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Once the paperwork and transport are sorted, all that's left is deciding how many days to travel and how to plan them. The table below shows the most common day-count setups. For a first visit with limited time, we suggest not being too ambitious: use Taipei as your base, add one central or southern city, and link them by HSR for the fullest experience without feeling rushed.
| Number of days | Suitable For | Suggested route |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 days | Layover, short break | Taipei + nearby areas (Jiufen, Beitou, Pingxi) |
| 5–7 days | The go-to choice for first-timers | Taipei + Taichung / Sun Moon Lake + Kaohsiung or Tainan |
| 8–10 days | For a more thorough trip | Round-the-island route, or west coast + Hualien east coast |
Before planning your itinerary, installing a few apps will make everything much easier. Google Maps is an almost universal tool for routes and bus/metro schedules; Metro Taipei and local bus apps let you check real-time arrivals; Uber or a local ride-hailing app is a lifesaver late at night or when you have a lot of luggage; a translation app comes in handy for reading menus or asking directions (Taiwan actually has plenty of English signage, but it's useful now and then); pair these with mobile payment and map bookmarks, marking the shops you want to visit ahead of time, and your trip will flow much more smoothly. If you want to book a room early to secure a good spot, or look for experiences and tickets like Taipei 101, theme parks, or day tours, you can also compare prices before you set off. For inspiration, take a look atTaiwan Itinerary Planning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay by card in Taiwan? How much cash should I bring?
Large stores, hotels, and convenience stores mostly accept credit cards and mobile payments, but night markets, street food stalls, and some small shops still operate mainly in cash, so it's a good idea to carry some cash on hand. ATMs are widespread, making it easy to withdraw cash.
Do I need to book High Speed Rail (HSR) tickets in advance to come to Taiwan?
On weekdays there's plenty of flexibility, and you can usually buy tickets on the spot or same-day; but for long holidays, weekends, and peak-season popular times, it's advisable to book ahead. Taiwan Railway (TRA) seats to Hualien and Taitung are extremely hard to come by in peak season, so be sure to book early. Actual availability is subject to the official ticketing system, and real-time information should be confirmed via official announcements.
Is Taiwan's tap water safe to drink directly? Do I need to tip?
It's generally recommended to boil tap water before drinking. Most hotels provide water dispensers or hot water kettles, and bottled water is available everywhere at convenience stores, making it very easy to stay hydrated. Taiwan has no tipping culture; most restaurant bills already include a service charge, so tipping is generally not required for ordinary transactions—the thought is what counts.
Will it be hard to get around if I don't speak the language?
Major attractions, stations, and the metro all have English signage, and young people can generally communicate in English to some extent, so paired with a translation app you'll have almost no problems. Relax—Taiwanese people are generally very willing to help.
View Hsinchu County Hotels on Trip.com
View Hsinchu Hotels on Trip.com
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