Experience Taiwan on a Budget – Backpacking in Taiwan
In 2018, I visited Taiwan for the first time as a backpacker. I wanted to explore the island on a budget. Somehow, I ended up living here permanently and even started a travel vlog. Taiwan is a great place to visit for backpackers. In this article, I will share my backpacking tips for travelers on a budget. It should help you to see the best places to visit in Taiwan without ruining yourself financially.
I have already written a blog post about How Much Does Traveling in Taiwan Cost?, which includes general budget tips for travelers. For more general information, feel free to check out my traveling in Taiwan page. Here, we really focus on saving money as a traveler in Taiwan.
If you just want to know the minimum daily budget as a backpacker in Taiwan: it is at least 30 USD per day – but only if you are willing to make a lot of sacrifices. Go to the end of this article to see how I calculated that, but I recommend reading on – you might pick up some useful tips along the way. I will also tell you, why you may want to invest more than the 30 bucks.
Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking in Taiwan
Most travelers arrive in Taipei by plane, and chances are you will also depart from there. However, if you are interested in coming to Taiwan by boat or ferry, it is possible via Xiamen, China. Check out my video on how I traveled from Kinmen Island to China and back for more details.
I recommend spending at least a few days in Taipei. You can explore the city but also take a couple of day trips to famous tourist spots like Jiufen and Yilan. These are great places to visit, easily accessible by public transport. Both places offer free attractions, making them ideal for budget travelers in Taiwan.
Public transportation is affordable, and it is usually cheaper to stay in one place for a bit longer. For example, if you can stay for a full month in Taipei, consider renting a room through Airbnb or 591.com.tw. The daily cost of accommodation will be lower than staying in a hostel or hotel. Of course, as the capital, Taipei is a bit more expensive when it comes to rent and dining out.
Getting Around on a Budget as a Taiwan Backpacker
From Taipei, I recommend traveling slowly along the south coast. You probably want to head to Kenting or Kaohsiung. Of course, there are plenty of other great travel routes through Taiwan. Check out my blog post The Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Taiwan for more destination ideas.
To save money, it is better to travel by bus, as the high-speed train (HSR) is more expensive. Taiwan is also a surprisingly easy place to hitchhike, even though it is not very common. Some locals are happy to help once they understand what you need. Knowing a few words of Mandarin will go a long way when asking for a ride.
Carpooling like BlaBlaCar, on the other hand, is not widely used in Taiwan. At least in my experience, but I could be wrong. Depending on your travel plans, it also can make sense to buy a regional ticket that includes all rides for a week or a month.
Smart Backpackers Visit Taiwan’s Night Markets for Cheap Street Food
Food is a big part of the backpacking experience. In Taiwan, you might need to break a few habits. I certainly did. For example, going to the supermarket to buy fruit, snacks, and ingredients to cook your meals will not necessarily save you money. Instead, head straight to the night markets. Eating out in Taiwan can actually be cheaper than cooking for yourself.
Great options include dumplings and beef noodle soup, which typically start at around 100 NTD (about 3 USD) in Taipei. These dishes are not only budget-friendly but also incredibly delicious. Other classic night market snacks include fried chicken cutlets, grilled squid, and bubble tea. In summer, I also love getting shaved ice and cold tea. Pro tip: regular tea is cheaper than bubble tea. It comes without the tapioca balls and is usually unsweetened.
Avoid Western food like burgers (unless for breakfast, more about that below) or pizza. Those tend to be more expensive and do not match the quality or flavor of Taiwanese dishes. Also, be cautious with grilled beef at night markets. It looks amazing when torched on the spot (check out my Songshan Night Market video!), and it tastes great – but it is pricey. For the cost of a small box of grilled beef (around 200 NTD), you could get a full steak meal in a Taiwanese steakhouse, including unlimited soft drinks, ice cream, and corn soup.
Speaking of restaurants, you can find very budget-friendly options beyond the night markets in Taiwan. Vegetarian buffets, soup kitchens, and stir-fry places offer great value for money. On the other hand, “international restaurants” like ramen shops, Bavarian beer halls, or Irish pubs are usually much more expensive. Do not go there if you are traveling on a budget in Taiwan.
One last tip for foodies and backpackers alike: Do not miss out on a Taiwanese breakfast! Beyond the traditional salty congee (rice porridge), many breakfast shops serve burgers, sandwiches, and pancakes. Yes, that is what many locals eat in the morning. It is cheap, satisfying, and super tasty. I love Taiwanese pancakes, for example, you see them in my video about camping in Taiwan; it was literally my last meal before heading into the wild.
Backpacking in Taiwan – How Much Do You Need for a Daily Budget?
In the beginning, I estimated a daily minimum budget of around 30 USD (roughly 900-1000 NTD). This is based on the assumption that you can get 3–4 inexpensive meals per day (NT$100–200 each), and that hostel dorms start at around NT$500–800 per night. Couchsurfing is also an option, and a metro ticket costs about NT$40.
So yes, if you are really on a shoestring budget, it is possible to get by on 30 USD per day, including accommodation, food, and basic transportation – but with absolutely no frills.
That said, I suggest planning for a bit more than that. You will probably want to travel farther, try new things, and occasionally grab a coffee (the cheapest option in a convenience store) instead of just drinking water from public dispensers.
While many great activities like visiting parks, markets, and temples are free, some museums charge entrance fees, and you might want to rent a scooter or take a day trip. Thus, even as a backpacker in Taiwan, I recommend budgeting at least 40–50 USD per day for a more flexible and enjoyable experience.
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