One page covering everything travellers need to know before flying to Taiwan — visa, internet & eSIM, getting from the airport, public transport, money, and a pre-departure checklist.
Scroll through at your own pace, or tap a topic below to jump straight to what you need.
The essentials to know before you book — Taiwan is closer and easier to explore independently than most people expect.
Taiwan is straightforward to enter for most nationalities, but entry rules can change — always verify before you book your flights.
Taiwan operates visa-free programmes for passport holders of many countries, typically allowing stays of up to 14–90 days per visit depending on nationality. These programmes are periodically reviewed and renewed by Taiwan's authorities.
Common conditions: passport valid for more than 6 months beyond your travel dates · confirmed onward or return ticket · no history of immigration violations in Taiwan.
If you don't qualify for visa-free entry, travellers who hold a valid visa — or have a recent travel history — for the US, Japan, UK, Schengen Area, or other qualifying countries may apply for a Travel Authorization Certificate online for free via the official BOCA website.
If neither option applies, a standard tourist visa application through a Taiwan representative office will be required. We recommend checking your eligibility early in the trip-planning process.
Connectivity is essential for independent travel — you'll rely on maps, translation apps, and MRT route planners. Here are your three main options.
| Option | Pros | Things to note | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📶 eSIM | Works the moment you land — no queuing to buy a SIM | Your phone must support eSIM | Anyone who wants the easiest setup |
| 📱 Physical SIM | Works on any phone, good value | Must queue at the airport · store your original SIM safely | Older phones without eSIM support |
| 📡 Pocket Wi-Fi | Share data among several people, good for groups | Extra device to charge and carry · must return it at the end | Families / group trips |
Taiwan's public transport is clean, punctual, and well-signposted in English — first-time solo travellers will feel at ease from day one.
Want a full side-by-side comparison of every way to get from Taoyuan Airport into Taipei? Read our complete Airport Transfer Guide — fares, journey times, and honest pros & cons →
For getting around the city, see our complete Taipei MRT & EasyCard Guide — how to buy, top up, read the map and use the card beyond the metro →
For a full overview of every transport mode, see Getting Around Taipei — MRT, bus, YouBike and taxi compared with real fares and practical tips →
Not sure when to go? See the Best Time to Visit Taipei — weather, festivals and hotel prices by month →
📱 How should you get online in Taiwan? See our decision guide SIM vs eSIM vs Pocket WiFi — which option saves you the most → or compare eSIM brands directly Best eSIM for Taiwan — Airalo, Klook, Trip.com and Holafly compared →
🚗 Pre-booking an airport transfer? See Taoyuan Airport Transfer Klook & Trip.com Compared — which service is best for you →
🛬 Flying from Songshan Airport (TSA) to Tokyo Haneda / Seoul Gimpo / Penghu? See 5 Hotels Near Songshan Airport — 10-min walk to the terminal, ideal for pre-dawn flights →
| Mode | Best for | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚄 High Speed Rail (HSR) | Taipei–Taichung–Tainan–Kaohsiung | Fastest | Taipei→Kaohsiung in ~1.5–2 hrs · book ahead for discounts |
| 🚆 Regular Train (TRA) | Smaller towns · coastal routes · Jiufen | Moderate | Cheaper than HSR · especially scenic along the east coast |
| 🚌 Intercity Bus | Budget trips · routes not served by rail | Slower | Cheapest option · overnight services available |
| 🚕 Taxi / Car Rental | Sun Moon Lake · places less served by public transport | Flexible | Car rental requires an international driving licence · drive on the right |
A little planning around cash, cards, and currency exchange goes a long way to avoiding headaches on the road.
Currency exchange: You can exchange to New Taiwan Dollars (NT$) at home before you travel, or withdraw from ATMs in Taiwan that accept international cards — though ATM fees apply.
Cash is still essential: Many local restaurants, night markets, and small shops are cash-only. Always keep some NT$ on you.
Credit cards: Accepted at shopping malls, hotels, and larger restaurants. Consider a card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid unnecessary charges.
EasyCard: Beyond transport, it's accepted at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) across the island. Load it with a reasonable balance and you'll barely need to think about it.
Run through this list before you leave — once everything is ticked, you're ready to fly.
Torn between Taiwan and Japan for your next trip? Read our deep comparison — visa, language, prices, food, and which one fits first-time Thai travelers best.
Side-by-side on every dimension — visa, cost, language, food, transit — to help you decide which country to visit first.
Read the comparison →Open the full Taiwan travel guide, pick the city that suits you, or dive into the Taipei 3-day itinerary with hand-picked hotel recommendations from the Wherebest team.