How Much Does Traveling in Taiwan Cost?
After almost two years in Taiwan, I thought it would be helpful to answer some basic questions about how much budget you need when traveling in Taiwan. This is based on my experience, and depending on your needs, these numbers may vary. Thus, I will also try to provide examples so you get a better idea of how much money you need on your trip.
How Expensive is Taiwan for Tourists?
Taiwan is affordable. I would even go as far as to say that it is a paradise for backpackers and budget travelers. Do not get me wrong; it is a well-developed country and a leading tech nation. However, the living standard is high, so it is more expensive than typical backpacker countries such as Thailand or Vietnam.
However, that high standard of living allows you to cut costs. While accommodation in the cities can be pricey, you have great public transport everywhere, and staying a bit outside of the major cities is no problem due to reliable and cheap buses and trains.
For example, during my first trip to Kenting, I stayed in a cheap flat for less than 40 USD per day, but I had to rent a scooter to get around. That was not a problem. I think the most expensive place I stayed was in Kaohsiung because I went to a Mayday concert. As a result, prices skyrocketed, and I had to pay more than 200 USD for a double room.
Is Food Expensive in Taiwan?
Not at all. Taiwan is an awesome travel destination for foodies, and eating out is not only delicious but also cheap. Even the smallest village has at least one night market and they are an essential part of Taiwanese culture. Check out my video about Songshan to get an idea.
On most night markets, simple dishes start at around 4 USD, and restaurants are not much more expensive. In a basic Taiwanese steakhouse, 6 USD will buy you not only a steak but usually also soft drinks (tea), corn soup, and ice cream. Of course, the sky is the limit, and there are also fine dining options.
You have supermarkets with discount brands, so you do not have to eat out all the time, but I have to confess that the costs of food are so low that I eat out a lot more than I did back in Germany.
How Much Do You Need per Day of Traveling in Taiwan?
Frankly, it is impossible to give a precise answer. Besides accommodation, plan to spend at least 25 USD per day to cover food, transportation, and attractions. However, this amount can vary significantly depending on whether you are visiting a tourist hotspot, the attractions you choose, and inflation. For example, if you want to visit Disneyland in Taipei, 20 USD might only buy you an ice cream and a small lunch.
If you stay in a hostel, eat out at night markets, and enjoy walking around and free attractions, you can travel on a budget. I, as a travel vlogger, try to save money, but sometimes I think it is worth trying new things even if they cost a bit more.
Personally, like most backpackers, I enjoy going out at night. Having a drink in Taiwan can be both cheap and expensive. It is cheap because convenience stores sell a decent selection of drinks, and some even have bars with beer on tap. Additionally, there are some incredible cheap all-you-can-drink offers in bars.
I was also surprised by how affordable the Tianmu Beer Fest turned out to be. A cheap beer on-site was around 5 USD, and they even allowed you to bring your own drinks.
At the same time, do not just walk into a pub and expect inexpensive drinks. While there are many bars, Taiwanese people do not drink a lot. To make up for the low revenue per guest, drinks in pubs can be fairly pricey, often reaching 10 USD for a beer.
How Much is the Transportation in Taiwan?
I consider transportation in Taiwan inexpensive. In Taipei, Kaohsiung, and other major cities, you have great metro systems, and all over the country, there are bus connections. The metro is called MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and is reliable and clean. To keep it that way, food and drinks are not allowed on the metro, but fine in inter-city trains. Almost all public transport relies on EasyCard, a convenient prepaid system. It even works on Kinmen Island. Simply get your card at any metro station.
Uber works well, and taxis are also affordable, but I only use them to get home after a night out or if it is getting late, because at night the metro does not run. Of course, in unusually large crowds there can be shortages such as during the Taiwan demonstrations in 2024.
Another way to get around in the cities is with the UBikes, which you can rent via an app for a few minutes and drop off at any UBike station. It is pretty straightforward.
You can rent scooters and cars in all tourist areas, but make sure to bring an international driver’s license or use electronic scooters. For those, you do not need a driver’s license.
Taiwan also has a high-speed train that reminds me a lot of the Shinkansen in Japan. It is fast but also a bit more expensive. It mainly operates along the south coast, connecting Taipei and Kaohsiung. However, buses are, without a doubt, the cheapest way to get around. They may also be the only way to get around if you are not in one of the five cities with metro systems mentioned earlier.
Summary
As a backpacker, I think Taiwan is flying a bit under the radar. Japan is a lot more popular, especially as its currency lost a fair share of its value last year, for example. And yet, Taiwan checks all the boxes for backpackers and budget travelers: it is safe, modern, and affordable. The costs of traveling are low, especially for food, but accommodation can be a bit more expensive. However, if you keep the excellent transport system in mind, you should have no problem dealing with this issue.