Planning a trip to Taiwan? Start with the five decisions that matter most: whether your passport qualifies for entry without a visa, whether you need to submit the free Taiwan Arrival Card, which airport you are flying into, how you will reach your first hotel, and how you will stay connected. Then choose rail tickets, luggage storage and activities to fit your actual itinerary.
This guide is for international English-speaking visitors. Visa rules vary by passport and trip purpose; transport and products can change between booking and departure.
Taipei 101 illuminated above a busy Taipei street at night. Original TUKISUMI Japan photography.
1. Check Taiwan entry requirements for your passport
Do not assume visa-free entry because a friend from another country was admitted without a visa. Start with Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) visa-exemption page, then consult its visa and eVisa information if your passport or trip purpose is not covered. Visa exemption may differ by nationality, passport type, stay duration and special conditions.
Before booking non-refundable arrangements, check all of the following for your own passport:
- Permitted stay: the number of days allowed and whether an extension is possible; do not infer one nationality's allowance from another.
- Passport validity: the generally applicable rule and any nationality-specific exceptions. For example, BOCA describes exceptions for some passport holders; a blanket six-month statement is misleading.
- Supporting documents: onward or return travel, accommodation, proof of funds or other documents listed for your entry category.
- Purpose: tourism and short meetings are not necessarily permission to work or take up residence.
If you need a visa, follow the official application route rather than assuming the Taiwan Arrival Card substitutes for one.
2. Submit the free Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), if required
Taiwan replaced paper arrival cards with the online Taiwan Arrival Card on 1 October 2025. As of the November 2026 review, the official TWAC website says to complete and submit the form within seven days before arrival. Submission is free. Avoid lookalike paid services and sponsored search results that imitate the government form.
Official National Immigration Agency TWAC website, screenshot recorded by TUKISUMI Japan on 7 November 2026. The displayed calendar dates are illustrative of that capture, not a current submission schedule.
Who needs TWAC?
The official TWAC notice identifies most foreign visitors who do not hold an Alien Resident Certificate, resident visa or Taiwan diplomatic ID card as required to submit. It also identifies certain other traveller categories, including some holders of permits from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau and nationals without household registration. Resident-status exceptions exist. Check the official list for your exact travel document before submitting.
How to complete it
- Open https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/ and choose the official Submit Arrival Card function.
- Verify your email address; enter your passport details, occupation/phone and itinerary or accommodation details requested by the live form.
- Review names, passport number, arrival date and flight details carefully.
- Submit and retain the confirmation email. The official service also provides an update function if details change.
Important: TWAC is not a visa, is not a customs declaration, and does not guarantee entry. Follow any separate customs, quarantine or other border instructions relevant to what you carry.
3. Choose your arrival airport and first transfer
Taiwan has three especially relevant international arrival gateways for this guide. Compare the airport code on your ticket, your first night's location and the local time you clear immigration—not simply the city name.
| Airport | Public transport starting point | When to consider a taxi or booked transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) | Taoyuan Airport MRT links the terminals to Taipei Main Station; check Express vs Commuter services, terminal and last train. Airport buses may suit different destinations. | Hotel is far from a rail stop, the flight arrives after useful services, or your group has several large bags. |
| Taipei Songshan (TSA) | Taipei Metro's Songshan Airport station, BR13, sits on the Wenhu Line. Check transfers if you are not staying near that line. | Heavy luggage or a destination requiring multiple metro changes. |
| Kaohsiung (KHH) | Kaohsiung MRT Red Line R4 serves the airport: Exit 6 is linked to the international terminal. | Late arrivals, young children, several bags or an onward address away from MRT. |
Picking the right option
Solo traveller near a station: check the rail/MRT route and the last departure before paying for a car. Family of four with suitcases: compare the entire fare and door-to-door convenience, not a single train ticket against a whole vehicle. After-midnight arrival: confirm actual operating hours; do not assume rail runs overnight. Southbound trip: consider whether arrival at KHH avoids an unnecessary transfer from the Taipei region.
For a taxi, use airport-authorised ranks and confirm how payment works. If pre-booking, verify pickup terminal, meeting point, flight-delay policy, child-seat request, luggage capacity, cancellation terms and who operates the ride. Kiwitaxi has a Taiwan destination page, but availability for the specific route and any TUKISUMI referral terms must be checked separately.
4. Choose a Taiwan eSIM, physical SIM or roaming plan
Maps, translated addresses, tickets and hotel messages are easier with mobile data. There is no universally best option:
| Option | Works well when | Check before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Your unlocked device supports eSIM and you want data ready after landing | Taiwan included; network, allowance, validity trigger, hotspot rules, data-only vs phone number. |
| Physical tourist SIM | Your phone has a compatible SIM slot or no eSIM support | Device unlock, passport-registration requirements, airport counter hours and voice/SMS needs. |
| Home-carrier roaming | You need your existing phone number and value simpler activation | Roaming charges, high-speed allowance, fair-use restrictions and coverage. |
You can compare current Taiwan product pages from Airalo and Saily, but do not mistake an eSIM for a local voice number. If you rely on your home SIM for banking one-time passwords, check your phone's dual-SIM settings and roaming costs. Install or prepare the eSIM while connected to reliable Wi-Fi, following that provider's activation instructions. Keep an offline copy of your hotel address in Traditional Chinese.
For mountain or remote east-coast travel, compare the plan's named network and coverage maps, not just the word "Taiwan". Network availability and throttling can vary by location and product.
5. Get around Taiwan: THSR, TRA, metro and buses
The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and Taiwan Railways (TRA) are different systems. A THSR stop may be outside the old city centre. Compare door-to-door journey time, the last connection and whether your destination is served by either network.
| Transport | Best use | Common booking mistake |
|---|---|---|
| THSR | Fast trips along Taiwan's western corridor | Assuming the THSR station is beside the city's TRA station or hotel. |
| TRA | Regional journeys and many eastern routes | Booking the wrong train class or assuming all seats are unreserved. |
| Taipei / Kaohsiung MRT | City trips and selected airport links | Confusing local line maps, payment methods or operating hours. |
| Local / intercity bus | Attractions not close to rail stations | Missing the last return service or departing from the wrong stop. |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle | Selected visitor routes beyond rail hubs | Assuming the same frequency every day or that reservations are never required. |
EasyCard and iPASS: these stored-value cards can be practical for many metro, bus and selected rail journeys, but acceptance and fare rules differ by operator and train category. Verify whether a particular train requires a separate reservation or ticket; an electronic card is not a substitute for every reserved-seat booking. See the Tourism Administration's transport information and the operator's rules.
If travelling to the east coast, highlands or an island, inspect current weather, route closures and timetable alerts before committing to a tight onward connection.
6. Store your luggage between check-out and departure
The least complicated choice is often the hotel, if it offers same-day bag storage. Otherwise look for an official station counter, locker or airport service near the place where you will actually collect the bag.
Check opening and collection hours, bag dimensions, prohibited items and whether you need coins, a card or an app. Do not leave passports, medication, valuables or urgent travel documents in an inaccessible bag.
Bounce lists luggage-storage locations in Taipei, including locations around Taipei Main Station, but availability, opening times, bag acceptance and price are location-specific. Its Taipei presence does not establish coverage elsewhere in Taiwan; check the selected location's current availability and terms.
7. Choose appropriate travel insurance
Compare products based on your country of residence, age, travel dates, planned activities and actual destination. Medical expenses and evacuation deserve attention, alongside travel delay, luggage, cancellation and interruption. Separate products may cover these very differently.
Ask: Is Taiwan included? What are the deductibles and caps? Are pre-existing conditions or activities excluded? Is trip cancellation included or only interruption after departure? How do claims and emergency assistance work? Check the policy wording before purchase.
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is one example to inspect, not a universal recommendation. Its Essential and Complete plans differ; do not assume all plans include trip cancellation or that every traveller can buy one. Before buying, confirm that the policy is available to you and covers your destination, activities and travel dates.
8. Book Taiwan tours, activities and attraction tickets thoughtfully
Compare the same date and product with the official attraction/operator website and a platform. Klook and KKday can help discover Taipei experiences, food tours, cultural activities, transport-related tickets and regional day trips.
Before checkout, check the actual language of the guide, where to meet, how to redeem (QR code, voucher or exchange counter), age/height restrictions, inclusions, weather policy and cancellation deadline. A destination page is a browsing starting point, not a guarantee that a particular tour is bookable.
Compare availability, final prices and booking conditions on each platform before checkout.
9. A realistic first Taiwan itinerary
3–4 days: stay primarily in Taipei, visit a few neighbourhoods and allow one optional day trip without overloading every day. 5–7 days: pair Taipei with one additional city or region such as Tainan or Kaohsiung, using THSR or TRA where suitable. 8+ days: add a third region only after checking transfers, seasonality and weather exposure. An eastern or mountain route needs more contingency time than a sequence of western rail cities.
Choose your first hotel based on the arrival transfer and your next morning's plans. Keep day one flexible if arriving on a long-haul flight.
10. Taiwan travel checklist
Before departure
- Check passport-specific entry requirements, permitted stay and documents using BOCA.
- Within seven days of arrival, complete free official TWAC if required; save its confirmation.
- Verify the airport code, arrival terminal and route to your first hotel.
- Check eSIM compatibility or arrange SIM/roaming; download an offline address and map.
- Read insurance exclusions and save emergency-assistance details.
- Check any THSR/TRA reservations, attraction vouchers and cancellation rules.
At the airport
- Follow immigration instructions and any separate customs/quarantine declarations.
- Connect to mobile data or trusted Wi-Fi, and confirm your first transfer is still operating.
- Obtain transport payment or tickets suitable for that journey; keep a backup payment method.
During the trip
- Check weather and public-transport alerts before regional excursions.
- Keep your booking instructions and hotel address accessible offline.
- Confirm baggage-collection hours and departure-airport transfer the day before leaving.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Taiwan?
It depends on your passport, passport type, trip purpose and intended stay. Use BOCA's current official eligibility guidance; do not rely on a single global nationality list.
When can I submit the Taiwan Arrival Card in 2026?
The official site currently permits submission within seven days before arrival. Check whether your document and residence status require it.
Is Taiwan Arrival Card free and is it the same as a visa?
It is free on the official government site and is not a visa. Beware of lookalike paid pages.
Is an eSIM better than buying a SIM at Taoyuan Airport?
An eSIM is convenient on compatible unlocked phones; an airport SIM may better suit someone needing a physical card or local-number features. Compare actual plan terms and counter hours.
How do I get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?
Airport MRT is a common choice for railway-connected destinations. Airport buses, authorised taxis and pre-booked transfers can be better for other addresses, late arrivals or heavy luggage. Check terminal-specific last services.
Can I use EasyCard on Taiwan High Speed Rail?
Do not assume your ordinary stored-value card substitutes for a THSR ticket. Check THSR's current ticketing and discount rules, and book the appropriate ticket.
Are Taipei Songshan and Taoyuan airports the same?
No. TSA is Taipei Songshan and TPE is Taiwan Taoyuan; their airport transfers are different.
Where can I store my bags in Taipei?
Ask your hotel first, then compare station lockers/counters and confirmed third-party locations such as Bounce's Taipei listings. Check collection times and restrictions.
Do Klook and KKday always have the lowest price?
No. Compare the identical experience/date, taxes, refund terms and redemption conditions with the operator's own site.
Official planning resources
- BOCA visa-exempt entry guidance
- BOCA visa categories and application entry points
- Taiwan Arrival Card official website and eligibility notice
- Taiwan Tourism Administration
- Taoyuan Airport MRT
- Taipei Metro Songshan Airport station
- Kaohsiung airport ground transportation
- Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railway
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