Taiwan is safe to visit, with no major travel advisories.
Cool, clear and inviting. November is cool and dry, great for hiking and city breaks; crowds and prices rise in popular spots. December to February stay dry and pleasant; book early for Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Sun Moon Lake visits.
Easy, modern and straightforward to travel, with brilliant food, efficient trains, and mountains that feel close to the cities. Most first trips start in Taipei, then add Hualien and Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, and a southern stop like Tainan or Kaohsiung.
Why Visit Taiwan?#
Night markets, hot springs, temples, and big scenery fit into one compact loop. The transport is the secret weapon: fast trains down the west coast, and scenic rail on the east.
Night markets. Go hungry in Taipei, with Shilin, Raohe and Ningxia night markets for stinky tofu, oyster omelettes and pepper buns. In Kaohsiung, add Liuhe or Ruifeng night market for late-night eating.
Taipei highlights. Tick off Taipei 101, hike Elephant Mountain, and spend a morning at the National Palace Museum. For hot springs, soak in Beitou.
Taroko and Hualien. Base yourself in Hualien for Taroko Gorge scenery, plus Qixingtan beach and Dongdamen night market. Add Qingshui Cliff for a dramatic coastal viewpoint day.
Sun Moon Lake. Do the boat ride and cycle the lakeside path, then add Ci’en Pagoda or the ropeway. Shuishe village is the practical base by the main pier, with Ita Thao quieter across the water.
Old streets and day trips. Jiufen Old Street is an easy day trip from Taipei for narrow lanes and teahouses, with taro balls as the snack. Pair it with Shifen and Pingxi in the same loop.
South Taiwan food and temples. Tainan is the historic snack capital, with temple stops and street food around Guohua Street, plus Anping and Chihkan Tower. Kaohsiung adds Pier-2 Art Center, Lotus Pond and Fo Guang Shan nearby.
Things to Watch Out For#
Typhoons. July to September brings peak typhoon risk and disruptions.
Earthquakes. Taiwan is seismically active, so follow local alerts.
Scooters. Busy traffic and scooter accidents are a frequent injury source.
Taroko closures. After the 2024 earthquake, trails and roads can be restricted.
Cash stalls. Night markets and rural areas often need cash, not cards.
Who Is Taiwan For?#
Backpackers
Affordable guesthouses and public transport make Hualien and coastal trails easy to do.
Digital nomads
Fast internet, cafés and Taipei coworking suit remote work, and costs drop outside Taipei.
Foodies
Night markets like Shilin and Ningxia make stinky tofu, beef noodles and xiao long bao unavoidable.
Adventure seekers
Hiking in Taroko Gorge, cycling Sun Moon Lake and surfing the east coast cover outdoors.
What you need to get in#
Most Western visitors do not need a visa for Taiwan, and typically get visa-exempt entry for short tourist or business stays. Many passports, including the US, UK, EU member states, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, get 90 days visa-free, with some nationalities on 30 or 14 days and other routes like eVisas or a Travel Authorization Certificate. Rules and trial programmes change, so use the Taiwan visa guide for your nationality.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
TWAC arrival card
File the free online Taiwan Arrival Card within seven days.
Onward ticket
Many travellers are asked to show an onward or return ticket.
Visa-free stays cannot be extended, except British and Canadian citizens, who can apply to stretch 90 days to 180. Health and entry checks can change with short notice, so verify before travel. The full rules are in the Taiwan visa guide.
When to go#
The short answer is October to early December, with March and April a close second for mild weather and lower humidity. Taiwan’s north and east are greyer and drizzlier from November to March, while the south and west coast are drier in the same months.
| Months | What it is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| October to early December | Clearer, cooler, lower humidity, and lower typhoon risk | Most reliable window for cities, mountains, and the east coast. |
| March to April | Mild and changeable, about 18-25°C to 19-26°C | Good for flowers, but expect some drizzle and fog. |
| Mid-May to September | Plum rains then hot, humid summer with thunderstorms | Avoid tight plans, and watch forecasts in peak typhoon months. |
| December to February | Taipei 12-19°C and often damp, south stays warmer | Hot-spring season, plus cheaper hotels outside Lunar New Year. |
From November to March, the northeast monsoon makes the north coast wetter, while the south and west coast stay drier. More detail, month by month, is in the best time to visit Taiwan.
The classic trips and what they cost#
A first trip usually starts with Taipei, then loops via Sun Moon Lake, Tainan and Kaohsiung, with Hualien and the east coast added if you have time. Taiwan is about 400 km long, and the mix of THSR, TRA trains and buses makes the classic routes easy.
Prices are per person, with two sharing mid-range rooms, and don’t include international flights.
| Trip | Route | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Taipei (3 nights), Sun Moon Lake (1), Tainan (2) | NT$14,000-18,000 per person (mid-range), excluding flights |
| 10 days | Taipei (3), Hualien (2), Taitung (2), Kaohsiung (1), Tainan (1) | NT$22,000-28,000 per person (mid-range), excluding flights |
| 14 days | Taipei (3), Taichung (1), Sun Moon Lake (1), Alishan (1), Tainan (2), Kenting (2), Taitung (1), Hualien (2) | Varies |
Budget travellers often run about NT$1,500-2,000 a day, while a mid-range trip is usually NT$2,800-4,500 a day. Comfortable travel starts around NT$7,000+ a day, especially with hot-spring resorts and frequent HSR rides. More in Taiwan itineraries and Taiwan travel costs.
Get an EasyCard or iPASS early, and use it for metros, buses, local trains, YouBike and convenience stores.
Taiwan in a nutshell#
- Capital: Taipei is the main starting point for first trips, with links to the whole island by rail.
- People: About 24 million people. More in [Taiwan demographics].
- Language: Mandarin is the official language, with Min Nan, Hakka dialects, and approximately 16 indigenous languages. See [Mandarin].
- Money: The New Taiwan dollar, [Dollar (TWD)]. Cards work well in cities, but carry cash for night markets.
- Daily budget: Typical daily spend is about NT$1,500-4,500, depending on style. Real prices are in Taiwan travel costs.
- Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz, plug types A and B. Details in [Taiwan plug types].
- Driving: To rent a scooter or car, you need your home licence plus a 1949-convention International Driving Permit, and rental shops check the motorcycle class.
- Emergencies: Police 110, fire and ambulance 119. More in [Taiwan emergency page].
Don't forget to bring#
Plug adapter
Taiwan uses 110V, 60 Hz, plug types A and B. Bring the right adapter if your plugs differ.
Cash for markets
Cards work well in cities, but night markets often run on cash. Carry smaller notes for snacks and quick purchases.
Light rain gear
Plum rains (mid-May to mid-June) and summer storms can be heavy. A packable waterproof layer saves you on day trips.
Warm layer for mountains
High mountains and the central range can feel alpine and change fast. Pack something warm and waterproof for places like Alishan or Hehuanshan.
Mosquito repellent
Dengue risk rises in warm, wet months. Use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
Temple clothes
Dress modestly for Buddhist monasteries such as Fo Guang Shan, with shoulders and knees covered. Keep voices low and avoid disrupting worshippers.
Good to know before you land#
- Public manners: Queue patiently, keep voices low, and follow escalator etiquette by standing on the right.
- On the MRT: You cannot eat, drink or chew gum past the ticket gates.
- Rubbish: Public bins are rare, so carry rubbish to a convenience store or your hotel.
- Tipping: Tipping is not expected, and restaurants often add a 10% service charge.
- Getting around: Use THSR on the west coast, TRA for the east coast, and buses for Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Kenting.
- EasyCard: One EasyCard or iPASS pays for metros, buses, local trains, and YouBike.
Plan the rest of your trip#
More Taiwan guides#
Taiwan travel guide · Best Time · Costs · Culture · Food · Getting Around · Itineraries · Nightlife · Shopping · Visas
First time in Taiwan FAQs#
Is Taiwan safe for first-time travellers?
Yes. Taiwan is very safe for most visitors, with violent crime rare. The main risks are typhoons, earthquakes, and road accidents involving scooters.
Do I need a visa for Taiwan?
Many Western passports get visa-exempt entry, typically 90 days, with other nationalities on different rules. Use the Taiwan visa guide and file the free TWAC within seven days before arrival.
How many days do I need in Taiwan?
Seven days works for Taipei, Sun Moon Lake and Tainan. Ten days lets you add the east coast around Hualien and Taitung, and two weeks covers a round-the-island loop at a calmer pace.
How much money should I budget per day in Taiwan?
A typical daily spend is about NT$1,500-4,500, depending on style. Taipei often costs 20-30% more for rooms, and weekends cost more in scenic spots like Sun Moon Lake and Alishan.
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
October to early December is the most reliable weather window, with March and April also strong. Avoid locking in a tight itinerary during the plum rains (mid-May to mid-June) and peak typhoon months (July to September).