Capital city, Taiwan
Taipei
Asia's easiest big city for a first solo trip or nomad base: safe, clean, great food and fast MRT, with hiking minutes away. Humid summers, rainy winters and small apartments are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$1,880–2,820Comfortable, one person · NT$60,000–90,000Details
- Value for money51/100Better value than 50% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 30°CDetails
- Internet298 MbpsFixed broadband, Taiwan medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTreated at source but old building tanks vary; locals boil or filter it.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$16–47Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards and contactless in malls, chains and hotels; cash for night markets, small eateries and temples.Details
Where to stay in Taipei
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Da'an and Zhongxiao Dunhua | Cafés, Daan Park, MRT access; popular with expats and nomads |
| Zhongshan–Datong | Boutique hotels, old streets, bars and easy MRT lines |
| Ximending and Wanhua | Budget hostels, nightlife, central station access, lively at night |
| Gongguan and Guting | Students, language schools, cheap eats, riverside bike paths |
| Xinyi | Taipei 101, malls and upscale apartments; pricey |
Apps that work in Taipei
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Reliable in English; fixed upfront price |
| 55688 Taiwan Taxi | Local taxi app; Chinese-language interface |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- EasyCard or iPASS: MRT, buses, YouBike and convenience stores
- YouBike: Public bike share in most cities
- T Express: High-speed rail tickets
- Taxis: Street taxis are metered and honest; ask for the meter. Many drivers speak little English, so show the address in Chinese.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Taiwan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards and contactless in malls, chains and hotels; cash for night markets, small eateries and temples. EasyCard pays in convenience stores.
- Currency: Dollar (TWD). US$1 ≈ NT$31.86 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Post office, bank and convenience-store ATMs take most foreign cards; some add a small local fee.
- Tipping: Not expected; restaurants and hotels often add a 10% service charge.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay with foreign cards work on contactless readers; EasyCard or iPASS for transit and convenience stores.
Before you go
Visa and 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.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 0800-011-765
Plugs
Type A, B · 110 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier counters at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports sell unlimited-data tourist SIMs, about NT$300–1,000 for 3–30 days; passport plus a second ID. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Taiwan
Going to Taipei solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Taipei meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Taipei Metro
- Taoyuan International Airport
- Taiwan Tourism Administration
- National Taiwan University Hospital
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety 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.