Taiwan
The Heart of Asia — night markets, mountains, and bubble tea
Currency
NT$
TWD
New Taiwan Dollar
TWD
Quick Conversion
Live exchange rates are not available for TWD. Please use a currency converter like xe.com for the latest rates.
Cashless Payments
7 / 10
Moderately cashless-friendly
Taiwan has strong cashless adoption in cities. EasyCard works for transit, convenience stores, and many shops. Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants, malls, and hotels. LINE Pay and JKoPay are popular mobile payment options. However, night markets, traditional shops, and some local restaurants are still cash-only. Carry some NT$ for street food and markets.
Cash Advice
Bills (NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1,000, NT$2,000) and coins (NT$1, NT$5, NT$10, NT$50). Cash is essential for night markets, street food, and local buses. Coins are commonly used — bring a wallet with a coin compartment.
Daily Budget Guide
Meals & Transportation only — excludes accommodation · Prices in TWD
NT$380–NT$640
≈ $12–$20 USD
Night market food (NT$50–NT$100 per dish), local noodle shops (NT$80–NT$150). MRT and bus with EasyCard (~NT$100–NT$200/day).
NT$800–NT$1,600
≈ $25–$50 USD
Casual restaurants and cafes (NT$200–NT$500 per meal). Mix of MRT, bus, and occasional Uber rides.
NT$2,500+
≈ $80+ USD
Fine dining and high-end restaurants (NT$1,000–NT$3,000+ per meal). THSR travel and private transfers.
Tipping Guide
ℹ️ Tipping is not a common practice here. Service charges are usually included in the bill.
Restaurants
Tipping is not practiced in Taiwan. Most restaurants include a 10% service charge in the bill. No additional tip is expected.
Hotels
Tipping is not customary. Hotel staff do not expect tips. Some high-end international hotels may accept tips graciously.
Taxis / Drivers
Do not tip taxi drivers. Fares are metered. Rounding up is not expected.
Visa Requirements
Select your passport to view visa requirements.
Official Links
🔒Always verify you are on official government domains (.gov). Be cautious of third-party sites charging fees for free government services.
- 🔗Visa Information
Bureau of Consular Affairs — official visa requirements and application procedures
- 🔗Taiwan Tourism Bureau
Official tourism website with travel guides, events, and destination information
- 🔗National Immigration Agency
Official immigration authority — entry requirements and visa extensions
- 🔗Customs Administration
Taiwan Customs — what you can and cannot bring into Taiwan
Rules & Restrictions
⚠️ Always verify current laws before travel. Laws can change and penalties vary.
⚖️Legal
- Drug laws are strict. Trafficking of narcotics can carry the death penalty. Possession of controlled substances results in imprisonment.
- Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport stations. Designated smoking areas are available.
- Jaywalking is illegal and subject to fines. Use designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals.
- Littering is illegal. Fines range from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000. Taiwan takes recycling very seriously — sort your waste correctly.
🎭Cultural
- Remove shoes before entering homes and some traditional establishments. Look for shoe racks at the entrance.
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice — this resembles incense offerings for the dead and is considered very bad luck.
- Queue orderly for public transport. Taiwanese are very disciplined about queuing, especially for the MRT.
🏥Health
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking in most areas. Drink boiled or bottled water. Many public places have hot/cold water dispensers.
Apps & Getting Around
Taipei has an excellent MRT (metro) system — clean, efficient, and easy to navigate with English signage. Buy an EasyCard for seamless tap-and-go on MRT, buses, YouBike (public bike share), and even convenience stores. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in 1.5 hours. Taiwan Railways covers the entire island including scenic east coast routes. Intercity buses are comfortable and affordable. YouBike stations are everywhere in cities — first 30 minutes are free with EasyCard.
Navigation
- Google MapsNavigation✅ Foreigner-friendly
Works excellently in Taiwan for navigation, transit routing, and finding restaurants. Download offline maps as backup.
Food
- foodpandaFood✅ Foreigner-friendly
Food delivery app widely used in Taiwan. Works with international cards.
Transport
- UberTransport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Available in Taipei and major cities. Works with international accounts and cards.
- Taiwan Railway (台鐵e訂通)Transport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Official Taiwan Railways booking app. Book train tickets in advance, especially for popular routes.
- EasyCard (悠遊卡)Transport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Rechargeable transit card for MRT, buses, YouBike, and convenience stores. Buy at any MRT station or convenience store.
Public Holidays 2026
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Power & Plugs
Type
Type A
Voltage
110V
Frequency
60Hz
Type
Type B
Voltage
110V
Frequency
60Hz
SIM Card Guide
Typical price range
NT$300–NT$700 (approx. USD $10–$22) for a 5–15 day data SIM
Chunghwa Telecom
Taiwan's largest carrier with the best coverage. Tourist SIM available at Taoyuan Airport arrivals. 5-day to 30-day plans.
Taiwan Mobile
Good coverage and competitive tourist SIM packages. Available at airports and convenience stores.
FarEasTone
Tourist SIM with unlimited data options. Available at airport counters.
Suggested Attractions
Taipei 101 Observatory
Observation deck on the 89th floor of the iconic skyscraper. Panoramic views of Taipei.
Jiufen Old Street
Atmospheric hillside village that inspired Spirited Away. Narrow alleys with tea houses and street food.
Taroko Gorge National Park
Stunning marble gorge with hiking trails. One of Taiwan's most spectacular natural attractions.
Sun Moon Lake
Beautiful alpine lake in central Taiwan. Cycling around the lake, boat rides, and temple visits.
National Palace Museum (Taipei)
One of the world's largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts. Over 700,000 pieces.
Shilin Night Market (Taipei)
Taipei's largest and most famous night market. Endless street food, games, and shopping.