Taiwan Travel Guide

Taiwan is one of Asia's most rewarding destinations for travelers who love great food, scenic landscapes, lively cities, and easy independent travel. From vibrant night markets and mountain towns to cultural attractions and coastal escapes, Taiwan offers an experience that feels both exciting and approachable. This Taiwan travel guide brings together itinerary ideas, destination highlights, and practical travel tips to help you plan your trip.

Taiwan Travel Guide 2026

Taiwan Travel Overview (At a Glance)

Best for: Food lovers, night market enthusiasts, temple explorers, mountain and coastal scenery seekers, and travelers who want easy independent travel with great infrastructure.
Safety: Taiwan is one of the safest places in Asia; low crime, clean streets, and friendly locals make it ideal for solo and family travel.
Public transport: Excellent. Taipei Metro (MRT), buses, trains, and high-speed rail (THSR) are efficient and punctual. EasyCard works for transport and convenience stores.
Cost level: Moderate to affordable; street food and night markets are very reasonably priced. Hotels range from budget hostels to luxury stays. Generally cheaper than Japan.
English spoken: Common in tourist areas, hotels, and major attractions. Less so in local markets and rural areas—a translation app helps.
Tap water safe: Generally not recommended to drink straight from the tap; stick to bottled or filtered water.

Best Places to Visit in Taiwan

Discover top destinations across Taiwan—from Taipei and Kaohsiung to mountain towns, coastal escapes, and cultural highlights. Our guides cover general Taiwan itineraries, attraction roundups, and destination pages.

Taiwan Itineraries

Plan your days in Taiwan with our curated itineraries—from multi-day Taiwan trips to city-specific guides that help you make the most of your visit.

Taiwan Attractions and Experiences

Explore the best things to do in Taiwan—from Taipei 101 and night markets to scenic spots, cultural sites, and unforgettable experiences across the island.

Taiwan Travel Tips

Practical advice for your Taiwan trip—from transport and money to local customs, safety, and insider tips to make your visit smoother.

Shopping in Taiwan

Discover the best shopping in Taiwan—from Taipei shopping guides and night market finds to malls, souvenir ideas, and shopping districts across the island.

Planning a Trip to Taiwan

When to go

October to April is a great time to visit Taiwan, with mild dry weather and comfortable temperatures. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best times of year for sightseeing. Summer (June–August) can be hot and humid. Typhoon season also runs through summer with the most activity between July and September. If you're travelling in summer, check the weather reports closely and ensure your travel insurance covers typhoon-related delays.

How long to spend

Five to seven days is plenty for Taipei and one or two other highlights. Spending a week to 10 days allows you to explore Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, or the east coast. If you can, spend two weeks and do a loop of the whole island. Most travellers spend 2–3 days in Taipei before visiting Taichung, Tainan or Kaohsiung based on their interests.

Getting around

Taiwan has a great train network. High Speed Rail (THSR) connects Taipei with Kaohsiung in less than two hours. Trains (TRA) cover the east coast and many smaller towns. Buses cover most of the remaining ground. Once in the city, take the Taipei Metro (subway/MRT). Scooter rentals are also popular along the east coast and in smaller towns—ensure you have an international driving permit.

EasyCard

The EasyCard (悠遊卡) is a rechargeable contactless smart card used on Taipei Metro, buses, trains and at convenience stores and many retail shops. You can purchase and top up your EasyCard at MRT stations and 7-Eleven. It's a convenient way to pay for transportation and small purchases without needing exact change. Pick one up when you arrive at Taipei.

Weather and typhoons

Taiwan has a subtropical climate. Expect hot, humid summers (June to August) with occasional typhoons (around July to September). Typhoons occasionally cause flight cancellations and heavy rainstorms. If you're visiting Taiwan in summer, monitor the weather forecast and book flexible tickets where possible. Winter is mild in north Taiwan and quite warm in south Taiwan (December to February). Spring and autumn have Taiwan's most comfortable weather.

Night markets

Taiwan's night markets are fantastic. Shilin Night Market in Taipei is huge and well-known. Raohe Night Market and Ningxia Night Market are slightly quieter and have different characters. Sample stinky tofu, bubble tea, oyster omelettes and grilled meats. Arrive hungry, take cash and get there early to avoid long queues. Night markets are a great place to buy souvenirs and people-watch.

With kids

Taiwan is great for travellers with kids. Public transport is clean, safe and easy to navigate. Food options are plentiful (kid-friendly highlights include bubble tea and fried chicken). Taipei 101, kid-friendly museums and parks will entertain the young ones. Many hotels have family rooms. We recommend bringing a stroller for young kids. Sidewalks in older neighbourhoods can be uneven.

Language and money

The official language is Mandarin Chinese. You'll hear English spoken at tourist sites, hotels and larger attractions, but not so much in local markets and rural areas. Download a translator app to help you. Credit cards are accepted in most places throughout the cities. At night markets and smaller shops, cash is king. Taiwan has many ATMs, and 7-Eleven generally offers international cards.

FAQ About Visiting Taiwan

Is Taiwan a good place to visit?

Yes. Taiwan has amazing food, kind people, excellent transportation, bustling cities, mountains, beaches, and so much more. It's affordable, safe, and easy to get around. Plus, whether you're into night markets, temples, hiking, taking buses/rail everywhere, or eating as much food as you can possible fit into your body… Taiwan's got you covered.

How long should I spend in Taiwan?

5-7 days is a minimum where you can scratch the surface in Taipei and at least one other city or Taiwan National Park. If you have a week to 10 days you can see more off the beaten path like Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung. Two weeks you could do a circuit of the whole island. Most travelers spend 2-3 days in Taipei and then tailor the rest of their trip based on their interests.

What should I know about Taiwan?

Taiwan is known for night markets, bubble tea, street food, Taipei 101, hot springs, beautiful Taroko Gorge, and friendly locals. Convenient transportation, easy to explore cities, affordable cost of travel, delicious food, and a combination of Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous cultures. For beginners it's a great gateway drug for Asia and every foodies dream.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Taiwan has great weather year-round, but October through April is when it's the easiest to visit. These months are mild and dry making it perfect for exploring. My favorite times are in the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Summer can be very hot and humid with occasional typhoons. June-August are also peak tourist season due to families visiting from mainland China. Winter time (December-February) is a bit chillier in northern Taiwan and a bit warmer in southern Taiwan. If you don't like sweating try and avoid visiting during typhoon season (June through September).

Can I travel to Taiwan on my own?

Definitely! Taiwan is one of the easiest countries in Asia for solo first time travelers. The public transportation system is top notch. Everyone speaks English in the tourism areas and they are so used to travelers they're incredibly welcoming. Transportation is made easy with the EasyCard and the Taipei MRT is clean and simple to navigate. The food is so tasty and you can find something to satisfy any diet. Most places have English signs so you never feel lost. Solo travelers will never feel lonely!