Taiwan travel guide: when to go, where to go and how to plan it together

November 8, 2026 · 9 min read

Taiwan packs a great deal into an island you can cross by train in a few hours. There are night markets and temples in the cities, a marble gorge on the east coast, tea hills and misty mountain forests, hot springs within the capital's limits, and some of the best street food in Asia. It is clean, safe and easy to navigate, and people are quick to help with directions.

It is also a good first trip to East Asia for people who want something less hurried than Japan or China. Trains are punctual, convenience stores sell almost everything, and the loop around the island makes a natural route. This guide covers when to go, where to go, an eleven-day route and what changes when you are planning it with friends.

Capital: Taipei
Currency: New Taiwan dollar (NT$)
Languages: Mandarin; Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka and indigenous languages are also spoken
Plugs: Type A and B, 110 V
Driving: On the right
Time zone: UTC+8, no daylight saving
Best time to go: October to December and March to April
Daily budget: About US$100–180 a person a day, mid-range, 2026

When to go

Autumn (October to December) is the best season: warm, dry and clear, with the typhoon season over and comfortable temperatures for walking cities and hiking gorges. November is often ideal.

Spring (March to April) is mild and green, with blossom in the mountains, though showers are common, especially in the north. May and June bring the plum rains, a stretch of grey, wet weather across the island.

Summer (June to September) is hot and very humid, with heavy afternoon storms. It is also typhoon season, with the highest risk from July to September. A typhoon can close roads, trains and parks for a day or two, so keep a spare day in your plans and watch the forecast. The mountains, including Alishan, stay cooler.

Winter (December to February) is cool and damp in Taipei and the north, with grey skies and drizzle, while the south stays sunny and mild. It is a good season for hot springs, and for Kaohsiung and Kenting in the south.

Two dates are worth planning around. Lunar New Year, in late January or February, closes many shops and restaurants for several days and fills every train and bus as families travel. The Lantern Festival at the end of the holiday brings sky lantern releases in Pingxi and big displays in many cities. Ghost Month, the seventh month of the lunar calendar, has offerings in the streets; it is a quiet cultural period for locals, and travel goes on as usual. Taiwan sits in an active earthquake zone, and hotels and public buildings are built for it. If you feel a tremor, follow the staff and local signs.

Where to go

Taipei

The capital mixes temples, markets, mountains and modern towers. Visit Longshan Temple, the Taipei 101 observation deck, the National Palace Museum with its collection of Chinese art, and the night markets for food. Beitou, at the northern end of the metro, has hot springs, and Elephant Mountain gives the best view of the skyline. Give it three to four days.

Jiufen and Pingxi

Day trips from Taipei. Jiufen is a hillside old mining town of steep lanes, teahouses and sea views, best in the evening or on a weekday. Pingxi is the valley where people write wishes on sky lanterns and release them. Together they make one full day.

Taroko Gorge and Hualien

On the east coast, Taroko Gorge is a deep marble canyon with tunnels, bridges and short trails above a turquoise river. The train from Taipei takes about two hours, and the coast road beyond runs between mountains and the Pacific. Two nights in Hualien is enough for the gorge and the coast.

Sun Moon Lake

The country's largest lake, ringed by mountains in the centre of the island. Cycle the shoreline paths, take a boat across, and visit the temples on the hillside. It is quieter early and late, when the day visitors have gone. One night.

Alishan

A mountain area of old cypress forest and tea terraces, with a narrow-gauge forest railway and a famous sunrise above the clouds. It is cool and often misty, so bring a jacket. A night is best, to see the sunrise.

Tainan

The former capital and the oldest city on the island, with temples on almost every street, old forts built by the Dutch, and a food scene known for small bowls and snacks. It is slower and warmer than Taipei, and often a favourite stop. Two nights.

Kaohsiung

A port city in the south that has turned its waterfront into parks and art spaces, with a ferry to the Cijin peninsula, temples on a lake and night markets. It makes a good last stop with a metro system and an international airport. One or two nights.

Kenting

The southern tip of the island, with beaches, coral and a warm climate that lasts well into winter. It suits a few days of rest at the end of a trip, particularly from October to April.

An 11-day itinerary

Days 1–4: Taipei. Arrive, collect a rechargeable transit card and settle in. Spend a day on the temples and the National Palace Museum, a day on the markets and Taipei 101, a day trip to Jiufen and Pingxi, and an evening in Beitou's hot springs.

Days 5–6: Hualien. Take the express train from Taipei, about two hours. Spend a day in Taroko Gorge, with a driver or a small tour, and a day on the coast.

Days 7–8: Sun Moon Lake. Return to Taipei by train, take the high-speed train to Taichung, about 50 minutes, then a bus to the lake, about one to one and a half hours. Cycle the lake and enjoy the evening.

Days 9–10: Tainan. The high-speed train from Taichung takes under an hour. Walk the old streets and eat your way through the night markets.

Day 11: Kaohsiung. Tainan to Kaohsiung is a short hop by high-speed train, well under an hour including the transfer. See the harbour and the lake, then fly home from Kaohsiung.

With more time, add Alishan after Sun Moon Lake, or Kenting at the end. For a longer trip in the region, our Japan travel guide and South Korea travel guide cover routes close by.

Getting around

High-speed rail runs down the west coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung in under two hours, and is the quickest way to cross the island. Reserved seats are easy to book ahead, and stations in each city connect to the local metro and buses.

Regular trains run around the island, including the east coast line to Hualien and Taitung. The fastest east-coast trains sell out on weekends and holidays, so book ahead. Local trains are slower but cheap and run to smaller towns.

Metro systems in Taipei and Kaohsiung are clean and easy to use, with signs in English. A rechargeable transit card works on metros, buses, trains and in convenience stores. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the metro.

Buses reach places the trains don't, such as Sun Moon Lake, and are cheap and frequent. Taxis are inexpensive and easy to find in cities, and ride-hailing apps work. For Taroko Gorge, a small tour or a driver for the day is simple, and for a group it is good value.

Driving is possible, especially on the east coast, but traffic in the cities is dense and scooters are everywhere. Public transport covers all of the route above, which is why most visitors don't need a car. See our guide to public transport in a new city for tips on finding your feet.

Money and costs

The currency is the New Taiwan dollar. Cards are accepted in hotels, department stores and many restaurants, but night markets, small eateries and local buses mostly want cash. Cash machines are easy to find, especially in convenience stores.

Tipping is not expected. Some restaurants and hotels add a service charge, which covers it.

Taiwan is good value, especially for food. A meal at a night market or a noodle shop costs little, and the quality is high. The biggest costs are hotels in Taipei, activities such as tours to the gorge, and the high-speed rail on long routes.

Rough daily costs a person, in 2026:

Budget: about US$50–80, with hostels or simple hotels, night-market meals and local transport.
Mid-range: about US$100–180, with comfortable hotels, restaurant meals, high-speed rail and a few tours.
Comfortable: US$250 and up, with good hotels, private drivers and hot-spring stays.

Planning Taiwan as a group

Taiwan is easy for groups, with clear transport and food made for sharing.

Rooms. Hotel rooms are often small and for two, but many hotels have triple and quad rooms, and apartment rentals work well in the cities. Mountain areas such as Alishan and Sun Moon Lake have family rooms and guesthouses; book them early on weekends and in autumn.

Night markets. Markets are perfect for groups, since everyone chooses a different stall and the group meets at the end. Agree a meeting point and a time, as the crowds are dense.

Tables. Popular sit-down restaurants, such as the well-known dumpling houses, often have long waits at peak times. A group of six may wait longer. Go early, or book where it is possible.

Cash. Because markets and small shops take cash, one person often pays for a round and others owe them. Log the amount in Taiwan dollars as it happens, so nobody has to remember at the end.

Before you go

Entry rules: check the official government site for Taiwan and your own government's travel advice before you book, as requirements depend on your passport.
Travel insurance that covers medical costs, and cancellations from typhoons.
Connectivity: an eSIM or a local SIM works well and wifi is common. See our guide to eSIMs and staying connected.
A plug adapter if your plugs are not Type A or B, and check your devices handle 110 V. Many phone and laptop chargers do, but check hair dryers and other heating devices.
Health: no special vaccines are usually needed; ask a travel clinic. Tap water is generally boiled before drinking.
Customs: stand on the right of the escalators, queue for the metro and buses, and keep your voice low on public transport. Public bins are rare, so carry your rubbish until you find one. Use both hands to give and receive a business card or a gift.

What to pack

Pack for rain in any month. A compact umbrella or a light rain jacket is the single most useful item, and shoes that cope with wet pavements help. Taipei is damp and cool in winter, so bring a warm jacket and layers; summer calls for light, breathable clothes and sunscreen.

Bring comfortable walking shoes for temples, night markets and the gorge's trails, and a small bag for coins, as small change is common. A reusable bag is useful for the shops. For Alishan and the mountains, a warm layer for the early morning is worth the space.