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How Much to Bring to Taiwan? – Trip Budgeting & Costs

by rcjeng October 16, 2019

The best part of traveling to Taiwan is that it is affordable for all types of travelers. Whether you want a nice budget trip or to splurge on a luxurious trip, you can have a good time no matter what.

Unlike some cities, such as Las Vegas and Tokyo, Taipei is a destination that doesn’t require much money for its attractions. And, it’s even cheaper outside of Taipei.

But if you’re feeling like a baller, I assure you there are many ways to spend some cash.

Table of Contents

  • Taiwan Food Costs & Prices
    • Food Cost in Taipei:
      • Recommendation:
    • Taiwan Hotel & Accommodation Prices
      • Recommendation:
  • Taiwan Transportation Costs
  • Taiwan Attraction Costs
  • Taiwan SIM Card Cost
  • Taiwan Nightlife Costs
  • Taiwan Shopping Costs

Taiwan Food Costs & Prices

Taiwan is known for their inexpensive, yet delicious food just about everywhere you go. From the food in the Taiwanese night markets to the abundance of “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants and upscale Xinyi restaurants, there is a food market for everyone.

Taiwan is a food country with a large selection of cuisine and you’ll be able to eat great no matter what your budget or your preference.

Food Cost in Taipei:

Taiwan street food – Under $30 – $100 NTD

Bien dang (Taiwan bento/lunch boxes) – $70 – $100 NTD

Typical normal restaurants – $150 – $400 NTD

Upscale restaurants – $400 – $1000 NTD

Note: Food gets cheaper the further away from Taipei you go. And Taipei food is already considered inexpensive.

Recommendation:

For most of your meals, you should try authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Not only is it the least expensive type of cuisine, but also because, well, you’re in Taiwan. Taiwan does Taiwanese food the best.

Many of the bien dang places and hole-in-the-wall restaurants you find on smaller side streets will offer authentic Taiwanese cuisines, so food will not be an expensive cost on your trip.

Taiwanese street food at night markets won’t make a sizeable dent in your wallet (think: city fairs, but cheap). Most of the more expensive foods are for foreign cuisines, like Italian, Korean and Japanese.

Taiwan Hotel & Accommodation Prices

Like everywhere in the world, hotel accommodation can vary greatly depending on how you want to live. You can stay in Taiwan hostels, budget hotels or fancy smancy places like the W Taipei or Grand Hyatt.

Also, the city you decide to visit will be a factor in prices. If you’re staying in Taipei, check out this guide on which area/district to book your accommodation.

Price of Taiwan hostels: $300 to $800 NTD/night
Check out the top hostels in Taipei.

Price of Taiwan B&B: $1000 to $6000 NTD/night (depending on city and location)

Price of Taiwan budget hotels: $1500 to $4000 NTD/night (depending on city and location)

Price of luxury hotels in Taiwan: $4000 to $9000 NTD/night (depending on city and location)

Recommendation:

If you’re really trying to have a budget trip in Taiwan, hostels are the way to go. Hostels are generally shared space, where you rent your own bed in a room.

If you have enough people, you can rent an entire room. Sure, you would need to keep an eye on your personal belongings like a hawk, but these places generally are safe, especially in Taiwan.

However, my recommendation goes to budget hotels and B&Bs. The B&Bs in Taiwan are known for their creativity and unique designs (just like their cafes!).

You really don’t need to be spending more than $3000 NTD on living. Why? Because I hope you’re out exploring this beautiful country instead on in your hotel room all the time.

Taiwan Transportation Costs

This really depends on your form on transportation and whether you need to travel to another destination within Taiwan. Most people visiting Taiwan take the MRT and taxi because only real locals take the bus to get to a destination.

Taipei MRT costs about $16 NTD per ride if you have an Easy Card. And taxi rides are cheap if you don’t take it too frequent. Of course, the occasional walk will save you some money.

But most travelers I talk to spend $1500 to $2500 per week on just transportation within the city. These travelers don’t familiarize themselves with the transportation system and generally spend more on cabs.

There are buses that will take you to nearby cities and counties for under $200 NTD.

The HSR train will cost you about $500 to $1500 depending on which stop you get off.

Taiwan Attraction Costs

Most of the attractions within Taiwan are free or very minimal. This is because sightseeing attractions are plentiful on this beautiful island. Most of the historical museums and buildings are free, as they want to promote education.

Some recommended free or cheap attractions:

  • Chiang-kai Shek Memorial Hall
  • San Yat Sun Memorial
  • Daan Forest Park
  • Beitou Thermal Valley
  • National Palace Museum
  • Dahu Moon Bridge Park
  • Formosa Boulevard MRT Station
  • Xiangshan Hiking Trail
  • Yamingshan Hiking Trails
  • Shilin Night Market
  • Tonghua Night Market
  • Raohe Night Market
  • Jiufen Old Street Market
  • Kenting National Park
  • Wulai Mountain District

Taiwan SIM Card Cost

If you must have data on your phone like most young adults, this will be pretty cheap. You can find prepaid SIM cards at the Taoyuan airport for however long you are staying.

And if you run out of data on your travel SIM, you can add more at any convenient store.

They generally cost you about $500 NTD for a week pass with 4G Internet.

Taiwan Nightlife Costs

Nightlife in Taipei city is relatively cheap, which is why this nightlife has attracted so many party animals.

Drinks at the top clubs such as Elektro, Myst and Halo Taipei will run you about $300 to $400 NTD.

Drinks at lounges and bars in Taipei’s Xinyi district will be around $250 to $350 NTD.

Taiwan Shopping Costs

Shopping in Taipei is plentiful but it isn’t as cheap compared to everything else. All the name brand stuff is generally more expensive than usual.

I never really shop when I travel but Taiwan’s night markets should be a good bargain for you. And, you can always bargain at night markets. There are plenty of small accessories, clothes and toys that make great gifts for you or a friend.

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