Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a visa required?

  • Visitors from 65 countries including the United States, Canada, European Union member states, Korea, Japan, Singapore and more can visit visa free from 14-90 days. Please refer to the official Bureau of Consular Affairs website for more updated information.

• Is vaccine required for travel to Taiwan?

  • No, the Taiwan Center for Disease Control has not imposed entry restrictions based on vaccination status.

• Is quarantine required upon arrival in Taiwan?

  • No, quarantine is no longer required as of 2022 and all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

• Is Taipei safe?

  • Taipei is one of the safest cities in the world. The crime rate is very low and it is safe to walk around the city late at night. You can often see people leave their bags and laptops at the table at restaurants and cafes while going to the restroom. However, we still recommend caution so please use your best judgement.

• What’s the weather like in Taiwan during December?

  • Taipei has relatively mild winters with average temperatures of 20°C high / 14°C low (69°F high / 58°F low). Do bring a winter jacket for the occasional windy nights when temperatures may dip below 10°C (50°F).

• Is English widely used?

  • English is mandatory in public schools in Taiwan so many young people speak some level of English. Many restaurants and cafes also have bilingual menus although they are rare at smaller, more local establishments. Public transportation and many public services are also required by law to have signage in English or offer English support.

• Is tap water drinkable?

  • Yes, the Taipei municipal tap water supply is safe to drink according to the Taipei city government and many public water fountains including the ones at the subway stations use tap water. Most people still prefer to boil or filter the tap water before drinking.

• What SIM card should I get and where can I buy one?

  • Chunghwa Telecom is the biggest provider with the widest coverage. Most telecom companies will do well in Taipei but if you plan to venture out of the city and into smaller towns or mountain regions, we recommend getting a SIM card from Chunghwa. The tourist SIM card package with unlimited data and hotspot tethering is available at the airport and any Chunghwa store around Taipei. You will need your passport to purchase a card and the packages range from $300TWD for 5 days to $1000TWD for 30 days. Visit their official site for more information.

• What’s the best method to get around town?

  • The Taipei Metro system has subways and light rails that cover most of Taipei. There are also many buses throughout Taipei and most of them use dedicated bus lanes so buses are still a viable option during traffic. YouBike rental bikes are available by the minute from many automated rental stations throughout the city. You will need an EasyCard which is available for sale and reload at most convenient stores and metro stations to access public transport and YouBike. The EasyCard can also be used to pay for goods at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and other establishments as well.

  • After 10 or 11PM, Uber and taxis may be quicker than public transport since most trains stop running and buses are on reduced schedules. Prepare some cash and have your address ready in Chinese for the taxi drivers.

• Do I need cash?

  • Visa, MasterCard, and JCB credit cards are widely accepted while American Express is limited to higher end establishments. You will need cash to reload your EasyCard for transport and to pay small vendors such as those in night markets and outside of Taipei city.

  • The Cathay United Bank ATMs in Taipei Metro stations work well with foreign debit cards and often do not charge an ATM usage fee, although your bank still might. Make sure you decline the currency conversion option because they charge a 3-5% conversion fee. Your bank will almost always offer a better rate.

  • There are automatic currency exchange machines at the Taoyuan International Airport from MEGA Bank and Taiwan Bank for major currencies and most banks in the city should be able to exchange foreign currencies as well. The exchange rate is comparable at the airport and in banks in the city and all currency exchanges in Taiwan are required to be licensed and regulated. You will need your passport to exchange foreign currency.

• Are tips or gratuity expected?

  • Tips are not expected and can sometimes confuse your servers who are not accustomed to tips. High end restaurants, bars, and nightclubs may impose a mandatory service charge. You may find tip jars at places frequented by foreigners although they are rare.

• Which airport should I fly into?

  • For most international visitors, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) will have the most flight options. The airport is about 45 minutes away by taxi, and an hour by the Taoyuan Airport MRT express train connecting to Taipei Main Station. From Taipei Main Station, you can transfer to most other subway lines. The taxi should cost around $1100-1500TWD to Taipei, and the airport express train that runs every 30 minutes costs $160TWD to Taipei Main Station.

  • Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) has nonstop flights for visitors flying via Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chongqing, and elsewhere in Taiwan and is inside Taipei city. Songshan Airport is a short taxi ride to most places in Taipei and is directly connected to the brown MRT light rail. It takes about 10 minutes to go from the Songshan Airport to the conference venue by taxi or public transport rail.

• What train options are the best?

  • Taipei has two main train stations servicing the train routes connecting the east and west side of the island and almost all trains will stop at both stations. Taipei Main Station is usually slightly closer for people coming from the west side of Taiwan including Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Nangang Station will be slightly closer for people arriving from the east side including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung.

  • There are a few different classes of trains. For large cities on the west side, the Taiwan High Speed Rail will be the fastest and most comfortable option, but stations outside of Taipei are usually not in the city center. For Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung, there are a few express trains from Taiwan Railway including Puyuma Express and Taroko Express. Many other trains are available including limited express trains and local trains all throughout Taiwan and some of them can be taken without a reservation using the EasyCard.