Taiwan is a tourist island, with countless tourist attractions from south to north. It is suitable for travel throughout the year, with complete tourism facilities, convenient transportation, good public safety, and friendly people. Taiwan residents communicate in Chinese, but simple English can also be used for communication. Whether it is tourist attractions, official websites, hotels, restaurants, or various transportation tools, there will be English signs, so there is no need to worry about language barriers.
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| Taiwan travel |
I am a Malaysian who has been living in Taiwan for 15 years. I love traveling and have visited every corner of Taiwan and have a deep understanding of Taiwan. I also hold a Taiwan tour guide and leader certificate. There is a lot of travel information about Taiwan, but most of it is for local people. I want to compile travel information suitable for friends outside of Taiwan from my own perspective, and introduce Taiwan's tourist attractions, transportation, cuisine, hotels, and share with you how to go on a budget-friendly trip in Taiwan independently.
Before traveling to Taiwan, it is recommended to have a look on this article to have a preliminary understanding of some travelling matters in Taiwan. You can then start planning your itinerary, transportation, accommodation, and booking entrance tickets, and take care of everything by yourself to create a free and easy travel experience that belongs to you!
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei
Airport Transfer、Private tourWhatsapp：+8869096985710Wechat ID：mrchaitaiwan
Climate and Temperature
Taiwan has four seasons a year:
Spring (March to May): Mild climate with temperatures between 18-26 degrees Celsius. There is continuous light rain during the rainy season in May.
Summer (June to September): Hot climate with temperatures between 28-36 degrees Celsius. This season is also prone to typhoons.
Autumn (October to November): Dry and stable climate with temperatures between 20-28 degrees Celsius.
Winter (December to February): The northern part of Taiwan is cold and humid, with temperatures between 10-20 degrees Celsius.
In fact, Taiwan is suitable for travelling throughout the year, and you should prepare different clothes for different seasons. As it is located near the Tropic of Cancer, there is a significant temperature difference between different regions in Taiwan. For example, the south is usually hotter than the north, and the high mountains can be cold even in summer. The temperature difference between day and night is also significant, so it is recommended to bring a thin jacket even in summer. Mountainous areas such as Alishan, Mount Hehuan, and Cingjing are cool all year round, and it may even snow in winter!
Different seasons offer different ways of travelling. For example, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, go snorkelling in summer, view maple leaves in autumn, and soak in hot springs in winter. Come to Taiwan whenever you like based on what you enjoy!
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| Cherry blossoms in Taipei spring |
Summer day, Qingtiangang grassland Taipei
Snow covered in mountain area, Taiping mountain Yilan County
International Airports
Taiwan has two international airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is located in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan. It takes about 45 minutes by car to get to Taipei in the north, 2 hours to get to Taichung in the south, 4 hours to get to Tainan, and 5 hours to get to Kaohsiung. The airport has two terminals, and passengers should confirm which terminal they need to go to for their arrival or departure.
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| Taoyuan airport |
Kaohsiung International Airport is located in Xiaogang, Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. If you are only going to certain cities in the south, such as Kaohsiung, Tainan, or Pingtung/Kenting, you may consider using this airport.
Airport Transport:
Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Kuo-Kuang Round Trip Bus Tickets in TaipeiTaoyuan Airport MRT Ticket & Exclusive Shopping Coupon (for non-Taiwanese nationals only)
Shared Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Transfers for Taipei
Airport Lounge Service:
Taoyuan metro: Taoyuan airport to Taipei
Tourist Destinations
Although Taiwan is small, it cannot be fully covered in one trip. Some people plan 10-14 day trip around the island, but this is not recommended. Such a tight schedule makes it difficult to explore each place properly, and if you are not a professional backpacker, you will most likely get tired after the 5th day.
Taiwan is a place you will want to return to, so it is recommended that you divide your trip into different regions at different times: northern, central, southern, and eastern.
Northern Cities: Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan
Central Cities: Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou
Southern Cities: Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung
Eastern Cities: Yilan, Hualien, Taitung
Fun pass/Tour package ticket:
PASS Yilan
Taipei city
Room Reservations
Taiwan is a major tourist destination in Asia. Hotels and AirBnBs are easily found in every city, especially in tourist areas. Taiwan's hotels are listed on booking websites such as Agoda and booking.com, and prices vary. It is not recommended to book directly through the hotel's website or by phone, as prices may be more expensive. You can use Hotel Combined to compare prices, as the same room on the same day may have different prices on different platforms. When booking a hotel in Taiwan, it is recommended that you choose to cancel breakfast, as breakfast is a unique experience in Taiwan and there are usually many breakfast shops nearby hotels where you can enjoy breakfast like the locals.
Accommodation in Taiwan can be divided into hotels (star hotels, business hotels), AirBnB and homestays. B&Bs（Minsu民宿） are unique to Taiwan and are usually found only in suburban areas, such as Yilan, Cingjing, Hualien, and Taitung. They are usually located in beautiful scenery and run by the owners themselves. Each Minsu has its own characteristics, some with unique themes, some focusing on family services, some providing a taste of rural life, and some taking guests to see the sunrise from variety of places. Note that homestays are usually located in remote areas with beautiful scenery, rather than in urban areas.
Big cities in Taiwan, such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, also have many homestays. They are usually renovated from residential buildings, and the owners are often not present. When booking a room, you will be given a password to enter the room. They are generally unlicensed and cheaper than hotels. However, the houses are often located in hidden alleys and may be difficult to find. If there are any problems or disputes with the room, it can be troublesome.
Hotel Prices
Taking a double room as an example, a basic three-star hotel would cost around NT$1500-2000 on weekdays, while a four-star room would cost between NT$2000-4000. Rooms above NT$4000 are considered quite high-end. It is generally recommended to choose a room priced at least above NT$2000 for a comfortable stay. Of course, room prices will vary depending on the location. In cities like Taipei or mountainous areas like Mount Alishan, Cingjing, and Wuling Farm, prices are generally higher, and the rooms are smaller. Some hotels in big cities also provide bed rental services for backpackers, with prices ranging from NT$300-500.
Taipei recommended hotels (Ximending area)
Taichung recommended hotels (Fengjia area)
Tourist Transportation
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| Taipei main station |
Taiwan's transportation is convenient, whether traveling between airports, cities, or tourist attractions. You can easily find transportation information online using your smartphone. Remember to prepare an "Easy Card" to take public transportation and explore Taiwan.
There is a high-speed rail network connecting the major cities in western Taiwan, making it easy and fast to travel between cities and saving travellers a lot of time. However, there is no high-speed rail in the eastern region, but you can take the regular train instead. Although the travel time may be longer, you can enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.
HSR tickets:
[20% OFF] Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket for non-TaiwaneseMajor cities such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung have a subway system, which makes it easy to travel around the city. Sometimes, you may need to transfer to a city bus or long-distance bus to reach some of the more remote tourist spots.
If you want to make your trip even easier, you can participate in a day tour package, such as a one-day tour of Taipei or a one-day tour of Jiufen. The advantage of joining these tours is their flexibility, as you can decide at the last minute whether or not to participate.
Day tours:
Private Car Charter: Jiufen, Pingxi, and North Coast (Chinese/English/Korean/Japanese)Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Day Trip from Taichung
Tour tickets:
Shared transfers:
Shared City Transfers Between Taipei and Yilan
Shared Sightseeing Transfer｜Taichung - Cingjing | Stargazing & Sunrise Tour
Easy Card
It is suggested that each person buy an Easy Card when traveling to Taiwan. The Easy Card can be used for public transportation, entrance tickets to tourist attractions, purchasing items at convenience stores, and even renting bicycles. The greatest benefits of using an Easy Card are the discounted prices, convenience, and saved time from not having to queue up to purchase tickets. Additionally, it eliminates the need to carry around a lot of cash. Easy Cards can be purchased and recharged at convenience stores or online, and there is even a limited edition version specifically for tourists available at the airport.
SIM card and Wi-Fi
Taiwan has a well-developed internet infrastructure, and many places offer free Wi-Fi. However, when traveling outside, it can be difficult to connect to the internet. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card or rent a portable Wi-Fi device. The most convenient and quickest way is to reserve online and pick up the card or device at the airport, because it's difficult to find tourist SIM cards in the city. It's recommended to purchase a package according to the length of your stay. The cost for this service is between NT$300-700, depending on the length of stay. It is important to bring your passport when purchasing the SIM card. If you have multiple electronic devices that require internet access, renting a Wi-Fi device may be a better option as it is more cost-effective.
**Reminder: There are two terminals at Taoyuan Airport. Please make sure to check which terminal your flight arrives at (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2) to avoid going to the wrong pick-up location.
Simcard/esimcard/4G WIFI:
4G eSIM for Taiwan
Currency Exchange, ATM Withdrawals, and Electronic Payments
There are no currency exchange centres on the streets of Taiwan. It is best to exchange currency at the airport when arriving in Taiwan. Several banks provide exchange services at the airport. If you are already in the city, you can go to various banks to exchange currency, but remember to bring your passport. Taiwanese banks usually accept commonly used currencies such as US dollars, British pounds, Hong Kong dollars, and Singapore dollars.
Another option is to apply for overseas withdrawals with your ATM card, allowing you to withdraw cash from any ATM in Taiwan, including those found in convenience stores, subway stations, and high-speed rail stations.
Electronic payments are not yet widely used in Taiwan. Small stores and night market vendors usually only accept cash, or Taiwanese electronic payment methods such as LINEPAY and Jiekou Payment. If you have a credit card linked to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, you can also use them at some larger retail stores in Taiwan.
This article provides a general overview of traveling in Taiwan. A more detailed introduction to tourist attractions, transportation guides, accommodation, and food will be provided in the future. We hope this article can be helpful and wish you a pleasant journey in Taiwan.
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| Keelung night market |
Airport Transfer、Private tourWhatsapp：+8869096985710Wechat ID：mrchaitaiwan
