Traveling in Taiwan – Travel Tips and more
Are you looking for a place to travel? Check out Taiwan! Since 2023, Ferdinand has been documenting the most beautiful places in his ‘Exploring Formosa’ video series. On this page, he shares his views on the best places and times to travel in Taiwan.
Why Should You Travel to Taiwan?
Because Taiwan is awesome. When the first Portuguese sailors came to the island, they literally called it ‘Formosa,’ meaning ‘the beautiful,’ that is Taiwan in one word. The country offers a unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking nature, amazing cuisine, exciting city life, and so much more.
On top of that, it is a modern country with a high standard of living and a well-developed hospitality industry. You can travel on a budget, go on a hiking trip, or spend time at the beach in a luxury resort, all in one place.
The costs for traveling in Taiwan are affordable; it is a very safe country with a diverse history. There is a lot to tell, so I think it is best to start with some examples.
My Favorite Locations for Traveling in Taiwan
As a passionate backpacker, I love traveling in Taiwan. It is convenient, cheap, and always different. It is amazing how many different flavors Taiwan has when it comes to traveling. My passion for Taiwan made me even move here, but that is a different story. For now, I just want to share some traveling tips.
Traveling in Taipei
Taipei is the capital and by far the biggest city, with a total population of around 2.7 million. Most international travelers will arrive here in the northern part of the country. The inner city of Taipei, with its twelve districts, is surrounded by Xinbei or New Taipei City. Given the size of the city, it makes sense to talk about this place first.
It can be hard to find your personal space in this large cultural, financial, and political center of the island. I eventually did start by visiting the fish market. This is my very first Taipei video, and I think this is one of the best places to travel in all of Taiwan. But there is so much more to explore. There are plenty of night markets, many museums and other things to see.
When you arrive, get an EasyCard and enjoy the efficient metro system in Taipei. The EasyCard also works on almost all other public transport in Taiwan, even in remote places such as Kinmen Island. You can also use the EasyCard to pay for stuff in supermarkets and other shops. Just charge it at a metro station or a convince store (there are plenty) and swipe it as you enter the metro or a bus.
You can pay for each ride individually, but there are also various regional weekly and monthly tickets available. For tourists, there are great travel passes that help you save money, as well. When it comes to budget travel tips, I also recommend eating at more affordable places like night markets. They are affordable and provide loads of delicious food. To get a taste of Taipei’s nightlife, check out the video featuring Songshan.
Traveling in Kaohsiung
Taiwan’s number two is my number one when it comes to big cities in Taiwan. Located in the southern part of Taiwan, the city is generally sunny and enjoys warm weather year-round. By that I mean it is (even) hotter than Taipei, but it also rains less (More about the best time to travel in Taiwan below).
Kaohsiung is still the largest industrial center of Taiwan, but the city has worked hard in recent years to develop its tourism industry and is a great location for travelers. No surprise, the very first video of my ‘Exploring Formosa‘ video series took place in Kaohsiung, and visiting the city is my recommendation for all travelers coming to Taiwan. You can take the high-speed train from Taipei it takes less than two hours.
The first time I came to Kaohsiung, I was a solo backpacker, Taiwan is an extremely safe country, so traveling alone is no problem. I also really recommend traveling to Taiwan with your children. In fact, I made a second video about traveling in Taiwan with children, once again shot in Kaohsiung.
Kenting – Another Travel Tip in Taiwan
As you may have seen in the video, Kaohsiung is a great place to go out and enjoy the big city life. Events and concerts are going on every day, so there are many things to do. You are also close to scenic mountains, ocean views, and rivers, and it is just a short bus ride to places like Kenting.
Kenting is hot, sunny, and awesome. While it is touristy, you should not miss out on this place at the southern end of the island. Make sure to do more than just hang out at the beach. In my video, I enjoy the beach life, but I also went for a hike and checked out the national parks.
Why you should travel to Kinmen Island in Taiwan
Kinmen Island is an unusual but amazing destination when traveling in Taiwan. This small group of islands belongs to Taiwan but is situated right in front of China. Its unique history inspired me to start my YouTube channel. If you have the time, check out my videos about Kinmen Island. Note that even most Taiwanese people have not been to Kinmen Island, and it is a bit of an unusual destination.
Other islands such as Mazu and Penghu are more common, but at the time of writing, I have not yet made it to these destinations. There are still more places to explore. I will write an update on this blog and will definitely create a video once I have the time.
Jiufen, Danshui, Taitung, and Other Travel Destinations in Taiwan
You might be wondering how long you should stay in Taiwan. There is no definitive answer. It is a great experience to spend just a weekend in Taipei, for example, but I have lived here for a while and still feel like I am just beginning to explore this amazing island. On my first trip in 2018, I stayed for two weeks, which was definitely not enough.
I do not think there is a limit to traveling in Taiwan, and if there is, I aim to find it. I am glad that I was able to see locations such as Kenting, Jiufen, Danshui, Taitung, and more in my travel vlog. So, if you have the chance to spend a couple of weeks or even months in Taiwan, you should totally go for it. Just make sure you follow the visa regulations of your home country, of course, and do not overstay your visa.
How to Get Around When Traveling in Taiwan?
It is super easy to get around. All major cities have great and reliable public transport infrastructure, and there are several long-distance buses. Taiwan even has its own version of bullet trains, the Taiwan High-Speed Rail. It is a bit more expensive than a bus, but, for example, it only takes 1.5 hours to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung.
There are domestic flights as well, which are useful if you want to visit some of the Taiwanese islands such as Kinmen. However, because the trains are so fast, I actually never used them on the mainland, but I frequently fly to Kinmen Island.
Traveling in the Cities
The first thing you should get is an EasyCard, a prepaid smart card using RFID technology that you can use on the metro and almost all buses. You can get the cards in any Family Mart or 7/11. Charge it at a metro station or a convenience store, and you are good to go. It ensures your mobility. Metro and buses are cheap in Taiwan, and it is very easy and convenient to travel within and between cities. At the railway stations, most signs are in Chinese and English, and the staff speaks English as well. So it is really easy to get around.
Also, all over Taiwan, you have UBikes, short-term rental cycles that are almost free to rent. They are not made for long-distance rides, but they are great for the “last mile” within the cities. You have to register online and can then rent them either by using an EasyCard or your phone.
I like cycling, and literally, the first thing I did after moving to Taiwan was to buy a bicycle. The uBikes have fairly small tires and are a bit slow, so I do not use them very often. If you want to cycle longer distances, I recommend renting a more suitable bike. And trust me, Taiwan is perfect for traveling long distances by cycle, even it the hot summer.
Renting Cars and Scooters as a Traveler in Taiwan
Taiwanese love their scooters, and it is fairly common to rent them as well. You can either rent them at a shop for a couple of days or via a car-sharing app for just a few minutes. There are a variety of options in each city, but make sure to bring an international driver’s license.
Scooters are great to get you around. For example, I went on a road trip in Taitung. Unfortunately, I had a few technical issues and lost some footage, but I still think you can see why I consider Taitung to be one of the most beautiful regions in Taiwan.
Be careful when driving around. You are supposed to have a motorcycle license, but I have never experienced a rental company asking for it. However, you won’t have any insurance if you crash without a license. Alternatively, there are e-bikes and electric scooters that you can use without a driver’s license.
Trains and Buses in Taiwan
There is a good railroad network, especially along the south coast. And if there is no train, you have plenty of long-distance buses that go to every corner of the island. They are the cheapest mode of transportation, but there are also more luxury buses. Note that many of the charter bus drop-off locations are not in the cities. They drop you off by highway interchanges or so. So unless the hotel you are staying at happens to be right there, you will need another mode of transport. This happens to me when I visit my in-laws in Daxi (which is an amazing travel tip, by the way).
As a long-time backpacker, I have often used ride-shares like BlaBlaCar, but I have never used them in Taiwan. I’m not sure if it is popular among travelers here because public transport is so good that sharing a long-distance ride might not make sense. However, Uber is available, and I mostly use it after having a few beers. Note that cycling under the influence is not tolerated in Taiwan. While I used to cycle home after a visit to a pub in my home country, I had to adjust to different rules here in Taiwan.
What is the Best Time for Traveling in Taiwan?
IMHO, it is always worth taking a trip to Taiwan; just make sure you plan the right activities and visit the right regions.
A typical travel guide would tell you that the summers are very hot, there is a typhoon season, and in some areas, you have the risk of bad weather conditions. This is true. For example, in Kinmen, you run the risk of your flight being canceled due to dense fog in spring.
People say that spring (March-May) is one of the best times to visit Taiwan when temperatures are mild, and you can see the cherry blossoms. During late summer to early autumn (August to October), the weather is hot, but there is less rainfall.
I survived my first typhoon in Kinmen and even like Taiwan in the winter. Winters are relatively mild, with average temperatures ranging between 10°C and 20°C, so it is not too bad. Especially in Kinmen, many houses do not have heating or insulation, so you better bring a jacket if you come to Taiwan between December and March.
Where to stay when Traveling in Taiwan?
Even though the costs of traveling in Taiwan are fairly moderate, accommodation can be a bit more expensive (just my opinion). However, you have many different options to stay. During my first trip in 2018, I mostly stayed in hostels, which offer cheap dorms. Meanwhile, I prefer guesthouses, probably because I am getting older. There are plenty of options, including camping sites and luxury hotels. Make sure to check if there are any major events during your travels. For example, during Computex, techies from around the world come to Taipei, and especially business hotels can be expensive. So prices for hotels and guesthouses vary depending on the season, location, and other factors.
My secret tip is to stay in one of the old Western-style buildings in Kinmen. Many of them serve as guesthouses, and I stayed in them during my first trip to Kinmen many years ago. I am sure you will enjoy these Minnan-style buildings. They are usually operated by locals as small businesses, which makes them even more charming.
Taiwan is affordable, although not as cheap as destinations like Thailand or Cambodia. It is less expensive than my home country, Germany, but average salaries are also lower here (I had to find that out the hard way). Backpackers and budget travelers can manage to get by on around $50 or less per day, while mid-range travelers may spend $100-150 USD daily. For those seeking luxury, costs can exceed $200 USD per day. A great tip to save money is to visit the night markets where you find plenty of cheap eating options with delicious food. Taiwanese culture is all about food, people here are really obsessed with it, you will see.
Going Out at Night while Traveling in Taiwan
While alcohol is cheap in supermarkets and convenience stores, drinking is not as really a thing, and I compare visiting a bar with a fine dining experience. Many local restaurants may not have extensive service, as the focus is primarily on good food. But many bars have a lot of staff because they focus on international travelers. In tourist areas, you find plenty of Irish pubs and Japanese Izakaya Bars that offer drinks and food, but these tend to be more expensive than night markets.
This difference is likely because Taiwanese drink less than Europe and the USA, and tipping is uncommon. Thus, the bars have to be more expensive to pay their staff and a single drink can cost more than the food you ordered. However, some bars offer all-you-can-drink options for a set period, which are great value, but I decided better not to do a video about me going into these places.
Is There a Travel Guide or an Agency you recommend in Taiwan?
I have no idea and never used an agency. I came to Taiwan as a solo backpacker and found it easy to figure out things by myself. It can make sense to hire a tour guide or an agency, but I am not the kind of person to do that. Also, people here are friendly and helpful, so it is fairly easy to organize things just by yourself.
Is it Safe to Travel in Taiwan?
Some people are concerned because China has threatened to attack Taiwan several times, but I do not worry about that. I feel safe here, and if you look at the crime rate, you see that violent crime is almost non-existent. But, of course, do not be stupid and watch your stuff, pickpockets still can happen.
While Taiwan faces natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, the country is well-prepared. Buildings are engineered to withstand seismic activity, and Taiwan maintains high standards of health and hygiene. I have experienced earthquakes and canceled a trip to Hualien in 2024. Despite the roads being reopened, I did not feel comfortable traveling following the strongest earthquake in Taiwan since 1999. I was not scared, but considering the loss of life, it did not seem to be appropriate to travel in such regions and film videos.
I cannot speak for single female travelers or LGTB backpackers for obvious reasons, but those I have met confirm that they feel very secure and have no issues going out alone at any time of day. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for a travel video in Taiwan, feel free to contact me!