Top 10 Tips for Traveling in Taiwan: Essential Advice for Solo Female Travelers
Taiwan is a stunning country with some of the friendliest locals I've encountered. Even in areas where language barriers can pose a challenge, they are always willing to assist when you're lost. To fully enjoy your trip, it's essential to research and plan your itinerary. Additionally, consider picking up a few basic Mandarin phrases to interact with the locals. Remember to respect the local customs and traditions. Here are some more travel tips for Taiwan. Let’s go!
Taiwan is a stunning country with some of the friendliest locals I've encountered. Even in areas where language barriers can pose a challenge, they are always willing to assist when you're lost. To fully enjoy your trip, it's essential to research and plan your itinerary. Additionally, consider picking up a few basic Mandarin phrases to interact with the locals. Remember to respect the local customs and traditions. Here are some more travel tips for Taiwan. Let’s go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Female travelers, there's no need to always rely on being a damsel in distress. Arm yourself with proper research, and you'll enhance your Taiwan trip experience.
1. Taiwan Visa Requirements ( Singapore to Taiwan, Philippine Passport holder)
I hold a Philippine Passport and was instructed to obtain a visa through the Taiwan Consulate in Singapore. Directions: Take the yellow line from the MRT, disembark at Labrador Park MRT, and head towards ARC Mall.
Before the procedure, I gathered all the necessary documents listed on their webpage. However, during the submission at the counter, they only required a copy of my IC/employment pass ID, Passport, and the Printed Online application form from the website. It's advisable to come prepared with all the documents outlined on the website. I also submitted a 3-month bank transaction statement and my payslip.
- Bank statement 3 months
- Photocopy of employment contract with 3 months payslip
- Photocopy of IC/ employment pass ID and passport
- Taiwan Itinerary
- Accommodation printouts
- Printed Online application form (go to the Taiwan embassy website and complete your form application with your correct details)
- Passport picture (3.5 x 4.5 cm) glossy with white background
- SGD 65 Processing Fee
Address: 460 Alexandra Road #23-00PSA BuildingSingapore 119963
Nearest MRT Station: CC 27 Labrador Park
Email: visataipeirep@gmail.com
2. Arrival at Taipei Airport
How to get there: To the City
- Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station
- Buy your ticket at counter 7, then take Bus 1819 from the Bus Terminal outside the airport in Row 5.
- Ticket Fare: NT 125
- Travel time: 40-80 minutes (depending on traffic)
How to get there: City to the Airport
Taipei Main Station to Taipei West Bus Station
- Look for signs: Shinkong Mitsukoshi/Zhongxiao W. Road and Station Front Mall
- First Option: Find K-Underground Mall and Exit from K12.
- Second Option after exiting the MRT: In Basement 1, Exit from M5, go to the underground mall and go to Exit Z3. It will take you to the street, turn right and don't go far because that little door a few steps away from you is the terminal you're looking for.
Taipei West Bus Station to Taoyuan Airport
- Ticket fare: NT 125
- Buses depart every 15-20 minutes
- Travel time: 40-80 minutes (depending on traffic)
3. Buy an Easy Card
Make sure to buy your Easy Card, it's equivalent to an Ez link in Singapore and an Octopus card in Hong Kong. The easy card will get you conveniently around the city, and it will serve as your transportation fare when taking the bus and the local train except for the high-speed railway trains.
Loading stations for easy cards can be done in 7'11 outlets, buses, train stations and most convenient stores in Taiwan. The easy card can bought right in front of the arrival exit at the customer service counter inside the airport. You don't need to go far as it is situated in the center of the arrival hall. Purchased one if you're planning to go around Taipei City.
- Easy Card : NT 100 (non-refundable)
- Top-up at least a minimum of NT 300 for train and bus fares. The remaining balance for the easy card can be converted into cash, we had our credit balance exchange in Taipei Main Station Customer Service.
Lockers available in the Taipei Main Station
There are lockers available in the Taipei Main Station to leave your backpacks and a coin machine changer for rental.
4. Booked train tickets online
We booked our early train from Taipei to Hualien online through the Taiwan Railways Administration. Fare Rates are NT 340 - NT 440, depending on the express train. During the online booking don't be alarmed if you don't see Taipei as the starting point, Shulin is another station before Taipei, which means it will pass by Taipei for other passengers.
At the same time don't worry, if you don't see your destination as the last point during your online booking. It only means that you're destination is not the last stop, it will drop by your desired place and will keep going to other stations as well. For online booking, you can have your train tickets printed at the most convenient stores like 7'11, at a fee of NT 28, or have it printed in train stations for a lesser fee.
You can purchase a packed lunch inside the train at an affordable price, I actually find it delicious and satisfying especially having it with a great view of the countryside.
5. Short Distance Travel Outside Taipei
Book an RTA Ticket ( Taiwan Railways Administration ) the night before your trip, in that way, you're able to choose the train timing and make sure there are seats available for the next day's travel. It's very convenient to book an RTA ticket just look for the automated machine in the train station and press your desired time and destination on the screen.
Nearby Attractions: Release Sky Lanterns in Shifen and Food trip in Jiufen's Old Street.
6. Be early at the train station
If you're catching a train in the morning please ensure to be at the train station at least 1 hour before time especially if you're a clueless tourist like me. The train station is huge and the trains are efficiently on time and leave a minute after the arrival. An hour early gives you plenty of time to get lost, be on the correct platform, or the right car train, refund a ticket, have some snacks and even have a relax waiting time.
Don't lose your ticket even if you've boarded the train and keep it somewhere accessible for last minute glance at train details before boarding and for the ticket collection afterwards. Double check the train platform, train number, train arrival, your train car number and make sure you're seated at the right number. One mistake can cause you to miss out on your train. Book your tickets ahead of time if you buy the tickets right there on the spot it might be fully booked for the day.
How to Refund train tickets:
As long as you come one hour before your scheduled train then you have a chance to refund your tickets. Proceed to the train station ticket counter for the desired transaction.
7. Research What You Want To Do
Know what you want to do, if you want to stay in the city or the outskirts of town of Taiwan. If you want to do hiking for the nature enthusiast, wild adventures like bungee jumping, river trekking or white water rafting, food trip, shopping or a city historical tour. Research the weather conditions, and the activities in that area and book your accommodation.
We stayed in Hualien for 3 days:
Took the train back to Taipei City and stayed there for 4 days:
8. Check the Weather
Determine the weather in Taiwan so you can plan your activities appropriately. I love the beach and the mountains so I chose Summer for my trip.
- Spring: March to May, 25 degrees Celsius or 78 degrees Fahrenheit
- Summer: June to August, 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Autumn: September to November, less rainfall and still warm
- Winter: December to February, 8 degrees Celsius or 46 degrees Fahrenheit
9. Food Adventures
Enjoy the Night Markets around the city and even on the outskirts of town these night events are around the corner. You will go crazy for your first night market and that is just normal. Also, try delicious street food such as bubble tea, beef noodle soup and more.
However, if you're on a tight budget try to avoid spending too much in the market on the second or third visit. We just pass by the night market for some snacks and have our full meal in nearby small restaurants around the hostel.
10. Wrong Turns
Always remember that wrong turns are sometimes the right way, just because we came upon an unusual place and it's not what we expected doesn't mean it's a mistake or a terrible misfortune. Everybody has their own story in their travels, I don't have the perfect itinerary for my feet leads me to places I've never expected to be. At the end of the day what matters most is how you perceive things. This is my story and I love wrong turns.
We got lost plenty of times in our trip but we don't carry the temper all day long. Just let it go and enjoy where you at. A place where hidden treasures are always in unpaved paths.
Places to Visit in Taiwan:
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have one more day to spare why not go River Trekking in Hualien, Taiwan.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to visit my sister in South Korea and visit the land where my favorite Korean dish "bibimbap" materialized in this world.
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