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Taiwan 🇹🇼

backpacking Asia Taiwan 🇹🇼Marble gorges, mountain tea towns and night markets, all within easy reach.

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Backpacking Taiwan in 2027

A complete guide including when and where to go, costs, transport, itineraries, and practical travel advice.
The big picture before you go

Backpacking Taiwan
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 18, 2026

Convenience stores anchor daily life in Taiwan: office workers and hikers alike stock up there on rice triangles and tea eggs. 7-Eleven alone runs more than 6,000 stores on the island, so snacks, ATMs and card top-ups are rarely far away, even in small mountain towns.

The case for Taiwan rests on density. Taipei’s night markets, the temple lanes of Tainan and Alishan’s cypress forests fit comfortably into two or three weeks. The challenges are predictable once you see their cause. Typhoons between July and October close mountain roads because the central range is young, steep and prone to landslides, so experienced travelers leave two flexible days. English thins out beyond the big cities, and an offline Mandarin translation app covers the gap.

Compared with Japan, Taiwan has similarly reliable trains and clean streets for noticeably less money, with looser social rules. Against Thailand it costs more and parties less. It suits food-driven travelers, hikers and nervous first-timers. Beach-bar hunters should look elsewhere.

👉 Get the 📖 Travel Guide of Taiwan

Taipei and the North (Taipei, Jiufen, Keelung)

Most trips to Taiwan start here, and the north makes an easy base because the MRT, commuter trains and city buses reach nearly everything within 90 minutes. Taipei is dense, safe and food-obsessed, with Raohe and Shilin night markets still packed near midnight. Jiufen’s teahouse alleys, about an hour away on bus 1062, jam with tour groups by noon, so experienced visitors arrive after 5 pm, once the coaches leave. Keelung’s Miaokou market suits serious eaters. Best for first-timers and city lovers.

Hualien and the East Coast (Hualien, Taroko Gorge, Taitung)

The Central Mountain Range drops almost straight into the Pacific here, which is why the east stays thinly populated, with Amis Indigenous villages strung along Highway 11. Express trains reach Hualien from Taipei in roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, and weekend seats vanish because the only road is the cliff-cut Suhua Highway. Taroko Gorge trails have been partly closed since the April 2024 earthquake, so check openings first. Taitung, farther south, is quieter still. Suits cyclists, hikers and slow travelers.

Central Mountains (Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan)

Central Taiwan is all about altitude: buses climb from humid lowland into cool tea country in under two hours. Taichung, about an hour from Taipei by High Speed Rail, is the practical hub, a relaxed, café-heavy city with the Fengjia night market. Sun Moon Lake, around 1.5 hours by bus, fills with domestic tour groups on weekends, so go midweek. Alishan is reached from Chiayi by bus or forest railway; sleeping up there lets you catch sunrise over the cloud sea. Suits walkers and tea drinkers.

Tainan and the South (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

The south runs hotter, slower and more traditional. Tainan, the old capital, sits about 1 hour 45 minutes from Taipei by High Speed Rail, but the HSR station lies far outside town, so locals take the 25-minute shuttle train to central Tainan. Its temples and dawn beef-soup stalls are best on foot. Kaohsiung is a breezy port city with the Pier-2 arts district and a simple metro. Kenting, two to three hours south by bus, is a scooter-dependent beach strip. Suits food travelers.
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Why go?What makes this country worth the trip

Mountains

Taiwan sits where two tectonic plates collide, and that pressure has pushed more than 200 peaks above … read more 👉
Taiwan sits where two tectonic plates collide, and that pressure has pushed more than 200 peaks above 3,000 meters on an island you can cross in a day. The result is high alpine terrain, from bamboo grass ridges to fir forests, unusually close to subtropical cities. Yushan tops out at 3,952 meters. For an easy first taste, Hehuanshan has summits within an hour’s walk of the road at Wuling Pass, around 3,275 meters. Serious routes need national park permits and hut places allocated weeks ahead, so apply early and start walking before sunrise, because clouds usually close in by early afternoon.

Backpackers

The backpacker scene in Taiwan is smaller and calmer than in Thailand or Vietnam, and that works in … read more 👉
The backpacker scene in Taiwan is smaller and calmer than in Thailand or Vietnam, and that works in its favor. Hostels in Taipei, Tainan and Hualien tend to be clean, design-conscious and run by young locals who share their favorite noodle shops along with the Wi-Fi password. Common rooms attract a mix of working-holiday travelers, cyclists circling the island and Taiwanese students on breaks, so conversation comes easily without a party scene. Hualien hostels are the best place to find people to share a taxi or scooter route along the coast, so ask at the front desk in the evening.

Food

Food in Taiwan is cheap, fast and fiercely specialized, which explains its reputation. Many stalls make … read more 👉
Food in Taiwan is cheap, fast and fiercely specialized, which explains its reputation. Many stalls make one dish, sometimes for three generations, and with competition this close, mediocre vendors disappear quickly. Beef noodle soup, braised pork rice and oyster omelets are the classics, while Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list has picked out dozens of street stalls. Breakfast is a highlight in its own right: neighborhood breakfast shops serve warm soy milk, egg crepes called dan bing and turnip cakes from around 6 a.m. Follow the longest line of locals, and bring cash, since small stalls rarely take cards.

Low cost

Backpacking Taiwan costs roughly NT$1,100 to 1,700 (US$35 to 55) a day, covering a dorm bed, three meals … read more 👉
Backpacking Taiwan costs roughly NT$1,100 to 1,700 (US$35 to 55) a day, covering a dorm bed, three meals and local transport. The savings come from structure: street food stays cheap because so many vendors compete on the same block, and a filling bowl of noodles or a lunch box rarely tops NT$150 (about US$5). Temples, city parks, hiking trails and national parks charge no entry fee, so sightseeing costs little. Accommodation is the largest expense, and prices rise on weekends and holidays, so plan city stays for weekdays.

Scenery

Taiwan packs a huge range of scenery into a small space because its mountains rise steeply from the … read more 👉
Taiwan packs a huge range of scenery into a small space because its mountains rise steeply from the sea. On the east coast, the Qingshui Cliffs drop roughly 800 meters into the Pacific, while a few hours inland you can stand above a sea of clouds among old cypress forests. The north adds volcanic fumaroles at Yangmingshan, and the south brings coral reefs around Kenting. The light is best early: morning skies tend to be clearest before heat and humidity build haze, so plan coastal viewpoints and summits for the first hours after sunrise.

People

People in Taiwan tend to be quietly, persistently helpful. Pause with a map and someone will often walk … read more 👉
People in Taiwan tend to be quietly, persistently helpful. Pause with a map and someone will often walk you to the right bus stop instead of pointing, partly because leaving a stranger lost feels impolite. Many people are shy about their English, so the first reaction can look like hesitation; a smile and a simple “xièxie” usually turns it into a long chat. Older hikers on popular trails often share fruit or tea at rest stops. The easiest way to meet people is at a temple festival, when neighborhoods turn out with drums and fireworks.

⭐ HighlightsHighlights of Taiwan

  • Taroko Gorge: Marble walls rise straight out of the milky blue Liwu River, close enough in places that the sky shrinks to a strip overhead. The water is loud enough on the suspension bridges that you raise your voice to talk, and the air in the tunnels smells of wet stone. Trails reopened in phases after the 2024 earthquake, so plan around whichever sections are open.
  • Jiufen: This former gold-mining town clings to a hillside above the Pacific, its stairways hung with red lanterns. Jishan Street smells of taro balls and peanut ice cream rolls wrapped with fresh cilantro, a combination that sounds odd and works. Come early in the morning, before the tour buses, when teahouse balconies look over a clear coastline.
  • Tainan Old City: Incense smoke drifts out of temples tucked between scooter shops, and the Confucius Temple’s red walls date back to the 17th century. Locals queue before dawn for fresh beef soup, thin slices of raw beef cooked by ladles of boiling broth right in the bowl.
  • Alishan:
… read more 👉
  • Taroko Gorge: Marble walls rise straight out of the milky blue Liwu River, close enough in places that the sky shrinks to a strip overhead. The water is loud enough on the suspension bridges that you raise your voice to talk, and the air in the tunnels smells of wet stone. Trails reopened in phases after the 2024 earthquake, so plan around whichever sections are open.
  • Jiufen: This former gold-mining town clings to a hillside above the Pacific, its stairways hung with red lanterns. Jishan Street smells of taro balls and peanut ice cream rolls wrapped with fresh cilantro, a combination that sounds odd and works. Come early in the morning, before the tour buses, when teahouse balconies look over a clear coastline.
  • Tainan Old City: Incense smoke drifts out of temples tucked between scooter shops, and the Confucius Temple’s red walls date back to the 17th century. Locals queue before dawn for fresh beef soup, thin slices of raw beef cooked by ladles of boiling broth right in the bowl.
  • Alishan: Red cypress trees more than a thousand years old stand in mossy groves at over 2,000 meters. Before sunrise at Zhushan your breath fogs even in summer, and the crowd goes quiet as the sea of clouds turns orange below Yushan.
  • Raohe Street Night Market: Taipei’s best-known night market runs as a single lane from the ornate Ciyou Temple gate. Follow the line to the pepper buns, slapped onto the walls of clay ovens and pulled out blistered, with peppery pork juice that burns the first bite.
Beyond the usual route, the Tao villages of Orchid Island, the brick lanes of Lukang and the ancient cypress grove near Smangus are worth the extra effort.
Spotted a mistake or missing a highlight? Contact us.
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Discover and compare all of its highlights per category

🧭 RoutesPlanning a route that makes sense

The 5-Day Northern Taiwan Route


Big-city museums, volcanic hills and lantern-lit mining towns, all within an hour or two of Taipei. Easy logistics, one base most nights, and plenty of time to eat.
  • Imperial treasures at the National Palace Museum
  • Sulfur vents on the Qixing Mountain Trail
  • Sky lanterns and waterfalls in Shifen
  • A quiet night in Jiufen’s teahouse alleys

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day West Coast and Mountains Route


A clean line from Taipei through misty lakes and cypress forests down to the warm, food-obsessed south. Trains and mountain buses do all the work, with two nights in most stops.
  • Dawn on Sun Moon Lake
  • Sunrise over the clouds at Alishan
  • Temple lanes and street food in Tainan
  • The giant bronze Buddha at Fo Guang Shan

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Island Loop Route


A full lap of Taiwan, from marble gorges and Pacific surf towns to coral beaches and the old capital. The pace stays steady, mixing the headline sights with quieter coast and wetland stops.
  • The marble walls
… read more 👉

The 5-Day Northern Taiwan Route


Big-city museums, volcanic hills and lantern-lit mining towns, all within an hour or two of Taipei. Easy logistics, one base most nights, and plenty of time to eat.
  • Imperial treasures at the National Palace Museum
  • Sulfur vents on the Qixing Mountain Trail
  • Sky lanterns and waterfalls in Shifen
  • A quiet night in Jiufen’s teahouse alleys

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day West Coast and Mountains Route


A clean line from Taipei through misty lakes and cypress forests down to the warm, food-obsessed south. Trains and mountain buses do all the work, with two nights in most stops.
  • Dawn on Sun Moon Lake
  • Sunrise over the clouds at Alishan
  • Temple lanes and street food in Tainan
  • The giant bronze Buddha at Fo Guang Shan

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Island Loop Route


A full lap of Taiwan, from marble gorges and Pacific surf towns to coral beaches and the old capital. The pace stays steady, mixing the headline sights with quieter coast and wetland stops.
  • The marble walls of Taroko National Park
  • The East Coast between Taitung and Sanxiantai
  • Beach days in Kenting National Park
  • Mangrove tunnels at the Sihcao Wetlands

👉 explore this 15-day route

🌤️ When to go?Weather, seasons, and timing

The best time for backpacking Taiwan is October and November, with March and April close behind, when days sit around 20 to 28°C, typhoons are mostly done or not yet started, and hostel rates stay at normal levels outside public holidays. Region matters a lot here. In winter the north and northeast (Taipei, Keelung, Yilan) sit under drizzly monsoon skies while Kaohsiung and Kenting stay dry and sunny, and the central mountains above 2,500 meters get properly cold.
  • Autumn (October to November): Dry, clear and warm, with typhoon risk fading after mid-October. This is prime time for high-mountain hiking, east-coast cycling and island hopping, and prices stay flat except over the National Day long weekend.
  • Winter (December to February): Around 12 to 19°C and damp in Taipei, mild and sunny in the south. Lunar New Year sells out trains and pushes room rates up for about a week, and many family-run shops close.
  • Spring (March to April): Mountain blossoms, 20 to 27°C and occasional fog, at shoulder prices. Tomb Sweeping Day in early April brings a busy long weekend.
  • Plum rain and typhoon season (May to September): Heavy May and June rains give way to 32 to 35°C humidity and typhoons that can cancel ferries and close mountain roads for days. July and August school holidays raise beach prices, while cities stay good value.
Buy train tickets for holiday weekends the moment sales open, roughly four weeks ahead, and carry a light rain shell in every month.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
taiwan-pixabay - 5460063

💰 Costs (as of 2026)Travel costs in Taiwan

Backpacking Taiwan costs most budget travelers US$35 to 60 a day. You stay at the low end by sleeping in dorms, eating at night markets and taking buses instead of the high-speed train.
That makes Taiwan clearly cheaper than Japan or Hong Kong. It costs more than Vietnam or the Philippines, and roughly the same as mid-range Thailand. You pay in New Taiwan dollars, and the figures below are converted at about 31 to the US dollar.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$13 to 28 per nightA dorm bed in Taipei near Ximending or Main Station runs about US$16 to 28. In Tainan or Kaohsiung it's US$13 to 20, and Hualien hostels for Taroko charge about US$13 to 19. Book directly with the hostel and stay several nights to get a few dollars off. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and Lunar New Year. In Tokyo you'd pay US$25 to 40 for the same bed.
MealsUS$10 to 18 per daySupermarkets cost about the same as street food here, so self-catering saves you little. A 7-Eleven rice ball is about US$1 to 1.30 and a convenience-store bento about US$2.50 to 4. A bowl of braised pork rice (lu rou fan) costs US$1.10 to 2, and beef noodle soup US$5 to 8. Bubble tea runs US$1.60 to 2.30. Night-market
… read more 👉
Backpacking Taiwan costs most budget travelers US$35 to 60 a day. You stay at the low end by sleeping in dorms, eating at night markets and taking buses instead of the high-speed train.
That makes Taiwan clearly cheaper than Japan or Hong Kong. It costs more than Vietnam or the Philippines, and roughly the same as mid-range Thailand. You pay in New Taiwan dollars, and the figures below are converted at about 31 to the US dollar.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$13 to 28 per nightA dorm bed in Taipei near Ximending or Main Station runs about US$16 to 28. In Tainan or Kaohsiung it's US$13 to 20, and Hualien hostels for Taroko charge about US$13 to 19. Book directly with the hostel and stay several nights to get a few dollars off. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and Lunar New Year. In Tokyo you'd pay US$25 to 40 for the same bed.
MealsUS$10 to 18 per daySupermarkets cost about the same as street food here, so self-catering saves you little. A 7-Eleven rice ball is about US$1 to 1.30 and a convenience-store bento about US$2.50 to 4. A bowl of braised pork rice (lu rou fan) costs US$1.10 to 2, and beef noodle soup US$5 to 8. Bubble tea runs US$1.60 to 2.30. Night-market grazing is where Taiwan beats Hong Kong on value.
Local transportUS$3 to 15 per day on averageA Taipei MRT ride costs US$0.65 to 2 and city buses about US$0.50. Intercity buses are the cheapest way to cover distance: Taipei to Taichung on Kuo-Kuang or UBus is about US$8 to 10. A Tze-Chiang train from Taipei to Hualien is about US$14. The high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) costs about US$48, so use it sparingly.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 20 per dayHiking, temples, Taroko Gorge and most beaches are free. The big costs are Taipei 101's observatory (about US$19) and the National Palace Museum (about US$11). The Maokong Gondola is US$2 to 4, and Beitou's public hot spring pool is about US$2. Ferries to Green Island or Orchid Island can blow a week's activity budget.
MiscellaneousUS$2 to 5 per dayAn EasyCard costs about US$3 and the card fee isn't refunded. A 30-day unlimited tourist SIM from Chunghwa Telecom runs about US$30 to 32. A coin laundry load is US$1.60 to 2.60. MRT stations have free water refill fountains, so skip buying bottled water.
Total Daily BudgetUS$35 to 60 per dayA Kaohsiung dorm (US$15), market meals (US$12) and a bus day (US$5) come to about US$35. A Taipei dorm (US$25) plus one paid sight (US$19) and a few MRT rides pushes you to US$60. Hong Kong costs you US$70 or more a day, and Vietnam about US$25 to 35.
If you keep high-speed train rides and island ferries to one or two splurges, US$45 a day covers comfortable budget travel here.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutTaiwan Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (425 pages) contains:
✅ 121 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
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🛏️ Where to stay?Accommodation types and options

Taiwan has a dense, clean and very safe hostel scene, with dorm beds typically NT$500 to 900 (US$16 to 28) and simple private rooms from about NT$1,200 (US$38). In Taipei, Ximending has the most beds and the liveliest late-night streets but gets loud and crowded on weekends, while the Taipei Main Station area is the most convenient for airport and high-speed rail transfers, and Zhongshan is quieter with good cafés and easy MRT access. Outside the capital, the old center of Tainan puts you within walking distance of temples and snack streets, Kaohsiung hostels around Yancheng and the Formosa Boulevard … read more 👉
Taiwan has a dense, clean and very safe hostel scene, with dorm beds typically NT$500 to 900 (US$16 to 28) and simple private rooms from about NT$1,200 (US$38). In Taipei, Ximending has the most beds and the liveliest late-night streets but gets loud and crowded on weekends, while the Taipei Main Station area is the most convenient for airport and high-speed rail transfers, and Zhongshan is quieter with good cafés and easy MRT access. Outside the capital, the old center of Tainan puts you within walking distance of temples and snack streets, Kaohsiung hostels around Yancheng and the Formosa Boulevard MRT give you harbor-side nightlife and cheaper rates, and Hualien rooms near the train station work best as a quiet, early-to-bed base for Taroko Gorge.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Taiwan


Best quality hotels in Taiwan

🚌 Getting aroundPublic transport and other ways to get around

Trains in Taiwan run to the minute, and the High Speed Rail posts on-time rates above 99 percent, so a tight connection is a sensible plan rather than a gamble. The real constraint is seats. Both rail operators open bookings 28 days ahead, and Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and holiday weekends sell out first, especially on the east coast, so book those legs the moment your dates are fixed.
  • High Speed Rail (HSR): Taipei to Zuoying (Kaohsiung) takes 1.5 to 2 hours for about NT$1,490 (US$45 to
… read more 👉
Trains in Taiwan run to the minute, and the High Speed Rail posts on-time rates above 99 percent, so a tight connection is a sensible plan rather than a gamble. The real constraint is seats. Both rail operators open bookings 28 days ahead, and Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and holiday weekends sell out first, especially on the east coast, so book those legs the moment your dates are fixed.
  • High Speed Rail (HSR): Taipei to Zuoying (Kaohsiung) takes 1.5 to 2 hours for about NT$1,490 (US$45 to 50) in a standard reserved seat, and Taipei to Taichung is about 1 hour for roughly NT$700. Seats are wide and the cars are quiet. Early-bird fares of up to 35 percent off come in a limited quota per train, which is why they vanish weeks out. Book them on the T Express app. Several stations sit outside city centers (Taichung HSR is in Wuri, Tainan HSR in Guiren), so budget 20 to 40 minutes for the connecting shuttle or local train.
  • Taiwan Railway (TRA): The east coast runs on this network. Taipei to Hualien takes about 2 to 2.5 hours on the Puyuma or Taroko express trains for around NT$440 (US$13 to 15). Book on the TRA app or website and collect or pay at a 7-Eleven. When seats are gone, standing tickets are still sold, so a sold-out train rarely means you can’t travel, only that you stand. Slow local trains take an EasyCard tap with no booking.
  • Intercity buses: Companies such as Kuo-Kuang and UBus link the west coast cities around the clock. Taipei to Taichung takes 2.5 to 3 hours for about NT$200 to 300, roughly a third of the HSR fare. Seats recline deeply, and the overnight runs save a night’s accommodation. Buy at the terminal counter or pay by card.
  • EasyCard and city transit: Taipei MRT rides cost NT$20 to 65 and city buses about NT$15. The card itself costs NT$100 at any MRT station or convenience store and also works on Kaohsiung MRT, YouBike bicycles and local TRA trains, which saves you queuing for single tickets.
  • Scooter rental: For Kenting, Green Island or Orchid Island, expect NT$300 to 600 a day. Reputable shops ask for an International Driving Permit covering motorcycles, and police checks at island ports are routine.
Loop instead of backtracking. Take TRA down the east coast from Taipei through Hualien to Taitung, cross to Kaohsiung by train, then ride the HSR back up the west side in under two hours.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) sits about 40 km (25 miles) west of central Taipei, and the cheapest reliable way in is the Taoyuan Airport MRT express train to Taipei Main Station for around NT$160 (US$5).
  • Taoyuan Airport MRT (Express, purple line) (35 to 40 minutes, NT$160 / US$5): Platforms are in the basement of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, you can pay with an EasyCard, a contactless bank card or a single-journey token, and trains run from about 6:00 until around 23:30.
  • Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 (55 to 75 minutes, about NT$145 / US$4.50): Board at the bus counters on the arrivals level of either terminal, pay in cash or with an EasyCard, and it runs 24 hours with departures every 15 to 20 minutes by day and roughly hourly overnight, ending at Taipei Main Station.
  • Airport taxi (40 to 60 minutes, NT$1,100 to 1,400 / US$35 to 45): Use the official taxi queue outside arrivals, where drivers run the meter plus a 15 percent airport surcharge, and most accept cash only.
  • Uber (40 to 60 minutes, NT$900 to 1,300 / US$28 to 40): Pick-up is at the designated ride-hailing zone signposted outside each terminal, it works around the clock, and fares climb with late-night and peak-hour surge pricing.
If you land after the last MRT train, walk straight to the Bus 1819 counter, since it is the only public option that runs all night and costs a tenth of a taxi.
⚠️ Prices and routes can change, so take this as a rough guide and ask for local advice when you arrive.
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🔒 Safety (risk Level: low)Common concerns and things to watch out for

Safety for solo travelers, including women and LGBTQ+ individuals
Taiwan is one of the safest countries in Asia for solo travelers, with very low rates of violent crime and petty theft, and women commonly walk alone at night in Taipei and other cities without trouble. CCTV-monitored night-time safety waiting zones exist on Taipei MRT platforms, and harassment is uncommon though not unheard of in crowded spaces. Same-sex marriage has been legal here since 2019, and Taipei hosts the largest Pride parade in East Asia each autumn, so LGBTQ+ travelers generally find an open, relaxed atmosphere, especially in cities. The real hazards are scooter-heavy traffic, typhoons, and earthquakes, so check weather alerts and take care crossing streets.


Full official government travel advisory (live updates)
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✈️ VisaDo you need a visa to visit?

Citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, among many others, can visit Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days, provided their passport is valid for at least six months and they hold an onward ticket. Travelers from countries without visa exemption must apply for a visitor visa through the Bureau of Consular Affairs online system and then submit documents at the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, while some nationalities qualify for an online eVisa. All visitors must also complete the free online Taiwan Arrival Card before landing.

source: boca.gov.tw
⚠️ Visa requirements can change over time, so always check the latest visa requirements with the official embassy or government website before you travel.

🎒 What to pack?A practical packing list

Packing for Taiwan means planning for humidity more than heat, so quick-dry fabrics beat cotton, and a compact umbrella earns its space since sudden downpours hit year-round and typhoon season runs from roughly June to October. If you head into the high mountains around Hehuanshan or Alishan, temperatures can drop near freezing even when the lowlands are sweltering, so bring a warm layer. Shoes you can slip off fast make life easier, because you’ll remove them in homes, some guesthouses and certain temples. Shoulders and knees covered is the polite choice at temples, and a light long-sleeve top doubles as defense against the fierce air conditioning on trains and in malls.

Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. authorOver the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

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🙋 FAQFrequently asked questions

Trip Planning

Planning a backpacking route through Taiwan can be tricky — you need to balance must-see places, travel times, budget, and how long to stay in each destination. Our free personalized Taiwan itinerary planner creates a route based on your travel style, trip duration, and interests, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.



Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.


Travel Essentials

No vaccinations are required to enter Taiwan unless you arrive from a yellow fever risk country, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination may be requested. Make sure routine vaccines (measles-mumps-rubella, tetanus-diphtheria, polio, flu) are current, and Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are commonly recommended for travelers. Consider Japanese encephalitis vaccination for long rural stays, and rabies vaccination if you will be hiking remotely or handling animals, since rabies circulates among wild ferret-badgers. Dengue occurs in southern Taiwan in summer and autumn and has no standard travel vaccine, so pack strong insect repellent.


vaccination requirements
When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.

These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Taiwan, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.

There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Holafly, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.


HolaFly eSim

Culture & Customs

In Taiwan, take your shoes off when entering someone’s home and watch for shoe racks at guesthouse entrances. Never stand chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, since it resembles incense at funerals, and avoid gifting clocks or anything in sets of four, both linked to death. Do hand over money and business cards with both hands, queue patiently, stand on the right of escalators in Taipei, and leave the dark blue priority seats on the MRT for those who need them. Don’t eat or drink inside MRT stations or trains, as fines run NT$1,500 to 7,500. At temples, dress modestly, don’t point at deity statues, and step over the raised threshold rather than on it. During Ghost Month (the seventh lunar month, usually August), locals avoid swimming and whistling at night, so be respectful of offerings left on sidewalks. Public displays of affection are fine for same-sex couples in cities, though more reserved behavior is wise in rural and older communities.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Taiwan.
  1. Beef Noodle Soup (niú ròu miàn): Thick wheat noodles in a braised, soy-and-spice broth with tender beef shank. Often called Taiwan’s national dish, it has its own annual competition in Taipei and every neighborhood has a contender.
  2. Braised Pork Rice (lǔ ròu fàn): Finely chopped fatty pork simmered in soy sauce and five-spice, spooned over white rice. It costs around NT$30 to 60 and is the everyday comfort meal across the island.
  3. Xiaolongbao: Thin-skinned soup dumplings filled with pork and hot broth. Brought by mainland migrants, they became one of Taiwan’s best-known food exports.
  4. Oyster Omelette (ô-á-tsian): Small oysters fried with egg, leafy greens and sweet potato starch, topped with a sweet-savory red sauce. A night market staple with roots in the coastal Hokkien cooking of southern Taiwan.
  5. Stinky Tofu (chòu dòufu): Fermented tofu, usually deep-fried and served with pickled cabbage and chili. You smell the stall long before you see it, and locals treat it as a rite of passage for visitors.
  6. Gua Bao: A soft folded steamed bun stuffed with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts and cilantro. Traditionally eaten at year-end business banquets for good fortune.
  7. Bubble Tea (zhēnzhū nǎichá): Black milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls, invented in Taiwan in the 1980s. You can customize sugar and ice levels at nearly every shop.
Tap water in Taiwan is treated to safe standards at the source, but most locals boil or filter it first because older pipes and rooftop storage tanks in apartment buildings can affect quality. Drinking straight from the tap is not recommended for travelers. Hostels, hotels, MRT stations and many public buildings have free filtered hot-and-cold water dispensers, so carry a refillable bottle instead of buying bottled water.
The main language in Taiwan is Mandarin. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Mandarin skills have become a bit rusty.

Want to understand locals better?
The complete Travel Guide for Taiwan includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.

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English in Taiwan is patchy: in Taipei signage, MRT announcements and menus at popular spots are bilingual, and hostel staff and many people under 35 can manage a basic conversation. Outside the big cities, at rural bus stations, family-run eateries and mountain villages, expect little to none. Mandarin is the language that helps most, while Taiwanese Hokkien is widely spoken in the south and among older people. Download Google Translate with offline Traditional Chinese and use the camera mode on menus, and learn xièxie (thank you) and zhège (this one) for pointing at food.

Money & Payments

The local currency of Taiwan is TWD (NT$).
Getting cash in Taiwan is easy: ATMs sit inside nearly every 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, run 24 hours, and accept foreign cards on the Plus and Cirrus networks. Local fees are typically zero to about NT$100 per withdrawal, but your home bank may add its own charges, so a fee-free travel debit card saves money. Credit cards work in hotels, department stores, chain restaurants, convenience stores and for HSR tickets, while night markets, street stalls, small family eateries and many guesthouses are cash only. Bring US dollars rather than euros if you carry backup currency, as they get better rates and are accepted at every exchange counter. Exchange at the airport banks or at Bank of Taiwan and other licensed bank branches with your passport, and skip street money changers.
Tipping is not expected in Taiwan, and leaving extra money at casual restaurants, night markets or with taxi drivers can cause mild confusion. Mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels usually add a 10 percent service charge to the bill, which covers it. Rounding up a taxi fare or tipping a private tour guide is a kind gesture but entirely optional.

🧩 Nearby countriesNearby backpacking alternatives

We 💚 feedbackIs Taiwan worth visiting?

Taiwan’s biggest draw is how much variety fits into a small island. You can spend a morning at 3,000 meters and the evening eating oyster omelets in a night market. The realistic drawback is weather: summer typhoons and afternoon mountain fog can wipe out a planned hike with little warning. Build your trip around a loose plan with two buffer days, keeping the east coast and high mountains flexible while the cities absorb any rainy days.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Taiwan. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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