I kept putting off Taiwan. It’s just a quick 2-hour flight from the Philippines, so I always thought, I’ll go someday.

Then I randomly won a free flight to LA and ended up with a 4-day layover in Taipei. I figured, why not finally check it out?

And wow… Taiwan totally caught me off guard.

It’s super walkable, the public transport is amazing, and the night markets? Absolute heaven. Plus, there are so many easy day trips — waterfalls, tea villages, little mountain towns — all just a train ride away.

Honestly, I don’t know why I waited so long. But now that I’ve been, I get it. And I know I’ll be back.

If you’re thinking of going, these guides will walk you through the Taiwan I fell in love with — one dumpling, temple, and scenic ride at a time.

TAIWAN TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

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Best Time to Go

March–May and Oct–Dec for pleasant weather

How Long

1–2 weeks to explore Taipei, mountains, and cultural gems

Daily Budget

€30–70/day for budget travelers

Getting There

Fly into Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

TAIWAN visa

Visa-free for 90 days for many nationalities

TAIWAN eSIM

Must-have for navigating. $3 off code: GLADIS1238

travel insurance

Highly recommended for medical care

TAIWAN Custom Itinerary

[Coming Soon]

Explore Taiwan’s Capital City

Bustling Dihua Street filled with people and various shops, with signs in Chinese characters hanging along the buildings.

A CItY of tradition, tech, and night markets

Taipei