Travel to Taiwan
An island where glass towers stand beside ornate temples, night markets stay busy past midnight and turquoise gorges open a short ride from the sea: this is what to plan before you look for cheap flights to Taiwan.
Taiwan in numbers
Main city
Taipei
Population
Almost 24 M
Area
~35,800 km²
Currency
New Taiwan dollar
Language
Mandarin
Highest point
Yushan
Continent
Asia
Time zone
UTC+8
Airports covered
1
Why visit Taiwan
Night markets, temples, gorges, mountains and hot springs
Taipei, a city for day and night
Taipei 101 for the view, the National Palace Museum for history, neighbourhood temples for atmosphere: the island's main tourist city is easy to cover by metro, even late in the evening.
Famous street food
Taiwan's night markets are often ranked among the best street-food markets in the world: xiaolongbao, bubble tea, skewers and snacks to graze on as you wander. The Michelin Guide has reviewed restaurants here since 2018.
Dramatic scenery
Mountains cover the eastern two-thirds of the island, with Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake and the Alishan forest railway all within reach by train.
Hot springs and coasts
Between the hot springs, southern beaches, Kenting National Park and the wave-lashed east coast, the island balances relaxing days with fresh air.
Landmarks
Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko, Sun Moon Lake and Kaohsiung
A Taiwan trip often starts in Taipei, heads up to Jiufen, runs down the east coast to Taroko, crosses the mountains to Sun Moon Lake, then drops south to Tainan and Kaohsiung. The fast train and the coastal railway make the loop easy.
Taipei: Taipei 101, temples and night markets
From the hills, Taipei 101 rises above the city's apartment blocks. At street level, Longshan Temple, with its tiled roofs and dragon carvings, is a working temple full of locals at prayer. In the evening, head to a night market for xiaolongbao and bubble tea.
Jiufen and the north
Jiufen clings to a hillside above the north coast and keeps its old lanes, teahouses and staircases. Old streets at Tamsui, Yingge and Sanxia, and the rock formations of Yehliu, make easy day trips from Taipei.
Taroko and the east coast
Near Hualien, Taroko Gorge carves marble walls and turquoise rivers; the Eternal Spring Shrine faces a waterfall there. Further south, the east coast alternates cliffs, waves and wide horizons, and the Hualien-Taitung Longitudinal Valley offers visits with indigenous communities.
Sun Moon Lake and the centre
In Nantou County, Sun Moon Lake can be circled on foot, by bike or by boat, between palm-lined promenades and wooded hills. Taichung, its museums and the Alishan forest nearby round out a stay in the heart of the island.
Kaohsiung, Tainan and the south
Kaohsiung mixes harbours, art spaces, Shoushan hill and the Lotus Pond, where the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas stand. Tainan, one of the island's oldest cities, has forts, temples and much-loved street food. Further south, Kenting National Park meets the sea.
Before you go
October to December and March-April, typhoons in summer
| Area | Climate | Best time to visit |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei and the north | Subtropical, rainy winters in the north-east, hot and humid summers. | October to December, March-April |
| Taroko and the east coast | Humid and changeable; typhoons possible from summer to early autumn. | October to April |
| Centre (Sun Moon Lake, Alishan) | Cooler at altitude, mist and rain in spring and summer. | October to April |
| South (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting) | Tropical, sunny in winter, very hot and humid in summer. | November to April |
The rainy season starts in May-June and typhoons cluster from summer to early autumn, so build some flexibility into your dates and watch fares before locking them in.
Getting around
Metro, high-speed rail, coastal trains and tourist shuttles
Taipei's metro is quick and simple, and the high-speed train links Taipei and Kaohsiung in under two hours (to review). A rail network circles the island, with the Taiwan Pass for visitors and tourist shuttles to nature sites.
For Taroko, Alishan or the east coast, plan ahead because services are less frequent. Cycling is also popular across the island.
Food and culture
Night markets, tea, temples and lantern festivals
Social life plays out in temples, parks and night markets. Among the highlights, the lantern festival lights up a different host city each year, according to the tourism office. Hot springs are developed in several regions.
At the table, xiaolongbao, skewers and bubble tea are musts; the tourism office also lists vegetarian and Muslim-friendly restaurants. High-mountain tea makes a good souvenir.
Flying to Taiwan
The Taiwanese airport covered by SniperAir
Taipei-Taoyuan
Taipei-Taoyuan International, about forty kilometres from the city: a dedicated metro line reaches Taipei in roughly thirty-five to forty minutes. The island's main gateway.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Taiwan
Which airport do I fly into for Taiwan?
Taipei-Taoyuan (TPE) is the main air gateway, about forty kilometres from Taipei, with a dedicated metro link. SniperAir tracks it.
When is the best time to travel to Taiwan?
October to December and March-April bring pleasant temperatures and less rain. Summer is hot, humid and exposed to typhoons; winter is rainy in the north-east but dry in the south.
Is travelling to Taiwan expensive?
Living costs are generally moderate for meals, city transport and night markets. Lodging in big cities and high-speed train trips weigh more heavily on the budget.
Do I need a visa for Taiwan?
Many travellers enjoy visa-free short stays, but it depends on your nationality. Check the entry conditions on the official website before you travel.
How long should I spend in Taiwan?
Eight to ten days cover Taipei, the east coast with Taroko, Sun Moon Lake, then Tainan and Kaohsiung. Five days are enough for Taipei and one getaway.
What travel precautions should I take?
Check your foreign ministry's travel advice, buy travel insurance and follow local instructions during typhoons or earthquakes.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Taiwan gets cheaper?
Create a SniperAir alert profile with your departure airport and Taipei as destination: we track prices and notify you as soon as a matching deal appears. See how it works.
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