Taipei, Taiwan

Visas: If you wish to enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor (less than 90 days,) you will not need a visa. No extensions or changes of status are permitted. Your U.S. passport must be valid throughout your intended length of stay and you must have a confirmed return or onward air ticket.
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Weather: Spring (late April to early June) and autumn (September to November) offer the best weather - neither roasting hot or miserably cold. You can see fireflies April to May and enjoy tropical fruits from June to August.

Cost: Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwanese Dollar NT$; you won’t be able to use other currencies in Taipei. Below are the average of the common expenses…

• Double room in a hotel: NT$3,000
• Lunch & dinner: NT$200-500
• Public Transport & two short taxi trips: NT$300

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in restaurants or taxis (but is still appreciated.)

• It is usual to tip the porter at better hotels (NT$100 is considered courteous.)
• With tour guides, a 10% addition to the fee if you are happy with the service.
• While visiting restaurants and bars, note that the 10% to 15% service charge added to bills at many establishments is not a tip that is shared with the staff.

Health: It is recommended that you buy bottled water or bring your own water bottle. There are drinking water dispensers in major tourist sites, temples, some MRT stations and hospitals.

• Required vaccinations
  • ​Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas
  • Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended.

​Getting Around:

• Bus: CIty buses are generally clean and comfortable and run frequently. Most city buses have LED displays at the front in Chinese and English and a screen above the driver in the same format announcing stops. Fares are NT$15 on most short routes within the city centre.
• Taxi: The taxis run 24 hours a day. From 11pm to 6am there is a surcharge of NT$20 on top of the fare.
• Train: Clean and safe, MRT trains run from 6am to midnight. Announcements are in Chinese and English, as are fares and routes at ticket machines. Fares depend on length of journey and vary from NT$20 to NT$65. Coins and bills are accepted and change is provided, though it is best of buy day passes or an EasyCard.

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