TravPa

Taiwan

Temple courtyards and night markets in Taipei, sky lanterns in Shifen and teahouse lanes in Jiufen, Tainan's Dutch-era forts and Kaohsiung's harbor, linked by fast trains.

Best timeOct to DecMoneyNew Taiwan dollar (TWD)PlugsTwo-pin and three-pin sockets, 110 VMain airportTaipei (TPE)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips start with 2 or 3 days in Taipei, including a train day out to Shifen and Jiufen, about 45 min to Ruifang before the branch line. The high-speed rail then reaches Tainan in about 1 h 45 min, Kaohsiung is 30 to 40 min farther by express train, and trains from Zuoying to Taoyuan take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, before the airport connection.

Taiwan is warm all year. March to May is the rainy season, with days of drizzle; typhoons can strike from June into autumn, and summer is hot. September to November is cool and comfortable, and the short winters stay mild in the lowlands.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janMildfebMildmarRainyaprRainymayRainyjunHotjulTyphoonsaugTyphoonssepTyphoonsoctBestnovBestdecBest

New Taipei holds the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival each year for the Lantern Festival; the 2027 edition is listed for February, with dates to be announced.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Taipei]
Taipei in 3 daysLongshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain, Raohe Night Market, National Palace Museum, Tamsui, Shifen, JiufenBalanced pace
[Photo: Taiwan]
Taiwan in 5 daysLongshan Temple, Taipei 101, Raohe Night Market, Shifen, Jiufen, Chihkan Tower, Anping, Pier-2, Cijin IslandBalanced pace

Where to stay

KaohsiungNear Formosa Boulevard for the metro and Liuhe Night Market; Yancheng for Pier-2 and the Cijin ferry; Zuoying for the high-speed rail and Lotus Pond.Best areas to stay in KaohsiungHotels in Kaohsiung
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TainanWest Central District for temples, food and Shennong Street; near Tainan Station for trains; Anping for the forts and the waterfront.Best areas to stay in TainanHotels in Tainan
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TaipeiAround Taipei Main Station for trains and the airport line; Ximending and Wanhua for old streets and late food; Xinyi for Taipei 101 and malls; Da'an for leafy lanes and Yongkang Street.Best areas to stay in TaipeiHotels in Taipei
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Getting around

  • High-speed rail: Taiwan High Speed Rail runs down the west coast: Taipei to Tainan takes about 1 h 45 min, and Zuoying in Kaohsiung to Taoyuan roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the service.
  • Trains: Taiwan Railway trains cover shorter hops, such as Taipei to Ruifang in about 45 min for Jiufen and Shifen, and Tainan to Kaohsiung in 30 to 40 min by express.
  • Metro and buses: Taipei and Kaohsiung have metro lines, and an EasyCard or iPass pays for the metro and buses.
  • To the airport: The Taoyuan Airport MRT links the high-speed rail station at Taoyuan with Terminal 1 in about 19 min; allow extra time for connections and your terminal.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates.
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Phone dataMobile data keeps train timetables, maps and translation at hand, which helps with menus at night markets and when a typhoon changes plans.How a travel eSIM works
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