East Asia
Taiwan
Safe, friendly and easy: cheap excellent food, efficient trains and Asia's most LGBTQ+-friendly society. Hot humid summers, typhoons and scooter-heavy traffic are the trade-offs.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa67 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyTWDUS$1 ≈ NT$31.86Details
- English3/5Common in tourist areasDetails
- PlugsType A, B110 V, 60 HzDetails
- Emergency110Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 0800-011-765
- Tap waterFilter or boilTreated, but locals boil or filter it; refill at free drinking fountains in MRT stations, parks and many public buildings.Details
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityAsia's most accepting place: same-sex marriage since 2019 and Taipei Pride each October, the region's largest.Details
- Internet298 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 111 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightIDP valid 30 days; for longer stays, register it at a motor vehicles office. Scooters need a motorcycle endorsement.
- Digital nomad visaYesDigital Nomad Visitor VisaDetails
Where to go in Taiwan
13 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaipeiCapital city | 5/5 | $1,880–2,820 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 51/100 |
| TainanCity | 5/5 | $1,320–2,040 | Nov–Mar | 75/100 |
| KaohsiungCity | 5/5 | $1,410–2,130 | Feb–Mar, Nov–Dec | 74/100 |
| TaichungCity | 5/5 | $1,510–2,260 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 67/100 |
| HualienCity | 5/5 | $1,130–1,730 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 82/100 |
| JiufenTown | 5/5 | $1,410–2,200 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 67/100 |
| Sun Moon LakeRegion | 5/5 | $1,410–2,200 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 68/100 |
| KentingBeach town | 4/5 | $1,260–1,880 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 68/100 |
| AlishanMountain town | 5/5 | $1,410–2,200 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec | 68/100 |
| TaitungCity | 5/5 | $1,130–1,730 | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | 84/100 |
| HsinchuCity | 5/5 | $1,570–2,510 | Apr, Oct–Dec | 61/100 |
| PenghuIslands | 5/5 | $1,510–2,350 | Apr–Jun, Sep | 66/100 |
| XiaoliuqiuIsland | 5/5 | $1,410–2,200 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 70/100 |
When to visit Taiwan
Oct–Dec and Mar–Apr are mild and drier. May–Jun brings plum rains; Jul–Sep is hot with typhoons. The north is damp in winter; the south stays sunnier.
Good to know
Entry
- Submit the free online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) within 3 days before arrival.
- Visa-exempt visitors need a passport valid at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Undeclared pork and other meat products bring heavy fines (NT$200,000 for pork) or refused entry.
- E-cigarettes are banned, including use; fines apply.
- Drug penalties are severe, including death for trafficking.
Etiquette
- No eating or drinking in MRT paid areas; fines are enforced.
- Stand on the right of MRT escalators.
- Don't tip; a thank-you is enough.
Tipping
Not expected; restaurants and hotels often add a 10% service charge.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Taiwan Arrival Card (National Immigration Agency)
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Taiwan Tourism Administration
- Speedtest Global Index: Taiwan
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.