14-day pre-trip checklist · Day-one step-by-step · 5 apps · 5 Mandarin phrases · 5 rookie mistakes · 3-day NT$10,000 budget — everything packed, no filler
Do these in order and you will arrive confident, connected and with cash to spare.
Follow this sequence and you will be settled, oriented and ready for a real meal within three hours of landing.
Set these up at home so day one in Taipei runs without a hitch.
You don't need to be fluent. These five get you through almost every situation — or you can simply show the Chinese characters on your phone.
Specific, genuine, avoidable — not generic travel warnings.
These five cover the full range of what makes Taipei special — skyline, heritage, temple, night market and a day trip worth the effort.
NT$10,000 is roughly US$310 or THB 11,000 — very achievable for a mid-range trip.
| Expense Category | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (3-star hotel) | NT$1,800 | NT$1,800 | NT$1,800 |
| Food (3 meals + snacks) | NT$600 | NT$700 | NT$650 |
| Transport (MRT / bus) | NT$180 | NT$200 | NT$300 |
| Admissions / tickets | NT$600 (101) | NT$200 (NPM) | NT$350 (lanterns + Shifen) |
| Souvenirs / shopping | NT$200 | NT$300 | NT$500 |
| Daily Total | NT$3,380 | NT$3,200 | NT$3,600 |
Always verify directly with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office nearest you, or check immigration.gov.tw, before purchasing flights. Visa conditions can change on short notice. Never rely on undated blog posts or forum threads.
At any MRT information counter or 7-Eleven — including inside the airport. Cost: NT$100 total (NT$50 card deposit + NT$50 credit). Top up at station machines or convenience stores. Return at any MRT counter when you leave to reclaim the NT$50 deposit and any balance. See the full MRT and EasyCard guide.
Withdraw from 7-Eleven or FamilyMart ATMs inside Taiwan — both accept Visa, Mastercard and most international debit cards. Fee is roughly NT$100 per transaction. Bring NT$2,000–3,000 from home for day one, then withdraw more as needed. Airport money changers have less favourable rates.
Four to five days is the sweet spot: three days for city highlights (Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, night markets) plus one or two day trips such as Jiufen-Shifen or Tamsui. Three days is still worthwhile with a tight plan. See the 3-day itinerary or 4-day itinerary for hour-by-hour schedules.
Consistently one of the safest cities in Asia. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Solo travellers — including women — walk freely at night in the main tourist areas without concern. Emergency numbers: police 110, fire and ambulance 119, Tourist Hotline 0800-011-765 (English available 24/7).
Yes to both. Taiwan uses Type A outlets (two flat pins) at 110V / 60Hz. Most modern devices handle 100–240V automatically, but check your hairdryer before packing it — high-wattage appliances often don't. A power bank is essential on day trips: Google Maps running continuously drains a phone battery faster than you expect.
The lifestyle companion to this guide: visa, MRT, accommodation, food, etiquette and essential apps explained in depth.
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Read Now →Hotels, food, attractions, itineraries and travel logistics — the complete starting point for any Taipei trip.
Read Now →Klook is the largest activities marketplace for Taiwan. Book your day tours, eSIM, Taipei 101 tickets and cooking classes in advance — QR codes work straight from the app, no Mandarin needed.