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Eastern Asia

TaiwanTravel guide

Explore Taiwan visa rulesCommon scams in Taiwan

Taiwan is a self-governing group of islands off the coast of China. It has busy cities, steep mountains, lush forests and many cultural sights. Its capital, Taipei, is a centre for culture and entertainment.

Why go

  1. Explore Taipei's landmarks, museums and temples.

  2. Visit Tainan for historic buildings and local food.

  3. Eat and shop at busy night markets.

  4. Discover mountain scenery, forests and historic villages.

Best time to go: October to December is the best time, though typhoons can still occur. Spring is also pleasant but wetter. June to September is hot and humid, with temperatures above 30°C in lowland areas.

Getting there

By air

  • Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the main international airport, 40 km west of Taipei. Metro trains and buses connect it with Taipei and other transport hubs.
  • Kaohsiung International Airport serves southern Taiwan. Its metro connects with the city's high-speed and regular train stations.
  • Songshan Airport is in downtown Taipei. It mainly handles domestic flights, with some flights to mainland China, Tokyo and Seoul.

By sea

  • The ferry between Keelung and Ishigaki Island in Japan was suspended from October 1, 2026 until further notice.
  • Local travel agencies in Taiwan and Japan can book cruises between Keelung and Okinawa.

Customs

  • Do not bring fresh fruit or meat into Taiwan. Airport staff may check your bags.
  • Pork products are prohibited, including pork jerky and instant noodles containing meat pieces. The source states a fine of NT$200,000.
  • Cash limits for entering or leaving are NT$100,000, 20,000 Chinese yuan and US$10,000 or its equivalent in other major foreign currencies. These currency limits are counted separately.

Getting around

  • High-speed trains

    Taiwan High Speed Rail runs between Taipei and Kaohsiung. The journey can take as little as 95 minutes. Bookings can be made by phone or online. Its rail passes only cover its own services.

  • Regular trains

    Taiwan Railways runs a network around the island, including the east coast. Stations are often in town and city centres. Trains avoid highways that can become very crowded on weekends and public holidays. There are few routes across the mountains between the east and west coasts. There is no direct railway from Taichung to Hualien.

  • City rail

    Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung and Kaohsiung have city rail systems. Public transport announcements on the main island use Mandarin, English, Taiwanese and Hakka. Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports have metro connections.

  • Buses

    Long-distance buses are generally cheaper than trains. Holiday traffic can make journeys much longer, and tickets may sell out. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses serve tourist sights. Information desks at major transport hubs can help with routes. Ask your hotel or host to mark your destination on a map. Show it to the driver, as route maps are mostly in Chinese. Wave clearly to stop your bus and check that it is travelling in the right direction. Most buses accept cash without giving change, or travel cards such as EasyCard. Check whether to pay when boarding, getting off or both. On payment signs, 上 means pay when boarding and 下 means pay when getting off. Incorrect card use can lock your card in some cities. Watch for scooters and bicycles when boarding or leaving a bus stopped away from the kerb.

What to see and do

  • Taipei 101

    One of Taipei's world-famous landmarks.

  • National Palace Museum

    One of the capital's major cultural attractions.

  • Bao'an Temple

    A beautifully restored temple in Taipei.

  • Tainan

    Taiwan's oldest city has many historic sites and colonial buildings.

  • Anping Tree House

    This historic site in Tainan is slowly being reclaimed by banyan trees.

  • Zushi Temple in Sanxia

    A striking temple complex worth visiting.

Food and drink

  • Beef noodle soup

    Noodles with soft stewed beef and pickles. Choose a dark, slightly spicy broth or a lighter clear broth.

  • Oyster omelette

    Made with eggs, oysters, sweet potato flour and chrysanthemum leaves, topped with a sweet red sauce.

  • Stinky tofu

    Fermented tofu with a very strong smell and a relatively mild, earthy taste. It is commonly served fried at outdoor stalls.

  • Braised pork rice

    Rice topped with finely chopped pork belly stewed in dark soy sauce and spices. 肉燥飯 uses minced pork for a less fatty version.

  • Three-cup chicken

    Chicken cooked with soy sauce, rice wine and sesame oil, served with rice.

  • Railway bento

    A takeaway meal sold at major Taiwan Railways stations. The braised pork cutlet version is especially popular.

Money

New Taiwan dollar, written NT$ and also called TWD or NTD.

  • A dollar sign usually means New Taiwan dollars unless another currency is specified.
  • Airport currency exchange windows operate 24 hours. Bring your passport when exchanging money.
  • Bring newer, undamaged US banknotes. Many exchange counters reject older or damaged notes.
  • Smaller shops and some hostels quote cash prices. Paying by credit card can add a fee of up to 8%.

Tipping: Tipping is generally not expected, including in taxis. Give high-end hotel bellhops and airport porters NT$50 per bag; most full-service restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Typical costs

  • A basic daily budget is about NT$2,000 as of 2026. Around twice that allows more comfort.
  • A street-stall meal may cost NT$50–75.
  • A Western fast-food meal may cost NT$150–250.
  • A meal at a top-end restaurant can cost more than NT$1,000.
  • A luxury hotel room may cost NT$5,000 or more.
  • Costs are significantly lower outside the big cities.

Language

  • Mandarin is the main shared language.
  • Taiwanese is especially common in the south.
  • Hakka is spoken in parts of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli.
  • The Matsu dialect is mainly spoken in the Matsu islands.
  • Indigenous languages are heard on the east coast, offshore islands and in mountain areas.
  • English appears on many tourist signs, but spoken English can be limited. Hotel, airport and attraction staff often speak basic English.
  • Japanese is spoken by some tourism staff, especially in Taipei.
  • Taiwan Sign Language is used by the deaf community.
上
On a bus payment sign: pay when boarding.
下
On a bus payment sign: pay when getting off.
統一發票 — tongyi fa piao
Official receipt.
發票要存載具嗎？ — fa piao yao cun zai ju ma?
A shop is asking whether to save your receipt to an electronic receipt account.

Staying safe

  • Taiwan is generally very safe for tourists, and violent crime is rare. Watch your wallet in crowded night markets and festivals.
  • Take extra care when using a taxi alone late at night. Arrange a call with a friend when you arrive.
  • Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties. Keep control of your bags, as drugs found in your belongings or room can lead to charges even if they are not yours.
  • Drug use outside Taiwan can still lead to charges if traces are found in your body.
1 common scams in Taiwan, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Show respect for older people, which is an important part of Taiwanese culture.
  • Be patient when communicating and use English-to-Mandarin translation software if needed.
  • Try speaking the local language; people generally appreciate the effort.

Don't

  • Do not call young Taiwanese women 臺妹, pronounced táimèi. In Taiwan, it is an insulting term for an uncultured young woman from the countryside.

Staying healthy

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially during the hot summer.
  • Carry a refillable water bottle. Drinking fountains and water dispensers are widespread.
  • Get advice before travelling into the mountains, where weather can change rapidly and snow falls on the highest peaks.

Where to stay

  • The Grand Hotel is in Taipei.
  • Luxury hotel rooms may cost NT$5,000 or more.
  • Some hostels quote cash prices and may charge extra for card payments.

Outdoor adventures in Taiwan

Taiwan has steep mountains, lush forests, beaches and hot springs. You can walk to viewpoints near Taipei, explore mountain trails or take a boat through mangroves to watch birds. October to December is generally the best time to visit, though typhoons can still affect plans.

  • Taroko Gorge

    HikeEastern Taiwannear Hualien

    Visit the gorge near Hualien and choose a hiking route.

    • Permit: Many trails need a permit, meaning official permission to enter. Check the requirements for your chosen route.
    • Mountain weather can change quickly. Get advice on preparation before setting out.
    • The east coast is particularly exposed to typhoon damage.

  • Yushan (Jade Mountain)

    Trek

    Hard

    Plan this as a serious mountain trek. Check entry and lodging arrangements before setting out.

    • Permit: Serious treks usually require advance booking, often 7 days ahead, and a lottery for lodging. Many remote or multi-day trails also need official permission to enter.
    • The summit is 3,952 m high.
    • Mountain weather can change quickly.

  • Alishan forests and sunrise

    HikeCentral Taiwan

    Reach Alishan by its scenic narrow-gauge railway, then explore the mountain forest trails.

    • Mountain weather can change quickly.
    • Snow sometimes falls here.

  • Kenting National Park

    BeacheSouthern Taiwan

    Visit the national park at Taiwan's southern tip for its beaches and lush vegetation.

    • Stray dogs can be a problem in rural and remote areas.

  • Yangmingshan National Park and Qixingshan

    HikeNorthern Taiwannear Taipei

    Spring for flowers.

    Visit the park just north of Beitou. Pick up trail maps at the visitor centre and choose from dozens of trails, including Qixingshan.

    • Mountain weather can change quickly. Get preparation advice before hiking.
    • Use insect repellent, especially during the hot, humid summer.

  • Elephant Mountain and the Four Beasts trails

    HikeNorthern Taiwannear Taipei

    Sunset for views of Taipei 101.

    Start in the Four Beasts Mountain area bordering Xinyi and Nangang. Climb Elephant Mountain's steps to its viewpoints. Separate trails continue towards Leopard, Lion and Tiger mountains, then Nangang Mountain and Jiuwufeng.

    • The steps up Elephant Mountain are steep.

  • Sun Moon Lake

    More to doNantou County, Central Taiwan

    Visit the lake in Nantou County for its blue water and mountain scenery.

  • Lalashan ancient-tree hikes

    HikeTaoyuan, Northern Taiwannear Taoyuan

    July–August for peach season.

    Visit Lalashan near Taoyuan to hike among its huge, ancient trees.

    • Mountain weather can change quickly.
    • Use insect repellent when hiking, especially in summer.

  • Shei-pa National Park

    HikeHsinchu County

    Choose a hiking trail in the park's mountain and river landscape.

    • Permit: Some national park trails need official permission to enter. Check your chosen route.
    • Mountain weather can change quickly. Get preparation advice before setting out.

  • Wuling Sixiu

    Trek

    Hard

    Plan this as a serious trek and check entry and lodging arrangements in advance.

    • Permit: Serious treks usually require advance booking, often 7 days ahead, and a lottery for lodging. Many remote or multi-day trails also need official permission to enter.
    • Mountain weather can change quickly. Get preparation advice before setting out.
    • Use insect repellent when hiking, especially in summer.

  • Hehuan Mountain

    More to doNear Nantou

    Visit Hehuan Mountain as a natural attraction near Nantou.

    • Mountain weather can change quickly. Get advice on preparation before visiting.

  • Taipingshan

    More to doYilan County, Eastern Taiwan

    Visit this scenic former logging area in Yilan County.

  • Shihtiping rugged coast

    More to doEastern Taiwan

    Add a visit to Shihtiping's rugged shores to a trip around Taroko Gorge and the east coast.

    • The east coast is particularly exposed to typhoon damage.

  • Beitou hot springs

    Hot springGreater Taipei, Northern Taiwannear Taipei

    Choose a public bath or a hotel bathing area in Beitou. Hotels may offer shared baths, private rooms and family rooms.

    • Cost: Some basic city-run public baths are free. Hotel bathing options in Greater Taipei are around NT$300–800.
    • People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter.
    • Private bathing rooms require at least two people.

  • Wulai hot springs

    Hot springGreater Taipei, Northern Taiwannear Taipei

    Visit Wulai and choose a hot spring bath or hotel bathing facility. Some hotels have outdoor baths or private and family rooms.

    • Cost: Hotel bathing options in Greater Taipei are around NT$300–800.
    • People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter.
    • Private bathing rooms require at least two people.

  • Yangmingshan hot springs

    Hot springGreater Taipei, Northern Taiwannear Taipei

    Visit the public hot springs in Yangmingshan National Park, just north of Beitou, or choose a hotel bathing facility in the area.

    • Cost: Hotel bathing options in Greater Taipei are around NT$300–800.
    • People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter.
    • Private bathing rooms require at least two people.

  • Gu-Guan Hot Spring

    Hot springMountain Line, Taichungnear Taichung

    Visit Gu-Guan in Taichung's Mountain Line area for hot spring bathing.

  • Sicao Green Tunnel boat rides

    WildlifeTaijiang National Park, Southern Taiwannear Tainan

    About 30 minutes for the shorter route or 70 minutes for the longer route.

    Go to Sicao Green Tunnel at 360 Dazhong Road in Tainan's Annan District. Choose one of two boat routes through the mangrove reserve.

    • Cost: NT$150–200.

  • Gaomei Wetlands sunset

    More to doCoast Line, Taichungnear Taichung

    Sunset.

    Allow about 1½–2 hours to reach the wetlands from central Taichung.

  • Carp Lake egret watching

    Wildlifenear Puli

    Visit Carp Lake in Puli to relax by the water and watch egrets.

  • Tiger Head Mountain (Hutoushan)

    More to donear Puli

    At night for views of Puli's lights.

    Visit the small hill northeast of central Puli for views over the town and surrounding mountains.

Airports, metros and trains in Taiwan

Airports with scheduled flights

  • HUNHualien Chiashan AirportHualien CityMain international airport
  • KHHKaohsiung International AirportKaohsiung (Xiaogang)Main international airport
  • MZGPenghu Magong AirportHuxiMain international airport
  • RMQTaichung International Airport / Ching Chuang Kang Air BaseTaichung (Qingshui)Main international airport
  • TNNTainan International Airport / Tainan Air BaseTainan (Rende)Main international airport
  • TSATaipei Songshan International AirportTaipei (Songshan)Main international airport

Metro and subway

  • KaohsiungKaohsiung Rapid Transit38 stations45.5 kmsince 2008
  • New TaipeiNew Taipei Metro12 stations14.29 kmsince 2026
  • TaipeiTaipei Metro120 stations154.3 kmsince 1996
  • TaichungTaichung MRT18 stations16.7 kmsince 2021
  • TaoyuanTaoyuan Metro22 stations53.1 kmsince 2017

Trains

Rail network
1,771 km
Electrified
1,630 km
High-speed lines
351 km
Top speed
300 km/h

People and safety in Taiwan

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.

  • Folk religions44%
  • Buddhist21%
  • Other16%
  • No religion13%
  • Christian6%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #27 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

82% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 71 of 198 countries can visit Taiwan easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required65
  • Visa on arrival3
  • eTA required3
  • eVisa18
  • Visa required109

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe39 of 46 countries
  • Oceania5 of 14 countries
  • Americas12 of 35 countries
  • Asia14 of 49 countries
  • Africa1 of 54 countries

Questions

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

October to December is the best period, though typhoons can still occur. Spring is pleasant but rainier.

How do I get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?

The airport has metro trains and direct buses to Taipei. It is 40 km west of the city.

Can I travel without booking trains online?

Taiwan High Speed Rail accepts bookings by phone as well as online.

How much should I budget each day?

A basic budget is about NT$2,000 per day as of 2026. About twice that allows more comfort.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is generally not expected. High-end hotel bellhops and airport porters are exceptions, and most full-service restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Will I manage with English?

Many tourist signs and public transport announcements include English. Spoken English can be limited, so translation software may help.

Is it easy to find vegetarian food?

Vegetarians have a good choice of restaurants and dishes, with better provision than in many other countries.

Can I bring fruit or meat into Taiwan?

Fresh fruit and meat may not be brought in. Pork products, including jerky and instant noodles containing meat pieces, are prohibited.

Is Taiwan safe for visitors?

Taiwan is generally very safe, and violent crime is rare. Pickpockets can be a problem in crowded night markets and festivals.

What power supply does Taiwan use?

Taiwan uses 110 volts at 60 hertz, with NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types.

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