Top Taiwan Travel Tips for Tourists

If you’re calling these numbers from outside Taiwan, the international dial code is +886.

Transport

Taiwan boasts an excellent public transport system, and the locals are famously proud of the capital Taipei’s MRT (metro), reportedly one of the best in the world. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about getting around, from obtaining a transport card to following MRT etiquette.

Pick Up an EasyCard

Wondering how to travel around Taiwan? Well, in most cases, the EasyCard is the answer. It’s Taiwan’s public transport card, compatible with the metro systems of Taipei, Taoyuan Airport and Kaohsiung City, plus most city and inter-city bus routes nationwide. What’s more, you can even use it to pay in franchise convenience shops like 7-11 and FamilyMart.

You can get the EasyCard either at the airport, at any MRT station or the aforementioned franchise shops. You simply obtain the card, top it up with the amount you wish, then use it as need be.

The chief advantage of the EasyCard is that it enables you to pay for and use Taiwan’s public transport instantly. The alternative is to pay for each journey individually, in which case you may spend a lot of time searching through loose change – which, on the buses, must be exact!

The card itself costs 100 TWD (a bit over 3 USD), and you can top it up with 100 – 500 TWD.

No Eating or Drinking on the MRT

If you’re visiting Taiwan from many other countries, you probably wouldn’t blink if you saw someone eating or drinking on the metro (although you might object if it’s something especially smelly). However, in Taiwan it’s illegal to consume foods or beverages on the MRT and you can be fined if you’re caught. This includes drinking water! One thing you’ll notice about Taiwan’s metro is that it’s spotlessly clean and the locals like it that way.

Don’t Talk (Loudly) on Public Transportation

Another thing you’ll notice when you catch the metro or bus in Taiwan is that people travel in virtual silence. It’s an unspoken (haha) rule, so as a visitor it’s best to follow suit. If you’re travelling with friends or family and you talk too loudly, you may well receive some dirty looks. This includes talking on the phone too. So the best bet is to wait until you’re back in the street to resume your conversation.

Leave the Reserved Seats for the Elderly, Pregnant or Disabled

Like many public transport systems around the world, Taiwan’s metro and buses have reserved seats for those who especially deserve a sit-down, like the elderly and disabled. In this country, these reserved seats are typically dark coloured compared to the other seats.

However, unlike in other countries, unless these seats are intended for you then you must keep them empty, even if the train or bus is otherwise full. If you have a disability that’s not obvious, you can ask at the MRT stations for a sticker so that you can use these seats.

Walk on the Left, Stand on the Right

As you may have gathered by now, a lot of the etiquette in Taiwan is to do with public transport! Another convention is that, when using the escalators on the MRT, you walk on the left-hand side and stand on the right.

If you’re holding a conversation with someone, you should both stand on the right one step next to each other so that people on the left who’re in more of a hurry can walk past. If you stand on the left, you risk causing a human traffic jam!

Follow the Yellow Lines, and Let Others Off First

On Taiwan’s metro, there are yellow lines that show you where to queue for your train, so be sure to follow these. When your train arrives, let others off first and move to the least-crowded part of the train. Follow these rules and you’ll be a true MRT hero!

On Inter-City Train Journeys, Consider Taking the Scenic Route

Many railway routes in Taiwan offer 2 trains: the fast one and the slow one. If your time on the island is limited, you should of course take the fast train to get to your destination as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if you’ve got time on your hands or you prefer a more contemplative form of travel, you can take the slower route. You’ll see more of Taiwan and save some money in the process, as the slower route is typically cheaper.

Taiwanese Food Culture / Restaurants

Taiwanese food is one of the things that foreign visitors to this country often rave about. It’s reportedly cheap and delicious. So to whet your appetite, and to make sure you dine according to the local etiquette, here are our tasty tips that won’t leave you gnashing your teeth.

Try the Bubble Tea!

Bubble tea, a sort of sugary iced tea, is the most famous of Taiwan’s drinks. It’s ubiquitous, cheap and tastes great, so you’ve got to try it — probably repeatedly if you’re like most visitors!

Most bubble tea establishments have English menus and, failing that, you can always point at the flavour you want. When you order, you’ll typically be asked 2 things: (1) how much ice you want, and (2) how much sugar you want. You may just wish to ask for ‘normal’ amounts the first time to see how the locals drink it, although be aware that bubble tea is usually very sweet, so if you prefer little sugar, ask for that.

Eat at the Night Markets

Taiwan’s night markets are another thing that tourists frequently speak highly of. Here you’ll find all sorts of stalls, from gift shops selling weird and wonderful souvenirs to a variety of food joints.

These are a great option to eat cheaply and try a large variety of things. Unlike in some other Asian countries, Taiwan’s food is typically clean and safe to eat, so you’re unlikely to suffer stomach upsets after eating it as a foreigner. Stand-out dishes include:

• Bao (a yeasty bun with lots of types of filling)
• Dim sum (a range of smaller dishes, ideal for eating alone or with others)
• Ice cream burritos
• Pepper buns (sesame seed buns, typically filled with meat and onions)
• Pineapple cake
• Snake (yes, snake!)

It’s perfectly acceptable to eat and drink while walking around the night markets.

At Restaurants, Order, Pay and Eat

When you go to restaurants in many countries, the convention is to order, eat and then pay. In Taiwan, however, it’s often the norm to order, pay and then eat. So keep this in mind! In practice, this way of doing things makes a lot of sense, as you don’t have to try and catch your waiter’s attention to ask for the bill after your meal. Instead, you can leave as soon as you’re done.

Don’t Stick Your Chopsticks Upright in the Bowls of Rice

When you eat at a restaurant here, it’s typically with chopsticks. As such, chopstick etiquette for Taiwan is as follows. You may be tempted to stick your sticks upright in the rice. It’s best to refrain though, as it’s a culinary faux pas. At best this will mark you out as a tourist and, at worst, might cause offence.

Don’t Tip Your Waiter

To answer the question “Do you tip in Taiwan?”, the answer is “No”. This is because the service staff here earn a living wage and, in fact, a tip could be considered rude. This may come as a surprise to you if you’re an American visitor, although, on the plus side, you don’t have to factor in the 15-20% extra that you’d normally add back home.

Try Food at the Convenience Stores

Unlike many countries, Taiwanese convenience stores such as 7-11 reportedly offer fresh, nutritious food and drinks. So if you’re trying to stay healthy, feel free to make a visit! You may find something delicious, surprising and nutrients-rich.

Most People Drink Bottled Water

The tap water in Taiwan is safe to drink only after boiling. As a result, most people drink bottled water and you should follow suit.

Interacting with the Locals / Fitting In

One of the best parts of travel here is the opportunity to immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture, meet the people and learn a little about how they live life. At the same time, in Taiwan, they have certain ways of doing things that it’s best to follow to ensure that you’re a responsible visitor. More travel tips, coming right up!

Hand Cash and Other Important Objects to People with Both Hands

This is one of the basic Taiwan customs. In much of South Asia, including here, it’s considered respectful to hand people important objects with both hands. For example, you do this when you pay with cash or debit/credit card, or when you’re exchanging business cards.

Don’t Start A Conversation About Politics

Taiwan’s political history with China is long and checkered. Although some countries officially recognise Taiwan as an independent country, others including the USA and UK only engage with its government on an unofficial basis. Meanwhile, China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan considers itself independent. This can be a tricky subject with locals, so it’s best to avoid it unless they broach it first.

Dress as You Normally Would, and Use Your Common Sense

If you’re wondering what to wear in Taiwan, you’ll be pleased to hear that this is a liberal country, so you can wear the clothes you normally would in your home country. It’s considered acceptable to walk around in sandals. Women can feel comfortable wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops or jewellery. In fact, young Taiwanese in particular invest a lot of time and energy in their personal style, as you’ll see!

That said, use your common sense too. If you’ve booked a table at an upscale restaurant, you should dress accordingly. If you wear a lot of leather, or have piercings and tattoos, you’re likely to stand out, just like you would in most places back home. What’s more, unlike in some other South Asian countries, it’s considered taboo to go barefoot in public here.

Keep a Polite, Friendly Distance when You Meet People

When you meet people for the first time here, it’s normal to wave or nod politely rather than to touch someone. This might be a culture shock for you if you’re used to a handshake, hug or, if you’re from a Mediterranean country like Spain or France, kissing the cheek(s)! It’s just the Taiwanese way so, as always, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

Wear Slippers Indoors

This is the case even in hotels and hostels. When you arrive, you’ll be offered slippers, so it’s best to remove your footwear and put these on. You’ll also need to take off your shoes when visiting temples and, particularly, when entering other people’s homes.

Taiwan Travel Safety

In general, you’ll experience no health and safety problems on your visit so long as you follow the tips set out in this article, such as drinking bottled water. To set your mind further at ease, here are a few more things that are good to know.

It’s Perfectly Okay to Travel Solo in Taiwan

If you’re thinking of visiting by yourself, or coming here first until your friends and family arrive, you can feel comfortable doing so. In general, foreigners in Taiwan feel very secure here exploring alone, whether you’re male or female. As a rule, the locals are polite and friendly.

Gay Travel in Taiwan Is Widely Accepted

This is one of the most liberal, progressive countries in Asia, and consensual same-sex activities are legal. There’s a lively, thriving gay scene of bars and saunas. In fact, many gay-focused websites consider the island the most LGBTI-friendly country in the whole continent, so you can feel fully at ease visiting here with your partner.

Taiwan Is Near a Tectonic Plate Fault Line

It’s worth noting that there’s a fault line off the island’s east coast separating the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Sea Plate. As such, this country is occasionally subject to earthquakes. Most of these are so small that you don’t even notice them and, in fact, Taiwan hasn’t experienced a major earthquake (measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale or higher) since 2006.

That said, it’s something to be aware of and, when you enter a building, you may wish to scope out the emergency exits. In addition, while booking flights, you may wish to check if there’s recently been a Taiwan travel advisory.

Vaccinations for Taiwan Travel

This is a developed country, so you’ll need relatively few vaccinations to visit, if any. You may want to consult your doctor to ensure that you’re immunised against tetanus and hepatitis A. If you’re arriving from a country at risk of yellow fever, you’ll require a certificate showing you’ve been vaccinated to be allowed to enter.

Other Miscellaneous Handy Advice

By now we’ve covered most of the cultural norms and Taiwan etiquette you’ll need to navigate a variety of typical situations as a visitor here like a pro. There are a few other things to keep in mind, so we’ll just stick these here under ‘miscellaneous’.

Keep Your Receipts, or Hand Them to Locals

This is an odd one! To encourage businesses to record sales transactions and so reduce tax fraud, every receipt issued here has a lottery number. The winning numbers are drawn every 2 months, and prizes range from 200 TWD up to 10 TWD million (some 350,000 USD) if you match every number.

So be sure to keep your receipts, as you could both have a great time on the island and, if luck’s on your side, wind up significantly richer! Alternatively, be sure to give your receipts to a local before you go, as they’ll surely appreciate it.

Wifi Is Readily Available in Most Places

This is one of the most advanced nations in the world when it comes to wifi availability. Particularly in urban areas, the public network called iTaiwan is in range wherever you go. To access it, you just create an account online and get surfing.

That said, be aware that using public wifi can expose your data so, to protect yourself, it’s worth signing up for a VPN (Virtual Private Network) too. This hides your IP address and other confidential details.

Of course, if you prefer, most shops and restaurants also offer wifi. Alternatively, you can rent or buy a 4G wifi pocket device to get your internet fix. In brief, there are plenty of options!

Taiwan Hot Spring Etiquette

If you’re visiting the island in the winter, a great way to heat up is by visiting one of the natural hot springs, most famously in the area of Beitou!

That said, be aware that in most hot springs men and women bathe together, so you’ll need to bring a bathing suit. In addition, many hot springs are out in the open air, so to protect your eyes from the sun, it’s advisable to bring a hat or visor. Also, feel free to bring some soap and shampoo!

Taiwan Traditions and Beliefs

There are 2 main belief systems, Buddhism and Taoism, although there are also followers of Islam and Christianity, plus a few other groups. Incense is widely used in temples to show respect to the various deities worshipped.

Many inhabitants follow both Buddhism and Taoism together, accompanied by some of the beliefs of Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher — just to ‘confuse’ matters!

Lastly, this country is steeped in folklore and omens representing good and bad luck. Here are some fun traditions and beliefs to be aware of for when you visit:

• White is not favoured as a colour, so certainly never give white flowers as a gift! White is traditional at funerals only.
• Red is the colour most predominantly used at weddings.
• ‘Stinky Tofu’ is the glorious name of the national dish, commonly served at night markets and street stalls. Believe us, the smell is unforgettable!
• If you hear Beethoven’s’ ‘Fur Elise’ music, there will be a rubbish or garbage truck nearby. They play music constantly to remind residents to put out their rubbish. At Christmas, the trucks are likely to play Bing Crosby’s’ ‘White Christmas’.
• This was the first Asian country to legalise gay marriage.

With the guidance we’ve provided here you’ll be navigating Taiwan with ease. We hope you’ve found this article useful and, most importantly, that you have an excellent time on your visit. To learn more, read our article about international embassies in Taiwan. Xièxie!