Taiwan

Travel tips for Taiwan: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. While cards and Apple Pay work at convenience stores, larger restaurants, and the Taipei Metro, 2025-2026 Reddit reports stress that cash remains king for night markets and small local eateries. You must carry NTD daily.

Try the food

Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵): A deeply savory, dark broth filled with tender braised beef chunks, chewy wheat noodles, and pickled mustard greens.
Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯): Finely chopped pork belly slow-cooked in soy sauce and five-spice powder, served over a bowl of steaming white rice.
Soup Dumplings (小籠包): Delicate, thin-skinned steamed buns filled with seasoned minced pork and a rich, scalding hot savory broth.
Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶): A sweet, milky tea beverage shaken with ice and filled with chewy black tapioca pearls.

Say it in Chinese

Hello: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
Thank you: 謝謝 (Xièxiè)
Please: 請 (Qǐng)
Excuse me: 不好意思 (Bù hǎoyìsi)
How much is this?: 這個多少錢？ (Zhège duōshǎo qián?)
The bill please: 買單 (Mǎidān)
Yes / No: 是 / 不是 (Shì / Bú shì)
Goodbye: 再見 (Zàijiàn)

Essentials

Plugs: Type A / Type B
Voltage: 110V, 60Hz
Driving: Right side
Tap water: Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency: 110 (police), 119 (fire/ambulance)
SIM tip: Pick up a prepaid tourist SIM card with unlimited data from major providers like Chunghwa Telecom or Taiwan Mobile directly at the airport arrivals hall.

Etiquette

Tipping is not customary in Taiwan; a 10% service charge is often added to the bill at nicer restaurants, but leaving extra cash on the table is unnecessary and may cause staff to chase you down to return it.