Taiwan Travel Guide – Taiwan Travel Guide Advice

Taiwan Travel Guide. Taiwan is the beautiful island where I live, showing different scenery in each season. Taiwan has a lot of natural beauty and stunning coastlines that make people want to explore it. Taiwan is the most suitable country for independent travel. The convenience of transportation and the human touch make your trip smooth. You can explore some of the most worthwhile places to visit in Taiwan. You can deviate from the shopping track and go to local attractions to experience the local customs.

Taiwan Weather

Taiwan has pleasant temperatures throughout the year, with the coldest months being January and February. Taiwan’s winter is rainy and humid. The humid air not only makes people feel sticky and uncomfortable, but also makes it impossible for clothes to dry. An umbrella is a must-have item when going out. The weather also changes with the seasons. The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in the northern region is large, while the temperature in the southern region changes relatively little throughout the year. In addition, due to the influence of the city, the maximum temperature in Taipei City in summer is higher than that in the southern region.

Taipei Temperature (as a local in Taipei, my personal experience)

7~18°C from January to February
15~24°C from March to April
22~31°C from May to June
28~38 °C from July to August
31~20 °C from September to October
24~15 °C from November to December
The weather can be unsettled sometimes, so make sure you pack appropriate clothing and check the weather forecast before you go.

Monthly Average Temperature in Other Cities

Taiwan Temperature
Taipei Average Temperature by Month
Taichung Average Temperature by Month
Kaohsiung Average Temperature by Month
Alishan Average Temperature by Month

The best month to visit Taiwan

Generally speaking, the winter from December to February of the following year is the season with the least rainfall in Taiwan. So there is no correct answer as to which month is the best to go to Taiwan. You need to consider weather temperature or chance of rainfall. Or you might prefer playing in the water and sunbathing on the beach from July to September, but typhoons sometimes hit Taiwan during these months.

March ~ May or September ~ December

In my personal opinion, the best time to travel to Taiwan is from mid-September to November. The weather is comfortable with low chance of rainfall. If I want to go on a beach hotel vacation, summer is my first choice. If your vacation is difficult to arrange, December is also a good choice. If you can’t arrange a vacation during this time, you still have a second option. There are two good times to travel to Taiwan: March to May or September to December. It is most important to choose a vacation that you can arrange yourself.

Rainy Season:
Spring Rain: February to April
Plum Rain: May to June

July ~ September

July-September are too hot and humid. If you love playing in the water and sunbathing on the beach, July and August are perfect months for strolling along the beach in your bikini. But typhoons sometimes hit Taiwan during these two months. The average temperature is 30~35 °C.

Typhoon Season: July to October

A total of 3.2 typhoons made landfall in Taiwan throughout the year. An average of 2.9 typhoons hit Taiwan from July to October each year, accounting for about 91% of the typhoons that hit Taiwan throughout the year.

Between Late January to Mid-February

You also want to avoid Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) holidays. Almost all stores will be closed for 5-7 days during Lunar New Year holidays. It is usually between late January to mid-February which is based on the lunar calendar. You may need to buy food at 7-11 or FamilyMart this week. The food courts in shopping malls are usually closed for half a day and are also good places to eat during the week. Or if you have Taiwanese friends, you can go to their homes to celebrate the New Year together.

Snowy Season: January to February (Only in some specific high mountains)

How Many Days Should I Stay in Taiwan?

The best thing about visiting Taiwan is that since the distances between cities are relatively short, you can quickly transition to the next attraction, so you can see a lot in a short period of time. Taiwan has an excellent public transport system, including the Taipei MRT (Metro), Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR), buses, and trains. The MRT in Taipei is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get around. Taiwan is a beautiful island with different scenery in every season. If this is your first time traveling to Taiwan.

If you have 5 to 7 days of vacation

Where To Stay in Taipei? I recommend you live in Taipei and buy 2 or 3 day tours to different cities. You can visit these famous popular attractions that are far away and cannot be reached by MRT.

■ Taipei: Beitou and Yangmingshan
■ New Taipei: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, Wulai and Houtong Cat Village
■ Taichung: Gaomei Wetlands
■ Nantou: Sun Moon Lake
■ Yilan: Lanyang Museum, Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, Yilan Zhang Mei Ama Farm
Please refer to the detailed Day Tour list.

If you have 10 days of vacation

If you want to take the high-speed rail, you must book your ticket in advance.
■ (Taiwan Pass) HSR + MRT + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle
■ Taiwan High Speed Rail Day Pass
■ Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket

If you have over 15 days of vacation

Where To Stay in Taipei? I recommend you live in Taipei and buy 4 day tours to different cities. You can visit these famous popular attractions that are far away and cannot be reached by MRT. Then you can take the high-speed rail to Taichung (2 days) and Kaohsiung (3 days). If you are traveling in the summer, you can also consider taking a bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting

In the summer, we often drive with the children and spend two weeks traveling around the island. My Favor: Hualien(2 days), Taitung(2 days), Kenting(3 days), Kaohsiung and Tainan(3 days), Taichung, Changhua or Chiayi(2 days), Miaoli(1 days)

Taiwan Travel Tips Before Going to Taiwan

You Will Need an EasyCard

Before you go to Taiwan, it is recommended that you buy an EasyCard and a SIM card in advance. You can pick it up at Taoyuan Airport. When taking the MRT, it is best to have an EasyCard on hand. If you have an EasyCard, you can take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei. One way: NT$150. Tourists take the MRT about four times a day in Taipei, with each trip costing about NT$30, so your daily expenses could exceed NT$120. If you need to buy water or drinks at convenience stores, you can also pay with EasyCard. Therefore, you should go to a convenience store to top up your EasyCard as soon as possible after arriving in Taipei.

Purchase EasyCard and SIM Card in Advance

EasyCard can be used on MRT(all), Taiwan Railways (local trains), busses(most), taxis(most), parking lots(most), etc. throughout Taiwan. EasyCard can be used for payment in public transportation, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, etc.. EasyCard cannot be used on Taiwan High Speed Rail.

EasyCard is also sold at MRT stations, 7-11 and FamilyMart convenience stores, priced at NT$100. EasyCard can be reloaded and can be used for MRT, trains, buses, and convenience stores. Once you purchase an EasyCard and keep a sufficient balance, it will be easier and more convenient for you to travel wherever you go in Taiwan.

To use EasyCard, you just need to touch the card reader when entering or exiting a bus, MRT or train gate. It will also show you the remaining balance on your card. You can use EasyCard on Taiwan Railways, which is applicable for local trains. If you are travelling by express train, you will need to buy a separate ticket for that.

For mare details, please check Taiwan EasyCard

Buy a SIM/eSIM Card with Unlimited Data

It’s convenient to buy a prepaid mobile SIM/eSIM card at the airport. They offer a variety of plans with different data and talk time, with each SIM card costing around NT$500 to NT$1,000. We recommend you to buy a 4G Hinet SIM/eSIM card. There are two locations for the telecom counters in the arrival hall of Terminal 1, one at the South Meeting Point and the other at the North Meeting Point. After passing through the immigration gate, go to the left to reach the South Meeting Point, and go to the right to reach the North Meeting Point. Please prepare 2 IDs such as a passport or driver’s license. If your phone is a special model, please remember to inform the counter of your device model.

Without Google Maps, you will definitely get lost in Taiwan. If you can’t use Google Translate on the Chinese menu, you won’t know what to order.

You can buy EasyCard and SIM card in advance before you arrive in Taiwan. Klook offers packages with EasyCard(with Deposit) and SIM Card(Unlimited data). You can pick it up at Taoyuan Airport.

▲Klook exclusive version on sale in limited quantities: NT$200 Deposit (White), NT$400 Deposit (Orange)

EasyCard Package options: Buy it Now (klook)
EasyCard with NT$200 Deposit
EasyCard with NT$400 Deposit

SIM card package options: Buy it Now (klook)
with 3 Days 4G SIM Card (Unlimited data, NT$100 credit for calls)
with 5 Days 4G SIM Card (Unlimited data, NT$50 credit for calls)
with 7 Days 4G SIM Card (Unlimited data NT$150 credit for calls)
with 10 Days 4G SIM Card (Unlimited data, NT$100 credit for calls)
with 15 Days 4G SIM Card (Unlimited data, NT$100 credit for calls)

Taiwan Has Amazing Transportation System

The Taipei Metro is the main transportation in Taipei and New Taipei. Whether you are a local or a tourist, you can easily travel to various places by taking the MRT, and there are buses outside most MRT stations for transfers. One-way MRT fares range from NT$20 to NT$65, depending on the distance you travel.

There are priority seats on the MRT and buses, which are a different color from other seats. Most locals, unless they are pregnant, elderly, sick, or physically challenged, will not sit in those seats.

If you want to take the high-speed rail, you must book your ticket in advance.
■ Taipei Fun Pass (Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, Taipei MRT, city buses, and 6 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle)
■ Taipei Transport Fun Pass (Taipei MRT, city buses, 6 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes, and Maokong Gondol)
■ (Taiwan Pass) HSR + MRT + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle
■ Taipei Metro (MRT) Day Pass
■ Taiwan High Speed Rail Day Pass
■ Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket

Download Transportation Apps:

	T Express (For high-speed rail)
	Bus+ (For bus and train)

Taiwan MRT Map

Do People Speak English in Taiwan?

If you are planning to travel to Taiwan, you don’t need to know much Chinese. You can relax knowing that most Taiwanese in big cities know a little English. You can also use Google Translate on your phone to communicate with locals. If you have any questions, you can ask the locals. As long as you are willing to open your heart, everyone will be happy to chat with you.

Is Taiwan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Taiwan is great for solo female travelers. MRT stations have special waiting areas for women at night, which is also a good protection for women walking alone at night. According to Numbeo, Taiwan is ranked the third safest place in the world. The crime rate in Taiwan is very low and many Taiwanese women will walk alone at night. They will also go to parties with friends or drink at night. If you travel alone, it is not recommended to drink at night.

From the Airport to Your Hotel in Taipei

Taoyuan Airport MRT is your great choice for international travelers to commute between the airport and Taipei. This is a cheap, safe, fast and convenient transportation service. If you take the express train from Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 to Taipei Main Station, it only takes 35 minutes.
Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station Fare: NT$150

For more details, please check Taoyuan Airport MRT

Etiquette

Tip in Taiwan?

Tipping is not common in Taiwan. This is because in most local restaurants, hotels and bars, a service charge is usually included in the bill. You don’t need to tip in local restaurants in Taiwan. They will be very embarrassed trying to return the tip to you as it is not something that locals would normally do. If you feel the service you received was outstanding, smile and say thank you (xièxiè) and delicious (Hào chī) in Mandarin when you leave. They will be very happy because politeness is an important culture in Taiwan. They may also try to speak a few words to you.

However, you can consider tipping when you go to a high-end restaurant, as tipping is a way of saying thank you. Of course, there are some places in Taiwan where you can consider tipping, such as tour group drivers, tour guides, hotel porters, and waiters.. etc. These places in Taiwan are more likely to accept tipping, but it is not completely necessary.

Any Dress Code for Temples?

Eating upon entering a temple is not permitted. You can enter most Taiwanese temples if you are wearing a vest, shorts, skirt, sandals, sunglasses, etc. There is no special dress code for visiting temples in Taiwan. Just wear normal clothes. In the minds of locals, you can wear whatever you like, but you must dress modestly in the temple.

Be Careful about Smoking Areas

Most indoor public places have completely banned smoking (such as hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, MRT and train stations) and smoking is strictly prohibited and enforced. Unless they have an indoor smoking room, you can smoke there.

Places with a lot of people (such as old streets, parks, around campuses, and outside convenience stores) are also no-smoking areas. Some outdoor places also have smoking areas. Smoking is common in open-air cafes. In theory, you are less likely to make a mistake if you smoke with the locals.

a Safe Place for LGBTIQ+ Travelers

On May 17, 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia where same-sex couples can legally marry. Taipei City has set up a “Rainbow Six” rainbow landscape at Exit 6 of Ximending MRT Station to encourage everyone to respect human rights and promote a friendly environment for gender equality. Ximending is also considered a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community. There are many bars next to The Red House with a great atmosphere, and it is now also a place for people to gather. Now it has become an LGBTQ+ friendly gathering place, suitable for nightlife with drinks and chats.

Taiwan holds the Taiwan LGBT+ Pride parade every October.

Prepare your trip to Taiwan?