Taiwan Travel Guide - Read Before You Go
Ready to start your Taiwan adventure with us?
At Topology Travel, we’re dedicated to ensuring your journey is smooth, stress-free, and unforgettable from start to finish. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive Taiwan Pre-Travel Guide, designed to help you pack smartly, prepare effectively, and get the most out of your trip. Whether it’s your first visit to Taiwan or you’re returning to explore more, this guide will ensure you fully enjoy every moment of your Taiwanese adventure.
Taiwan Weather
What to Wear in Taiwan: Seasonal Clothing Tips
■ Spring
Spring temperatures in Taiwan can fluctuate significantly, making “layered dressing” essential. Lightweight long-sleeve tops paired with shirts, vests, and light jackets are ideal. It’s also practical to carry a foldable umbrella. Since early spring may bring cold fronts, it’s advisable to have a warmer jacket on hand just in case.
■ Summer
Hot and humid weather makes shorts and T-shirts the go-to choice. Don’t forget sun protection essentials such as hats, sunglasses, and arm sleeves. Quick-dry fabrics are especially practical for staying comfortable. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so carrying a foldable umbrella is wise. Since indoor air conditioning can be strong, consider bringing a light shirt or cover-up for indoor use.
■ Autumn
September and October are among the most pleasant months in Taiwan, with mild and comfortable weather. Thin long-sleeve clothing paired with a light jacket is ideal, though short-sleeve outfits may still come in handy on hotter days that feel more like summer.
■ Winter
Northern Taiwan tends to be cooler, while the south remains relatively mild. It’s best to prepare warm clothing and a windproof jacket, and to dress in layers so you can stay comfortable both indoors and outdoors. Since rainfall is more common in the north, carrying a foldable umbrella or rain gear is highly recommended.
Regardless of the season, if you plan to visit the mountains, where temperatures can fluctuate significantly, always pack windproof outerwear. In winter, it’s best to bring additional warm items such as scarves, gloves, and hats.
Temperature:
Take Taipei for example, the average temperature is 25~30 °C from May to October; 15~25 °C from November to April.
Precipitation:
Where can I check Taiwan’s weather forecast?
You can check Taiwan’s official weather forecasts on the Central Weather Bureau website. It provides up-to-date information on temperatures, rainfall, typhoon warnings, and more for all regions of Taiwan. The site is available in English and is the most reliable source for weather updates in Taiwan.
Website: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm
Arrival
Starting from October 2025, Taiwan will fully implement the use of electronic arrival cards. Cabin crew will no longer distribute paper arrival cards on board. Travelers must complete their information on the National Immigration Agency’s TWAC website within three days prior to their arrival in Taiwan.
For group travelers, one person can complete the form on behalf of the entire group.
Luggage Capacity
For multi-day trips with luggage, we recommend limiting it to 2 passengers for optimal comfort.
For multi-day trips with luggage, we recommend limiting it to 6 passengers for optimal comfort.
For multi-day trips with luggage, we recommend limiting it to 12 passengers for optimal comfort.
For multi-day trips with luggage, we recommend limiting it to 35 passengers for optimal comfort.
Basic Packing Tips for Taiwan tour
- A pair of walking shoes is necessary.
- In response to sustainability, many hotels in Taiwan do not provide disposable toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shower caps, and combs. It is recommended that you bring your own.
Summer
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
Mountain
- Jacket / long-sleeve clothes
- Anti-mosquito measures
- Please avoid wearing colorful clothes and perfume to prevent wasp attacks.
- For those susceptible to motion sickness, it is recommended to take medication 1-1.5h before. Please consult your physician.
Rainy Season
- Umbrellas
- Raincoats
Beaches
- Shorts / Bikini
- Sunscreen
- Sandals
- Due to safety concern, please follow the tour guide’s instructions. You may not be allowed to play around in some sea areas.
Hot Spring
- Swimming Suit / Pants
- Swimming Caps
- Towels
- Please note that wearing any clothing is not permitted in Japanese nude hot springs (onsen).
Money Exchange & Daily Budget in Taiwan
Taiwan’s official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or TWD).
- Exchange money at the bank
The most convenient place to exchange money is at the Bank of Taiwan, located in the airport. Operated by the government, this bank is a popular choice for Taiwanese travelers going abroad. The currency exchange counters are easily accessible and open 24/7, ensuring that travelers can exchange money at any time. Each transaction carries a small handling fee of only 30 TWD (approximately 1 USD). In addition, exchanging money at the airport saves time that would otherwise be spent looking for a bank in the city.
- Exchange money at the bank
It’s important to note that finding a bank in rural areas can be challenging.
- Withdraw New Taiwan Dollars from an ATM
Most ATM machines in Taiwan accept international systems like Cirrus and Plus. Therefore, withdrawing cash from ATM machines will be the easiest way to get money. Before you leave home with your ATM card, please make sure that the Cirrus or PLUS networks are readily available where you’re going. - Use a credit card
Hotels, supermarkets, department stores, and most large restaurants and shops accept credit cards. However, in smaller towns, souvenir shops, local stores, restaurants, food stalls, and night markets, cash is still the primary payment method.
The most commonly accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, and JCB, with some merchants also accepting American Express and UnionPay. Mobile payment options like LINE PAY and Apple Pay are widely used as well.
- Withdraw New Taiwan Dollars from an ATM
■ Daily Budget
The standard of living in Taiwan lies in the middle among Asian countries. It’s lower than Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong; but it’s a bit higher than China and the rest of Southeast Asian countries.
– Coca Cola 600 ml: Nearly 1 USD
– Mcdonald’s combo meal: about 3.5-5 USD
If your tour fee includes meals and entrance fees, you only need to prepare 500-1000 NTD per person per day for local snacks/drinks and souvenirs. If your tour fee excludes meals and entrance fees, we suggest you prepare 2,000-3,000 NTD per person per day.
Prices in Taiwan are generally reasonable. Bargaining is not common in department stores or shops, but you may be able to negotiate slightly at night markets or street vendors in tourist areas. A typical bargaining range is around 5–10%, and buying larger quantities often allows for better discounts.
Tipping Etiquette in Taiwan
In Taiwan, tipping is not formally required and is not expected in every situation. However, in the tourism and service industries, giving a tip is considered a way to show appreciation for good service. Here is an overview of Taiwan’s tipping culture:
■ Tour Guides (Private Tours)
If your tour guide provides good service during the trip, it is generally recommended to give about 300–500 NTD (approximately 10–17 USD) per guest per day as a tip. For exceptional service, a higher amount is also appropriate.
■ Hotels
- Porters: If a porter assists with your luggage, it is customary to give 50 NTD per bag.
- Housekeeping: Not mandatory, but a tip of 50 NTD per day is appreciated.
- Concierge services: For help with tickets, reservations, or transportation, tipping is discretionary.
■ Restaurants
- Regular restaurants: Most restaurants do not expect tips. Some may include a 10% service charge on the bill, in which case no additional tipping is necessary.
- Fine dining or hotel restaurants: If the bill includes a service charge, extra tipping is generally not required. If service charges are not included, a tip of about 5–10% is appropriate.
■ Taxis
Taxi drivers generally do not expect tips. You can simply round up the fare—for example, if the fare is 87 NTD, paying 90 NTD is sufficient.
SIM Card & WIFI in Taiwan
It is recommended to reserve an eSIM from your home country or a portable WiFi device that works in Taiwan before your departure.
If you would like to get a local prepaid SIM card for mobile at the airport:
There are various packages with varying data and airtime to meet your different needs. Each SIM card costs about 300-1,000 NTD. Please prepare 2 Identification Documents(ID) such as your passport or driver license when buying a SIM card. Remember to inform the counter your device’s model so that you can get the right SIM card.
Please note that due to Taiwan’s regulations, we are unable to purchase local SIM cards on your behalf in advance.
Electricity in Taiwan
■ Sockets and Voltage
Taiwan’s standard electrical voltage is 110 volts at 60 Hz, using two-pin Type A plugs. If your devices do not support 110V/60Hz, you will need to bring a voltage converter.
Please make sure to check your airline’s regulations regarding portable power banks before your trip.
Emergency Number in Taiwan
■ Police: 110
■ Fire or Ambulance: 119
■ Hotline for Foreign Residents in Taiwan: 1990 – a free 24-hour service offering assistance in English, Chinese, and Japanese. For Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Cambodian languages, service is available Monday to Friday (excluding national holidays and other rest days) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Safety
Taiwan has long been recognized as one of the safest travel destinations in Asia. According to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, Taiwan ranks 4th in the world with a score of 82.9, just behind Andorra, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
With excellent public safety and warm, friendly people, it is an ideal destination for family trips.
Eating Habit in Taiwan
In Taiwan, noodles and rice are the main staples. Everyday dishes commonly feature eggs, chicken, pork, beef, lamb, fish, and a wide variety of fresh vegetables. Cooking methods are diverse, including stir-frying, deep-frying, steaming, braising, and hot pot, offering a rich and flavorful culinary experience.
Taiwan also has a significant vegetarian population, making it easy to find vegetarian restaurants.
In cities, you can find some Indian or Halal restaurants; however, in popular tourist areas such as Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, or Alishan, these options are limited. It’s advisable to plan ahead or bring simple meals just in case.
In Taiwan, lunchtime is generally from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and dinner from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with some restaurants closing outside these hours. That said, the country’s high density of convenience stores ensures you have access to food 24/7, making mealtime worry-free.
Survival Language in Taiwan
■ Hello: nĭ hăo
■ How are you: nĭ hăo mah?
■ Good/ok: hăo
■ Not good: bù hăo
■ Thank you: xiè xie
■ You are welcome: bú kè qì
■ Excuse me/sorry: duì bù qĭ
■ Bye-bye: zài jiàn
■ How much is it: duō shăo qián
■ Please help me: qĭng bāng zhù wŏ
■ I don’t understand: wŏ tīng bù dŏng
■ I want to go to the toilet: wŏ yào qù cè sŭo
■ Tones in Mandarin Chinese
ā: first tone (flat)
á: second tone (going up)
ă: third tone (down and up)
à: fourth tone (going up)
ā: neutral tone (light)
Holidays in Taiwan
During Taiwan’s long weekends and public holidays, locals also travel extensively, which means attractions can be more crowded and hotel rates tend to be higher. We suggest taking this into consideration when planning your trip. If your travel dates are flexible, it’s best to avoid these peak holiday periods.
■ Date in 2025
– Republic Day: 1 Jan, 2025
– Chinese New Year: 25 Jan – 2 Feb
– 228 Memorial Day: 28 Feb – 2 Mar
– Tomb Sweeping Day: 4 Apr – 7 Apr
– Dragon Boat Festival: 30 May – 1 Jun
– Student’s Summer Vacation: 1 Jul – 31 Aug
– Mid-Autumn Festival: 4 Oct – 6 Oct
– National Day: 10 Oct – 11 Oct
– Christmas: 25 Dec
■ Date in 2026
– Republic Day: 1 Jan, 2026
– Chinese New Year: 14 Feb – 22 Feb
– 228 Memorial Day: 27 Feb – 1 Mar
– Tomb Sweeping Day: 3 Apr – 6 Apr
– Labor Day: 1 May – 3 May
– Dragon Boat Festival: 19 Jun – 21 Jun
– Student’s Summer Vacation: 1 Jul – 31 Aug
– Mid-Autumn Festival: 25 Sep – 28 Sep
– National Day: 9 Oct – 11 Oct
– Taiwan Retrocession Day: 24 Oct – 26 Oct
– Christmas: 25 Dec – 27 Dec
Tips for Exploring Taipei Independently
- Taipei Metro (MRT)
The most convenient way to get around Taipei is via the Taipei Metro, which reaches nearly all major attractions in the city. You can purchase an EasyCard at any MRT station information counter or convenience store for 100 NTD. Once loaded, the card can be used for metro fares, small purchases at convenience stores, and YouBike rentals.
Route map and details: Taipei Metro - YouBike
Taipei’s citywide bike-sharing service lets you explore the city affordably and conveniently. Rates are 10 NTD per 30 minutes within the first 4 hours.
For the latest rates and station information, please check the official website: YouBike - Uber
You can also use Uber for convenient travel within Taipei.
- Taipei Metro (MRT)
■ Recommended Activities on Your Free Day
- Taipei Eye: Traditional Chinese (Beijing) Opera
If traveling with children and looking for family-friendly activities, this blog offers plenty of ideas: Family Attractions & Public Transport in Taipei