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Taiwan Travel Budget: How Much Does It Cost To Travel Taiwan

Taiwan isn't on the radar of many travelers and I don't understand why. I really feel this small island deserves much more attention as it has much to offer!

Perhaps it's because travelers feel it will be too expensive and I admit I also wasn't sure what to expect from the cost of travel in Taiwan.

However, after spending a month in Taiwan I can safely say that it's a very affordable country!

In this post, you will find a full Taiwan trip budget breakdown and clever budget-saving tips in order to make the most of your money in Taiwan.

Taiwan travel budget

Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness Taipei

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How to travel Taiwan on a budget

Wondering how much money to bring to Taiwan? You may be surprised to learn that during our trip around Taiwan we spent approximately 2065 NT / €63 / $69 per day as a couple.

Is Taiwan cheap? Is Taiwan expensive? This obviously depends on your personal opinion, but for us, the daily amount we spent was similar to several countries in Southeast Asia.

While not among the cheapest places we traveled (Sri Lanka is the cheapest country we've been to so far) we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable Taiwan actually is.

In the infographic below you can find a detailed budget breakdown of our Taiwan trip to give you a quick overview of how much (or actually how little) you can spend during your trip in Taiwan.

Of course, the amount you’ll spend depends on your style of travel, the length of your trip, and the type of accommodation you choose.

However, compared to countries such as JapanNew ZealandCanada, and Europe, Taiwan is a very affordable destination.

Generally speaking, you can travel around Taiwan on a budget of $35-$70 per day (per person). As you can see in the infographic, we spent $69 per day as a couple.

I’ll explain more about the total costs of a trip to Taiwan, plus how much we spent on accommodation, food, transport, and activities further on in the post.

How to travel Taiwan on a budget! We spent €63/$69 per day during our 1-month trip. Read all about the costs for accommodation, transport, food & activities. #Taiwan #Travel

Taiwan budget: facts and figures

  • I traveled with my husband, and all the Taiwan expenses mentioned are for the two of us together.
  • I quote prices in the New Taiwan Dollar (NT), as well as in Euros () and US Dollars ($). When we were in Taiwan, €1 was around 33NT and $1 was around 30NT. Of course, the exchange rate varies, you can check the current rate here.
  • I spent 29 days in Taiwan, on an average day we spent 2065NT (€63/$69). I found prices in Taiwan to be fairly similar throughout the country.
  • Our Taiwan trip budget includes all our travel costs in Taiwan, it does not include the costs of our tickets to Taiwan.
  • Our Taiwan trip started in Kaohsiung and ended in Taipei. We also visited Kenting National Park, Tainan, Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, and Hualien.
Taichung by night

How to save money when planning a trip to Taiwan

The good news is: traveling to Taiwan on a budget is definitely possible!

That being said, it's important to plan carefully, look for discounts, and be flexible with your itinerary to make the most of your travel budget for Taiwan.

I hope this post will give you an idea of the costs of traveling in Taiwan, as well as some practical tips about how to stretch your travel budget.

Avoid peak season (travel during shoulder season instead)

While there is no such thing as one main high season in Taiwan, there are some times of the year when domestic travel is at its peak. These are times to avoid because that's when accommodation prices are at their highest.

The busiest times when it comes to domestic travel are the Lunar New Year, the summer months (July and August), and, to a lesser extent, the weekends.

If you have the option to be flexible with your travel dates and avoid these months/times, this is a great way to save money on your Taiwan trip.

For example, we often made sure to avoid National Parks and popular day trip and weekend trip options (such as Sun Moon Lake and Kenting National Park) during the weekends.

Instead, we visited big cities. In our experience, hotel prices were generally lower there during the weekend, perhaps because there are fewer business travelers during those days.

Blue ocean near Taroko Gorge and Hualien

Save money on flights

You can look for discounts on flights to Taiwan on websites like Kiwi.com. Try different travel dates and see how this affects the price of your flight.

Generally, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Airlines often offer discounted fares on these days, so it's worth checking the booking sites and comparing prices on different days of the week.

You’ll get a better deal by booking your flight in advance. For domestic flights 1-3 months before your trip is ideal.

Although, within Taiwan, you don't really need to fly as the country is fairly small and you can easily cover the distances by high-speed rail (read more below).

For international flights, it’s best to book 2-8 months in advance. Tickets to Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport) are pretty much always the cheapest option but keep an eye open for tickets to Kaohsiung International Airport (the second-largest airport in Taiwan) as well.

Lastly, you may be able to find cheap flights if you're willing to be flexible with your departure and arrival times.

Sure, it’s not ideal to arrive in the middle of the night, but if it saves you hundreds of dollars it’s worth losing one night of good sleep.

✈️ Click here to find the best ticket deals

Book your accommodation in advance

Once you've got your flights booked, it’s time to research budget accommodation. I always use Agoda and Booking to find the best value-for-money accommodation for our trips.

I recommend checking both platforms before you book to make sure you get the best deal.

Please note that Agoda includes taxes in their price whereas Booking doesn't always include this. Make sure to check this before finalizing your booking.

Also, if you're in a country with hefty ATM fees or a limit on how much cash you can withdraw per transaction it can be better to book with Agoda as you can often pay online with your credit card (thereby reducing your need for cash).

Buy an EasyCard

I recommend that as soon as you arrive in Taiwan, you pick up an EasyCard.

You can use this pass all over Taiwan to pay for public transport (MRT, bicycles, buses, trains, ferries, etc.). What's more: an Easy Card gives you a discount on transport fares and saves you the hassle of having to pay with coins.

You can top up your credit in 7-11 and Family Mart (you can also pay with your EasyCard in these shops and several others).

Book discounted high-speed rail tickets online

An excellent way to save money is by booking discounted train tickets for Taiwan's efficient and comfortable high-speed rail online.

This great deal is only available to foreign travelers and it makes train travel in Taiwan even more enjoyable and affordable. ? Book discounted HSR tickets here.

perfect-guide-how-to-travel-Taiwan-on-a-budget-phenomenalglobe.com
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Cost to travel Taiwan: our average daily expenses

Now that you know some great ways to save money in the planning phase of your Taiwan trip, it's time for a deep dive into our Taiwan expenses. Our daily budget can be divided into four categories:

  1. Accommodation costs: 37% of our daily expenses
  2. Transportation costs: 13% of our daily expenses
  3. Cost of food and drinks: 42% of our daily expenses
  4. Activity costs + miscellaneous expenses: 8% of our daily expenses

1. Where to stay in Taiwan on a budget

I was expecting accommodation to be more expensive but there is plenty of budget accommodation available in Taiwan!

We only stayed in private rooms (no dorm rooms), on average we spent 775NT / €23 / $26 per day. We stayed at hotels (booked via Agoda or Booking) and accommodations via Airbnb.

In the table below you can find the places we stayed at, but I’ve also written a separate post about our accommodation in Taiwan.

LocationAccommodation namePrice per nightBook viaBook via
HengchunKenting Light Blue Bed and Breakfast€34/$35AgodaBooking
HualienHoney B Trip B&B€49/$50AgodaBooking
Kaohsiung85 Good Time Hotel€46/$47AgodaBooking
Sun Moon LakeItathao Hotel€45/$46AgodaBooking
TaichungModern Inn€32/$33AgodaBooking
TainanTie Dao Hotel€30/$31AgodaBooking
TaipeiComma Boutique Hotel€48/$49AgodaBooking

* Unfortunately, the Airbnbs we stayed at in Kaohsiung and Taipei are no longer available due to Covid-19. I've done my utmost to find a suitable alternative (see table).

I've also updated the prices, which have increased since our trip to Taiwan. That being said, I still think the hotels listed are good and comfortable budget hotels in Taiwan that won't break the bank and offer excellent value for money.

Budget hotels we stayed at in Taiwan

  • Kenting Light Blue Bed and Breakfast (Henghun): a lovely B&B that is centrally located and offers great value for money. Large rooms with comfortable beds and shared bathroom facilities (very clean!). Book here.
  • Honey B Trip B&B (Hualien): this was our favorite accommodation in Taiwan. Our room was very big with a super comfortable bed. We even had a sofa and a small desk. The bathroom was modern with an excellent shower. Book here.
  • 85 Good Time Hotel 85時光-高雄85大樓 (Kaohsiung): situated in the famous 85 Sky Tower and a great place to base yourself for your Kaohsiung trip. The rooms have air conditioning, very comfortable beds, and a private bathroom. Book here.
  • Itathao Hotel (Sun Moon Lake): an affordable place to stay at Sun Moon Lake, especially compared to most other hotels in this area. A tasty Chinese breakfast is included in the price. Large double rooms with a beautiful mountain view. Book here.
  • Modern Inn (Taichung): rooms are beautifully designed and have a private bathroom and comfortable beds. The staff is very accommodating and the train station is only a 10-minute walk. Book here.
  • Tie Dao Hotel (Tainan): the location of the hotel is perfect, across the train station. Small but spotless room with a comfortable bed and a modern bathroom. Book here.
  • Comma Boutique Hotel (Taipei): a lovely place to stay in Taipei that won’t break the bank. Rooms are spacious and clean, with a modern ensuite bathroom. Rooms on higher floors offer a nice view over Taipei. Book here.
Itathao Hotel at the Sun Moon Lake Taiwan

2. How to get around Taiwan on a budget

Let’s take a closer look at public transportation in Taiwan. There are many ways to travel around the country, such as high-speed trains, local trains and buses, taxis, and MRT (in Taipei and Kaohsiung).

What's more: getting around by public transport in Taiwan is easy and not expensive. We traveled by train, shuttle bus and local buses, MRT, taxi, and bicycle (my personal favorite).

A popular and affordable way to get around Taiwan is by bus. Buses are available in and between all major cities and towns, and they offer a wide range of routes to help you get to your destination.

For larger distances (Taipei to Taichung for example) you can take the high-speed train in Taiwan (buy discounted tickets online), which is the best way to get from one city to another quickly, and comfortably.

If you need help navigating the public transportation system, many tourist information centers offer maps and assistance.

How much did we spend on transportation in Taiwan?

Our average transport expenses were 260NT / €8 /$9 per day. You can find detailed information about how much it costs to travel from place to place in my Taiwan itinerary.

Bicycles in Kaohsiung city Taiwan

3. Our food costs in Taiwan

Taiwan is a foodie's paradise, with many delicious dishes to try! Some of the best things to eat in Taiwan include:

  • Beef noodle soup
  • Dumplings
  • Pork belly buns
  • Oyster omelet
  • Dan bing (scallion pancakes)
  • Gua bao (Taiwanese hamburgers)
  • Stinky tofu

All of these dishes are packed with flavor and are sure to have your taste buds dancing.

Dry beef noodle Kaohsiung

How much did we spend on food and drinks in Taiwan?

Good news: Taiwanese cuisine is not only really tasty, but it’s also very affordable! That is if you eat local food at local restaurants.

Eating Western Food always triples the price of dinner when traveling around Asia. So when it comes to food, eat at local restaurants and try delicious street food at some of the famous Taiwanese night markets whenever you have the chance.

Anyway, let's talk numbers.

We spent most of our Taiwan travel budget on food and drinks. On an average day, we spent 870NT / €27 / $29.

My favorite things to eat (and drink) in Taiwan were beef noodles (both with soup and dry), Chao zhou noodles, dumplings with pork filling, bubble tea, and the amazing fresh fruit that was for sale everywhere.

In conclusion, while food prices in Taiwan are quite low but you'll probably still spend most of your Taiwan budget on food as there are simply too many tasty things to eat…

4. Cost of activities in Taiwan (+ miscellaneous expenses)

Da'an Forest Park Taipei

Make sure to take advantage of the many free activities that Taiwan has to offer.

Explore imposing and beautiful buildings (such as the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall), visit interesting museums (like the National Palace Museum), and admire ancient temples (like the Longshan Temple in Taipei).

Visit cultural cities such as Tainan, Taichung, and Taitung or go hiking in one of Taiwan's nine National Parks. Doing so will help you make the most of your vacation while still sticking to your budget.

Consider booking a few organized tours

When planning your Taiwan trip, it's worth looking into tour companies that offer affordable tours that can help you save money while still getting the best experience.

Klook is the largest tour operator in Taiwan, but Get Your Guide has been working really hard on growing their offers as well so be sure to check out those websites as well when you're planning your Taiwan activities.

Some of the most worthwhile tours and activities in Taiwan are:

Admire the view from the Taipei 101 Observatory: formerly the world's tallest building, Taipei 101 is one of the most popular tourist attractions and a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Taipei. Get to the top of Taipei 101 in one of the world's fastest elevators (in just 37 seconds). Check availability.

Sun Moon Lake day trip: capture the stunning scenery of one of Taiwan's most scenic areas and immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounded by mountains and rivers. Check availability.

Explore historic sites in Tainan: Tainan is the former capital of Taiwan and is famous for its history and culture. If you plan to visit several historic sites, be sure to purchase a Tainan Historic Sites Pass to save money.

Take a day trip to Taroko National Park: discover the Taroko Gorge, one of the top nature wonders in Asia. Venture along the Swallows' Grotto Trail, get lunch at Tianxiang and visit the town's iconic red suspension bridge. Click here to book a day trip from Hualien or book a day tour from Taipei.

Day trip from Taipei: visit Yehliu Geopark and the wonders of Queen's Head. Explore Jiufen Old Street, set off sky lanterns in Shifen Old Street, and admire the Golden Waterfalls. Check availability.

Queen’s Head in Yehliu Geopark Taiwan
The Queen's Head in Yehliu Geopark, one of the most unique rock formations in the world

How much did we spend on activities in Taiwan?

We spent 160NT / €5 / $5 on paid activities (such as scooter rental, cinema tickets, and entrance fees for museums) and miscellaneous things (see below) on an average day.

Most things we did in Taiwan were free, you can find more details about all our Taiwan activities in my other Taiwan posts.

Miscellaneous costs in Taiwan

Miscellaneous costs may not be the correct term since the only expense in this category is a Wifi router with unlimited data.

You can pick up this router at Taipei or Kaohsiung airport upon arrival. I think this Wifi router offers amazing value for money.

We connected up to 4 devices to it without any connectivity problems! Staying online was therefore not an issue in Taiwan.

Lisong Hot Springs Taitung County Taiwan
Lisong Hot Springs (Taitung)

Travel insurance costs

I didn't include the cost of travel insurance in our Taiwan budget breakdown because we use our travel insurance for all our trips, not just for our Taiwan itinerary.

However, that doesn't take away the fact that making sure you have proper travel insurance is super important.

It helps protect you and your belongings in the event of a mishap during your travels. Furthermore, it provides coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost or stolen items, and more.

Also, having good travel insurance will provide you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, you have a safety net in place.

With so much to consider when planning a trip, having the right travel insurance can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey without stressing out about things that can go wrong.

Plan your Taiwan trip like a pro with these tools:
? Pick up an EasyCard for cashless payments and to use public transport.
? Book discounted tickets for Taiwan's high-speed rail.
? Stay connected with a Taiwan Wifi router.
? Plan your journey with the Taiwan Lonely Planet.
?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda.
? Book the best tours via Klook or Get Your Guide.
?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing.

Our Taiwan expenses: in conclusion

I started this post by stating Taiwan isn't expensive and that it's easy to travel to this lovely island on a budget.

I hope this guide provides some insight into the average daily travel budget for Taiwan. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and enjoy planning your Taiwan vacation!

This post was updated in December 2022.

Steve Cummings

Sunday 16th of August 2020

It is a great breakdown of costs. As a resident of Taiwan, and doing a round trip of Taiwan right now with my wife, I would say you all did a great job. Your food portion of the budget looked quite expensive. My wife and I are working on a budget of 600NT for the two of us. We are quite frugal and want to experience a bunch, but not spend the most. We were lucky to have an amazing fish hot pot at Dapu lake for 100 NT each. Great post for sure. The food is amazing, the sights are great, and Taiwan is a great place to visit.

Lotte

Monday 17th of August 2020

Hi Steve,

Thank you for reading and how wonderful you are living in Taiwan and making a roundtrip at the moment! I agree we spent quite a lot on food;-) It's definitely possible to spend less, especially if you speak Chinese and can eat at local places where there isn't even a menu. The fish hot pot sounds amazing! Enjoy your trip and I hope you find many more great food stops:-)

Lotte

JOHN

Saturday 21st of September 2019

FANTASTIC READING! EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, I WAS PLANNING ON GOING TO TAIWAN FOR 7 DAYS. AS I'M ON A PENSION AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST. BUT I'VE SAVED UP ENOUGH TO GO FOR 7 DAYS NOW I'VE READ YOU ARTICLE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BREAK DOWN OF EVERY THING! I'VE LOOKED AT MANY BUT YOURS IS THE BEST BY FAR. SO IF ME AND MY WIFE GO WITH 1000 USD FOR 7 DAYS YOU THINK WE CAN HAVE A NICE TIME? MY FRIEND WHO WENT THERE SAID HE FOUND THE NORTH BETTER THAN THE CITY. WE LIKE TO TRAVEL, SO HOPE WE CAN FOLLOW YOU ON PLACES YOU HAVE BEEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN

Lotte

Monday 30th of September 2019

Hi John,

Thank you very much reading and for your kind comment:-) With 1000 USD I think you will have a great time traveling Taiwan! I did like Taipei but it's also very worthwhile to explore other places, such as the Sun Moon Lake and Kenting or closer to Taipei (Beitou or Wulai).

Have a great trip! Lotte

M

Friday 8th of February 2019

Fantastic information! This will be quite useful when we will spend 3 months in Taiwan in our slow travel journey. Which of area of Taiwan do you think it's convenient with nature around? Thinking of spending a month going around the island in a car, already have 1 month booked in Taipei. Any tips are so welcome, thank you!

Lotte

Monday 11th of February 2019

Wow 3 months in Taiwan sounds amazing! I think exploring the island by car is an excellent plan. The East Coast is the most beautiful in my opinion though if you have a car you can also explore the center of Taiwan which is very mountainous and beautiful hiking opportunities. Because we were limited to public transport we didn't get to visit those places but definitely would if I had a car and a month! Enjoy your trip:-)

Sue

Thursday 4th of October 2018

Hi! We are planning to travel as a family of four; we have 2 kids ages 6 and 3. Any recommendations on kid friendly things to do?

Thanks! Awesome blog.

Lotte

Saturday 13th of October 2018

Hi Sue,

Thank you for your kind words, happy to hear you like my blog:-) About your question, I think there are lots of things to do with kids in Taiwan! In Taipei you could go to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall or ride the Maokong Gondola. In Kaoshiung it's fun to take the ferry to Qijin Island. At the Sun Moon lake you can go boating if weather permits and in Tainan Anping Old Fort may be an interesting place to visit. I hope this helps! You can check out my Taiwan itinerary for more ideas about things to do: https://www.phenomenalglobe.com/taiwan-1-month-itinerary/.

Enjoy your trip! Lotte

Rosie

Friday 20th of July 2018

Hey thats a really useful guide thank you! What time of year did you go? Are those average prices per person, or total as a couple? We are going for 2 weeks in November as a couple so its really helpful to see this! Thanks

Lotte

Monday 23rd of July 2018

Hi Rosie,

Thanks you, I'm happy to help:-) About your questions, I was in Taiwan in May 2017. All the prices I mention in the post are for the two of us together (so not per person). Have a wonderful trip in November!

Lotte