When in Italy, eat pasta. When in Japan, eat sushi. So, definitely eat Taiwanese food in Taiwan. But what exactly is Taiwanese food? These are some of the most iconic dishes in Taiwan’s rich food culture. You should try them all.
Do I tip in Taiwan?
Also a frequent question I get asked. Usually for food service in Taiwan, you don’t tip. If they require a service charge, they will include it in the bill.
However, there may be certain situations where you might want to spare a little. Find out more.
Famous Taiwanese Street Foods
If you find yourself in a night market, eat these foods. Nobody in the world does them better. Plus they open late and the food is pretty cheap too, making them perfect for budget travelers.
Check out our Night Market Guides: