Taiwan Travel Guide
October–December and March–April are mild and dry. Summer is hot and humid, with typhoon season roughly July–September.
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Taiwan at a glance
Best time to visit Taiwan
October–December and March–April are mild and dry. Summer is hot and humid, with typhoon season roughly July–September.
Peak: Lunar New Year (many businesses close) and the Lantern Festival.
Shoulder season: November and March: comfortable temperatures and clear hiking weather.
Visa and entry
Visa-free for most Western nationalities for 90 days (US, EU, UK, CA, AU, NZ and many others). Check BOCA Taiwan website for your nationality.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Taiwan uses the TWD (NT$).
Not customary. Tipping can be awkward in local restaurants. Upscale hotels may accept a small gratuity.
Getting around
Taipei MRT costs about NT$20–65 a ride on an EasyCard, which also earns a loyalty discount. A 24-hour Taipei Metro pass is NT$180.
When a pass pays off: The NT$180 day pass needs roughly 6 rides to pay off — most visitors do better tapping an EasyCard.
Local etiquette
Do
- Get an EasyCard — it works on metro, buses, trains, YouBike and convenience stores.
- Stand on the right on MRT escalators and queue at the marked door positions.
- Bring cash to night markets; many stalls are cash-only.
Avoid
- Don't eat or drink on the Taipei MRT — including water. Fines are enforced.
- Don't tip; it isn't customary.
- Don't stand chopsticks upright in rice.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Rare. The practical traps are unmetered taxis at some tourist sites, and Maokong tea houses with steep per-seat charges — check the price list first.
Health
Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for Taiwan, with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations sometimes recommended as an added precaution. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Mandarin Chinese (traditional characters) and Taiwanese Hokkien phrases
Metro and main signage is bilingual; spoken English is moderate in Taipei and limited elsewhere.
- Hello
- 你好(nee-how)
- Thank you
- 謝謝(shieh-shieh)
- Excuse me
- 不好意思(boo-how-yee-suh)
- How much is this?
- 多少錢?(dwor-shaow-chyen)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Taiwan: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Taiwan travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
- October–December and March–April are mild and dry. Summer is hot and humid, with typhoon season roughly July–September.
- Do I need a visa to visit Taiwan?
- Visa-free for most Western nationalities for 90 days (US, EU, UK, CA, AU, NZ and many others). Check BOCA Taiwan website for your nationality. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Taiwan?
- Not customary. Tipping can be awkward in local restaurants. Upscale hotels may accept a small gratuity.
- What currency is used in Taiwan?
- Taiwan uses the TWD (NT$).
- What power plug and voltage does Taiwan use?
- Taiwan uses Type A and Type B sockets at 110V / 60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Taiwan?
- In Taiwan, call 110 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance).
- What time zone is Taiwan in?
- Taiwan is in the Asia/Taipei time zone (UTC+08:00).
- What language is spoken in Taiwan?
- The main language is Mandarin Chinese (traditional characters) and Taiwanese Hokkien. Metro and main signage is bilingual; spoken English is moderate in Taipei and limited elsewhere.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Taiwan?
- Taipei MRT costs about NT$20–65 a ride on an EasyCard, which also earns a loyalty discount. A 24-hour Taipei Metro pass is NT$180. The NT$180 day pass needs roughly 6 rides to pay off — most visitors do better tapping an EasyCard.
- What health precautions should I take in Taiwan?
- Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for Taiwan, with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations sometimes recommended as an added precaution. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Taiwan trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Taiwan tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.