Travel Tips

Some Tips to Keep in Mind:

  • Mandarin is the most commonly spoken language of the country, but most people are able to communicate basic information in English

  • The national currency of Taiwan (TWD or NTD) converts to USD at roughly a 30:1 ratio

  • Taiwan HighSpeed Rail (THSR) allows you to travel from one end of the island to another (200+miles) in just an hour and a half for just 50USD/1500NTD

  • Populous cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung have the MRT (mass rapid transit) train system that allows you to travel the city with ease with tickets maxing at 2USD/60NTD

  • Taiwan has the second-highest convenience store density in the world, with 7-11s and FamilyMarts around every corner

  • Taxis can be seen everywhere and start at a base charge of just over 2USD/60NTD depending on the city. A half an hour ride will set you back around 20USD/600NTD

  • Convenience stores in Taiwan offer a plethora of services, ranging from taxi calling to ticket purchasing. Convenience stores have a wide variety of delicious, cheap microwavable meals such as spaghetti, curry rice, wonton soup, beef noodles, and fried rice, starting at around 2USD/60NTD

  • Easy Cards, also called Yo-yo cards, can be used as a form of payment for taxis, the MRT, and most purchases at convenience stores. Apple Pay and Line Pay are also widely accepted

  • Uber operates in Taiwan

  • There are A LOT of motorcycles/mopeds in the country. Motorcycles are easy to ride and cheap: an efficient form of travel in the city available for rent at 1USD/30NTD every ten minutes

  • UBike, a bicycle rental system very similar to CitiBike, can be found all over the place in cities and are a great form of casual transport. They charge a fraction of a dollar for half an hour of use

  • The average meal costs around 3USD/100NTD, but luxury dining experiences will cost ten times more

  • In big cities, three-star hotels will cost around 80USD/1600NTD per night, five-star hotels will cost around 250USD/7500NTD per night, while smaller hotels may charge by the hour, costing up to 60USD

  • For Traveling purposes, the average expense per day including accommodation will be around 150USD/4500NTD,

  • Without accommodaion, 30USD/1000NTD is more than enough to get by a day

  • Street Vendors offer some of the best food in the country at astonishingly cheap prices 3USD/100NTD, and are highly recommended

  • Portions are smaller in Taiwan when compared to other countries: for those of you with larger appetites, be sure to check out all-you-can-eat restaurants that charge around 20USD/600NTD for unlimited food for two hours

  • Lastly, Taiwanese people are very amiable. If you are to experience any difficulties, don’t be intimidated to ask for help