Money and payments
Cards and cash
Most banks in Taipei and Kaohsiung will exchange money or offer cash advances on credit or debit cards.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not practiced in Taiwan.
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Asia · Eastern AsiaUsable guideCountry in East Asia
Photo: xiangyang17, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Taiwan (Traditional Chinese: 台灣 or 臺灣, Táiwān) is a self-governing group of islands off the coast of China. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Besides its crowded cities, Taiwan is also known for steep mountains and lush forests. Taiwan is home to a large number of impressive scenic sites, and Taipei is a center of culture, entertainment and leisure activities. The island is also a center of Mandarin-language pop culture with a substantial entertainment industry.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Taiwan.
Cards and cash
Most banks in Taipei and Kaohsiung will exchange money or offer cash advances on credit or debit cards.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not practiced in Taiwan.
Chinese
The romanization of Chinese used in Taiwan is not standardized. Most older place names and personal names are derived from a simplified version of Wade-Giles.
If you want an Internet connection to your smartphone, you can purchase a prepaid 4G unlimited data sim card from Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, or Far EasTone at a cost of NT$300 for 3 days, or NT$500 for 7 days (other periods are available as well).
Mobile networks
According to the sole water company of Taiwan, tap water is in general safe to drink.
Air pollution can be significant with the highest ratio of scooters per person in the world and a high west coast urban density. You can check air quality real time monitoring on this page.
Covered in the guide
The Taiwanese are generally a warm and polite people, having been strongly influenced by Confucianism.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the national capital of Taiwan and one of the world's major global cities, as well as the center of commerce and culture. Taipei is also home to Ximending and Taipei 101.
The main center of Hakka culture in Taiwan.
The second-largest city on the island. In the center-western region of Taiwan, and famous among the Taiwanese for its pastries such as sun cakes and pineapple cakes.
At the geographical center of the island, making it a good base for exploring the central mountains and Sun Moon Lake.
The oldest city and former capital of Taiwan. It is famous for its historic buildings, and as the unofficial culinary capital of Taiwan.
The third-largest city on the island. It has one of the busiest sea ports (the Port of Kaohsiung) in the world and the island's second-largest airport.
On the southeastern coast, a laid back city that is known for beautiful scenery and large indigenous population.
Near Taroko Gorge and considered one of the most pleasant of Taiwan's cities.
Misty forests of giant cypresses and amazing sunrises at the center of the island, reached by a scenic narrow-gauge train
At the extreme southern tip of the island, this park is famous for its beaches and lush vegetation.
A park spanning mountains and rivers in Hsinchu County—great hiking trails
Nestled at 762 m (2,500 ft) in lofty mountains in Nantou County, this lake is famous for its clear sparkling blue water and picturesque mountain backdrop.
An impressive gorge off the east coast
Spanning a mountain range overlooking Taipei
At 3,952 m the highest mountain in not just Taiwan, but in the entire eastern ⅔ of East Asia
The capital city, main airport and technology hub of the island
Taipei, Hsinchu, Hsinchu County, Keelung, New Taipei, Taoyuan
Scenic mountains and lakes and major national parks
Hualien and Taitung are cut off from the rest of the island by the central mountains; this is a region of great natural beauty, and the main center of indigenous Austronesian culture
Yilan County, Hualien, Hualien County, Taitung County, Taitung
The tropics of Taiwan with beaches and palm trees and the third largest city
Chiayi County, Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Tainan, Yunlin County
Small islands that are popular getaway destinations with the locals.
Public transport and paid services in Taiwan.
By train
Taiwan's train system is excellent, with stops in all major cities. Train stations are often in the centers of most cities and towns and serve as a convenient hub for most types of transportation.
By bus
Taiwan has an extensive bus network, run mostly by private bus companies. Traveling by bus is generally cheaper than by train, especially for long-distance trips.
By metro
The following areas are served by metro, also known as MRT:
By boat
Ferries connect the main island of Taiwan with some of the outlying islands.
By taxi
The highways of Taiwan are lined with brightly lit booths staffed by attractive, skimpily dressed young women, but they're not plying the world's oldest trade; instead, they're betel nut beauties,…
By car
The ability to drive in Taiwan with an international driving license (IDP) depends on reciprocal agreements between Taiwan and the issuing country of the IDP.
By scooter or motorcycle
Scooters are commonplace in Taiwan and the primary mean of transportation outside big cities.
By plane
Domestic air travel in Taiwan is primarily for outlying islands, as Taiwan is fairly compact with a modern and efficient rail network.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Taiwan.
Finding apps for Taiwan…
Other ways to travel:By thumbBy bicycleOn foot and navigation
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Taoyuan · International · TPE
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Taipei
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 17° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 21° | 18° |
| Avg. low | 10° | 11° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 20° | 21° | 21° | 19° | 17° | 14° | 11° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 64 | 58 | 79 | 97 | 229 | 269 | 236 | 337 | 266 | 105 | 83 | 53 |
| Humidity | 87% | 85% | 82% | 80% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 84% | 87% | 87% | 88% | 87% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Taiwan. There is a risk of natural disasters in Taiwan, including earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, flooding, and extreme heat.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state and has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, so limited support is available to British nationals. Please refer to the British Office in Taipei for further information. Typhoon season warning Typhoons can affect Taiwan in June, but the most active period is between July and September. Typhoon frequency gradually decreases in October. If you are planning to visit Taiwan during typhoon season, it is important to stay informed and plan ahead: monitor official weather forecast: check the website of the Taiwan Central Weather Administration for updated typhoon news be flexible with your itinerary: flights, trains, buses and other transportation services may be delayed or cancelled during severe weather check your travel arrangements with your travel provider follow the guidance of the Taiwanese authorities conditions may be dangerous for swimming, water sports and other activities in coastal waters around Taiwan during this period Information and advice on how you can prepare for a range of disasters and emergency situations in Taiwan can be found in their Public Safety Guide or “Little Orange Book”. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Taiwan.
Culture & historyPrior to large-scale Han Chinese settlement during the Qing Dynasty, Taiwan was primarily inhabited by various Austronesian peoples.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsTaiwan's rail network offers a seamless, efficient and reasonably affordable way to explore the island's diverse cityscapes and landscapes.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkBubble tea, also known as boba and pearl milk tea, is a tea-based beverage originating in Taiwan in the early 1980s.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Pacific War was a theatre of World War II including East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania, separate from World War II in Europe.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureCycling allows you to see places close up and at a slower pace. It keeps you aware of your surroundings and you get to experience a place more intimately than you would as a bus or taxi passenger.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkTea is a drink made from either fresh or dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. Because it normally requires very hot water to steep, it is a healthy way to drink water contaminated with…
Wikivoyage
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