Taiwan

Touching down in Taiwan, you’ll notice how easy it is to get oriented if you do a little prep in advance. Buy and activate a Hello eSIM before you land so your phone connects the moment the plane’s doors open, making it simple to follow signs, check transport schedules, and message your accommodation without hunting for airport Wi‑Fi.

From Taoyuan International Airport to central Taipei, the Airport MRT is usually the fastest option, taking about 35–40 minutes. Taxis are plentiful and metered; if you’re tired after a long flight, they’re a comfortable alternative. Keep an address written in Chinese characters for drivers, as not everyone reads Romanized street names.

Immigration is generally efficient, but double‑check entry requirements and any visa‑free rules well before flying. Taiwan is strict about bringing in fresh fruit, meat, and some agricultural products, so clear out snacks that might be confiscated.

On arrival day, avoid over‑planning. Use Hello’s trip planning to drop in a few light activities near your hotel—such as an evening stroll around Ximending or a quick visit to Longshan Temple—then adjust on the fly. That way you can ease into the time zone, sample your first bubble tea, and get a feel for Taiwan’s energetic yet welcoming pace.

Taiwan is a paradise for food lovers, and the easiest way to dive in is through its night markets. In Taipei, start with Shilin Night Market or Raohe Street Night Market for classics like stinky tofu, pepper buns, and oyster omelets. In Taichung, Fengjia Night Market is enormous and perfect for snacking your way through an evening.

Most street food dishes cost around NT$50–120 (roughly US$1.50–4), so you can taste widely without breaking your budget. Use Hello’s budget tracking to keep an eye on how many cash-only bites you’re indulging in; the app’s local-currency overview helps you see what you’ve spent at a glance.

Beyond street food, try a traditional breakfast at a shop like Fu Hang Soy Milk in Taipei: hot soy milk, egg crepes, and sesame flatbreads. For regional flavors, Tainan is known for sweet, rich sauces and dishes like dan zai mien (noodles with minced pork), while coastal cities shine for ultra-fresh seafood.

Many places are self-service when it comes to ordering and paying. When you share a table feast—say, at a hot pot restaurant in Xinyi or a seafood stall in Keelung—Hello’s expense splitting feature makes it simple to divide the bill fairly, even if some friends went heavier on the wagyu or extra beers.

Taiwan is compact and incredibly easy to navigate once you understand the basics. For long distances, use the High Speed Rail (HSR) along the west coast to zip between Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung in a few hours. Reserve seats online or at stations, and add journeys into Hello’s trip planning so you don’t lose track of departure times.

City transport is equally straightforward. Taipei’s MRT reaches most key sights, from Taipei 101 to Beitou hot springs and Elephant Mountain. Kaohsiung’s metro and light rail link attractions like the Pier-2 Art Center and Lotus Pond. Buy an EasyCard or iPASS and top it up at convenience stores; the same card works on buses and some local trains.

Scooter rentals are popular in places like Hualien, Taitung, or Green Island, but check license requirements and always wear a helmet. Traffic is generally orderly, yet intersections can be busy, so ride defensively.

Reliable data makes navigation far less stressful. With Hello eSIM, you can use maps to follow bus routes in smaller towns, look up real-time train changes, and hail taxis via local apps without worrying about roaming charges. Screenshot key Chinese place names before going offline in remote areas or on mountain roads.

Taiwan is not the cheapest destination in Asia, but it offers excellent value. As a rough guide: a typical local meal at a casual eatery costs around NT$100–200 (US$3–7), coffee in a café about NT$80–150, and a metro ride in Taipei usually falls between NT$20–50. Mid-range hotels often start around NT$1,500–2,500 per night (US$45–80), depending on location and season.

Cash is still widely used, especially in night markets, older restaurants, and rural areas, though cards and mobile payments are increasingly accepted in cities. It’s wise to withdraw some cash from ATMs at the airport or major banks; foreign cards generally work, but daily limits vary.

To keep your spending under control, use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily target in New Taiwan Dollars. The app helps categorize what you’re spending on food, transport, and activities, useful for deciding whether that extra craft cocktail in Zhongshan or another day trip to Jiufen fits your plan.

Traveling with companions? When you split a homestay in Alishan, share a seafood banquet in Taitung, or jointly pay for a rental car to reach more remote hot spring towns, Hello’s expense splitting avoids awkward math at the end of the day. Just log costs as you go and let the app handle who owes what.