Question 1

Do I need a visa to visit Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Many nationalities enter Taiwan visa-free for 90 days — US, EU, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore. Online arrival card (TAC) required at entry — fill at twac.immigration.gov.tw 72 hours before flight. Passport valid 6+ months. Return ticket may be requested at immigration.

Question 2

Is it easy to fly into Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Taoyuan International (TPE) is the main hub — 40 km west of city, MRT/bus/taxi access. Taipei Songshan (TSA) is the smaller domestic + cross-strait airport, in the city, 10 min subway to downtown. Most international arrivals use TPE; Songshan for flights from Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai.

Question 3

What's the airport-to-Taipei transfer?

Accepted Answer

Taoyuan Airport MRT (NT$160 / $5, 36 min to Taipei Main Station) — best value, every 7-15 min. Bus (NT$140 / $4.40, 60 min, multiple bus stops near hotels) — depends on traffic. Taxi: NT$1,200-1,500 / $38-47, 50-70 min. Songshan: MRT Brown Line direct to downtown, NT$25 / $0.80, 5 min.

Question 4

Is Taipei expensive?

Accepted Answer

Among the most affordable Asian capitals. Budget meals at NT$80-200 / $2.50-6 (night markets, breakfast shops, fan dian), mid-range NT$300-600 / $9.50-19 (restaurants, hotpot, premium street food), high-end NT$1,500+ / $47+ (Din Tai Fung Michelin, kaiseki). Hotels 3-star NT$2,500-4,000 / $80-125; 4-star NT$5,000-9,000 / $160-285.

Question 5

Do I need a lot of cash?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Taiwan is more cash-friendly than mainland China. Night markets, breakfast shops, taxis (some), bus + MRT vending all want cash. Most restaurants take cards; hotels universal. Carry NT$2,000-3,000 / $63-95 in cash. 7-Eleven + FamilyMart ATMs accept foreign cards (NT$100-150 / $3-5 fee).

Question 6

Should I exchange TWD before arriving?

Accepted Answer

Exchange at Taoyuan airport — rates 2-3% better than home. Bank of Taiwan and Mega Bank have airport counters (open 06:00-23:00). Wise/Revolut cards work well at 7-Eleven ATMs in town. Hotel exchanges have worst rates.

Question 7

Tipping in Taipei?

Accepted Answer

No tipping — service charge (10%) is added at most mid-range + high-end restaurants. Street food, cafés, night markets: never tip. Hotels: NT$100 / $3 per bag is optional, not expected. Round-up taxi fares OK but not required.

Question 8

How good is the Taipei MRT?

Accepted Answer

Excellent — 7 color-coded lines, runs 06:00-24:00, English signage, NT$20-65 / $0.60-2 per ride. Trains every 2-5 min during day. The most efficient way around the city. The Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi) connects Taipei 101 to Beitou hot springs; the Blue Line (Bannan) connects Taipei Main to Ximending shopping.

Question 9

Should I get an EasyCard?

Accepted Answer

Yes — essential. NT$100 / $3.20 deposit (refundable at MRT stations) + load NT$200-500 / $6.30-15.80 to start. Works on MRT, buses, YouBike (city bikes), 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, vending machines, even some night market stalls. Available at every MRT station 7-Eleven.

Question 10

Is taxi or Uber better in Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Both work — Uber is slightly cheaper. Taipei taxis are yellow, metered, NT$70 / $2.20 starting fare + NT$5 / $0.15 per 0.25km. Drivers rarely speak English; have addresses in Chinese ready. Uber has English app + cashless payment + no language barrier. Avoid taxis in heavy traffic — MRT is faster.

Question 11

Should I rent a car in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Yes for day trips to Sun Moon Lake, Yangmingshan, Wulai. No for Taipei city — parking expensive, traffic heavy, MRT handles everything. International driving permit required. HSR (High Speed Rail) is faster for cross-country: Taipei to Kaohsiung in 90 min.

Question 12

Should I get a Taiwan SIM or pocket WiFi?

Accepted Answer

eSIM via Airalo/Holafly: $5-15 for 5-10GB — easiest, activate before landing. Physical SIM at Taoyuan airport (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone): NT$500 / $16 for 8-day unlimited + 5GB at 4G. Pocket WiFi rental: NT$200-300 / $6-10 per day, shareable.

Question 13

Is free Wi-Fi available?

Accepted Answer

Yes — iTaiwan free Wi-Fi at MRT stations, parks, libraries, government buildings (registration via passport). 7-Eleven + FamilyMart offer free Wi-Fi at all locations. Coffee shops (Starbucks, Louisa Coffee) ubiquitous free Wi-Fi.

Question 14

When is the best time to visit Taipei?

Accepted Answer

November-February is best — cool (15-22°C), dry, low humidity. March-May spring is mild (20-26°C) with occasional rain. June-September is HOT (30-35°C+) and HUMID (85%+) with typhoon season — sticky but Taipei is alive. October is shoulder transition with comfortable temperatures.

Question 15

How bad is summer humidity?

Accepted Answer

Brutal. Taipei summer averages 80-90% humidity with temps 30-35°C — feels like 40°C. The trick: travel between air-conditioned MRT stations, malls, restaurants. Night markets are at peak after 7pm when temps drop. Pack lightweight quick-dry clothes; avoid jeans.

Question 16

What should I pack for Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Year-round: comfortable walking shoes (you'll do 15+ km/day at night markets). Summer (Jun-Sep): t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, sandals, light cardigan for AC (mall AC is freezing), umbrella for sudden rain, sunscreen SPF 50. Winter (Dec-Feb): light sweater + jacket, jeans, scarf for cool evenings. Type A/B plug adapter (same as US — Taiwan is 110V/60Hz).

Question 17

Is Taipei safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

One of the safest Asian capitals — walking alone at night is normal, even in night-market areas at midnight. Violent crime is rare. Pickpocketing at night markets exists but is minimal compared to European cities. Lost wallets are routinely returned.

Question 18

Is the water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

Tap water needs boiling — Taipei tap water passes safety tests but locals boil or buy bottled. Hotels provide kettle + bottled water. Most restaurants serve hot tea (boiled water) — fine to drink. Avoid raw cold tap water + ice from sketchy stalls.

Question 19

Watch out for typhoons?

Accepted Answer

Typhoon season runs June-November. When a typhoon approaches: flights/trains/MRT may shut down 12-24 hours, government issues 'typhoon day' (everyone stays home). Check Central Weather Bureau (cwb.gov.tw) before booking summer trips. Hotels usually have generators + storm shutters.

Question 20

Emergency numbers?

Accepted Answer

110 police, 119 fire/ambulance. English-speaking dispatcher available 24/7 at Tourist Information Hotline 0800-011-765 (free).

Question 21

What's the food etiquette in Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Night markets: stand-and-eat OK; carry tissues for sticky-finger cleanup. Restaurants: don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (funeral symbolism). Hot pot: shared pots are common; use serving chopsticks. Tipping: NEVER — it's confusing and unwelcome. Splitting bills: rare; one person pays + Taiwanese reciprocate next meal.

Question 22

Should I speak Mandarin or English?

Accepted Answer

Mandarin is official; English varies widely. MRT signs + tourist sites = English. Younger Taiwanese (20s-30s) speak decent English. Older generation, taxi drivers, night-market vendors = limited English. Learn 'nǐ hǎo' (hi), 'xièxie' (thanks), 'duōshǎo qián' (how much), 'wǒ bùhuì shuō zhōngwén' (I don't speak Chinese). Google Translate camera works well.

Question 23

Is Taipei friendly to non-Mandarin speakers?

Accepted Answer

Very friendly — Taiwanese are famously warm to foreigners. Tourist info centers (yellow signs) at every major MRT station have English-speaking staff. Many shop owners use translation apps cheerfully. Hospitality > hassle for almost everyone.

Question 24

Should I book Taipei 101 in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes for sunset slots — NT$600 / $19 observatory ticket, sunset 17:30-18:30 (varies by season) sells out 2-3 days ahead. Walk-in possible weekdays daytime. The Outdoor Observatory (91st floor) opens only on clear weather days — bonus.

Question 25

Are night markets really the best part of Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Shilin (biggest, most touristy), Raohe (focused, less crowded), Ningxia (oldest, local), Gongguan (student crowd) are the big 4. Each has signature dishes. Open 18:00-24:00 typically. Skip Shilin if short on time — too crowded, lower quality; Raohe + Ningxia are better.

Question 26

How many days for Taipei?

Accepted Answer

3 days minimum — night markets, Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Ximending, one day trip. 5 days ideal: add Jiufen + Shifen + Yangmingshan day trips. 7 days: add Tainan or Kaohsiung overnight HSR trip.

Question 27

Is Jiufen worth a day trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the most-Instagrammed day trip from Taipei. 1 hour by bus/train, the Old Street tea houses inspired Studio Ghibli's 'Spirited Away.' Best at sunset/evening when lanterns light up. Pair with Shifen lantern releases + waterfall on the same day.

Taipei Travel FAQ