How To Travel to Taipei, Taiwan in 2023

June 3, 2023

Taipei City is Taiwan’s cultural and economic center, known for its convenient transportation system, high-tech industrial areas, and world-class architectural landmarks. Whether you wish to see unique artifacts, immerse yourself in a rich culture, or take in a stunning view, Taipei, Taiwan has a lot to offer.

If you are planning to visit this beautiful city, we hope this Taipei travel guide will help you plan your trip.

Taipei, Taiwan weather

In general, the people of Taipei experience mild weather year-round, where the average temperature is about 73°F or 23°C. However, Taipei’s rainy season runs from May to September, where June to August has the most abundant precipitation. To get the whole Taipei experience, avoid these months as much as possible. You can shoot for late October to March so that the weather is dry and cool.

Exchange currency in Taipei, Taiwan

The currency in Taipei is New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or TWD). The best place to exchange money in Taipei is at big local banks like South China Commercial Bank, China Trust Bank, or Bank of Taiwan. You can also exchange currency at currency exchange counters at Taipei airports, big shopping malls, and hotels. Simply search on Google Maps to find local banks, hotels, and malls near you.

Taipei, Taiwan travel restrictions

Because of many factors, including the pandemic and other Covid restrictions, Taipei, Taiwan’s airport travel restrictions are constantly being updated. To keep informed about any changes in Taipei travel restrictions, Trip.com and Booking.com have all the information you need.

Culture in Taipei

As a foreigner, it is very important to be aware of the cultures and traditions in Taipei, Taiwan, to prevent misunderstanding and remain respectful when interacting with the locals.

Do’s

Do take off your shoes every time you enter someone’s home.
Do finish your food because wasting food is considered disrespectful.
Do remember that the dark blue seats in Taipei MRT are only for pregnant women, the elderly, and others in need.
Do pick up a few Chinese phrases
Do present money, a gift, or a document using both hands

Don’ts

Don’t chew gum, eat, or drink water while you’re inside the MRT.
Don’t open up the issue about China-Taiwan politics unless you know your friend well.
Don’t tip, whether it is in hotels, taxis, or restaurants. However, tips are welcomed in bars.
Do not talk about ‘death’.

Organize Taipei, Taiwan travel documents.

Make sure you have organized all the essential travel documents and digital copies secured to have a smooth, seamless travel experience.

Depending on the type of passport you have, you may need to apply for a visa and secure other important documents to enter Taipei. If you are from the U.S., you need to present a valid passport, confirm your return, and you will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for up to 90 days if your passport allows. If not, you can still enter without a visa for a time equal to your passport’s expiration date.

To get the most current information, please contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Travel health insurance in Taiwan

Any travel activity can potentially cause injuries, sprain, and other unexpected accidents. If you have travel health insurance, the rescue, medications, costs of treatment, and recovery costs will be rightfully covered by your insurance company. Although Taiwan does not legally require tourists to have health insurance, we strongly recommend getting one to protect yourself from unexpected expenses.

Money and credit/debit card

It should not be difficult to find ATMs in Taipei. Almost all banks have a separate ATM area open 24/7 and many 7/11 stores and department stores have them as well. Some of the most popular ATMs in Taipei include HSBC ATM, Citibank ATM, Taipei Fubon Bank ATM, to name a few. While some establishments only accept Taiwanese cards, foreign debit, and credit cards can still be used in many ATMs but will incur charges. There are also many Bitcoin ATM locations in Taipei, Taiwan, including Taipei Ximen MRT, BTCTW Shop, Golden Bitcoin ATM Banqiao, and more.

Taipei Itinerary

If you are unsure how many days you need to enjoy your Taipei trip, we would say four days and three nights is the minimum. Here is a sample 4 days Taipei itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Day One

Hop On Hop Off Bus

National Palace Museum

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Shilin Night Market

Day Two

Bopiliao Historical Block

Longshan Temple

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Raohe Night Market

Day Three

Shifen Waterfall

Jiufen

Shifen Old Street

Ximending at night

Day Four

Fort San Domingo

Lover’s Bridge

Tamsui Old Street

Beitou Hot Springs

The best area to stay in Taipei, Taiwan

Zhongzheng

If you want to stay close to Taipei Main Station and other key tourist spots like Huashan 1914 Creative Park and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, then you can stay in the beautiful area of Zhongzheng. This centrally located district also has many educational and cultural sites, including the National Museum of History, Taipei Botanical Garden, The Liberty Square, and more.

You can book accommodations in Zhongzheng, Taipei, on Tripadvisor. Here are some of the most popular hotels to stay in Zhongzheng, Taipei.

Budget-friendly: 101寵物友善邸家

Mid-range: Pacific Business Hotel

Expensive: W Taipei

Datong

If you have a tighter budget, then you can choose Datong. It’s a great district to stay in Taipei City because it offers many budget friendly accommodations and food choices. It also received fewer visitors so the area is generally quieter compared to districts like Zhongzheng and Ximending. Attractions in Datong include Taiwan New Cultural Movement Memorial Hall, Ama Museum, Tianma Tea House, Qsquare, Dalong Night Market, and more.

To secure accommodations in Datong, Taipei, you can visit Agoda. Here are some of the well-known hotels to stay in Datong, Taipei.

Budget-friendly: Yi Su Hotel-Taipei Ningxia

Mid-range: Star Hostel Taipei Main Station

Expensive: Palais de Chine Hotel

Ximending

If you want to stay in a fun and energetic district, then you would love Ximending. Known as the “Harajuku of Taipei”, Ximending has a host of pubs and clubs and local bookstores that sell Japanese books, magazines, clothing, and CD albums. There are also an abundance of restaurants, food stalls, dessert places, VR and arcades, boutique shops, and more.

You can book accommodations in Ximending, Taipei on Agoda. Here are some of the most famous hotels to stay in Ximending, Taipei.

Budget-friendly: I Play Inn

Mid-range: Cho Hotel 3

Expensive: inhouse Hotel

Embassy and consulates in Taipei, Taiwan

No one can escape unexpected and unfortunate situations when traveling to a foreign country. If you find yourself in an emergency and need immediate assistance while in a foreign country, seek the help of your home country’s embassy. Knowing your consulate’s contact details and where the nearest embassy is in Taipei, you can receive support and various resources for different challenges, including stolen or lost passports, health emergencies, arrest, natural disasters, and more.

Cover your home base by holding your mail

Avoid broadcasting your overflowing mailbox to thieves by putting your mail on hold. If you are from the U.S., submitting a Hold Mail request is easy and free. Simply sign in or create a USPS account, fill in the necessary information, and verify your identity to successfully submit your request online. You can also visit your local post office if you want to submit your request in person

For more information ,visit USPS Hold Mail Service.

Hire a house sitter

If you are a homeowner or pet owner, having a reliable house sitter to occupy your house is one of the most effective ways to ensure the security of your home and give you the peace of mind knowing your house and pets are properly cared for. House sitters and pet sitters can handle day to day operations, cleaning, mail, maintenance, and other emergency concerns that may arise.

How to get around Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei has an awesome public transportation system. There are many options to get around the city, including the Taipei MRT, bus, and Uber, to name a few. If you are planning to use public transportation a lot, here are a few of the Taipei transportation cards you have to know about.

Taipei Transport Fun Pass

This pass will give you unlimited rides on city buses, MRT, Maokong Gondola, five Taipei tourist shuttle bus routes and discounts to over 150 Taipei shops.

EasyCard

With an EasyCard, you can eliminate the hassle of purchasing single journey tokens and get 15% discount on the Kaohsiung MRT and 20% discount on the Taipei MRT. You can also use it on Taipei ferries, taxis, convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and more.

Pack your stuff

Before emptying your closet into your suitcase, ask yourself if the clothes are appropriate for Taipei activities, weather, and culture. When deciding what to wear, we strongly recommend packing light. Wear lightweight fabrics that are not too revealing. It is perfectly acceptable to wear shorts, but make sure to be modest and cover up your legs when visiting religious temples.

For a more comprehensive clothing guide, check out this article.

Aside from clothing, here are some of the many essential travel items to pack.

Filtration water bottle to effectively filter tap water and avoid constantly buying bottled water
Basic packing cubes to organize your clothes, toiletries, and other belongings
Digital accessories like a universal power adapter to charge your device and pocket Wi-Fi to stay connected anywhere in Taipei
First-aid kit to remedy common medical emergencies.