There aren’t many places like Taiwan. While millions of travelers go to Southeast Asia every year, only about 25,000 Westerners make a stop in Taiwan.
The small country (independent but technically a part of China) has environments that range from bustling cities and historic towns to beautiful beaches and high mountains. Should you decide to take the plunge, how much is it going to cost?
We’ll break down the average Taiwan trip cost, including airfare, accommodations, entertainment, and more; let us be your guide!
Average Trip to Taiwan Cost in 2024
A week in Taiwan costs around $3,975 for two people:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $100 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $1,200 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $50 per day, per person
- Transportation: $25 per day
- Total Cost: $3,975
This is, of course, just an average estimate. Are you a rugged backpacker who sleeps like a baby in a $20 a night hostel dorm?
You’ll likely spend a lot less than a couple looking for romantic seclusion near a beach or hot springs. We break down every travel category and give options at multiple price points so you can figure it all out for yourself.
Taiwan Trip Cost: Average by Item
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Everyone travels differently. You may be someone who wants to go to all the museums but sees your hotel room as nothing more than a place to crash.
Some travelers are all about the food, others can happily get by on the cheapest meal options they can find. That is why we look at every category separately, so you can see what a Taiwan adventure will cost you.
Accommodation Costs
Taiwanese people do a lot of domestic travel. Visitors from abroad benefit in the form of a wealth of hotel options at every price point. In capital city Taipei, you can choose from hundreds of hotels.
The most common price point seems to be around $100 a night, but there are plenty of examples from all over the spectrum.
A good example of a $100 room is the CityInn Hotel Taipei Station Branch III. This centrally located hotel has many positive reviews praising the convenient location, friendly staff, and clean accommodations.
Amenities include complimentary tea and slippers. Food delivery and prewrapped snacks are available. If you are on a budget, there are hostels in Taipei ranging from $20 to $40 a night.
These offer dorm-style sleeping arrangements, but those we checked are considered clean and convenient. If you are looking to splurge, you can find a number of luxury hotels in the $300 to $500 range.
The Mandarin Oriental Taipei has spacious rooms, an indoor pool and 24-hour concierge service. Rates start around $300 a night.
Taiwan has over 1,600 km of coastline (995 miles), which means lots of white and black sand beaches. Around Wai’ao Beach, which many consider the country’s best black sand beach, you can find many hotels between $100 and $200 a night.
At the lower price end is OA Hotel, which runs about $100 a night. The well-reviewed hotel is known for its unusual balconies and beautiful beach and mountain views.
Chinese and western breakfasts are available for $11 per person.
The Yamagata Kaku Hotel & Spa is down the street from Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park and has rooms starting at $200 a night. The hotel’s amenities include a hot spring bath, an on-site cafe, a library, and a sauna.
Flight Cost
Many people discover Taiwan when a flight to Japan or South Korea includes an extended layover here. Some airlines, like Japan Airlines, actually encourage multi-day layovers, which essentially give you access to a second destination for free.
But, if you are not lucky enough to be dropping by Taipei on your way to your Tokyo getaway, you still have a bunch of options for getting to Taiwan for a vacation.
On average, a flight from JFK in New York to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport will cost between $1,200 and $2,000.
If you choose to fly into Tainan in the south, expect to pay a premium for your flight. In our most recent search, a flight from JFK to TNN cost anywhere from $2,500 to $3.600.
Taiwan is a small country and a trip from Tainan to the capital city only takes a few hours by car. Unless you have a tight schedule, you are most likely best off flying to Taoyuan.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
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Residents and visitors alike describe Taiwan as a foodie paradise. Taiwan is home to around 40 Michelin-starred restaurants, including what is considered the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred joint, The Three Coins.
Youtubers Haley and Zach documented a meal of soup dumplings, stir-friend beef, spare ribs, pickles, and beer for only $21 total.
Redditors joke that Taiwan residents are not happy unless their meals are cheap, filling, and excellent. Luckily, it’s easy to find all three. One cheap but great example is Pindu Skewer, which has many offerings between $5 and $10 a plate.
If you are looking for a cheap meal and a worthwhile experience, head into any 7-11. These convenience stores are not the same as the ones you find in the US.
Instead of a few suspicious hotdogs on rollers, you’ll find everything from small snacks to high quality grab and go meals, all for $5 to $7. Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea, so treat yourself to at least one cup of this whimsical beverage when you go.
A standard cup will cost just a buck or two. Fancier add ins and larger sizes cost a bit more. This is a country where you are never at a loss for things to do.
You’ll find restaurants, nightlife and other features of city life in the north part of Taiwan. Walking around the popular night markets costs nothing, unless you stop to buy a drink, snack or souvenir. Shuling and Tamsui Market are both good choices.
Multiple travelers recommend taking a food tour in Taipei. Depending on the duration and the operator, you’ll spend anywhere from $25 to $100 per person.
There is no fee to enter Longshan Temple, the oldest active temple in Taipei. This temple is popular with locals, with music and religious practices daily. However, you can make a donation that goes toward the upkeep of the temple.
The National Taiwan Museum, established in 1908, is the oldest museum in the country. Admission costs about a dollar, and gets you access to both the main museum and the Natural History Branch.
Outdoorsy folks will find beautiful mountains and nature to the east. General admission to Taroko Park is free unless you want to travel the Zhuilu Old Road. This area costs around $6 to enter and requires a permit.
The south is known for beautiful beaches and great surfing. A full-day surfing class costs around $65 per person. Many beaches are free to visit.
If you explore a bit, you will also find lakes and rivers that are not well-known to tourists. These are typically free from crowds. There are a number of hot spring resorts, parks and spas throughout the country.
Some, like Beitou Thermal Valley, are free to visit. Others have a small admission fee for the day. At the resorts and hotels with hot spring access, your dip in the spring is covered with the cost of your room.
Transportation Costs
Most people can get around fine without a car. Many travelers report using a combination of the MRT, train, high speed rails and yellow cabs to get from place to place.
The MRT is the metro train system in Taipei. You can buy a day pass for around $5. Public bikes like Ubike are cheap and easy to rent throughout Taipei. The bikes are available at through self-serve kiosks and cost about $1 an hour.
If you prefer a more high end ride, you can go to a company like Taipei Bike Works. They have performance cycles for about $75 a day. Motor scooters are another popular way to get around.
You can rent those short term, with prices by the minute, or have it billed up to a day at a time. Daily rentals are around $10. The country has a high speed rail system that is both cheap and reliable.
The cost of a ticket depends on how far you are going. Short jaunts may cost only a dollar or two. The longest and most expensive trip, from Taipei to Zuoying, is around $80.
Things to Consider
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A few things to consider while making your travel plans:
- Vegetarians rejoice! Taiwan has a large Buddhist population, which translates to a wealth of vegetarian dining options.
- Consider downloading LINE. This service combines text messaging, video calls, a digital wallet and video on demand.
- Late night food options tend to be sparse. Many travelers mention that they have trouble finding sit down restaurants open after 9 pm.
- English is not widely spoken. However, most locals are happy to help with advice, directions, and even rides to destinations. Use a translation app and photos of destinations for aid in communication.
- Save money on drinks by carrying a refillable water bottle. Many places have filtered water and will fill your bottles for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
TAIPEI – TAIWAN, MAY 11, 2014: Entrance of Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei. on May 11. Raohe Night Market is popular among tourists./r.nagy/Shutterstock
It’s natural to have some questions when you are planning an international vacation. Here are answers to a few of the most common ones about Taiwan:
Is Taiwan expensive to vacation?
Once airfare is out of the way, this can be a very inexpensive destination. Low cost options like street food and hostels abound. You can also find nicer meals for much less than you’d pay in the US.
Can US citizens go to Taiwan?
US passport holders are allowed to enter Taiwan for up to 90 days without a visa.You’ll need to make sure your passport will not expire during that 90 day period. If your passport is less than three months from expiration, your visit will be automatically limited to the amount of valid time you have left.
Is it safe for an American to visit Taiwan?
Taiwan is considered a very safe country for tourists. At the time of this writing, the State Department categorizes it at a Level 1, exercise normal precautions.
Is 7 days enough in Taiwan?
You won’t be able to see the entire country in a week, but you can get a good taste of it. Some people with a limited schedule stick to one city or region. Others choose to see just a few sights in each area, while whetting their appetites for another visit.
Over to You — Book your Trip to Taiwan Today!
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $100 a night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $1,200 per person |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $50 per day, per person |
| 🚕 Transportation | $25 per day |
| 💲 Total Cost | $3,975 |
A week-long trip to Taiwan for two will cost around $3,975. The biggest bite of this cost is the flight to get there. Once you are in Taiwan, you can get around very cheaply.
If you stick to hostels and take the MRT, you can easily keep your costs under $50 a day. But, even if you want to splurge on nice hotels and Michelin-starred meals, you will still be able to enjoy a trip here for much less than other comparable destinations. Happy travels!