how expensive is taiwan to visit

The Cost of Travel in Taiwan: A 2023 Budget Breakdown

If you’d have told me back when I first started travelling that Taiwan would end up being  my favourite place on the planet , I’d have blinked multiple times in surprise.

Let’s face it: it doesn’t sound like  that exciting a place. Back then, I didn’t know anybody who had been, knew very little about it, and pictured it as an island blanketed in factories and electronics.

I was delighted, then, to discover that Taiwan is all about the dazzling cities, beautiful beaches, impressive architecture, spectacular scenery, delicious street food, and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met . After spending four weeks on the island during that initial trip, I’ve since paid two additional month-long visits to this kickass country. Yes, I’ve spent three whole months in Taiwan and I’m still keen to return to explore further.

Having spent so much time in this wonderful place, I feel qualified to share how much you should plan to budget for a trip to Taiwan, especially as I’ve tried out several different travel styles during each visit.

I’ve spent a month travelling solo on the tightest backpacker budget I could manage, and averaged $22 a day .

I spent a month travelling as part of a couple in mid-range-priced guesthouses, and averaged $35 a day.

And I spent a month as a digital nomad, basing myself in an apartment in Taipei for a full month, averaging $50 a day .

Let’s take a look at how much of my expenses I spent on accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. First up: how to travel in Taiwan on a backpacker budget!

How to Travel Taiwan on a Budget

Taiwan was my first destination in Asia and the first place to show me just how affordable backpacking could be.

Rather than staying in the cheapest dorm room I could find, like I had been doing in Europe, I could afford to book the highest-rated hostel in town because it was just $10 a night ; I could head to a street market and find an entire meal for a couple of dollars; take a train across the length of the island for the price of a 30-minute journey back home in the U.K.

I spent $599.82 in 27 days. That’s $22.22 per day! 

Let’s take a look at my budget breakdown to see how affordable travel in Taiwan can be.

How to Save on Accommodation in Taiwan

If you’re looking to stretch your dollar as much as possible, aim to stay in dorm rooms in hostels. For some reason, private rooms in hostels and budget guesthouses in Taiwan are strangely expensive — often as much as $50 a night, whereas you’ll be able to grab a dorm bed for around $10 in most places. If you’re a solo traveller, dorm rooms are definitely the way to go, and hostels in Taiwan are clean, modern, and great value for money.

I’ve stayed in so many hostels in Taiwan over the three months I’ve spent travelling there, so I’ve put together a list of where I most recommend staying (all prices are listed in USD, as that’s where the majority of my readers are based):

Taipei:  A six-bed dorm in  Star Hostel Taipei East at $24/night         There’s a reason why this is the top-rated hostel in the city: it offers up so much for your money. What I love most about this spot is its location, between Daan and Xinyi, which are two of my favourite neighbourhoods in the city! The hostel itself is slick, modern, and well-designed, with a cosy common area and clean, comfortable dorm beds. I wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else in Taipei. Check out prices and availability here .

Taichung:  A four-bed dorm in Stray Birds Taichung Hostel at $20/night         If you’re going to check out beautiful Sun Moon Lake while you’re in Taiwan, Taichung is the best place to base yourself, as it’s expensive to stay beside the lake. And Taichung is a worthy destination in its own right, with plenty of museums, parks, and night markets to explore. Stray Birds Hostel is in a great location, close to my favourite park in the city. And it’s *beautiful* — the design is seriously impressive. The staff are welcoming and friendly, the common room is lovely, and the terrace is the perfect place to have breakfast each morning. Check out prices and availability here .  Kaohsiung:  A six-bed dorm at With Inn Hostel for  $19/night         If only every hostel was as wonderful as With Inn! The staff are what make staying in this hostel so great, as they’re always only too happy to help out with any questions, assist you with travelling to your next spot, and offer plenty of recommendations for restaurants and bar. This is yet another well-designed hostel in Taipei, with a beautiful roof terrace and garden, wonderful dorm rooms, and plenty of amenities. Overall, it offers great value for money. Check out prices and availability here . 

Tainan: A four-bed dorm at Cao Ji Book Inn Hostel for $26/night Tainan is full of excellent hostels, but my favourite is Cao Ji Book Inn Hostel. This place is particularly cool because it’s a hostel that’s book themed! There’s even a library! How awesome is that? It’s also the highest-rated hostel in town. The property’s aesthetic is just as interesting as you’re imagining, there’s a super-fun rooftop area to hang out on and chat with travellers, and it’s right beside the train station. Throw in some amazing staff and you’ve got yourself the perfect hostel. Check out prices and availability here . 

Hualien: A six-bed dorm at   Shining Forest Hostel  for  $16/night         What I love about Shining Forest Hostel was the friendliness of the owners (yes, this is a common theme in Taiwan!) It’s a family-run hostel, and Owen and his mother are so kind and welcoming. It’s in a great location, beside the train station and close to the excellent night market. I highly recommend staying here for both the owners and the Taiwanese breakfast they cook up for you every morning. So good! Finally, there are free bicycles to hire from the hostel and free coffee, tea, and cookies!  Check out prices and availability here . 

How to Save Money on Transportation in Taiwan

I used a mix of transportation in Taiwan, ranging from daily metro trips in Taipei, to hopping on a local train around the country, to checking out the high-speed rail between Taichung and Kaohsiung. If you’re on a budget, local trains are definitely the way to go.

Fortunately, trains in Taiwan are available to book through 12Go Asia , which is one of my secret weapons when it comes to travel throughout Asia. It makes booking onward travel so simple and convenient! Instead of having to buy train tickets in advance from the train stations, you can just book your ticket online instead and have peace of mind that you have a seat.

Here were my costs for transportation in Taiwan:

Ten days of metro use in Taipei: $3.60 Local train from Taipei to Taichung: $12.03 High-Speed Rail from Taichung to Kaohsiung: $26.13 Local train from Kaohsiung to Hualien: $17.43 Local train from Hualien to Taipei:  $13.00

How to Save on Food in Taiwan

Food in Taiwan is cheap, thanks to the plethora of night markets in every city. I always recommend eating the local food and doing so on the streets. Not only is the street food safe, but you’ll gain a cultural insight into Taiwanese life, too. In fact, the only time I got sick in Taiwan was when I ate in a restaurant rather than at a street food stall. Most dishes are around $1-2 per meal at the markets, so local is definitely the way to go!

For food, I paid $248.56  for four weeks of backpacking across Taiwan. That works out to $9 a day.

How to Save Money on Activities in Taiwan

The great thing about Taiwan is that many of the activities you’ll want to do in the country are free.

Entry to Taroko Gorge is free, as is the entrance to the Kaohsiung temples , as is the entrance to Sun Moon Lake, as is the entrance to the temples I visited in Taipei .

The only things I paid for in Taiwan was my bus tour around Taroko Gorge ( $7.92 ) and my minivan tour of the Lotus Pond temples ( $4 ), making my activities budget extremely low for my four weeks of travel.

While I limited most of my activities to free things, like hiking, prioritising museums with free entry, and wandering through markets on foot, Get Your Guide does list several budget tours that receive exceptional reviews.

I definitely want to jump on this Taipei street food tour  ($46), as Taiwanese food is one of the most underrated cuisines on the planet and I’ve always wanted to delve deeper into the food scene. This one introduces you to 10 new dishes! I also love the sound of Beitou Hotsprings and Yangmingshan Volcano Tour ($147), too. If you’re not confident on scooters, having somebody else show you around and explain the significance of the different trails is a great way to explore one of the prettiest parts of Taiwan. Finally, I’m totally adding this small group tour to the northeast coast of Taiwan ($77) to my next itinerary for Taiwan.

The Mid-Range Couple Budget

Several years later, I returned to Taiwan, but this time with my boyfriend in tow. My budget had expanded over that time, too, and I was looking to stay in mid-range guesthouses and hotels. When it comes to transportation, my boyfriend and I travelled across the island in much the same way as I had as a backpacker, and definitely still ate mostly street food! Activity costs were low once more.

The Cost of Mid-Range Accommodation in Taiwan

I didn’t stay in hostels while I was travelling in Taiwan this time around, instead opting to stay in the best-rated guesthouses in the country. Here’s what the costs looked like for us (this is for the total cost of the room, rather than just my share):

• Taipei : Old Door Hostel and Bar  at $64 per night
• Kaohsiung : Kindness Hotel at  $85 per night
• Kenting:   Kenting My Home at  $27 per night
• Hualien:   Aria 2 Home  at  $81 per night

Transportation

Transportation was similar to my first visit: a mix of metro use in Taipei, the High Speed Rail, local trains for much of the rest of the country, and a scooter rental in several places. Here’s my breakdown in detail:

• High speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung:  $46.70
• Return ferry ride from Kaohsiung to Qijing Island: $1.58
• Bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting:  $10.15
• A day’s scooter rental in Kenting: $9.50
• Bus from Kenting to Kaohsiung: $10.15
• Train from Kaohsiung to Hualien City:  $17.65
• A day’s scooter rental in Hualien: $12.66
• Train from Hualien City to Taipei: $13.74
• Taipei metro costs for our 10-day stay: $10.93
• Return bus from Taipei Airport to Taipei: $9.06

Food was vastly different to my first visit! With my eating horizons now having widened to roughly 18 million times the size they were before, I dove headfirst into night market eating and surfaced several hours later with a duck tongue in my mouth. I ate mostly on the streets when it came to lunches and dinners, but usually headed to a cafe for a bread-based meal for breakfast.

My total food costs came to: $525.41.

Once more, many of the activities we did in Taipei were free, like access to Taroko Gorge, Kenting National Park, Yingge Ceramics Museum, and exploring the temples of Lotus Pond.

The only entrance fee we paid was for Taipei’s Museum of Contemporary Art, which was $1.58 .

The-Basing-Yourself-in-Taipei Budget

Taipei is fantastic for digital nomads! If it wasn’t for my extrovert boyfriend needing to know roughly 7,984 people in a city in order to keep his energy levels high, we would have seriously looked at making it our home base.

For this particular trip to Taiwan, we spent our entire month in Taipei. We booked out an Airbnb apartment for 30 days, didn’t even leave the city for any day trips, and spent the vast majority of our time eating our way around the city.

Accommodation

Our Airbnb apartment  came to $105 per night . We were in the heart of the Xinyi district, a few minutes’ walk away from Taipei 101, surrounded by dozens of cafes and restaurants, and my favourite night market in the city: Tonghua!

No real transportation costs came up during the month.

We used the metro to get around and I paid  $3.25 for a month’s worth of rides. We also paid  $15.00  each way for a transfer from and to Taipei’s airport.

Street food galore! Our main reason for being in Taipei was to eat, and because we didn’t really have much of a kitchen in our apartment, we ate out for every meal. There were lots of date nights, lots of visits to international restaurants, and many, many wanders around the night market. Western breakfasts in cute coffee shops were around $7 , lunches at restaurants in shopping malls and international restaurants around our neighbourhood were roughly $10 each, and our evening meals were predominantly from Tonghua night market and were around $4 a meal.

I spent $650 on food for the month.

All of our activities (mostly hiking in the nearby mountains, walking in parks, and wandering around markets) were completely free in the city!

And that’s how much it costs to travel in Taipei! To summarise, these are my daily costs for these different travel styles (so that means only my share of the accommodation is included):

Solo backpacker on a tight budget:  $22.22 per day As part of a couple on a mid-range budget: $34.71 per day As part of a couple based in Taipei for a month: $50.03 per day

And if the affordable prices aren’t enough to convince you to visit, check out my post about why Taiwan is my favourite country to give yourself a nudge towards booking your flight.

Have you been to Taiwan? How did my travel expenses stack up against yours?

Related Articles on Taiwan 💗 Why Taiwan is My Favourite Place in the World 👯‍♀️ Taiwan Has the Friendliest People in the World 🧳 How to Pack for a Trip to Taiwan 🏙 26 Incredible Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan 🇹🇼 The Incredible Temples of Lotus Pond, Taiwan 🎀 Tickled Pink at the Barbie Cafe in Taipei 🏥 Eating at a Hospital Themed Restaurant in Taipei 😽 The Hello Kitty Restaurant in Taipei

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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61 comments.

Love the three different scenarios!

Thanks! :-)

I’m surprised it cost the most to be based in one place! Just out of interest how to you keep track of your daily spending? Do you use an app or are you just meticulous at writing everything down?

I need to track most of it for taxes anyway (as a travel writer, my travel expenses count as business expenses), so I usually type everything up in a spreadsheet on my laptop at the end of the week/whenever I remember. Sometimes I use Trail Wallet, but I forget to use it a lot, so it’s mostly just an Excel spreadsheet on my laptop.

I like the different categories of budget breakdown you provided in this post! Also, a colleague of mine is in Taiwan right now and she’s sending pictures every now and then: what an incredibly gorgeous country! I can’t believe why it wasn’t properly on my radar before!

Thanks! :-) One of the greatest things about Taiwan is that it’s not really known as much of a tourist destination, so when you do visit, the locals are so excited to see you in their country :-)

I loved how you did this post in the different budget categories!

I’ve never been to Taiwan but everyone I know who has been there loved it!

Thank you! :-)

Went in Taiwan last April for ten days. I loved it so much. I wasn’t even going to consider it but I had to visit my Taiwanese friends. They showed me around, made me taste the best food, helped me book activities and were generally the best hosts. The food ohmygod so may options and so good and loving the coffee culture that’s developing. I will go back again for sure.

Isn’t it such an amazing country?! :-)

Dude I’m sold. This looks awesome. I haven’t been to Asia (except for Turkey), and I travel with my dog so it seriously complicated trip planning. But I’m defintely going to research if this is feasible for me (plus dog).

Yay! My work here is done :-)

I have read all your posts about Taiwan and the country has made it to the top of my Places To Visit list because it sounds totally awesome! Thanks for the detailed budget information, I always like to know how much I can expect to spend in a country.

Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that! :-)

I was very impressed with this information. Unfortunately, when I have used your link to the hostel you said cost you $27.28 the site shows $80 or more…So, some other expenses you wrote looked a bit too less than it is in reality. I reality would like to travel to Taiwan, but still can’t make up my mind. You have amazing information on all your blogs. I loooove all of them and wish you the best and safest travel time. Thank you very much.

Yeah, the Airbnb owner offers a monthly discount of around 50% off the daily rate for those who stay long-term. And as I said in the post, the $27.28 was my share.

Hi Lauren. Nice info, and really useful, especially since you seem way better at keeping track of your expense than i am (i do a status of assets every quarter :-) ) Since you are looking at adding these regularly, could i suggest a couple of additional info which would be useful, for comparison: first the year of each scenario, and maybe time of year), so inflation can be added (if i look at your Flip Flop hostel price, current cost from your link is 50% higher), and each compared properly. I assume you are using US$ but maybe a note. In this case it’s obviously not NT$ because of the magnitude, but it makes things easier for the reader, if you get in country with not so obvious difference AU$, NZ$, CA$, BZ$ etc. As a solo traveller i do appreciate that you differentiate the solo, vs couple scenarios as this as many impacts and allows me to adjust the info. thanks again for all your work…

Thanks for your suggestions.

Good suggestions – I had the identical questions about how old the prices were.

Great summary, though, and nice to see a variety of travel styles clearly spelled out for comparison.

Not super old — I was last in Taiwan in 2016 and updated the prices in this post a couple of weeks ago to ensure they’re accurate.

well it has always been in my list and after reading your blog it seems like i can visit it soon. Thanks a lot for such a clear budget description.

Glad you found it useful, Sahil! :-)

This is great – we’ve been inspired by your love of Taiwan to visit as part of our round the world trip and will be arriving in March, can’t wait! just wanted to ask what your absolute top highlights from Taiwan have been? We only have a couple of weeks so want to make sure we don’t miss any of the best spots. Thanks :)

Hi Lauren!! Thanks for sharing your post on Taiwan – my bf and I are going in April this year for 9 days (not including travel) and cannot wait!! We are just debating about making Taipei the base for the whole time or take the first 4 nights in Taipei then maybe do a couple of days cycling possibly on the east coast or just a few days somewhere else in the north region. In your opinion for a first timer to Taiwan – could 9 days being based in Taipei with day trips cover a variety of activities? We like hiking, biking, city activities but def lots of nature! Thanks in advance :) Kira

Honestly, either would be a great option! But yep, nine days based in Taipei would allow you to hop around and do lots of day trips in nearby regions. Public transport is fast and efficient, which makes it easy to get around.

Went to Taiwan last year and it was an awesome experience! I enjoyed reading through your article, brings back a lot of great memories. This will be very helpful to travelers looking at Taiwan as their next destination. :)

Thanks, Agness! :-)

You inspired me to visit Taiwan. I just made up my mind and booked a flight, luckily there’s a budget airline that cost me $40 for a roundtrip airline promo ticket (mla-taipei-mla). My travel will be on September, I hope I could catch a nice autumn view.

I’m so happy to hear that, Lerma! I hope you have a wonderful time there :-)

We are now visa free in Taiwan starting June. Nice! I’ll be there this June. Although I applied for tourist eVisa last month and paid for it. If I only knew we will be visa-free this June lol.

Ah, that’s such good news for you! Where are you from?

My friend and I booked our flights for Taiwan (from Canada) today! :) I’ll spend 3 weeks with her, and then 3 weeks on my own. (I am a solo travel blogger after all!)

I’m thinking of basing myself in Taipei and getting some work done for those last 3 weeks. And that part will be over Chinese New Year, so not sure what to expect… I’m bookmarking your post in any case. Thanks!

Yay! I know you’ll have a wonderful time there :-) And six weeks is a great amount of time to spend in the country, even if it’s just basing yourself in Taipei and working.

Informative post! I’ll be going to Taiwan soon for my second visit and though I’ll be staying with friends this helped point me in the right direction for my budget. Thank you!

Hope you have a lovely time in Taiwan! :-)

Fantastic and detailed post, thank you! Heading to Taiwan at the end of the year and looking to recreate the first trip you took :)

Amazing! You’ll have a fantastic time :-)

Any Idea about car hire. medium car suitable for beach equipment Lauren? Thanks you all the information by the way :)

Ah, sorry. I’ve never rented a car in Taiwan.

Oh my goodness $22 a day! That’s just amazing and divine street food as well. Hopefully hitting Taiwan next year, thanks for the tips.

Sweet! You’ll love it there :-)

Thanks LAUREN for wonderful blog, Keep sharing.

Hi Lauren! I have plans of going to Taiwan too. In fact, I was looking for a budget fare. Thanks for sharing! I’ll read from time to time.

Haha, thanks!

Great informative article! Thanks. We have plans of going to Taiwan in November. I checked airbnb room houses and all the rate/price says “(the published price) per night” .Is this price per person per night or per room per night basis? There will be two of us travelling.

I tried to contact a airbnb seller to ask but he just replied with a total computation based on number of nights. So I still don’t know.

Airbnb lists the price of the room per night.

Hey Lauren, I loved your posts about Taiwan! I am part Taiwanese and I am looking forward to learn more about my family’s culture when I visit for two weeks in early October. I plan to visit Taipei, Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan Forest, Taroko Gorge, and Shifen and Jiufen. I originally wanted to plan a budget of $100 US dollars a day but I am inspired by how little you had to spend and how much you were able to save for the rest of your stay there! I am more into nature, eating at night markets, and looking for free or almost free attractions so this was perfect! Any advice you could give before I head on my travels?

Great post! I’m about to relocate to Taipei for several months, this is a great guide to living/traveling cheap! Can’t wait!

I just have one question. How is it possible that you only spent $3.25 for a month’s worth of Metro rides, when the cheapest fares are NT20 one way via MRT, NT15 by bus, or NT1280 for the new 30-day pass.

I can’t figure how one could possibly spend less than $30-40 US for a month of Metro rides…

Oh, just because I’m a big walker and really enjoyed the neighbourhood I was in, so spent the majority of my time there. I probably only took the metro 3 or 4 times over that month and walked everywhere else :-)

My son would like to study abroad in Taiwan next year. I began looking at flights and came up with ones that costs more than $5000. Is that the norm? Any recommendations on airlines? He would be flying out of Houston.

Definitely not! I wouldn’t expect to pay more than about $500. What dates are you looking for? Take a look at Skyscanner to get the best prices and Secret Flying to see if there are any deals. There’s currently a flight from NYC to Taipei for $500 return for early next year for example: https://www.secretflying.com/posts/new-york-taipei-taiwan-426-roundtrip/

Thank you! He is hoping to be there next Sept-Jan

Those tours all look amazing but as a solo traveler it doesn’t seem like a can book most of them. Or at least it seems like the cost will drastically increase. Is there anyway to book them once there and join a group? The food tour especially seems awesome but I’d hate to pay the private tour price.

I was born and raised (mostly) in Taiwan. I’m so glad that you had such a great experience there! :) I left home when I was 16 and have been trying to visit once a year every since. The food is unbelievable :D

Taiwan always be no 1 of my bucket list. Reading your blog make me want go there as soon as possible. But I need to complete other plan first and maybe on 2020 I will go there

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you :-)

Hi, thanks so much – I sortof had the same thoughts as you on whether there was enough to do in Taiwan so you have convinced me! It sounds amazing! And I love that it’s relatively cheap! Do you think it’s safe as a solo female traveller? Also they had a big earthquake when I was planning to go last time so am a bit nervous – any thoughts?

HI Lauren – great article. I’m planning on going here with my boyfriend next week so about 3 weeks and what probably fall under this range “A month travelling as part of a couple in mid-range-priced guesthouses, and averaged $35 a day”.

What currency have you provided the budget in? And is that per person or for the both of you?

Interesting blog on taiwan and very insightful. Will be visiting Taipei and Kaohsuing in three weeks time, any tips on local cuisine places to try and must see places will be helpful. Thank you.

Hi Lauren! Thank you for sharing great tips! I love that you included the expenses…huge help! I’ll be visiting Taiwan next year and I’ve been saving money so I have enough budget on my trip!

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Budget travel , Taiwan

Is taiwan expensive taiwan budget travel guide.

Table of Contents

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Following my incredible travel adventure, I’m here to tell you about the cost of a trip to Taiwan. I found it an affordable country overall so I’m going to share my Taiwan travel budget, break down the prices of essentials such as food and accommodation, and offer some general Taiwan tips . As someone who is freelance and travels full-time, funds are always an issue. I’m keen to use my budgeting knowledge to shed some light on the cost of Taiwan travel. I’ll also share my Taiwan itinerary so you can follow my route and explore free activities in the cheapest places.

TAIWAN ESSENTIALS Accommodation  – Booking.com / Hostelworld Getting around – car hire / bus / train ( 12Go ) Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Guide book: Lonely Planet Taiwan Staying connected: unlimited 4G SIM card

Is Taiwan expensive?

Short answer: Taiwan is not overly expensive. A Taiwan budget trip is easily doable and you won’t miss out. Of course, it depends where you’re coming from and what you’re buying. But if you’re coming from the UK, US or Australia, you will probably think Taiwan is very affordable!

Taiwan budget travel compared to other Asian countries

I don’t mean to generalise a continent: your average budget for Japan will be nothing like the same standard of living in Vietnam. I would say Taiwan is somewhere in between the two. If you’re familiar with budget travel in India or Southeast Asia, you will need to increase your budget. Taiwan is a place where you’ll pay a lot for some things but not for others. In fact, I would say the pricing system is a bit confusing.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, how much did I spend during 3 weeks in Taiwan ?

I spent a grand total of…. drumroll, please… $1000 USD // £800. Taiwan budget travel is possible at $47 / £ 38 per day!

I was pleasantly surprised at the low cost of travelling Taiwan when I totalled things up at the end of my trip. Even though prices in Taiwan are a little higher than Southeast Asia, my total spending figure didn’t seem to be much more. It’s worth noting that mine was definitely a Taiwan budget trip: I stayed in dorms, ate local Taiwanese food and travelled by public transport. I can only tell you about my trip so make sure to increase your Taiwan budget if you like hotels and restaurants. Don’t worry, I’ll break down these costs as we go.

Things that make Taiwan affordable

The plentiful night markets – Taiwan is one of the most affordable countries I’ve travelled to for eating and drinking. You never need to pay sit-down restaurant prices if you don’t want to. Many times in other countries I’ve been wandering the streets at dinnertime trying to find restaurants with affordable menus ( can I just order a main and tap water? ). There’s none of this in Taiwan. If you’re travelling on a budget and just want a quick bite, or you’re travelling solo in Taiwan and don’t want the faff of restaurants, it’s perfect. There are night markets in every Taiwanese city; I don’t think I went to a single place without.

The public transport is excellent – every city I visited had either a metro or an expansive bus network meaning I rarely had to pay for taxis. Getting around cost me a couple of dollars maximum per day. You can even get to and from the airport cheaply, even at night. The cross-country public transport around Taiwan is also efficient and affordable. You can reach suburbs and countryside attractions by local bus. I even spent a day hiking in a lush national park and caught the bus between hikes. It was amazing to get around so affordably and easily even in rural areas.

No need for tours – I took very few tours because my budget for Taiwan was low and it was easy to reach places by public transport and do things by myself. Saying that, there are lots of tour companies who run awesome tours in Taiwan, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take tours in Taiwan, but that you don’t need to. For low-cost day tours & experiences in Taiwan, I’d recommend GetYourGuide and Viator . There isn’t a huge drinking culture or nightlife scene. There are some bars and clubs to be found in the bigger cities but I saved my money for partying a few weeks later in Seoul as I knew the nightlife was better there. The lack of drinking culture will certainly reduce the cost of a trip to Taiwan.

Next, let’s breakdown your Taiwan budget by category .

Taiwan budget travel – accommodation

So I mentioned earlier that prices in Taiwan are a little random and not quite in line with each other. Basically, accommodation is expensive compared to food and transport. One night’s accommodation in Taiwan seems to equal 8 dinners! The average price of a hostel bed per night: $16 / £13. The average price of a private room in a hostel per night: $38 / £30. Hotels start at $43 / £35 per night.

This may not seem expensive compared to the cost of accommodation in Western countries but it’s high for Asia. Accommodation costs in Taiwan rivalled what I spent in South Korea which struck me as strange since everything else in Taiwan is so much cheaper. The cost of accommodation in Taiwan was almost three times that of Vietnam or India. So when answering the question, is Taiwan expensive? I would say for accommodation, yes it is.

Best hostels in Taiwan

D’well Hostel (Kaohsiung) – this comfy hostel near Shihjia Station and Singjhong Night Market is a great base with some excellent and affordable food options nearby. The staff are really helpful and there’s a large shared area holding a weekly language exchange night. The dorms are basic with everything you need but the double rooms are very swish and comfy if you fancy an upgrade. Check availability from US$11 per night . On My Way Hostel (Hualien) – if you’re planning to hike in Taroko National Park, the best place to base is this hostel in Hualien which has comfy beds, regular movie nights and included daily breakfasts. It’s a two-minute walk from the train station and bus stop that takes you to Taroko Gorge. Check availability from US$11 per night . Getcha Hostel & Bistro (Taichung) – this cosy pod-style hostel has private bunks with their own curtains and chargers as well as a bistro area to relax in downstairs which serves amazing food, speciality coffee and cocktails. It’s close to Yizhong Street which is a cool part of town with a lively night market. Check availability here from USD$13 per night .

Cost of getting to Taiwan

This largely depends where you’re coming from, however it’s affordable to visit Taiwan if you’re already in Asia. I flew from Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand to Taipei direct for only US$70. I was pleasantly surprised by this price as I’d assumed I would need to fly from Bangkok to get an affordable price. Then, I flew from Taipei to Busan , South Korea for only US$70. From the UK: Flights start from £260 (US$330) each way. The flight takes to Taipei takes 13 hours direct. From the US: Flights from New York start at US$330 into Taipei, taking 16 hours direct. From Australia: Direct flight to Taipei start at AU$280 taking around 9 hours.

I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights and select the ‘whole month’ option to see the cheapest dates.

Cost of getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei city centre

There are two main ways to get from Taiwan international airport to your hostel or hotel in the city centre. These are the Taoyuan Airport MRT and the bus. The Metro: This mode of transport runs from 6am to 11pm and takes 40 minutes to Taipei Main Station, departing every 10 minutes. The purple Jichang Line will take you the whole way from either Terminal 1 or 2. This costs NT$160 . Bus: There are several buses including the 1968 and 1962 that travel into Taipei. Purchase your ticket from the airport bus counter and wait at the appropriate bay for your bus. Some of these buses take 1 hour 20 minutes which is longer than the metro but cheaper at NT$120 . If you arrive at night, you can take the number 1819 night bus into Taipei.

Alternatively, book an airport transfer for US$30

Taiwan budget – food and drink

Food in Taiwan can be super cheap and still amazing. In fact, the food was one of my favourite things about travelling Taiwan on a budget. I loved Taiwanese cuisine from tasty dumplings to noodle dishes, peanut ice cream rolls, pineapple cake, pork pepper buns, scallion pancakes, glazed chicken wings, battered seafood and more. I barely ever paid more than US$5 for dinner.

Read next: best Taiwanese dishes to try

Meal at a street food restaurant in Taiwan: US$2.50 / £2. You can actually find meals even cheaper like the 8 dumplings I had for £1! Meal and drink at a modest sit-down restaurant: US$5 / £4. Cup of coffee (or bubble tea or fruit tea): US$2.50 / £2. If you’re still asking yourself, is Taiwan expensive? Then I think we can firmly say no. The food in Taiwan costs little more than in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. Your Taiwan budget definitely won’t be blown by food and drink even if you dine like a queen/king.

Taiwan travel cost – public transport

If you’re travelling on a budget in Taiwan, you’re in luck with public transport. The only time I called Uber was when it was late at night and I wanted to get home quickly and couldn’t be bothered with the faff of waiting for a bus. Side note – Uber in Taiwan is also way cheaper than in the UK. The public transport in Taiwan is efficient, cheap, clean and easy to navigate with signs in English as well as Mandarin. If you’re in a city like Taipei or Kaoshiung, the MRT (underground train) is a great way to get around. For smaller cities, you can catch the bus instead of the metro.

Metro prices: Journies range from NT$20 to 80 depending on how far you’re travelling. I found most trips cost on average NT$30 ($1). Right now, Klook are offering an unlimited MRT pass for US$5 so grab it now ! For Taipei, they also have a $5 fun pass inc unlimited transport and Maokong Gondola. Bus prices: These are frequently even cheaper than the metro. Most journies will cost you just NT$15 (50 cents). You can pay with cash or an Easycard but if you pay with cash, you won’t get change. Just drop the right money in the box beside the driver.

Taiwan budget trip tip – for intercity transport, pick up an Easycard so you don’t have to buy individual tickets. These don’t save you money per journey but are worth it for the convenience. Buy yours now to pick up at the airport.

Intercountry train journies: These depend whether you take the fast or slow train. My cheapest was NT$262 (US$8.50 / £7) from Taipei to Hualien and my most expensive was NT$650 (US$20 / £17) from Hualien to Kaohsuing. The price of Taiwan travel is vastly reduced if you have the time to catch the Taiwan Rail (slow trains) like I did. Even if you catch the High Speed Trains, the prices aren’t high compared to other countries.

Tip – the Taiwan Railways (slow) trains are best booked at the station the day before as the website would never accept my bank card (I think as it was international). But the High Speed Trains can be booked on the 12Go website which makes life much easier. As of 2022, Klook also have 30% discount voucher on fast trains!

Taiwan budget travel – tours and activities

You don’t really need to pay for these if you want to keep your Taiwan b udget down. But saying that, they’re not too expensive and may save you time and help you meet new people. It’s up to you. In Hualien, I hiked Taroko National Park by taking the public bus for NT$250 per day (US$8 / £6.50) rather than taking an organised day tour. In Taipei, I also visited countryside villages Shifen and Jiufen via public transport. This gave me more time and flexibility when compared to taking an organised day tour on a tight schedule. A full-day pass for the Pinxi Line (a train that travels from Taipei to Shifen) was just NT$56 ($2). If you’re looking for tours in Taiwan, I would recommend GetYourGuide:

Taiwan budget – data and SIM cards

Like accommodation, I found data to be one of the most expensive things in Taiwan. In Vietnam and Thailand, I have often been able to pick up a monthly SIM with unlimited data for US$5 but there seemed to be fewer on-the-street vendors in Taiwan as things were more official. I picked up a SIM from a phone store on my first day in Taipei (remember your passport in you plan to do this) but I’ve since seen that it’s actually cheaper to buy one online with Klook.

Click here to purchase your 4G Taiwan SIM card from US$8. Pick it up when you arrive at the airport. There are options for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days.

Best places for a Taiwan budget trip

While there are lots of ways to keep costs down on the road, you can start as you mean to go on by visiting more affordable destinations with free activities and things to do. For a Taiwan budget itinerary, I’d suggest including: Taroko Gorge National Park (Hualien) – a whole day hiking in this incredible national park with mountains, forest and hanging canopy bridges will cost you next to nothing. You’ll only pay for the NT$250 (US$8) day bus pass which allows you unlimited access around the park. Since there aren’t many places to buy food and drink in the park, you won’t have anything to buy. Remember to bring water and sandwiches if you plan to spend a full day there.

Read next: The perfect Taroko Gorge day trip

Rainbow Village (Taichung) – one of Taiwan’s most photographed and Instagrammable destinations with an entry fee of $0? Yep. If you’re focussing on Taiwan budget travel, you should certainly spend a half-day visiting this attractive rainbow village where you won’t spend a penny/cent. You can visit from Taichung which is one of the more affordable Taiwanese cities with lots of cheap food markets.

Read next: Rainbow Village guide & its story

Free things to do in Taipei

To help with your Taiwan budget trip, I wanted to share the cheap and free attractions in the major cities. This way you can enjoy these urban hubs without spending too much money.

Read next: my Taipei itinerary for 1-5 days

Free activities in Taipei include:

• Climb Elephant Mountain – you’ll get gorgeous views of Taipei and the iconic Taipei 101 building for free. Visit in time for sunset for the best views or any other time of day to avoid the crowds. The nearest metro station is Xiangshan MTR Station. 
• Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – this impressive and enormous building in Zhongzheng District can be visited for free. Wander through the temples and landscaped gardens.
• Longshan Temple – this is a place to see the elder generation at worship and snap some photos of the impressive temple and waterfall outside.

Free things to do in Kaohsiung

Taiwan’s second-largest city was one of my favourites with its many colourful temples and street art. Some of the best free things to do in Kaohsiung to keep your Taiwan budget low include:

• Fo Guang Shan Monastery – with one of the largest seated Buddha statues in Asia and many pagodas and temples scattered around, this gorgeous location a 45-minute bus ride from Kaohsiung is free to visit.
• Kaohsiung Museum of History – here you can learn about Taiwan’s history as well as the tragic February 28 Massacre, all for free.
• Dragon and Tiger Pagodas – my favourite attraction in Kaohsiung was visiting these colourful twin pagodas where you enter via the dragon’s mouth and come out of the tiger’s. Entry is free and afterwards you can wander the Lotus Pond Scenic Area.
• Linya Street Art Village – there’s so much incredible street art set in this neighbourhood and it doesn’t cost anything to stroll around and photograph it.

Read next: 25 fun things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Tipping in Taiwan – what’s the deal?

Taiwan is not a country like the US where you are expected to tip excessively. But it’s also not like South Korea or Japan where tipping can be deemed culturally offensive. In Taiwan, you can leave a tip of around 10% with tour guides or after a restaurant meal or more if you see fit. It won’t increase the cost of your Taiwan trip greatly plus it supports local livelihoods.

Best time to visit Taiwan

As someone who went to Taiwan in rainy season, I’d advise you to check the seasons before you visit. September to November is generally the best time to visit because the rainy season is over and the weather is relatively cool. After Christmas, things start to get hotter before the rain starts in May . I visited in late May and some days were very rainy and I heard that in June it gets even worse. Saying that, tourists do visit Taiwan around the year. Remember your raincoat from May to July . I noticed that backpack hostels were quiet in May so I would advise solo travellers to visit in peak months if they want to meet people. Taiwan isn’t the most social place to go as a solo traveller anyway so you’ll meet more people during peak season. In terms of prices, I don’t believe costs change hugely in Taiwan depending on the season.

Quick Taiwan budget itinerary

This depends how long you have in Taiwan but I would recommend the following as a sample Taiwan budget itinerary. Days 1-3: Taipei. If you are a city lover like me, add any extra days here. As well as exploring the free Taipei attractions mentioned above, you can eat affordable street food at Raohe Street Night Market and Huaxi Street Night Market. You can take several budget day trips by public transport, my favourite to Shifen and Jiufen . Days 4-5: Visit Hualien and spend a day or two hiking in Taroko National Park which won’t cost any money apart from the bus fare. In the evening, eat budget street food at Dongdamen Night Market. Days 6-7: Visit Kaohsiung and follow my free activities guide above. The best night market for cheap street food is Rueifong Night Market. Days 8-10: Explore Taichung and take a free trip to the Rainbow Village Taichung which has no entrance fee, perfect for keeping your Taiwan travel budget low!

Travel essentials for Taiwan

These are the items that came with me to Taiwan and I would recommend using during your trip.

• Copy of Lonely Planet Taiwan
• A Lonely Planet Mandarin phrasebook
• A power bank to keep your devices alive
• Sustainability: stainless steel reusable water bottle to reduce the use of plastic bottles
• Alternatively, a filtering water bottle that allows you to safely drink tap water.

I hope you now have a better idea of the cost of travelling Taiwan. The affordability is one of the best things about Taiwan but certainly not the only good thing. I absolutely loved this small but colourful, diverse and progressive country. If you have any Taiwan budget travel questions, drop them in the comments below.

Follow for more Taiwan content on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Thanks for reading my Taiwan budget travel guide!

Check out my other Taiwan blogs:

• The best Taiwanese foods to try
• The ultimate Taiwan itinerary
• Solo travel in Taiwan
• 25 Taiwan travel tips for a first visit
• Taroko Gorge day trip itinerary from Hualien
• The ultimate Taipei itinerary
• Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen day trip
• Visiting the Rainbow Village, Taichung + the story behind it
• Visiting Yehliu Geopark from Taipei
• Things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s most vibrant city
• Taichung food guide

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked this Taiwan budget trip ? Pin it for later!

TAIWAN QUICK LINKS Getting there – it’s easy to arrive by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. Stay connected with an unlimited 4G SIM card for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days. In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Taiwan . Car hire – I recommend RentalCars.com for car hire in Taiwan and around the world. For Taiwan High Speed Trains , use 12Go . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

2 thoughts on “ Is Taiwan Expensive? Taiwan Budget Travel Guide ”

Wow, thanks for the great info. Organized and super helpful for a female solo traveler. Well done!

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Cost of a Trip to Taiwan & the Cheapest Time to Visit Taiwan

The average price of a 7-day trip to Taiwan is $924 for a solo traveler, $1,440 for a couple, and $1,221 for a family of 4 . Taiwan hotels range from $44 to $215 per night with an average of $68, while most vacation rentals will cost $90 to $480 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Taiwan (from all airports) are between $460 and $1,207 per person for economy flights and $1,444 to $3,790 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $35 to $72 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Taiwan

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Taiwan and stay in a Taiwan hotel:

• January 29th to March 25th
• April 9th to April 29th (except the week of April 16th)
• August 20th to September 30th
• October 15th to December 16th (except the week of October 22nd)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Taiwan is usually late August to early September .

Average Taiwan Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Taiwan for a week is $841-$1,705 ($120-$244 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $35 to $72 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $272 to $655 for economy

Lodging : $54 to $69 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $75 to $91 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Taiwan for a week is $1,365-$2,872 ($195-$410 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $71 to $145 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $544 to $1,311 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Taiwan for a week is $2,723-$5,479 ($389-$783 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $141 to $289 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,088 to $2,622 for economy

Lodging : $108 to $139 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $113 to $137 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Taiwan

How cheap can you make a vacation to Taiwan? The cheapest trip to Taiwan is about $89 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 9% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $37.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Taiwan for a week is $620-$1,344 ($89-$192 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $18 to $35 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $37 to $44 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $45 to $74 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Taiwan for a week is $1,011-$2,252 ($144-$322 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $35 to $71 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Taiwan for a week is $1,987-$4,288 ($284-$613 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $71 to $142 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $74 to $88 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $67 to $112 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is easy to travel to Taiwan cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Taiwan Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Taiwan.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Taiwan for a week is $1,860-$8,394 ($266-$1,199 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $71 to $145 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $679 to $1,637 for first class

Lodging : $114 to $215 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $480 to $957 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Taiwan for a week is $3,036-$11,046 ($434-$1,578 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $142 to $290 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,358 to $3,274 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Taiwan for a week is $6,065-$19,277 ($866-$2,754 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $283 to $580 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,716 to $6,547 for first class

Lodging : $228 to $430 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $718 to $1,445 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Taiwan Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Taiwan is lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Taiwan due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Taiwan Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Taiwan hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Taiwan.

Flight Costs to Taiwan

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,207 average in early to mid July to a low of $460 in late August to early September. Median flight price is $516. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Taiwan our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Taiwan, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $747, so you can easily save about 162% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Taiwan can easily cost $266 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $18 per person. Private tours can cost $532 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Taiwan Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Puli, Taiwan
• Yuchi, Taiwan
• Zhongliao, Taiwan
• Shuili, Taiwan
• Jiji, Taiwan
• Caotun, Taiwan
• Ren-ai, Taiwan
• Nantou, Taiwan
• Lugu, Taiwan
• Mingjian, Taiwan

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Bandung, Indonesia
• Charlotte, NC, US
• Paris, France

How to visit Taiwan on a budget

Oct 18, 2023 • 7 min read

Cycling is a great way see Taiwan and to get around for next to nothing © iStockphoto / Getty Images

You can definitely travel cheaply in Taiwan , and with some planning, it can be immensely enjoyable.

That said, Taiwan is not as budget-friendly as Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia, though it is more affordable than Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. 

Accommodation costs are relatively high, but this is more than compensated for by abundant cheap and delicious food, inexpensive public transport , free entry to stellar attractions, exceptional hiking for little-to-no cost and free festivals all year round. Here are all the tips and tricks you need to visit Taiwan on a budget.

Take the metro or bus from the airport

Taoyuan International Airport is Taiwan’s gateway to the world; the other major international airport is in Kaohsiung . Buses, departing every 15 minutes to an hour, offer the cheapest rides (NT$90 to NT$145) to downtown Taipei from Taoyuan International Airport. Depending on the drop-off point, the ride can take anywhere from 50 to 80 minutes.

For just a little bit more (NT$160), the Airport MRT whizzes you to the city center in under 40 minutes, with trains arriving like clockwork every 10 minutes. 

From Kaohsiung International Airport , a 15-minute metro ride to the metropolitan area is NT$35. Buses are more expensive and slightly slower. 

Get the EasyCard 

The convenient EasyCard is a contactless smartcard used mostly to pay for rides on public transport and store purchases. It costs NT$100 plus a top-up amount of your choice. Using the card doesn’t save you money per journey, but small discounts of under NT$10 apply when you transfer between metro and bus, or between metro and Youbike, the public bike-sharing service.  

Consider downloading transport apps

Download transport apps to compare routes and prices ahead of time. Some handy ones are the government’s bilingual train, high-speed rail, and metro apps. The bus apps are useful too, although Google Maps works just as well in Taiwan.

Fill your days with free attractions

You’d struggle to run out of free attractions no matter how long you stay. All of Taiwan’s 15,000 temples, from nature worship to Unesco-award winning, are free to visit.

While most major museums charge an entrance fee, the Museum of Fine Arts , Museum of Taiwan Literature  and Human Rights Museum are among the worthy exceptions.

Art centers and art villages are free, as are nature reserves and salt fields. A five-minute NT$30 ferry ride from Kaohsiung takes you to Cijin Island , where history, a beautiful beach and a killer sunset await. 

Strategize your use of public transport

Depending on the city, any combination of bus, metro, public bike and walking will likely be your cheapest and most efficient way to get around. For example, you can combine walking with riding a public bike to explore the metropolitan area of Tainan. 

Buses are cheaper and connect you to more destinations than the MRT, and in small cities without a metro, they are a budget traveler’s best friend. Bus fares in Taipei and Kaohsiung are calculated using a fare zone system that charges NT$15 and NT$12 per zone, respectively.

Slightly costlier than buses at NT$20 to NT$65 per journey, the metro has the added benefit of giving respite from the heat and traffic jams. Public shared bikes called Youbike or T-bike are wonderful for shorter distances and sightseeing. Rates vary, but the average is NT$10 an hour.  

Have your kids travel on your lap on the trains 

Children under six (or 115cm/3ft 9in) can ride the MRT for free . Same for high-speed rail and intercity trains, provided you hold them on your lap. If your child needs a seat, buy a children’s ticket – half-price for kids between six and 12 years (or 115cm to 150 cm/3ft 9in to 4ft 9in).  

Go hiking, biking, and hot-springing 

Taiwan is home to hundreds of hiking trails , from paths in urban parks to roads through ancient forests. The vast majority are free and accessible by public transport, but keep in mind that entry to certain high-mountain areas requires a permit.

If you intend to explore Taroko National Park , consider purchasing a day pass (NT$250) to bus-hop among trails and natural wonders. Cycling is also popular, and the island is crisscrossed by cycling lanes, routes and bikeways, all free as the breeze. 

Taiwan is one of Asia’s top hot-spring destinations. You can combine hiking with a soak in a scenic wild spring. Yangmingshan has free public pools that have soothed many weary hikers’ soles. In the Beitou hot-spring resort area, Beitou Public Hot Spring offers the cheapest dips (NT$40). 

Take the slow train if you have time

Taiwan’s two rail systems – HSR (high-speed rail) and TRA (Taiwan Railway Administration) – are both safe, clean and punctual. TRA has three types of trains with different speeds, fares and frequencies. The fastest are less frequent than the other two and have costlier tickets that sell out quickly.

As a rule of thumb, HSR is about twice as fast and expensive as TRA. For example, an HSR journey from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs NT$1490 and takes two hours, whereas the same on the second-fastest type of TRA train would cost NT$845 and take five hours.  

Get your caffeine fix from convenience stores or local chains

The cheapest coffee can be had at convenience stores. Don’t turn your nose up yet; two of the chains, FamilyMart and 711, sell freshly brewed specialty coffees. The local cafe chains Cama Café and Louisa Coffee also make a pretty good cup of joe (as well as fancy matcha latte and affogato) for way less than Starbucks. 

Eat at the markets

Taiwan is teeming with cheap eats that deliver, so you don’t need to sacrifice variety for economy. Taipei’s bento restaurants and noodle shops can feed you well for only NT$80; even less in Kaohsiung and Tainan.

But for a unique experience, visit a night market . Every city has at least a couple. The sheer array of affordable food at these street bazaars, from fried mackerel to fruit smoothies, means you can munch away without crunching numbers. 

Stalls inside produce markets, open for breakfast and lunch, are great for a quick meal. Plus, you can pick up some fruits on your way out. One of the best is Tainan’s Yongle Market, a grazer’s paradise .

Make use of water dispensers 

Bring your water bottle. Water dispensers are almost as ubiquitous as convenience stores. You’ll find them in all metro and train stations, museums, temples, libraries, information centers, hostels and hotels. If you need hot water for tea or coffee, all lodgings provide a kettle. 

Book a reliable hostel or hotel 

Accommodation costs are relatively high in Taiwan, compared to food and transport. The cheapest sleeps – other than the odd Catholic hostel or temple guest room – are hostel dorms which can be had for NT$500-$800 per night for six to ten-bunk rooms, sometimes slightly lower mid-week.

If you want privacy, private rooms in hostels can be found for NT$1,600-2,200 per night. Some older two-star hotels may charge you 20% less, making them a better option if money is the main concern.

If it isn’t, do more research, as quality can be random. Some hostels are a steal, others not. Likewise, hotels. In general, cheaper hotels tend to have spacious rooms but tired furniture. 

Buy beer from convenience stores 

Convenience stores are ubiquitous in Taiwan, allowing you to buy beer to drink in the park, by the river watching the sunset or in-store (many have tables and seats).

They also sell chilled meals (that they can reheat for free), sandwiches, tea eggs, roasted sweet potatoes, rice balls, cup noodles (with free hot water if needed), fruit and ice cream. It's way cheaper than hitting a pub, and the quality is reasonable.  

Join the locals at a traditional festival

Throughout the year, there’s always a festival or a deity’s birthday parade just around the corner. Some, like the Mazu Pilgrimage , the Burning of the Wang Yeh Boats  and the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, are spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you’d probably pay to see – but they won't cost you a dime.

Daily Costs

• Hostel dorm: NT$500–800
• Basic room for two: NT$1200–2200 
• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): NT$1100-4800
• MRT ticket: NT$40 
• Coffee: NT$60 
• Noodles and side dish: NT$80–180 
• Dinner for two: NT$500-1000
• Beer/pint at the bar: NT$200 

This article was first published November 2022 and updated October 2023

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How to See Taiwan on a Budget

With a million things to do , a huge variety of delicious food, warm-hearted people, lots of hiking opportunities, and beautiful buildings and temples, Taiwan has it all.

Yet, despite that, it remains one of the most underrated — and undervisted — countries in Asia.

On the one hand, I like that it’s still relatively off the radar because that means fewer crowds. You’ll never see too many people traveling around Taiwan. It’s, to use the cliche, a hidden gem you have (mostly) to yourself. There are no hordes of people trying to take selfies for Instagram.

On the other hand, it’s a shame people don’t make Taiwan a bigger travel priority because it’s so wonderful and has so much going for it. This is a country that deserves way more attention than it is given.

And, what’s great for budget travelers like us, is that Taiwan is also super affordable.

It’s on a level of cheapness similar to parts of Southeast Asia , with many meals costing only a few dollars. Even when I “splurged” on a meal like a high-end sushi omakase , I spent less than 1,200 TWD!

Taiwan is a dream destination for those looking to get a lot of value for their money.

Today, I’m going to break down some typical costs in Taiwan, my suggested budgets, and ways to save money while you’re here.  

Typical Costs

• Noodle soup – 40-60 TWD
• Noodles – 50-70 TWD
• Rice – 100 TWD
• Lunch boxes – 125-150 TWD
• MosBurger (best fast food burger joint) – 200 TWD
• Museum entry – 30-200 TWD
• Metro ride – 20-65 TWD
• Taxi – 85 (plus 25 per kilometer) TWD
• Intercity train ride – 250-900 TWD
• High-speed rail (HSR) – 290-1,500 TWD
• Hostel dorm – 500-900 TWD per night
• Hostel private room – 1,200-1,900 TWD per night

How Much Did I Spend?

That’s actually a lot more than I thought I spent. I had to do the numbers twice but more on that in a second. Here’s how those costs broke down:

• Food – 8,597 TWD
• Accommodation – 13,351 TWD
• Tours/Museums – 1,410 TWD
• Transportation – 5,915 TWD

So why did I spend so much money in a country that I said just was “super cheap”? I mean $80 is way more than Southeast Asia levels. Well, it has more to do with me than travel in Taiwan:

First, I stayed in private rooms. At three to four times the cost of a dorm, that adds up quickly. I don’t like dorms since I’m a light sleeper and, since I was traveling alone, I didn’t have anyone to split the cost of the room with.

Second, I took a lot of high-speed trains. Those tickets were 600-1,200 TWD per ride versus 150-300 TWD for the regular train. Since I had little time and a lot of ground to cover, that drove up my costs.

Third, I took a few private tours as I wanted a local guide for myself so I could ask a battery of questions about life in Taiwan. I enjoy doing that over group tours, especially when I am researching destinations for guides like I was during this visit.

And, finally, in an effort to eat as much as possible, I probably had 3-4 meals a day, including many high-end restaurants and Western food. That amount of food really shrank my wallet (but sadly not my waistline). I’m talking a Hobbit level of eating here:

Those four things drove up my daily average to levels your average traveler/backpacker wouldn’t hit in such a short time.  

How Much Do YOU need?

So, with that said, how much do you need to travel around Taiwan?

If you replicated my trip, I think around 2,500-2,700 TWD per day would be enough. That’s a decent mid-range budget and you wouldn’t want for anything. It would cover cheap private accommodation, some high-speed trains, some tours and activities, and a healthy amount of food and drinks.

If you’re on a backpacker budget, you need around 1,050 TWD per day. A dorm room costs you around 500 TWD, meals are 90-150 TWD each, and beer is pretty cheap. Taking regular (slower) trains would save a few more dollars a day as well.

In short, whether you’re a backpacker or just a regular budget traveler, you’re never going to spend a huge amount here. Outside accommodation and high-end food, everything in the country is super cheap.  

How to Save Money in Taiwan

1. Skip the High-Speed Rails (HSR) The high-speed trains in Taiwan are super convenient (though they only go down the west side of the island): they depart every 15 minutes and the journey between Taipei and Kaohsiung (the most southern point) only takes 1 hour and 50 minutes.

However, they are also very expensive: a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 1,500 TWD (one-way). On the other hand, the “local” trains are half the price at just 650-900 TWD (Taipei to Tainan is just 600-800 TWD on the local train while Taipei to Taichung is just 250-375 TWD).

Plus, the HSR line doesn’t pass through city centers, so you’ll either need to take a bus or train from the HSR station, costing more time and money.

So, if you want to save money and aren’t in a rush, skip the HSR trains.

2. Stay in Hostels In Taipei, hostel dorms can be found for 550-700 TWD per night for 6-10-bed rooms. Private rooms in hostels can be had for 1,600-2,200 TWD per night.

Also, skip hostel private rooms. A basic two-star hotel will cost 1,200-1,500 TWD, making it a better budget choice if you want privacy.

3. Eat at the Food Markets The food in Taiwan is world-class. I didn’t appreciate it much when I lived there back in 2010, but now I realize just how diverse, tasty, and healthy the food is. Every town is littered with day and night markets. If you want to save money on food (and it’s very easy to do that here), eating the local food at these markets is the best way to eat on a budget.

And, even if you prefer a sit-down restaurant, you’re looking at 125-170 TWD for a meal at a place serving Taiwanese cuisine.

Eat local = save big!

4. Avoid Western Food I mean, you didn’t come all this way to eat a bad version of the food you can get back home, right? You can find every Western dish your heart desires in Taiwan but they are going to be much more expensive than the local food (a fast food combo is around 150 TWD, for example). So, skip Western food. I never found anything that great and Taiwanese cuisine is way more delicious and filled with such variety that you’re not going to get tired of “eating the same thing” over and over again.

5. Take Free Walking Tours One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is take a free walking tour. They give you the lay of the land, show you the main highlights of the city, and provide you with a local guide who can answer your questions.

Like It Formosa is the best walking-tour company in Taiwan, offering tours in Taipei, Jiufen, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Its tours have a cultural and historical focus, making them a great foundation for your visit.

And, if you’re in Taipei and want something more lively, Tour Me Away offers free tours as well as pub crawls starting at 700 TWD per person. They’re a good choice for backpackers looking to meet other travelers.

6. Take the Bus Intercity coach buses are available to all major cities around Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. They are comfortable, modern, safe, and have air conditioning (too much, usually, so bring a sweater).

A bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five hours and costs 300-500 TWD depending on what day and time you depart.

The two main intercity bus companies are Ubus and Kuo-Kuang Bus. For fares and timetable information, visit taiwanbus.tw .

7. Take in the Free Attractions There are plenty of free temples, shrines, museums, and parks around the country. There’s more than enough to fill your days. I never had a problem wandering around the cities and finding things to do that didn’t cost a penny. Your local accommodation or guide book or Google can tell you what to do.

8. Go Hiking Spend your days hiking Taiwan’s many mountains and trails. Taiwan is filled with national parks. The country is so small that you are never far from any park, they are well connected to public transportation, and they are all free.

Taiwan is an incredibly affordable destination . To me, it’s on par with some destinations in Southeast Asia since the food was cheap and so many activities were free. You get a lot of value here. So, if you’re looking for an uncrowded and affordable place to visit, Taiwan is it.

Book Your Trip to Taiwan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite places to stay are:

• Formosa 101
• Meander Taipei

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Taiwan? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Taiwan for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Your Trip to Taiwan: The Complete Guide

When it comes to Western tourists, Taiwan is still under the radar when compared to Japan, Mainland China, and Hong Kong, yet it manages to take the best of all three and jam pack those into a tiny island. From Taipei's pulsing, future-forward districts of Xinyi and Ximen and nightlife, to lush swathes of nature, outdoor activities, and mineral-rich hot springs, stunning arts, creativity, and culture, to excellent transportation options including a bullet train, and wide array of Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous cuisines, Taiwan offers something for every traveler.

Planning Your Trip To Taiwan

• Best Time To Visit: While the majority of Taiwan falls into the subtropical category climate-wise  , the winters can be substantially drier, pleasant, and even cold enough during January and February to require a jacket and other winter apparel. Fall's October and November months are a sweet spot when it comes to weather, while March through May are warmer and see cherry blossoms, and are also hot enough to hit the beaches in Taiwan's tropical south.
• Language: As with Mainland China, Taiwan's official language is Mandarin  , which became the case post-WWII. However, Taiwan is multilingual thanks to both its indigenous cultures and periods of occupation, and other common tongues include Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka.
• Currency: The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD).
• Getting Around: The Taiwan High Speed Rail system runs almost the entire length of the island from North to South, with stops in a dozen cities including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Zuoying/Kaohsiung (there may be line extensions in the future as well). A robust assortment of public transportation routes also exist for bigger cities, like Taipei's MRT subway/rail , and buses to and from airports, while taxis are also readily available and not expensive. Conveniently for those who can't read Chinese characters, Uber is present in Taipei (again), while the Taiwan ride hailing app Find Taxi also has an English language option.
• Travel Tip: The Chinese New Year is the equivalent of the West's holiday season, and for as long as several weeks locals take leave of their jobs, close up small businesses and restaurants, and return to their hometowns or head overseas on vacation. It's a double-edged sword for tourists to visit during this time, since on one hand, you'll avoid crowds and lines, and can experience the colorful Lantern Festival and parades, but you'll also find some attractions, activities, restaurants, and stores closed, especially on the New Year itself.

Things To Do

Like Japan to the north (albeit without the snow and subtropical temperatures!), Taiwan offers a diverse and distinct combination of city, nature, culture, and adventurous activities including relaxing, natural hot springs, and more blended all together in the same city! Just Taipei alone can serve as a holistic sampler of everything Taiwan has to offer, yet it's so easy to traverse other cities all over the island thanks to the high speed rail, you can curate an extensive sampler itinerary from North to South.

• Explore Taiwan's Famed Night Markets: If you ask a Taiwanese expat what they miss most about home, chances are they'll say the vibrant night market culture of their homeland. Spread all over the country, with dozens in major cities, these markets offer a wide array of street food and trendy delicacies, including the aptly named stinky tofu, frisbee-sized tapioca flour crispy crusted chicken cutlets, "coffin bread," and much more including clothing, gadgets, and other goods.
• Soak in Taiwan's Natural Hot Springs : Like Japan, Taiwan boasts mineral-rich hot springs and resorts built around them (as well as more humble, public access, low-cost facilities). Conveniently, a handful can be found in the Beitou district in Taipei (which is home to a Hot Spring Museum as well!) while other popular hot spring destinations include Hualien County's Wenshan , Miali County's Tai'an, and Jiaoxi's Tangweigou Hot Spring Park.
• Take in The City Views From Taipei's 101 Tower: The world's largest tower when it first opened in 2004   (and now ranking number 10), this stacked cup-shaped skyscraper features an incredible multi-level observation deck from which you can see both the modern cityscape and natural wonders it's nestled in, plus a xiao long bao (soup dumpling) lunch afterwards at the ground floor's Din Tai Fung restaurant.
• Enjoy the Splendor of Taroko Natural Park : Once you've had your fill of modern metropolis delights in Taipei or another larger city, explore the stunning glory of Taroko through its many trails and iconic gorge.

Explore more of the best Taiwan has to offer with articles on the top 15 things to do In Taipei , our Taipei city guide for LGBTQ+ visitors , and overview of the Taipei 101 tower .

What To Eat And Drink

The past decade has seen an evolution of Taiwanese cuisine thanks to innovative fine dining chefs who take earthy local, seasonal ingredients to technique-forward Michelin star levels at restaurants like Taipei's RAW and Mume , and Taichung's Singaporean-Taiwanese fusion venue JL Studio . Some of the foods most often associated with Taiwan are accessible, unpretentious, and delicious; most famously, "bubble/boba tea," which entails a tea, juice, or even milk beverage served with a scoop of chewy tapioca pearls. Although only invented in the 1980s, it's now an international phenomenon, and Taiwan sees all kinds of innovative, creative new takes and artisanal brands as well as big chains making the beverage.

Stinky tofu is one of the most popular—and aptly named—street foods in Taiwan, so much that there is even an entire street dedicated to it. Shenkeng Tofu Street is located in New Taipei's Shenking district, and offers many takes on the odious acquired taste and smell, as well as non-stinky tofu iterations and even deserts.

Xiao Long Bao is another Taiwan must-eat. Known in Western countries as "soup dumplings," this staple may have originated in Mainland China and its Shanghainese iteration is found all over the world (a bit flabby, with a thick dough skin that contains soup and usually succulent pork), but Taiwan's Michelin-starred chain Din Tai Fung helped popularize Taiwan's daintier, thinner-skinned, one-or-two-bite sized version both domestically and abroad. You'll find twists on Din Tai Fung's formula and fillings in restaurants all over Taiwan.

Bubble tea aside, the Taiwanese also satisfy their sweet tooth with the signature local snacks, Pineapple Cake and nougats. The former can be found everywhere, including airport shops and 7-Eleven, but for the good stuff, the handmade, real pineapple-filled shortcakes from SunnyHills are a must (but do note their limited shelf life, as with all preservative-free foods). Nougats are also found all over Taiwan, but local gourmands feel the yummiest can be snagged at Taipei's Okura Prestige Hotel shop (they get snatched up fast during holidays for gifts).

Where To Stay

Taiwan offers a pretty wide range of accommodations and price points, from international chains to local luxury and boutique properties. Taipei's Chinese palace-style Grand Hotel is an architectural icon (albeit inconvenient to public transport) and classic. More contemporary, newer properties like Mandarin Oriental , W Taipei , and Hotel Proverbs offer primo city district locations and gorgeous modern decor.

In contrast to Hong Kong, Taipei's hotels are a steal price-wise, especially its local boutique properties (unless there's some major convention or function). Although heavily regulated, Airbnb does have a Taiwanese presence and is currently legal. However, as with some other destinations the legal lines get blurry over specific kinds of stays, some hosts only speak/write in Chinese, and their house rules can be more strict than in other Asian countries. However, price-wise they are extremely reasonable.

For TripSavvy's current top hotel picks, check out the best Taiwan hotels .

Getting There

Located outside city limits and requiring a chunk of time to commute a la Tokyo's Narita, Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the country's biggest, busiest air transportation hub and home base for EVA Air and China Airlines (both offer direct flights to and from U.S. cities). Two terminals, with a third in the works, feature oodles of places to eat and drink, from Taiwanese fare to Starbucks and even some local craft beer.

There's a second, conveniently located but smaller area airport, Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), which services cities within Taiwan and China, and a couple of other Asian countries. Southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) is the second largest/busiest air hub, with more than two dozen Asian airlines and destinations, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Macao serviced.

Culture And Customs

Although any business with an international or Western clientele, especially five-star hotel brands, will generally have an English-speaking staff and wording on map apps, English isn't that prevalent on a whole in Taiwan (and English translations for the same road or business can be phonetically spelled out in many different ways). A Chinese-English translation app can be extremely valuable for communicating, and having locals enter the Chinese letter names of destinations directly into your favorite map app is also an extremely helpful tool for finding places and getting around independently of tours, guides, etc. Taiwanese people are typically friendly, unpretentious, and polite, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance!

Money Saving Tips

• The food choices are plentiful and prices are cheap at Taiwan's night markets, making these a perfectly thrifty way to fill up your belly with authentic local fare.
• Another unique Taiwan attraction is its creative art parks: imminently walkable and photo-friendly districts (often comprised of abandoned factories or military facilities) now filled with murals, galleries, craft shops, cafes, and exhibitions (though some of the latter do charge admission). These include Taipei's Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Huashan 1914 Creative Park , Tainan's Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park , and Kaohsiung's Pier-2 Art Center .
• Book a trip during low season, which is usually both during the chillier winter months and late summer's hot, monsoon-plagued time, which also happens to be the "Ghost Festival," which is when the entirety of Taiwan is believed to be haunted by spirits and it's considered ill-advised to travel (August to September).

Britannica. "Taiwan: Climate."

WorldAtlas. "What Languages Are Spoken In Taiwan?" April 25, 2017

Skyscraper Museum. "Supertall 2020: Lineup"

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Is Taiwan Expensive?

Is Taiwan expensive? This is a question I hear extremely often—and not just from travelers. Having moved to Taipei in mid-2019, my friends in the city (even local people) ask me my perspective on this issue. As a foreigner, as a travel blogger and as someone who does not earn his income in New Taiwan dollars (NTD).

Of course, my answer doesn’t simply relate to the Taiwan money situation, nor do I simply compare Taiwan to other places I have traveled or lived. Rather, I’ve devoted a lot of energy to scrutinizing not only the cost of living and traveling here, but the value—I speak in terms as absolute and objective as possible.

Which is not to say this is going to be a post about cost of living in Taiwan , neither from a clinical perspective nor one calibrated for expats and long-term visitors. I’ll be speaking to issues about the cost of traveling in Taiwan in general, whether you’re a backpacker, a bougey boutique traveler or planning to stay long-term like I have.

Taiwan: The Sweet Spot of Asia

Before I begin addressing the specifics of the question “is Taiwan expensive?” allow me first to heap some praise on the country. Whether because of culture, weather, location, coronavirus-handling or indeed cost, Taiwan is nothing short of the sweet spot of Asia . A few hours’ flight from basically anywhere, with four seasons (more or less), a mix of historical influences and a local population that’s somewhere between Japan and Thailand in its disposition, Taiwan embodies everything I love about Asia.

And as for cost? Well, in general I’d say Taiwan is relatively affordable—you’re not going to go broke traveling here, whether you’re a Taiwan backpacker or all but the most luxury-oriented traveler. However, while the cost of traveling in Taiwan is as wedged between Southeast Asia and The Far East as its culture, there are some noteworthy exceptions you’ll want to keep in mind as you map out your budget.

Breaking Down the Cost of Travel in Taiwan

Hotels in taiwan.

When it comes to where to stay in Taiwan, there’s bad news and worse news. The bad news is that it’s going to be expensive: A proper hotel will easily cost you 100 USD (about NT$3,000) per night, while even hostels and budget hotels can exceed 50-75 USD. Airbnbs can be cheaper, but only if you avail weekly or monthly discounts. The worse news? Places to stay in Taiwan are uniformly disappointing, even (especially, maybe?) the ones that are supposed to be luxurious.

Taiwan Food and Drink

Is Taiwan cheap? Mostly, when it comes to eating. While certain restaurants (namely homegrown Din Tai Fung) can be pricey, especially if you’re in a large group, ordinary food in Taiwan is remarkably cheap. Enjoy Taiwanese street food like cong bing scallion pancakes for pennies on the (Taiwan) dollar, or indulge in bubble tea (but get half sugar, OK?). In general, most travelers in Taiwan can get by spending around 20 USD per day on food—and eating like kings.

Getting Around in Taiwan

Transportation in Taiwan is efficient and cheap, especially in Taipei (and, to a lesser extent, Kaohsiung). Buy yourself an EasyCard and use the Taipei MRT, local buses and even the U-Bike system seamlessly and cheaply—I spend less than NT$1,000 (~$30 USD) per month. On the other hand, while local trains and long-distance buses are relatively affordable, beware the Taiwan HSR , which is pricey and, in spite of being based on Shinkansen technology, is only somewhat more convenient.

Taiwan Activities and Excursions

How expensive is Taiwan when it comes to doing things? That really depends. The good news is that Taiwan is home to dozens of local and national parks, with incredible hiking trails that are mostly free to enter. This is true whether you hike in or around Taipei city ( ni hao , Yangmingshan) or head to more conspicuous ecotourism destinations, such as Taroko Gorge National Park near Hualien on the East Coast . The most expensive part of truly getting away in Taiwan is car rental, to be honest. Is Taiwan cheap?

Other Taiwan Travel Expenditures

There are a lot of other ways to ask (and answer) the question “is Taiwan expensive to visit?” and I won’t even try to go through them all. However, I will address one more cost: ATM fees. Since Taiwan doesn’t accept credit cards much compared to other countries, you’ll need a lot of cash. It’s generally cheaper to exchange than than withdraw, though if you have to take cash out, use a Taishin Bank inside Family Mart to enjoy no fee. Another way around the lack of credit card acceptance is using Apple or Samsung Pay, although paying with these methods can make you less conscious of your Taiwan vacation cost accumulating.

Ways to Keep Your Taiwan Travel Cost Down

As is the case in any destination, limiting your shopping (in this case, your “Taiwan must-buy” list) is a great way to make travel cheaper. Here are some other ideas specific to Taiwan:

• Stay in the cheapest and most centrally-located lodging you can find. Even “nice” hotels aren’t going to impress you—why waste the money?
• Take advantage of Taiwan’s street food/local eatery culture. While a meal at Din Tai Fung can be a nice splurge once in your trip, cheap food is the best food in Taiwan.
• Avoid the high-speed rail if you can; and find a friend to split the cost of a rental car. Many HSR stations are outside of city centers, and car rental prices in Taiwan are relatively high compared to other countries.
• Take advantage of excellent public transport, especially in Taipei. Taxis are a huge rip-off throughout Taiwan, and while Uber is a bit cheaper it still adds up over time.

Another tip? Don’t fixate too much on the best month to visit Taiwan. The island has highly changeable weather that can see tropical downpours during the “dry” season and beautiful sunshine during the monsoon. Come when it’s convenient for you, and don’t focus on “how cheap is Taiwan?” during any particular month or season.

Plan the Ultimate Trip to Taiwan

If you’ve clicked any of the links I’ve inserted into this article, you’ve no doubt gotten a taste of all the amazing places to go in Taiwan. (Not to mention, you probably realize there’s a great deal more to see in the country besides Taipei, as wonderful as my current home city is). You might start in Taipei, rent and drive a car down the East Coast and around to Kaohsiung and then travel back up via high-speed rail, stopping in places like Tainan and Taichung on the way.

FAQ About the Cost of Travel in Taiwan

How much does a meal cost in taiwan.

How expensive is Taiwan for food? If you don’t mind eating local ( fan tuan rice balls in the morning, beef noodles for lunch or dinner), you can easily feed yourself for between NT$50-150 per meal. On the other hand, plenty of food in Taiwan is expensive, particularly foreign food cooked and served by actual foreigners.

Is Taiwan cheaper than Thailand?

Taiwan is slightly more expensive than Thailand. Many costs, however, are comparable—and not just because of the similar value of the TWD and THB. For example, things like street food and public transportation have comparable costs in Bangkok and Taipei. Is Taiwan cheap? Yes, for a developed country.

Is Taiwan cheaper than Japan?

Absolutely! While I’d say that most travelers can get by on 50-100 USD per person, per day in Taipei, you will need to double this in many Japanese cities, particularly tourist magnets like Tokyo and Kyoto. Is Taiwan expensive? Not compared to Japan it isn’t.

The Bottom Line

Is Taiwan expensive? Mostly not, though the exceptions to this rule are important ones. In general, while you can expect the cost of daily expenditures in Taiwan to be low (surprisingly so, for most of them), the cost of finding a place to stay in Taiwan is high, especially when you consider the price of accommodation. Unfortunately, this is true irrespective of where you stay—a boutique or luxury hotel, or an Airbnb apartment. The good news is that if you can choose Taiwan hotels or apartments that are priced fairly and located centrally, the rest of your trip will be smooth sailing, both in terms of what you spend, as well as the experience you have. It is expensive in Taiwan? It certainly doesn’t have to be.

Plan Your Taiwan Trip

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Is Taiwan Expensive To Travel? Complete Budget Breakdown

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I have a passion for the English countryside and especially anywhere in Yorkshire. I drink far too much Yorkshire tea on my travels and even take it with me when abroad. My passion is to share travel experiences with my readers which may help them plan their holidays and save money.

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You’re wondering is Taiwan expensive to travel and yet you are you looking to experience Asia, but don’t know if your wallet can afford the trip?

Taiwan is one of the most dynamic and exciting places to visit in Asia. From the incredible food culture, friendly locals, and ample attractions, there’s nothing you can’t do in Taiwan.

However, traveling to Asia from the West has a reputation as being a pretty expensive endeavor. So what’s the bottom line? Is Taiwan expensive to travel to?

In a short answer, no, Taiwan is considered a relatively affordable destination for tourists- so get excited!

I’m going to give you the full budget breakdown of what a trip to Taiwan looks like and ways you can reduce unnecessary costs if you choose to go.

Table of Contents

Currency Exchange

The first thing you need to know about costs when traveling in Taiwan is the currency exchange rate.

Currently, the USD is worth far more than the Taiwanese currency, meaning you’ll be able to buy more for less.

For instance, a beer in Taiwanese NT costs 55.00 NT (that doesn’t mean it costs the equivalent of $55 to them, though).

100 Taiwan New Dollars = 3 US Dollars

You could buy this for the equivalent of less than $2 USD, which is less than you’d be paying at home on average.

One of the most expensive aspects of travel to Asia is airfare.

Unfortunately, that figure is going to stay the same pretty much anywhere you choose to travel there- no matter the destination.

This is because no matter what, airline companies have to pay to lug your baggage across the ocean, and fuel costs don’t change much.

On Average – You can expect round-trip plane tickets to Taiwan to cost you about $1,000- yikes. It can be more or less depending on the number of layovers, length of layovers, and seat class you choose.

Thankfully, you can expect this to be the only budget-breaking aspect of your trip.

It doesn’t necessarily HAVE to be $1,000, though.

If you’re young and in good health, consider taking one of the cheapest options and having extra-long layovers. It may double the time of your trip, but if your body can handle it, you can save up to $500 if you’re willing to wait the extra time.

Another good option for finding cheap plane tickets is using Google Flights and Momondo in tandem.

If you find the cheapest dates for traveling to Taiwan on Google Flights, go ahead and plug those into Momondo. These dates are usually a little cheaper on there.

Lastly, if you’re willing to get risky, there’s always the process of “hidden city ticketing.”

This involves buying airline tickets to a destination other than your own that has a layover at your destination.

This can make your airfare costs go down a shocking amount- but this does come with some risks.

Things like visa requirements and last-minute schedule changes can change things, but if you’re willing to take the risk, you can save big-time.

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Taiwan’s lodging situation is a little interesting.

It’s cheap compared to a lot of other travel destinations, but many people find that the quality of luxury (or even regular) hotels is… disappointing to say the least.

A hotel can cost a visitor around $100 a night for a sub-par experience, and hostels can still cost half of that at around $50 a night.  

This is why I recommend choosing Airbnb for your lodging. You can find entire apartments with good customer reviews for around $20-$35 or less a night, making this a more budget-savvy option.

Not only that, but Airbnb’s are often run by locals who actually live in the host country. This means you’re getting a more unique and perhaps authentic experience if you

Food and Attractions

Taiwan is especially cheap when it comes to eating- but there’s a catch.

If you’re eating at a Western-style restaurant, you can expect to pay prices similar to what you’d find here in the States.

If you’re eating domestic cuisine, however, this is going to be extremely cheap.

You can get a full meal’s worth of street food for only $3 in Taiwan, and you’ll be eating like royalty.

Things like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), scallion pancakes, spring rolls, and guabao (meat-stuffed buns) are all extremely cheap to buy on the street in Taiwan.

If you eat smart and choose to eat domestic cuisine for the majority of your trip, you can expect this to make up very little of your budget.

As Far as Attractions Go – Many of the sightseeing spots in Taiwan are actually free to visit. Taiwan has an incredible amount of national parks and hiking spots that are entirely free and offer some of the most expansive mountain views you’ll ever see.

Other historical spots like Chiang Kai Shek’s memorial hall and Longshan Temple are free to visit, too.

If you’re interested in some of the more shiny and contemporary attractions, like the Taipei 101 tower, there will likely be an entrance fee.

In the case of the tower (and many other similar attractions), this entrance fee is as low as $10.

Food and attractions in Taiwan, which can be the most expensive parts of your budget in other parts of the world, will likely make up the least amount of your budget! Great news, huh?

Taiwan is a wonderful choice for people looking to travel to Asia on a budget.

Airfare can be expensive, but there are methods one can use to try and reduce these costs.

If you choose the Airbnb route for lodging, you can easily find quality rooms/apartments for an average of $20-$35 a night.

And when you’re pigging out on foods and snapping photos at attractions, you can rest assured that these won’t be breaking the bank.

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Cost of Travel in Taiwan? How To Travel Taiwan on a Budget!

Categories Asia , Cost of Travel , Taiwan

Taiwan had been on my Asia wishlist for years and when planning a trip to China and Japan I knew I had to squeeze a trip to Taiwan in too! I had no idea how much it costs to travel to Taiwan and I was hoping I wouldn’t find it expensive backpacking Taiwan.

However, I am happy to say that Taiwan IS a really budget-friendly country to visit! To help you work out your Taiwan Budget, it’s not as cheap as some South-East Asian Countries like Vietnam, but let’s be honest and say that these days all of South East Asia isn’t really cheap to travel, so I’d say that the cost of travel in Taiwan is very similar to that of Thailand and Indonesia and Taiwan is definitely not as expensive as nearby Japan to visit!

So let’s get into how much I spent in just over one week in Taiwan and general travel costs in Taiwan like how much is food in Taiwan and how much is accommodation in Taiwan, so you know prices for Taiwan budget travel and how to visit Taiwan on a budget! 

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Explore Taiwan in a Budget!

My Taiwan Travel Costs!

I spent 8 days and 8 nights in Taiwan on a budget and spent NT$8,300 / £203.00 / $268.00 USD  NOT including accommodation.

WITH accommodation in hostel dorm rooms, roughly, I would have spent an extra £120.00 and in a private rooms in hostels, roughly, I would have spent an extra £240.00. 

This did include all of my transport costs around the Cities and Country. 2 meals a day & snacks  (breakfast was included in my hostel accommodation) and entrance fee’ s to a few things, and that’s all I needed to spend money on in Taiwan which is why the cost of travel in Taiwan can be so cheap!

FIRST TIMERS GUIDE TO TAIWAN

I’ve been to Taiwan twice. I love the country so much! I have written lots of posts to help you visit Taiwan, start with my 8 Helpful Tips For Planning a Trip to Taiwan from Start to Finish and the Best Places to Visit in Taiwan !

TAIWAN SIM CARD The best way to stay connected in Taiwan is to buy this EasyCard & Sim Card package deal in advance . You’ll need an EasyCard to get around on transport in Taiwan anyway and at the same time you can get a Taiwan Sim Card with 4G and pick them up at Taipei Taoyuan Airport when you land!

GETTING AROUND TAIWAN

The Metro within cities in Taiwan is really great, easy to use and so safe. You’ll need an EasyCard which you top up with credit to use the metro and buses. To get around Taiwan, I loved travelling by train . As a tourist, we can’t use the direct Taiwan train booking system. Instead you can go to a train station a few days before and purchase your ticket, or book online in advance using 12GO Asia !

Taiwan Transport Cost

You’ll need to purchase an EasycCard when you arrive which you’ll use all over the country on the metro and buses, this is NT$100 / £2.45 / $3.23 USD and non-refundable.

Be sure to get an Easy Card at the start of your trip in a metro station or even  pick an Easy Card and Sim Card package deal in their airport via this service .

I spent on average NT$100 / £2.45 / $3.23 USD per day on my EasyCard when in Taipei and Kaohsiung City using the metro all day.

Regional Trains

Train costs in Taiwan will vary depending on where you are visiting in the country, how far it is and whether you’re getting a High-Speed Train or Regular Train. Train Journeys from City to City will be between NT$500 / £12.25 / £16.20 and NT$1200 / £29.40 / £38.90.

If you are on a budget in Taiwan try to get trains that take longer as they will be cheaper than High-Speed Trains or look at buses in Taiwan to help with your Taiwan budget as they tend to be cheaper than trains, but slower!

Related Posts:

• 2 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
• 1 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
• Best Places to Visit in Taiwan!

Taiwan Food Costs

Night market food  .

This is where you’ll eat most nights in Taiwan whether you’re in Taiwan on a budget or not!

Prices of foods in Taiwan’s Nigtht Markets will vary depending on what it is but the general prices for one item are between NT$30 / 73p / 86c and NT$120 / £2.93 / $3.88. Most items are in the middle at about NT$50-60. I usually got 3-4 things in the night market so it can make for a fairly cheap dinner in Taiwan.

Meals in Restaurants

Decent meals in restaurants will be between NT$200 / £4.89 / £6.47 and NT$350.00 / £8.56 / $11.33, but the best thing about Taiwan is that like all Asian Countries there is an abundance of street food and small locals cafes where food is much cheaper (half the prices of above) where you can eat if you are on a budget when travelling Taiwan.

Most hostels will offer re-fillable water but a bottle of water in a supermarket like 7/11 is around NT$25.00 / 61p / 80c.

Bubble Tea / Coffee

The average price of a bubble tea or coffee from a tea or coffee shop is NT$80.00 / £1.95 / $2.60, again this will depend on where you are and what you have, it could be a bit more, or a bit less!

I didn’t drink any alcohol so I can’t tell you the costs of alcohol.

To help you plan your trip around Taiwan, have a look at all of my Taiwan Blog Posts here!

Taiwan Attraction Costs

I spent a bit of money on attractions and entrance fee’s in Taipei but not in my other two stops of Hualien and Kaohsiung at all.

My most expensive cost was the entrance ticket to Taipei 101 at NT$600.00 / £14.70 / $19.45 and then the Cable Car to Maokong in Taipei at NT$200 / £4.89 / £6.47

Taiwan Accommodation Costs

As always the biggest chunk of money will be spent on accommodation. Note again that my cost above did not include accommodation as everyone has different preferences. 

Firstly I’ll say that I was really impressed with the quality of the hostels in Taiwan, firstly when researching them on HostelWorld and Booking.com and then when staying in the 3 I stayed at.

All of them were very clean, organised and helpful in telling me about the area.

In Taipei, the price of staying in a dorm room in a hostel  is about NT$610.00 / £15.00 / $20.00 a night.

The cost of a dorm room in cities decreases a bit once you’re out of Taipei I found, for example in Hualien and Kaohsiung it is NT$450 / £11.00 / £14.50.

The cost of a private room in a hostel in Taiwan is about NT$1225 / £30.00 / $39.00, this could be less or more depending on the hostel and location but when halved if sharing a room doesn’t come to much more than a dorm room.

It seems pretty standard for hostels in Taiwan to include breakfast or offer breakfast at a good rate so keep this in mind when booking as it’ll save you money on another meal in the day!

There are plenty of hotels in Taiwan too. I didn’t look into any of these but if you are backpacking Taiwan you’ll be fine in the hostels in Taiwan whether you stay in dorm rooms or get a private room depending on your budget and preference. 

Get an idea of accommodation prices in Taiwan on HostelWorld and Booking.com  and I would recommend booking in advance to get the best accommodation price!

TAIWAN ITINERARY HELP

Here are my top Taiwan itinerary posts to help your plan your trip:

• 1 week Taiwan Itinerary!
• 18 Best Places to Visit in Taiwan!
• How to Plan a Trip to Taiwan!

TAIWAN ON A BUDGET

Taiwan isn’t the cheapest country but it’s not the most expensive either and can be travelled on a reasonable budget. Here’s my post on the cost of travel in Taiwan and how to travel Taiwan on a budget !

Extra Costs in Taiwan

I didn’t get a sim card as I found the public WIFI in Taiwan to be really good and plentiful but if you need a Prepaid Sim Card in Taiwan  you’ll be looking at between NT$300.00 – NT$700.00 / £7.50 – £17.60 depending on how long you stay and how much data you need. Basically, Sim Cards are pretty good value in Taiwan!

I personally recommend buying this EasyCard & Sim Card package deal in advance . You’ll need an EasyCard to get around on transport in Taiwan anyway and at the same time you can get a Taiwan Sim Card with 4G and pick them up at Taoyuan Airport when you land.

If your phone is locked or you don’t want to go to the hassle of getting a sim card, I suggest getting a portable wifi device for Taiwan  which you can get delivered to your home free of charge 2-3 days before you leave for Taiwan!

I hope this helps you plan your Taiwan trip or convince you to go if you agree that you can travel Taiwan on a budget!

• For more of my posts on Taiwan see:
• All My Taiwan Blog Posts

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Taiwan Travel Budget: How Much Does It Cost To Travel Taiwan

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: December 29, 2022

Categories Taiwan

Taiwan isn't on the radar of many travelers and I don't understand why. I really feel this small island deserves much more attention as it has much to offer!

Perhaps it's because travelers feel it will be too expensive and I admit I also wasn't sure what to expect from the cost of travel in Taiwan.

However, after spending a month in Taiwan I can safely say that it's a very affordable country!

In this post, you will find a full Taiwan trip budget breakdown and clever budget-saving tips in order to make the most of your money in Taiwan.

Taiwan travel budget

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

How to travel Taiwan on a budget

Wondering how much money to bring to Taiwan? You may be surprised to learn that during our trip around Taiwan we spent approximately  2065 NT / €63 / $69 per day  as a couple.

Is Taiwan cheap? Is Taiwan expensive? This obviously depends on your personal opinion, but for us, the daily amount we spent was similar to several countries in Southeast Asia.

While not among the cheapest places we traveled ( Sri Lanka is the cheapest country we've been to so far ) we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable Taiwan actually is.

In the infographic below you can find a detailed budget breakdown of our Taiwan trip to give you a quick overview of how much (or actually how little) you can spend during your trip in Taiwan.

Of course, the amount you’ll spend depends on your style of travel, the length of your trip, and the type of accommodation you choose.

However, compared to countries such as  Japan ,  New Zealand ,  Canada , and  Europe , Taiwan is a very affordable destination.

Generally speaking, you can travel around Taiwan on a budget of $35-$70 per day (per person). As you can see in the infographic, we spent $69 per day as a couple.

I’ll explain more about the total costs of a trip to Taiwan, plus how much we spent on accommodation, food, transport, and activities further on in the post.

Taiwan budget: facts and figures

• I traveled with my husband , and all the Taiwan expenses mentioned are for the two of us together.
• I quote prices in the New Taiwan Dollar ( NT ) ,  as well as in Euros ( € ) and US Dollars ( $) . When we were in Taiwan, €1 was around 33NT  and $1 was around 30NT. Of course, the exchange rate varies, you can check the current rate here .
• I spent 29 days in Taiwan, on an average day we spent 2065NT (€63/$69). I found prices in Taiwan to be fairly similar throughout the country.
• Our Taiwan trip budget includes all our travel costs in Taiwan, it does not include the costs of our tickets to Taiwan.
• Our Taiwan trip started in Kaohsiung and ended in Taipei . We also visited Kenting National Park , Tainan , Taichung, Sun Moon Lake , and Hualien .

How to save money when planning a trip to Taiwan

The good news is: traveling to Taiwan on a budget is definitely possible!

That being said, it's important to plan carefully, look for discounts, and be flexible with your itinerary to make the most of your travel budget for Taiwan.

I hope this post will give you an idea of the costs of traveling in Taiwan, as well as some practical tips about how to stretch your travel budget.

Avoid peak season (travel during shoulder season instead)

While there is no such thing as one main high season in Taiwan, there are some times of the year when domestic travel is at its peak. These are times to avoid because that's when accommodation prices are at their highest.

The busiest times when it comes to domestic travel are the Lunar New Year, the summer months (July and August), and, to a lesser extent, the weekends.

If you have the option to be flexible with your travel dates and avoid these months/times, this is a great way to save money on your Taiwan trip.

For example, we often made sure to avoid National Parks and popular day trip and weekend trip options (such as Sun Moon Lake and Kenting National Park) during the weekends.

Instead, we visited big cities. In our experience, hotel prices were generally lower there during the weekend, perhaps because there are fewer business travelers during those days.

Save money on flights

You can look for discounts on flights to Taiwan on websites like Kiwi.com . Try different travel dates and see how this affects the price of your flight.

Generally, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Airlines often offer discounted fares on these days, so it's worth checking the booking sites and comparing prices on different days of the week.

You’ll get a better deal by booking your flight in advance. For domestic flights 1-3 months before your trip is ideal.

Although, within Taiwan, you don't really need to fly as the country is fairly small and you can easily cover the distances by high-speed rail (read more below).

For international flights, it’s best to book 2-8 months in advance. Tickets to Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport) are pretty much always the cheapest option but keep an eye open for tickets to Kaohsiung International Airport (the second-largest airport in Taiwan) as well.

Lastly, you may be able to find cheap flights if you're willing to be flexible with your departure and arrival times.

Sure, it’s not ideal to arrive in the middle of the night, but if it saves you hundreds of dollars it’s worth losing one night of good sleep.

✈️ Click here to find the best ticket deals

Book your accommodation in advance

Once you've got your flights booked, it’s time to research budget accommodation. I always use Agoda and Booking to find the best value-for-money accommodation for our trips.

I recommend checking both platforms before you book to make sure you get the best deal.

Please note that Agoda includes taxes in their price whereas Booking doesn't always include this. Make sure to check this before finalizing your booking.

Also, if you're in a country with hefty ATM fees or a limit on how much cash you can withdraw per transaction it can be better to book with Agoda as you can often pay online with your credit card (thereby reducing your need for cash).

Buy an EasyCard

I recommend that as soon as you arrive in Taiwan, you pick up an EasyCard .

You can use this pass all over Taiwan to pay for public transport (MRT, bicycles, buses, trains, ferries, etc.). What's more: an Easy Card gives you a discount on transport fares and saves you the hassle of having to pay with coins.

You can top up your credit in 7-11 and Family Mart (you can also pay with your EasyCard in these shops and several others).

Book discounted high-speed rail tickets online

An excellent way to save money is by booking discounted train tickets for Taiwan's efficient and comfortable high-speed rail online.

This great deal is only available to foreign travelers and it makes train travel in Taiwan even more enjoyable and affordable. ? Book discounted HSR tickets here .

Cost to travel Taiwan: our average daily expenses

Now that you know some great ways to save money in the planning phase of your Taiwan trip, it's time for a deep dive into our Taiwan expenses. Our daily budget can be divided into four categories:

• Accommodation costs : 37% of our daily expenses
• Transportation costs: 13% of our daily expenses
• Cost of food and drinks: 42% of our daily expenses
• Activity costs + miscellaneous expenses : 8% of our daily expenses

1. Where to stay in Taiwan on a budget

I was expecting accommodation to be more expensive but there is plenty of budget accommodation available in Taiwan!

We only stayed in private rooms (no dorm rooms), on average we spent  775NT / €23 / $26 per day . We stayed at hotels (booked via Agoda or Booking ) and accommodations via Airbnb.

In the table below you can find the places we stayed at, but I’ve also written a separate post about  our accommodation in Taiwan .

* Unfortunately, the Airbnbs we stayed at in Kaohsiung and Taipei are no longer available due to Covid-19. I've done my utmost to find a suitable alternative (see table) .

I've also updated the prices, which have increased since our trip to Taiwan. That being said, I still think the hotels listed are good and comfortable budget hotels in Taiwan that won't break the bank and offer excellent value for money.

Budget hotels we stayed at in Taiwan

• Kenting Light Blue Bed and Breakfast (Henghun) : a lovely B&B that is centrally located and offers great value for money. Large rooms with comfortable beds and shared bathroom facilities (very clean!). Book here .
• Honey B Trip B&B (Hualien) : this was our favorite accommodation in Taiwan. Our room was very big with a super comfortable bed. We even had a sofa and a small desk. The bathroom was modern with an excellent shower. Book here .
• 85 Good Time Hotel   85時光-高雄85大樓 (Kaohsiung) : situated in the famous 85 Sky Tower and a great place to base yourself for your Kaohsiung trip. The rooms have air conditioning, very comfortable beds, and a private bathroom. Book here .
• Itathao Hotel (Sun Moon Lake) : an affordable place to stay at Sun Moon Lake, especially compared to most other hotels in this area. A tasty Chinese breakfast is included in the price. Large double rooms with a beautiful mountain view. Book here .
• Modern Inn (Taichung) : rooms are beautifully designed and have a private bathroom and comfortable beds. The staff is very accommodating and the train station is only a 10-minute walk. Book here .
• Tie Dao Hotel (Tainan) : the location of the hotel is perfect, across the train station. Small but spotless room with a comfortable bed and a modern bathroom. Book here .
• Comma Boutique Hotel (Taipei) : a lovely place to stay in Taipei that won’t break the bank. Rooms are spacious and clean, with a modern ensuite bathroom. Rooms on higher floors offer a nice view over Taipei. Book here .

2. How to get around Taiwan on a budget

Let’s take a closer look at public transportation in Taiwan. There are many ways to travel around the country, such as high-speed trains, local trains and buses, taxis, and MRT (in Taipei and Kaohsiung).

What's more: getting around by public transport in Taiwan is easy and not expensive. We traveled by train, shuttle bus and local buses, MRT, taxi, and bicycle (my personal favorite).

A popular and affordable way to get around Taiwan is by bus. Buses are available in and between all major cities and towns, and they offer a wide range of routes to help you get to your destination.

For larger distances (Taipei to Taichung for example) you can take the high-speed train in Taiwan ( buy discounted tickets online ), which is the best way to get from one city to another quickly, and comfortably.

If you need help navigating the public transportation system, many tourist information centers offer maps and assistance.

How much did we spend on transportation in Taiwan?

Our average transport expenses were  260NT / €8 /$9  per day. You can find detailed information about how much it costs to travel from place to place in my Taiwan itinerary .

3. Our food costs in Taiwan

Taiwan is a foodie's paradise, with many delicious dishes to try! Some of the best things to eat in Taiwan include:

• Beef noodle soup
• Pork belly buns
• Oyster omelet
• Dan bing (scallion pancakes)
• Gua bao (Taiwanese hamburgers)
• Stinky tofu

All of these dishes are packed with flavor and are sure to have your taste buds dancing.

How much did we spend on food and drinks in Taiwan?

Good news: Taiwanese cuisine is not only really tasty, but it’s also very affordable! That is if you eat local food at local restaurants.

Eating Western Food always triples the price of dinner when traveling around Asia. So when it comes to food, eat at local restaurants and try delicious street food at some of the famous Taiwanese night markets whenever you have the chance.

Anyway, let's talk numbers .

We spent most of our Taiwan travel budget on food and drinks. On an average day, we spent 870NT / €27 / $29 .

My favorite things to eat (and drink) in Taiwan were beef noodles (both with soup and dry), Chao zhou noodles, dumplings with pork filling, bubble tea, and the amazing fresh fruit that was for sale everywhere.

In conclusion, while food prices in Taiwan are quite low but you'll probably still spend most of your Taiwan budget on food as there are simply too many tasty things to eat…

4. Cost of activities in Taiwan (+ miscellaneous expenses)

Make sure to take advantage of the many free activities that Taiwan has to offer.

Explore imposing and beautiful buildings (such as the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall), visit interesting museums (like the National Palace Museum), and admire ancient temples (like the Longshan Temple in Taipei).

Visit cultural cities such as Tainan , Taichung , and Taitung or go hiking in one of Taiwan's nine National Parks. Doing so will help you make the most of your vacation while still sticking to your budget.

Consider booking a few organized tours

When planning your Taiwan trip, it's worth looking into tour companies that offer affordable tours that can help you save money while still getting the best experience.

Klook is the largest tour operator in Taiwan, but Get Your Guide has been working really hard on growing their offers as well so be sure to check out those websites as well when you're planning your Taiwan activities.

Some of the most worthwhile tours and activities in Taiwan are:

Admire the view from the Taipei 101 Observatory : formerly the world's tallest building, Taipei 101 is one of the most popular tourist attractions and a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Taipei . Get to the top of Taipei 101 in one of the world's fastest elevators (in just 37 seconds). Check availability .

Sun Moon Lake day trip : capture the stunning scenery of one of Taiwan's most scenic areas and immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounded by mountains and rivers. Check availability .

Explore historic sites in Tainan : Tainan is the former capital of Taiwan and is famous for its history and culture. If you plan to visit several historic sites, be sure to purchase a Tainan Historic Sites Pass to save money .

Take a day trip to Taroko National Par k : discover the Taroko Gorge, one of the top nature wonders in Asia. Venture along the Swallows' Grotto Trail, get lunch at Tianxiang and visit the town's iconic red suspension bridge. Click here to book a day trip from Hualien or  book a day tour from Taipei .

Day trip from Taipei : visit Yehliu Geopark and the wonders of Queen's Head. Explore Jiufen Old Street, set off sky lanterns in Shifen Old Street, and admire the Golden Waterfalls. Check availability .

How much did we spend on activities in Taiwan?

We spent 160NT / €5 / $5  on paid activities (such as scooter rental, cinema tickets, and entrance fees for museums) and miscellaneous things (see below) on an average day.

Most things we did in Taiwan were free, you can find more details about all our Taiwan activities in my other Taiwan posts.

Miscellaneous costs in Taiwan

Miscellaneous costs may not be the correct term since the only expense in this category is a  Wifi router with unlimited data .

You can pick up this router at Taipei or Kaohsiung airport upon arrival. I think this Wifi router offers amazing value for money.

We connected up to 4 devices to it without any connectivity problems! Staying online was therefore not an issue in Taiwan.

Travel insurance costs

I didn't include the cost of travel insurance in our Taiwan budget breakdown because we use our travel insurance for all our trips, not just for our Taiwan itinerary.

However, that doesn't take away the fact that making sure you have proper travel insurance is super important .

It helps protect you and your belongings in the event of a mishap during your travels. Furthermore, it provides coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost or stolen items, and more.

Also, having good travel insurance will provide you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, you have a safety net in place.

With so much to consider when planning a trip, having the right travel insurance can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey without stressing out about things that can go wrong.

Plan your Taiwan trip like a pro with these tools: ? Pick up an EasyCard for cashless payments and to use public transport. ? Book discounted tickets for Taiwan's high-speed rail. ? Stay connected with a  Taiwan Wifi router . ? Plan your journey with the  T aiwan Lonely Planet . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Klook or Get Your Guide . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Our Taiwan expenses: in conclusion

I started this post by stating Taiwan isn't expensive and that it's easy to travel to this lovely island on a budget.

I hope this guide provides some insight into the average daily travel budget for Taiwan . Feel free to ask any questions you may have and enjoy planning your Taiwan vacation!

This post was updated in December 2022.

Steve Cummings

Sunday 16th of August 2020

It is a great breakdown of costs. As a resident of Taiwan, and doing a round trip of Taiwan right now with my wife, I would say you all did a great job. Your food portion of the budget looked quite expensive. My wife and I are working on a budget of 600NT for the two of us. We are quite frugal and want to experience a bunch, but not spend the most. We were lucky to have an amazing fish hot pot at Dapu lake for 100 NT each. Great post for sure. The food is amazing, the sights are great, and Taiwan is a great place to visit.

Monday 17th of August 2020

Thank you for reading and how wonderful you are living in Taiwan and making a roundtrip at the moment! I agree we spent quite a lot on food;-) It's definitely possible to spend less, especially if you speak Chinese and can eat at local places where there isn't even a menu. The fish hot pot sounds amazing! Enjoy your trip and I hope you find many more great food stops:-)

Saturday 21st of September 2019

FANTASTIC READING! EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, I WAS PLANNING ON GOING TO TAIWAN FOR 7 DAYS. AS I'M ON A PENSION AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST. BUT I'VE SAVED UP ENOUGH TO GO FOR 7 DAYS NOW I'VE READ YOU ARTICLE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BREAK DOWN OF EVERY THING! I'VE LOOKED AT MANY BUT YOURS IS THE BEST BY FAR. SO IF ME AND MY WIFE GO WITH 1000 USD FOR 7 DAYS YOU THINK WE CAN HAVE A NICE TIME? MY FRIEND WHO WENT THERE SAID HE FOUND THE NORTH BETTER THAN THE CITY. WE LIKE TO TRAVEL, SO HOPE WE CAN FOLLOW YOU ON PLACES YOU HAVE BEEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN

Monday 30th of September 2019

Thank you very much reading and for your kind comment:-) With 1000 USD I think you will have a great time traveling Taiwan! I did like Taipei but it's also very worthwhile to explore other places, such as the Sun Moon Lake and Kenting or closer to Taipei (Beitou or Wulai).

Have a great trip! Lotte

Friday 8th of February 2019

Fantastic information! This will be quite useful when we will spend 3 months in Taiwan in our slow travel journey. Which of area of Taiwan do you think it's convenient with nature around? Thinking of spending a month going around the island in a car, already have 1 month booked in Taipei. Any tips are so welcome, thank you!

Monday 11th of February 2019

Wow 3 months in Taiwan sounds amazing! I think exploring the island by car is an excellent plan. The East Coast is the most beautiful in my opinion though if you have a car you can also explore the center of Taiwan which is very mountainous and beautiful hiking opportunities. Because we were limited to public transport we didn't get to visit those places but definitely would if I had a car and a month! Enjoy your trip:-)

Thursday 4th of October 2018

Hi! We are planning to travel as a family of four; we have 2 kids ages 6 and 3. Any recommendations on kid friendly things to do?

Thanks! Awesome blog.

Saturday 13th of October 2018

Thank you for your kind words, happy to hear you like my blog:-) About your question, I think there are lots of things to do with kids in Taiwan! In Taipei you could go to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall or ride the Maokong Gondola. In Kaoshiung it's fun to take the ferry to Qijin Island. At the Sun Moon lake you can go boating if weather permits and in Tainan Anping Old Fort may be an interesting place to visit. I hope this helps! You can check out my Taiwan itinerary for more ideas about things to do: https://www.phenomenalglobe.com/taiwan-1-month-itinerary/.

Enjoy your trip! Lotte

Friday 20th of July 2018

Hey thats a really useful guide thank you! What time of year did you go? Are those average prices per person, or total as a couple? We are going for 2 weeks in November as a couple so its really helpful to see this! Thanks

Monday 23rd of July 2018

Thanks you, I'm happy to help:-) About your questions, I was in Taiwan in May 2017. All the prices I mention in the post are for the two of us together (so not per person). Have a wonderful trip in November!

Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 🇹🇼 Planning a Trip to Taiwan: 11 Practical Things To Know

Receiving over 20 million tourists last year in 2023, Taiwan is a popular destination in East Asia that is known for its vibrant night markets, centuries-old temples, and lush mountains.

Having spent an incredible week in Taiwan, I share must-know travel tips that are especially useful for first-time visitors.

This Taiwan guide is also informed by my local friend, Ella Park-Chan, who lived in Taipei for three years.

• 1. Best Places To Visit
• 2. When To Visit
• 3. How Long To Visit
• 4. Entry Requirements
• 5. Budgeting & Cash
• 6. How To Get Around
• 7. How To Stay Safe
• 8. Language Barrier
• 9. Cultural Differences
• 10. Food To Try
• 11. DIY vs. Guided Trip

Taiwan Trip Planner

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

1. Best Places To Visit in Taiwan

Taiwan has incredible places to visit ranging from modern cities to stunning mountains made out of marble.

Below are Taiwan’s most popular destinations and the top things to see and do in each location.

Taipei , the capital city of Taiwan, is a modern, progressive city integrated with culture and tradition . It’s often visitors’ first stop and sometimes the only stop if they’re traveling to Taiwan for the first time.

There are many things to do in Taipei, ranging from hikes and temples to night markets and museums. Top attractions in Taipei include:

• Taipei 101 , the former tallest building in the world and an architectural icon
• Night markets that sell delicious street food for cheap. Taipei’s best night markets are Raohe and Shilin Night Market.
• Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a stunning significant historical landmark. The memorial hall is also near the National Theater and Concert Hall.
• Elephant Mountain , a metro-accessible hike with amazing views of Taipei city

• Beitou Hot Springs , a metro-accessible hot spring
• Maokong Gondola , a scenic cable-car ride
• National Palace Museum , a world-renowned museum
• Longshan Temple , an intricate 300-year-old temple

Taipei is also cyclist-friendly and one of the best ways to explore it is by biking through it. Taking a Taipei cycling tour is one of the most efficient ways to see both popular and less well-known attractions.

📍 Taroko National Park in Hualien

Taroko National Park , also called Taroko Gorge, is a beautiful park known for its marble canyons, towering cliffs, and lush forests. It’s a popular destination with many visitors taking a day trip from Taipei or spending a night in Hualien City just to visit Taroko Gorge.

Top attractions in Taroko Gorge include:

• Shakadang Trail , a popular hiking trail well-known for its scenic beauty

• Eternal Spring Shrine , a landmark shrine commemorating the workers who lost their lives while carving tunnels in the marble mountain

• Swallow Grotto , a unique part of the marble canyon where swallows nest

See how to plan a trip to Taroko National Park .

📍 Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake , located in the center of Taiwan, is the country’s largest lake and another popular tourist destination. It’s known for its scenic backdrop and various activities.

Top attractions in Sun Moon Lake include:

• Cycling around the lake , a common way to sightsee and explore the area
• Wenwu Temple , a palace-styled temple offering breathtaking views of the lake
• Xuanzang Temple , a Buddhist temple featuring panoramic views
• Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village , an amusement park that introduces the diverse culture of Taiwan

Although a bit far, Sun Moon Lake can be visited as a day trip from Taipei .

📍 Other Amazing Places in Taiwan

Taiwan has another endless number of places to visit.

• Kenting National Park , located in the south, is popular for its beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters.
• Jiufen , a small picturesque village perched on the side of a mountain, is famous for Jiufen Old Street and traditional teahouses. It’s the village that people claim inspired the movie, Spirited Away, although the director has denied this.

Here’s how to spend a day trip in Jiufen from Taipei .

• Tainan , called the “City of Temples”, is one of Taiwan’s oldest cities and is celebrated for its culinary scene and ancient temples.
• Alishan , located in central Taiwan, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking sunrise views, and hiking trails.
• Yehliu Geopark is popular for its unique rock formations.

You can visit Yehliu Geopark on a day trip from Taipei .

• Lukang , located on Taiwan’s west coast, is known for its traditional architecture dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

🍀 My Experience in Taipei, Jiufen, and Taroko Gorge

I generally find Taiwan amazing. I find it incredible that it’s not a more popular, south-after destination. During my Taiwan trip, I visited Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, and Hualien City.

• Taipei as a city has everything I like: hiking trails, nature getaways, hot springs, ancient temples, a modern city center, and amazing food.
• Jiufen , which is about a 40-minute drive east of Taipei, is worth a day trip. It’s a bit touristy, but I love the charming atmosphere.
• Taroko Gorge is a beautiful part of Taiwan and I highly recommend it as a two-day trip. The nearby Hualien City is more residential than Taipei, but still has great things to see and do.

This 7-day Taiwan itinerary features my trip’s highlights.

2. When To Visit Taiwan

Taiwan has a subtropical climate and is a great place to visit year-round , as it has mild temperatures almost all time of the year.

☀️ Best Time to Visit Taiwan

The best and most popular time to visit Taiwan is during its spring and fall seasons .

• The spring season , which runs from March to May, has mild weather, averaging 60 to 75 °F, which makes it ideal for being outdoors. Like Japan (although less famous for them), the cherry blossoms in Taiwan bloom in late March and April.
• The autumn season , which runs from September to November, is another popular time to visit. During this time, the weather is warmer, averaging 68 to 85 °F, making it a great time to swim, hike, and admire the lush landscape.

🍃 Taiwan’s Seasons

Taiwan has four seasons. Here’s a quick overview of its seasons:

Here are some things to keep in mind about the seasons and climate in Taiwan:

• Taiwan has a rainy season from June to September, but compared to other Asian countries, the rainfall is not heavy.
• Typhoon season is from May to November. About a dozen typhoons hit Taiwan per year, but rarely do they make landfall and cause widespread damage. Most typhoons only lead to road blockages and landslides.
• As is true with many island destinations, the temperature and weather in coastal vs. inland regions of Taiwan can be different. Inland areas are always warmer.

The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is on February 10th, 2024, and it’s not a popular time for tourists to visit. Many students and employees take days to weeks off around this time, so attractions, shops, and even transportation are limited or closed.

🍀 My Experience With Taiwan’s Weather

I traveled to Taiwan in  mid-October and early November  and found the weather mild.  

I primarily wore summer clothes and threw on a hoodie or light jacket around nighttime. I experienced two days of brief rain and had a few cloudy days, but it was overall pleasant.

3. How Long To Spend in Taiwan

Taiwan is a medium-sized island nation where visitors typically spend seven to ten days traveling.

🗓️ How Many Days Do You Need in Taiwan?

First-time visitors should spend at least five days in Taiwan to explore Taipei and have enough time to see one other destination for a more complete trip.

• With three to five days in Taiwan, you’ll have enough time to visit the capital city of Taipei and do a day trip outside of it. This would be considered a short visit and you won’t have much time for anything else.
• With one to two weeks in Taiwan, you can visit several of the top places in Taiwan, including Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, and Taroko National Park. You may also get to drive along the eastern side and see Tainan.

See how to spend a week in Taiwan .

• With more than two weeks in Taiwan , you can head all the way south to Kaohsiung City and spend more time seeing parts of the country that are off-the-beaten-path.

🍀 How Long I Stayed in Taiwan

I visited Taiwan for one week . I spent three to four days in Taipei, one day in Jiufen , and two days in Hualien City with a day trip to Taroko Gorge .

Having been to a dozen destinations in the past year, Taiwan is at the top of my list of destinations I plan to return to , as I felt like I hardly got to see a lot of the island and there are so many beautiful places to visit.

4. Entry Requirements for Taiwan

The entry requirement for Taiwan is straightforward for US citizens.

🛃 Taiwan’s Visa and Passport Requirements

A tourist visa is not required for United States citizens visiting Taiwan for up to 90 days .

Also, your US passport must be valid during your Taiwan trip , but there’s no requirement for it to be valid before or after.

🍀 My Experience Entering Taiwan

Being an American citizen comes with the privilege of holding one of the world’s most powerful passports, so I had no issues flying into Taipei, Taiwan.

5. Budgeting and Cash in Taiwan

Taiwan is a semi-affordable tourist destination for Asia.

💰 Expected Budget in Taiwan

Here’s approximately how much you can expect to spend when visiting Taiwan:

While a round-trip ticket to Taiwan from the United States will be expensive at around $1,000, Taiwan has many free attractions and places where you can eat a meal for less than $10 .

🏧 Do You Need Cash In Taiwan?

Credit cards are sometimes accepted in Taiwan, but the economy is still largely based on cash transactions , so make sure to bring cash .

You’ll find ATMs widely available at convenience stores , like Family Marts and 7-Elevens.

💵 Are US Dollars Accepted in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s local currency is the New Taiwan dollar (NT). The US dollar is not widely accepted , so make sure to exchange currencies.

The exchange rate was $1 USD = 32 NT at the time of writing.

🍀 My Taiwan Trip’s Budget

Taiwan remains one of my most affordable vacation trips to date. I share all my travel expenses and credit card usage in this Taiwan budget breakdown .

6. How To Get Around in Taiwan

There are several ways to get around Taiwan. While many areas have reliable public transportation , a rental car would make some places easier to get to .

✈️ Flying Into Taiwan

Taiwan has four international airports to fly into:

Most first-time visitors land at the Taoyuan Airport in Taipei. You can get to Taipei’s city center by bus, taxi, or train. The taxi and bus ride will take about 35 minutes while the train ride takes over an hour.

Once you land in Taiwan, there are several common ways to get around the country.

🚇 Best Way To Get Around Taipei: The MRT

If you’re staying in Taipei, the best way to get around is by public transportation. Taiwan’s metro, known as the MRT, is clean, well-maintained, and punctual. See the MRT map in English .

Here are some tips when riding the Taipei MRT:

• Buy a one-time token or a rechargeable card . At the metro station kiosks, you can either buy a one-time blue token or an EasyCard (aka IC Card) to ride the MRT.

The station kiosks only accept cash . I found that the station attendants are willing to break larger bills.

• Get an EasyCard. If you are going to be frequently riding the MRT like I did, I recommend getting an EasyCard for convenience, despite the 100 NT (about $3 USD) non-refundable fee. Any remaining balance on your EasyCard can be refunded at the end of your trip.

• Check Google Maps. The listed train times are accurate, so you can trust the listed times to plan your trip. However, I found the listed times for buses are not accurate.
• Follow the rules. Taiwan has a polite culture that tends to follow the rules. For example, the MRT tends to be very quiet as talking loudly is considered a nuisance to others.

MRT train stations are clean and have trash cans (public ones are not common in Taiwan) and bathrooms . It’s a good idea to bring toilet paper just in case.

🚆 Option 1: Train

Outside of Taipei, Taiwan also has an efficient train system run by TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) that will take you to all parts of the country, including Sun Moon Lake and Hualien City.

There’s a high-speed rail that takes you from Taipei in northern Taiwan to Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan in less than three hours.

You can buy TRA train tickets in two ways:

• Through a Taiwanese mobile app ( iOS ,  Android ). Booking a train ticket only reserves it, so you need to claim it as well. If you don’t claim your ticket (whether in person or digitally) within 20 minutes of departure time, they can give it to someone else.
• In person at the train station . Some train times are very popular (e.g., going from Taipei to Hualien City) and need to be booked in advance. When I booked a train to Hualien a week in advance, a few of the afternoon departures were sold out.

Most trains will depart from the Taipei Main Station. Google Maps has several “Taipei Main Stations”  depending on whether you’re catching a train, bus, or the MRT. Double-check the “Subway services” section of the app to make sure it is the right place for your transportation needs.

🚌 Option 2: Public Bus

Another common way to get around Taiwan is by bus or shuttle bus. These are great options for shorter distances (e.g., anything that takes less than two hours to drive) or to reach places where the train won’t take you.

You can also take a shuttle bus from Taipei to popular destinations like  Jiufen  and Sun Moon Lake.

🚗 Option 3: Rental Car or Scooter

One common way for locals to get around Taiwan is by car and scooter.

Most foreign visitors do not rent a car or scooter in Taiwan, except to do a road trip on the east coast where the train infrastructure is lacking. Renting a car is not as straightforward in Taiwan as it is in other destinations.

To rent a car or scooter in Taiwan, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP ) and familiarize yourself with the country’s confusing rental laws.

🚙 Option 4: Taxi and Uber

Yellow taxis are readily available in Taiwan, especially in concentrated city areas, and it’s a common way to get around.

You’ll find Uber only in bigger cities like Taipei. Compared to taxis, they’re more convenient to use for tourists.

✈️ Option 5: Domestic Flight

Taiwan has several airports around the country. While you can get around by taking domestic flights, they’re typically not the most budget-friendly way to travel domestically.

For example, taking a domestic flight from the northern to the southern part of Taiwan will cost at least $160 one-way , whereas the high-speed rail would be closer to $40 USD.

🚲 Option 6: Cycling

Taiwan’s infrastructure is cyclist-friendly . You’ll find many bike-sharing services in major cities and tourist destinations, including Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, and Kaohsiung City.

🍀 How I Got Around Taiwan

Like many visitors, I primarily relied on Taiwan’s trains, metro, and bus to get around. I called an Uber twice in Taipei when it significantly saved more time than taking the train. I also had a local friend drive me to Jiufen , which made me realize how driving in Taiwan can be confusing.

Overall, I found Taiwan’s public transportation reliable, clean, and pleasant although it can be occasionally confusing to navigate with just knowing English .

7. How To Stay Safe in Taiwan

Here are safety tips to keep in mind when traveling to Taiwan.

⚠️ Is Taiwan Safe to Visit?

Taiwan is considered a safe country to visit. Violence and even petty theft against tourists are very rare. Taiwan has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world .

Taiwan not only has a travel advisory level of 1 per the US Department of State, but it is also ranked #33 out of 163 safest countries by the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States is ranked #131).

🚖 Common Scams in Taiwan

Tourist scams are not common in Taiwan, but here are scams to watch out for:

• Some restaurants will overcharge tourists by hiding additional service fees or inflating the menu prices, so make sure to always check your receipt.
• Taxi drivers will also try to overcharge tourists , which you can avoid by using Uber. However, this is a rare occurrence.
• Once in a while, you might find that tour vendors are not legitimate . They may try to sell you a tour or a ticket to Taipei 101, but they’re not authorized to do so. Make sure to book tours with legitimate platforms like Viator .

💧 Is Tap Water Safe To Drink in Taiwan?

Tap water in big cities like Taipei and Hualien City is safe to drink , but many locals are still dubious of tap water safety. It’s a little less clear if tap water is safe in other places in Taiwan, especially in smaller towns.

I brought my reusable water bottle , which I refilled at restaurants, hotels, and vending machines with no issues.

🦟 Does Taiwan Have Mosquitoes?

Taiwan has  disease-carrying mosquitoes  ( dengue virus is common ), especially during the summer and rainy season, so protect yourself as best as you can.

While walking around in Taiwan, you’ll see several posters warning people of getting dengue .

🍀 My Safety Tips for Taiwan

I didn’t have any issues with theft, scams, or violence in Taiwan. Based on my experience, I recommend these safety tips:

• Be vigilant of your surroundings. While Taiwan is very safe, it’s a foreign country with a somewhat high language barrier, so asking for help can be difficult in certain scenarios.
• It’s a good idea to pack   insect repellent . I didn’t have issues with mosquitoes in places like Taipei, but I wore repellent in places like Taroko National Park.

8. Language Barrier in Taiwan

Taiwan’s official language is Mandarin Chinese.

🗣️ Is English Common in Taiwan?

Roughly 30% of Taiwan’s population speaks some English , but you’ll find that the rest of the population speaks only Mandarin.

Major cities and tourist-friendly places will have some signs and menus in English, but Taiwan is largely not as English-friendly as some would expect.

Taiwan currently has a goal of becoming a bilingual nation by 2030 .

Here are some common Mandarin words and phrases to know while visiting Taiwan:

🍀 Traveling Taiwan With Just English

Although navigating Taiwan’s public transportation was relatively easy, I found getting around with just English a bit more challenging than I expected , especially in non-tourist areas.

Unlike Japan, Taiwan doesn’t have a lot of signs in English, locals who don’t work in tourism will not understand any English, and hand gestures are not as common. That said, if you mostly travel in touristy areas, you’ll have no issues getting around .

9. Cultural Differences in Taiwan

The Taiwanese culture has been heavily influenced by Chinese traditions, Japanese colonial rule, and indigenous culture.

Taiwanese people place special emphasis on politeness , social harmony, and respect, which is not very unlike Japanese people .

Due to the relatively recent 50-year Japanese occupation of Taiwan, you’ll find many Japanese influences on the small country . This extends to architectural style, education, railway infrastructure, and cultural practices.

👟 Proper Etiquette in Taiwan

Here are a few cultural norms and Taiwanese etiquette to keep in mind when visiting:

• It’s impolite to speak loudly in public spaces as it can be a nuisance to others, so make sure to keep your voice at a low to medium volume.
• Waiting in line in an orderly manne r is a social norm as it creates social harmony. Line cutting and disorderly lines are not common.
• Family-style dining is typical in Taiwan. When eating in these situations, it’s polite to sample and taste all dishes , even if you don’t end up eating a lot of everything.
• Taiwanese people respect their elders , so it’s important to show respect towards them and to address them with the proper titles.

Taiwan is an open-minded and progressive nation and you’ll find this reflected in its culture. For example, it’s the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage .

🍀 My Experience With Taiwan’s Culture

I love many aspects of Taiwan’s culture, particularly the ones around orderliness, politeness, and cleanliness . Taipei is incredibly clean and peaceful, which deeply contrasts against the many large cities I’ve lived in the United States.

Note that like in Japan, street trash cans are uncommon in Taiwan, so be prepared to hold onto your trash. You can find trash cans at the metro stations.

10. Taiwanese Food To Try

Taiwan is internationally known for its street food culture and unique dishes . When visiting Taiwan, try some classic Taiwanese food:

• Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn) is one of the most iconic meals in Taiwan. The dish features chewy noodles with slow-cooked, tender beef.

• Boba or bubble tea ( zhēn zhū nǎichá ) is a flavored tea base with chewy tapioca ball. They’re now globally available and popular, but boba tea originated in Taiwan.

There are many great boba tea shops , but some of the best ones in Taipei are CoCo, DaYung’s Tea, Ten Ren’s Tea, and Chun Shui Tang.

• Stink tofu ( chòu dòufu ), which is fermented tofu, is a beloved dish in Taiwan. I like natto and durian, but I can’t get behind stinky tofu. It’s part of the experience to try one!
• Pork rice bowl (lǔ ròu fàn) is a comforting dish with minced pork belly served with five-spice seasoning and often topped with a boiled egg.
• Pineapple cake (fènglí sū) is a Taiwanese pastry that has a buttery crust surrounding a pineapple jam. This is a very popular souvenir gift to bring back from Taiwan.

SunnyHills is a popular pineapple cake cafe in Taipei, but I personally love the ones at Chia Te Bakery .

• Oyster omelet (òa-á jiān) . There are many Taiwanese street foods worth trying, but one of the most famous ones is the oyster omelet served with eggs and potato starch.

Din Tai Fung is one of Taiwan’s most globally recognized restaurants and one of my favorite places to eat. If you haven’t been to one yet, you can visit the original restaurant in Taipei and try their world-famous soup dumplings .

If you’re unfamiliar with Taiwanese street food or want to learn more about the cuisine’s history, you can also go on a five-star backstreet food tour .

11. DIY vs. Guided Trip in Taiwan

Given the island’s relatively small size and high language barrier, Taiwan is a popular place to travel with an organized tour. Here’s my take on guided vs. DIY trips for Taiwan:

🚐 Guided Taiwan Trip

If you have less than a week in Taiwan and want your trip to be super efficient, you can book all-inclusive guided tours that take you to the best places to visit.

The organized tour will take care of everything (i.e., transportation, accommodations, attractions, food) for you, but they’re not as flexible and will not be as budget-friendly.

🗺️ DIY Taiwan Trip

If you’re planning a Taiwan trip on your own, you can focus your planning efforts on Taipei and then take guided day tours to the top places .

Here’s how to plan a week in Taiwan while taking day trips to top places like Taroko Gorge and Jiufen .

🍀 My DIY Taiwan Trip

I spent a week in Taiwan on a DIY trip, but I had a local friend help me and provide a lot of helpful Taiwan travel tips.

I plan to keep traveling to Taiwan on my own, but I will occasionally book a guided tour for specific attractions, national parks, and food tours.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Taiwan Travel Guides

• 🧋 Taiwan Guide: 5-7 Day Itinerary + 20 Great Things To Do
• 💰 My 2024 Taiwan Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
• 🏮 Jiufen Day Trip From Taipei: 9 Great Things To Do + Itinerary
• 🍃 How to Plan a Taroko Gorge Day Trip from Taipei

Lists by Lukiih is Readers-Supported

If you find my travel tips helpful, say thanks with a bubble tea 🧋!

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Travel Costs for Taipei

Last Updated: 10/27/2023

Published: 08/04/2023

I may make commissions from purchases made through links.  Read here for more information. And as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is an overview of the costs of traveling to Taipei City, Taiwan. Keep reading to learn more.

I’ve lived around Taipei City for over 5 years and have learned a lot about the costs of visiting here. That inspired me to build this list.

• Average travelers will pay NT$1,847 a day.
• Eating at hole-in-the-wall restaurants will cost NT$517 a day.
• Entertainment will cost, on average, NT$544 daily.
• Scams & robberies are rare.

Daily Cost to Visit Taipei, Taiwan

The following sections will provide estimates on the daily costs to visit Taipei each day.

These are estimates. Prices can change at a moment’s notice due to inflation, shortages, or folks just wanting to increase prices.

Consult with a local if you can on the prices of things, that’ll provide you with the most accurate information on pricing.

Budget Traveler Costs to Visit Taipei

It’ll cost a budget traveler, on average, NT$1,847 a day to visit Taipei City.

Mid-range Traveler Costs to Visit Taipei

It’ll cost a mid-range traveler, on average, NT$1,847 a day to visit Taipei City.

Luxury Traveler Costs to Visit Taipei

It’ll cost a luxury traveler, on average, NT$1,847 a day to visit Taipei City.

Taiwan Currency, Exchange Rate

I can’t convert every currency to New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) myself. Use this widget to help you out.

Taipei Transportation Budget

And there’s Taiwan’s bicycle rental service , YouBike. Here’s the pricing table for it:

What Did Other People Spend on Transportation in Taipei?

Folks will spend money on public transportation tickets, day passes , or integrated circuit cards (IC). These cards typically require a NT$100 deposit and allow you to enter any public transportation without using tokens or cash.

I highly recommend using these cards because transportation in Taipei is fast-paced and doesn’t give you much time to feed change into the change catcher.

Food Budget in Taipei

Eating in mom-and-pop shops or from convenience stores will cost a person, on average, NT$517 a day. Eating out at higher-end restaurants will boost this price to NT$300–600 per meal.

Alcohol & Water Budget in Taipei

Visiting bars will cost mid-range travelers NT$584 per day. Visiting convenience stores or supermarkets for drinks will reduce this cost to NT$200 per day. While at these stores, picking up a bottle of water will cost at least NT$30 per bottle.

Save money on water by carrying a reusable water bottle and refilling it at Taipei Metro stations . They’re free.

Entertainment Budget in Taipei

Average entertainment prices for mid-range and luxury travelers is NT$544. Such prices could include entry into nightclubs or tourist attraction tickets. Tickets to enter most places (e.g., museums) are primarily around NT$100.

These estimates don’t account for buying food, drink, and alcohol.

You’ll need more than NT$2,000 to visit the top floor of Taipei 101 .

Don’t know what to do in Taipei?

Check out these tourist hotspots:

National Palace Museum

Chiang kai-shek memorial hall.

Historical site

Daytrip, for families

Miniatures Museum of Taiwan

National revolutionary martyer’s shrine, sun yat-sen memorial hall, beitou hot spring resort.

Hot springs

Yangmingshan National Park

Daan forest park, miramar ferris wheel.

For families, shopping

Guanghua Digital Plaza

Treasure hill, maokong mountain.

Vista, hiking

Dihua Street

Taipei botanical garden, huashan 1914 creative park, jianguo flower & jade markets, tips & handouts budget in taipei.

Tipping isn’t required in Taiwan. Thus, only tip if you want to. Taiwanese people won’t decline tips.

Scams, Robberies, & Mishaps Budget in Taipei

Scams and robberies rarely happen in Taiwan in general. Most of the time, this number should remain at “0”. At worst, you may find yourself scammed by someone trying to sell you fake stuff. However, this rarely happens as well.

Unless you count buying knock-off goods as fake. Then that happens frequently in claw machine shops and night markets.

Price for Flights to Taipei

I, nor anyone on the internet, can provide an accurate estimate as to how much flights will cost from anywhere in the world to Taipei City.

I can tell you that flying to Taoyuan International Airport will generally cost less than flying to Taipei Songshan International Airport. As the latter airport is usually for business flights.

Play with this flight widget and see what results await:

Money-saving Tips When Visiting Taipei for 1 Week

Follow these tips to save money when visiting Taipei City:

• Carry a reusable water bottle : Saves money on bottled water & gives a discount when getting coffee or tea.
• Consider Taipei Fun Pass : It’ll grant free entry to many of Taipei’s tourist attractions.
• Keep receipts : If you’re in Taiwan during a receipt lottery drawing , you could win money.
• Avoid Starbucks : Louisa is like Starbucks, but has more affordable coffee.
• Bring your own supplements : Supplements are expensive in Taiwan.

More Guides for Taipei Visitors

• Where to Stay in Taipei: Best Places Compared 08/28/2023
• Taipei Nightlife: Best Bars, Nightclubs, & Attractions 08/18/2023
• 13 Taipei Travel Tips to consider when visiting 08/18/2023
• Guide to Getting Around Taipei 08/18/2023
• Best Time to Visit Taipei, Taiwan 08/10/2023
• Taipei Red Light District 08/05/2023
• Travel Costs for Taipei 08/04/2023

Even More Guides

Where to Stay in Taipei: Best Places Compared

Indoor Things to do in Taipei

Things to do in Taipei with Kids

Taipei Nightlife: Best Bars, Nightclubs, & Attractions

13 Taipei Travel Tips to consider when visiting

Guide to Getting Around Taipei

Best Taipei Tours

Beitou Museum – Visitors Guide

Theodore began first experienced the wonders of traveling when visiting Vietnam. Afterward, he went crazy and ventured to at least… More about Theo

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Most people in Taiwan see themselves as primarily Taiwanese; few say they’re primarily Chinese

Voters in Taiwan recently handed a third consecutive victory to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which considers Taiwan separate from China and promotes a separate national identity .

The election follows a recent Pew Research Center survey that examined how people in Taiwan feel about their own identity, as well as how they view China. Here’s a closer look at how people in Taiwan see these issues, based on the survey, which we conducted from June 2 to Sept. 17 last year.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to assess how people in Taiwan view their own identity, how they see China and whether they are satisfied with how things are going in Taiwan.

Data comes from a survey of 2,277 adults in Taiwan conducted as part of a broader study of attitudes in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. The survey was fielded from June 2 to Sept. 17, 2023. All interviews in Taiwan were conducted over the phone.

This survey is part of the  Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project , which analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world.

Respondents were selected using probability-based sample designs. The data was weighted to account for different probabilities of selection among respondents and to align with demographic benchmarks for adult populations.

Here are the questions used for the analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

Identity in Taiwan

While the Chinese government views Taiwan as a breakaway province , only 3% of people in Taiwan think of themselves as primarily Chinese. Nearly three-in-ten (28%) think of themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese, but the largest share by far (67%) see themselves as primarily Taiwanese. The share of adults in Taiwan who view themselves as at least somewhat Taiwanese has not changed significantly since the Center last asked this question in 2019.

Adults in Taiwan under the age of 35 are especially likely to identify as solely Taiwanese (83%). And women are more likely than men to do so (72% vs. 63%).

Identity in Taiwan is tied to politics. Those who consider themselves primarily Taiwanese are most likely to align themselves with the DPP.

Meanwhile, those who regard themselves as both Chinese and Taiwanese, or as primarily Chinese, are more aligned with the Kuomintang (KMT). Compared with the DPP, the KMT is more closely aligned with neighboring China .

Emotional attachment to China

Although few in Taiwan identify as primarily Chinese, 40% still have an emotional connection to the mainland. This includes 11% who say they are very emotionally attached to China.

Emotional attachment to China is more common among older adults in Taiwan. While 46% of those ages 35 and older report an emotional connection with China, only 26% of those under 35 say the same. There are no differences in these views by gender.

How people in Taiwan self-identify is linked to their emotional attachment to China. About three-quarters of adults in Taiwan who see themselves as mainly Chinese or both Chinese and Taiwanese say they are emotionally attached to China. A similar share of those who consider themselves primarily Taiwanese say they are not emotionally attached to China.

There are also notable differences by party affiliation. Roughly seven-in-ten adults who support the KMT say they have an emotional attachment to China. Only around two-in-ten of those aligned with the DPP say the same.

Perceived threats to Taiwan

Most people in Taiwan consider China’s power and influence a threat. This includes 66% who label it as a major threat – more than say the same about the power and influence of the United States or Russia (45% and 25%, respectively).

Younger adults are more concerned than older adults about China’s power and influence, as are those with more education. Still, majorities across age groups see China’s power and influence as a major threat to Taiwan.

Even adults in Taiwan who identify as primarily Chinese, or as both Chinese and Taiwanese, see China’s power and influence as a threat. About two-thirds of adults in Taiwan who identify as at least partly Chinese say this (64%). Similarly, about six-in-ten adults in Taiwan who say they are emotionally attached to China (58%) see its power and influence as a threat.

DPP and KMT supporters alike consider China’s power and influence a major threat to Taiwan. But DPP supporters are more likely than KMT supporters to say this (78% vs. 59%). Conversely, KMT supporters are more likely than DPP supporters (63% vs. 34%) to see the United States as a major threat to Taiwan. Earlier research has found DPP supporters favor the U.S. over China, while KMT supporters favor China over the U.S.

Satisfaction with the way things are going in Taiwan

Few in Taiwan are happy with how things are going there today. Just 24% express satisfaction, while 32% are dissatisfied and 37% are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Attitudes on this question are highly partisan. About half of those who support the governing DPP (48%) are content with how things are going, compared with just 10% of those who support the opposition KMT.

Those who consider themselves primarily Taiwanese are more likely to express satisfaction with how things are going in Taiwan. Similarly, those who have less of an emotional connection to mainland China also express more satisfaction with the way things are going.

Note: Here are the questions used for the analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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TSMC's stalled Arizona chip factory is 'well on track' to start production next year — and it'll be charging more for US-made chips

• TSMC's Arizona chip factories have faced construction delays. 
• But the company said it's "well on track" to start producing chips at its first factory in 2025.
• TSMC plans to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan to combat higher manufacturing costs. 

Things may be starting to look up for the world's leading chipmaker .

Last year, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company reported its first profit decline in four years. But on April 18, the company reported its strongest sales growth since 2022, and rising quarterly profits that beat expectations. The Taiwan-based TSMC also forecast that second-quarter sales could rise as much as 30% on the backs of "insatiable" demand for chips used to power AI technologies like ChatGPT.

But for the US, in particular, the most important detail from the call may have been the update on the construction timeline of TSMC's Arizona chips factories . TSMC said it had made "significant progress" on the construction of its first Arizona factory — located in the Phoenix area — and that it was "well on track" to begin producing chips in the first half of 2025. The company said engineering wafer production began at the factory in April, an important step toward the eventual chip production.

The chipmaker's commitment to building three factories on its Phoenix campus is a key pillar of the Biden administration's efforts to boost the US's manufacturing of chips that power everything from cars to iPhones. Bolstering domestic manufacturing could also make the US less reliant on Taiwan — which faces the potential risk of a Chinese invasion.

TSMC's progress is also important for President Joe Biden because Arizona is a key swing state in the upcoming presidential election. The company's investment is expected to create roughly 6,000 "high wage" jobs across the factories, in addition to over 20,000 construction jobs, and tens of thousands of indirect supplier jobs.

However, construction has faced a series of challenges. Last July, TSMC announced that chip production for the first factory would be postponed from 2024 to 2025 . A lack of skilled construction workers in the US was cited as a reason for the first factory's delay. Additionally, in January, the opening of its second factory was delayed from 2026 to 2027 or 2028.

Barring further setbacks, TSMC's update could mean the first factory will begin production of chips in 2025. In recent weeks, however, a report from the Chinese news outlet money.udn has fed speculation among some experts that production could begin by the end of 2024 — TSMC has stuck to the 2025 timeline in public comments.

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The sooner chip production begins, the sooner Americans will have access to the "long term," non-construction jobs TSMC has promised, Dylan Patel, a chief analyst at the semiconductor research and consulting firm SemiAnalysis, told Business Insider.

During the earnings call, TSMC said 2028 was the scheduled opening of the second factory. The third factory is expected to begin production by 2030.

TSMC is planning to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan

Earlier this month, TSMC got more good news: The Biden administration announced it was providing the company with up to $6.6 billion in direct funding and an additional $5 billion in proposed loans to support its investment in Arizona.

Chipmakers have been vying for funding from the CHIPS and Science Act , legislation passed in 2022 that's expected to fund over $200 billion in US chip production.

This funding could be particularly important for TSMC, given the cost of factory construction and chip manufacturing can differ between the US and Taiwan.

In 2022, TSMC's founder Morris Chang said that US efforts to boost chip production would be "a wasteful, expensive exercise in futility," adding that "manufacturing chips in the US is 50% more expensive than in Taiwan."

In its first-quarter earnings call, TSMC said that cost pressures would cause it to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan, the Financial Times reported . The company also has plans to build two factories in Japan and one in Germany.

"If a customer requests to be in a certain geographical area, the customer needs to share the incremental cost," TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said during the earnings call.

While boosting the US manufacturing of chips and other products could create jobs and help secure supply chains, it could also lead to higher prices for American consumers.

If Apple, for instance, follows through on its commitment to source chips from TSMC's Arizona factories , it could make the latest iPhone more expensive.

Watch: Marketing leaders from TikTok, Roku, Mastercard and more tell Insider how consumer behavior has changed across industries

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Britain said North Korea had breached multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions after it fired a ballistic missile on Monday, and called for Pyongyang to "stop such provocations" and "return to dialogue."

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Haiti's main fuel import terminal was suspended on Monday as gang-affiliated armed men seized trucks and demanded it be shut down, according to a source with information on the matter, likely exacerbating existing gasoline and diesel shortages.

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Is Taipei Expensive?

• Is Taipei expensive?

How expensive is Taipei?

• How expensive is a weekend trip to Taipei?
• How expensive is a one week trip to Taipei?

Is it expensive to backpack in Taipei?

Are hotels expensive in taipei.

• How expensive are activities in Taipei?

Is food expensive in Taipei?

Is transportation expensive in taipei, is taipei expensive to visit.

Taipei is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $184. If we compare it to the rest of Asia, it is a very expensive place to visit. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its travel prices. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Tokyo and Similan Islands.

Travelers spend an average of $184 per day when visiting Taipei (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Taipei here .

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Taipei?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Taipei costs around $552 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,104.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Taipei?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Taipei will cost around $1,288 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $2,576.

With more than 30 hostels in the area, Taipei is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $21 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Taipei here .) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $7, but the most expensive can be more than $52 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Taipei.

• $20 for a dorm bed at Meander Taipei Hostel - Ximending more details
• $28 for a dorm bed at Star Hostel Taipei Main Station more details
• $25 for a dorm bed at Formosa 101 more details

When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Taipei , we find them to be very expensive in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $64. The area boasts about 25 five-star hotels with an average rate of $135 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $60 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $29 per night.

CHECKinn Taipei NeiHu

Taipei fullerton hotel maison north, how expensive are sightseeing activities in taipei.

In Taipei, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $17 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $17.

• Pinglin Tea Culture & Maokong Day Tour from Taipei Viator $ 85
• Pinglin Tea Culture & Maokong Day Tour from Taipei: $85
• Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour: $1.00
• Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience: $30
• Taipei Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
• Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience, Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea.: $77
• Keelung Shore Excursion, Jiufen and Shifen (Small Group Tour max 16 pax): $103
• Tarogo gorge day tour ( MERCEDES VAN) from Taipei: $299
• Private History and Architecture Walking Tour in Taipei City: $35

In Taipei, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $16 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $17.

• Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips… Viator $ 77
• Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
• Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
• Taiwanese Food Culture and Cooking Class: $120
• Taiwanese Breakfast Cooking Class in Taipei : $80
• Night Market Food Tour in Keelung: $300

Exploring local transportation in Taipei shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $10 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $12. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

More for Taipei

If you're planning a trip to Taipei, Taiwan, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

• You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page .
• For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code, or this page's address. Address Link HTML Taipei Travel Costs " disabled />

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House approves aid to Taiwan in first advancement of foreign aid package

T he House passed a foreign aid bill providing funds to Taiwan in an overwhelming bipartisan vote on Saturday, marking the first step toward providing financial assistance to a number of foreign allies.

Lawmakers voted in favor of a $8.12 billion proposal to provide aid to Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific area as part of efforts to combat any efforts from the Chinese government to invade the East Asian country. The vote is the first of three foreign aid bills up for consideration on Saturday, with the others focused on Ukraine and Israel.

The Taiwan supplemental passed in a 385-34 vote, with only 34 Republicans rejecting the measure. One Democrat voted present.

The Ukraine bill allocates billions of dollars to replenish defense weapons and services provided to the wartorn country as it continues to stave off an invasion from Russia for over two years. The bill includes $11.3 billion to maintain U.S. military operations in the region as well as another $13.8 billion to secure advanced weapons systems and other defense services. 

The legislation also includes a requirement for other foreign allies to participate in cost-matching programs and mandates a repayment agreement with the Ukrainian government. 

The possible approval of Ukraine aid marks a major moment for Congress, but it could also start the clock on whether Johnson will keep the speaker's gavel. Hanging over his head is a threat of his ouster filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) late last month.

Although the Georgia Republican has not indicated what would be a trigger for her to move forward with her motion to vacate, Greene has repeatedly suggested Ukraine could be a redline.

But Democrats could come to Johnson's rescue if Ukraine aid is passed, with party leaders commending the speaker for moving forward with the package.

"This is a moment where the Congress is required to stand up for democracy, freedom, and truth and push back against aggression in a bipartisan way," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on Saturday. "I commended by name traditional conservatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, for doing the right thing."

The latest foreign aid bill comes months after the Senate passed its own $95 billion foreign aid supplemental package in February that combined funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, Johnson deemed that bill “dead on arrival” in the House, resulting in a monthslong debate about how to move forward with providing aid to key U.S. allies overseas. 

The House is also set to vote on foreign aid legislation related to Israel on Saturday, after which all three of the bills will be transferred to the Senate as one comprehensive piece of legislation. That package would also include a national security supplemental , which passed the House earlier in the day.

The Israel aid bill provides $26.38 billion to the country, which includes funds to replenish the country’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems as well as $3.5 billion to go toward securing advanced weapons systems and other defense services. The package also includes about $9 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza.

The aid to Israel comes after the country experienced its first-ever missile attack from Iran just last week, prompting lawmakers to expedite a foreign aid package despite lingering opposition from some lawmakers.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who has vowed to move “expeditiously” on the House-passed foreign aid bill, announced on Saturday morning that the Senate had a “tentative agreement” to take its first vote on Tuesday afternoon should the House package pass, eating into a planned recess this coming week. 

After that, the package will be sent to President Joe Biden for approval. The White House has already expressed support for the legislation. 

Blinken will be the latest top US official to visit China in a bid to keep ties on an even keel

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on issues from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over global stability.

The rivals are at odds on numerous fronts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the South China Sea , North Korea, Hong Kong, human rights and the detention of American citizens. The United States and China also are battling over trade and commerce issues, with President Joe Biden announcing new tariffs on imports of Chinese steel this past week.

The State Department said Saturday that Blinken, on his second visit to China in less than a year , will travel to Shanghai and Beijing starting Wednesday for three days of meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected, although neither side will confirm such a meeting is happening until shortly before it takes place.

The department said in a statement that Blinken would “discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues,” including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

He will also talk about progress made in “resuming counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence, and strengthening people-to-people ties” and will reaffirm how important it is for the U.S. and China to be “responsibly managing competition, even in areas where our two countries disagree,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The trip follows a phone call this month between Biden and Xi in which they pledged to keep high-level contacts open, something they had agreed to last year at a face-to-face summit in California. Since that call, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has visited China and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart . Meetings at lower levels also have taken place.

Despite those encounters, relations are rocky. The U.S. has recently become more vocal in its calls for China to stop supporting Russia’s military-industrial sector, which Washington says has allowed Moscow to boost weapons production to support the war against Ukraine .

“We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade,” Blinken said Friday. “Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can’t on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.”

Blinken also has pushed for China to take a more active stance in pressing Iran not to escalate tensions in the Middle East . He has spoken to his Chinese counterpart several times since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago as he has sought China’s help in getting Iran to restrain proxy groups it has supported, armed and funded in the region.

That topic has taken on new urgency since direct back-and-forth attacks by Iran and Israel on each other’s soil in the past week.

Also high on the agenda for Blinken will be Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The U.S. has strongly condemned Chinese military exercises threatening Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province and vowed to reunify with the mainland by force if necessary. Successive U.S. administrations have steadily ramped up military support and sales for Taipei, much to the anger of Chinese officials.

In the South China Sea, the U.S. and others have become increasingly concerned by provocative Chinese actions in and around disputed areas. In particular, the U.S. has voiced objections to what it says are Chinese attempts to thwart legitimate activities by others in the waterway, notably the Philippines and Vietnam.

That was a major topic of concern earlier this month when Biden held a three-way summit with the prime minister of Japan and the president of the Philippines.