Are you the type to meticulously plan every detail like an MBTI ‘J,’ or do you prefer to wing it and go with the flow like a ‘P’? When it comes to packing, do you stress over forgetting something important, or do you shrug it off, knowing you can adapt?
Whether you thrive on being fully prepared or love the simplicity of traveling light, one thing is certain: you’re excited about your upcoming adventure to Taiwan! Before you set off on this incredible journey, let’s make sure you’re fully ready.
This ultimate packing guide will help you double-check your suitcase and ensure you haven’t missed a single essential.
Ready to get started? Let’s pack smart for Taiwan!
Table of Contents
Before You Start Packing
Before diving into your packing list, it’s essential to consider a few key factors that will help you pack smart and travel with ease. Taiwan’s climate, cultural norms, and the nature of your trip will play a big role in what you need to bring. Here’s what you should know:
Taiwan’s Climate: Pack for the Weather
Taiwan’s weather varies significantly depending on the season and region. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you prepare:
- Spring (March to May): Expect mild temperatures, occasional rain showers, and blooming flowers. Pack light layers, a rain jacket, and an umbrella.
- Summer (June to August): Summers are hot and humid, with the possibility of typhoons. Lightweight, breathable clothes, sunscreen, and a hat are must-haves.
- Fall (September to November): Comfortable weather with less rain makes fall ideal for travel. Bring versatile layers for cooler evenings.
- Winter (December to February): Winters are mild but can get chilly in northern Taiwan and the mountains. A warm jacket, sweaters, and scarves will keep you cozy.
Don’t forget to research the specific weather for your travel dates, especially if you’re planning activities like hiking or visiting coastal areas.
Taiwan Travel Essentials
Documents
Passport
When traveling to Taiwan, your passport must typically have a validity of at least six months beyond your arrival date. This requirement applies to most visa-exempt and visa-required countries and regions. Before departure, double-check your passport’s expiration date to avoid any potential entry issues.
Visa (if required)
Citizens of certain countries are eligible for visa-free entry to Taiwan, making travel more convenient and cost-effective. However, this is limited to short-term tourism and does not cover extended stays or study purposes.
Countries eligible for 90-day visa-free entry include:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan*, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands*, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia* (effective until March 31, 2025), Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu*, the United Kingdom, the United States of America*, and Vatican City State.*
Countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry include:
Belize, Malaysia, Nauru, St. Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Singapore.*
For detailed information on visa policies, overstaying penalties, or related concerns, refer to the official website here: Official website
Flight and Accommodation Confirmations
For visa-exempt or visa-on-arrival travelers, Taiwan’s customs may request proof of a return ticket and accommodation reservations to prevent unauthorized stays. While not every traveler is asked to present these documents, it’s best to be prepared. Print out your confirmations or store electronic copies on your phone for easy access.
Travel Insurance
Although medical expenses for foreigners in Taiwan are relatively affordable (especially compared to Europe or the United States), unexpected situations during travel extend beyond health issues. They can include flight cancellations, lost luggage, or misplaced valuables. To travel with peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, lost belongings, and trip cancellations.
Emergency Contact Information
While no one hopes for unpleasant incidents during their trip, it’s always better to be prepared. Familiarize yourself with the steps to handle unexpected situations and keep a record of emergency contacts, including family or friends and the contact details of your country’s local embassy or consulate in Taiwan.
Additionally, set up your emergency contact information on your smartphone, as most modern devices offer this feature.
For tips on managing emergencies or finding embassy contacts, refer to our guide here: Taiwan Travel Safety Guide: Emergency Precautions – Medical Emergencies, Lost Passports, Earthquakes
Medical Records
If you have chronic conditions or require specific medical care, bring relevant medical records and a doctor’s note. Elder travelers, in particular, should ensure they have detailed knowledge of their health conditions to facilitate proper medical attention if needed during their trip to Taiwan.
For more information on medical services in Taiwan, check here: Taiwan Travel Safety Guide: Emergency Precautions – Medical Emergencies, Lost Passports, Earthquakes
Money and Funds
Cash and Credit Cards
It’s a good idea to exchange some cash before your trip and bring at least one debit or credit card with international usage enabled. In Taiwan, most ATMs accept cards from Visa, Mastercard, and JCB networks. Before departure, make sure your card is activated for overseas transactions.
For exchanging New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), using ATMs in Taiwan often provides a better exchange rate compared to money changers in other countries, except in regions where NTD is widely circulated. For more details, check out: Where to Exchange Currency in Taiwan: A Comprehensive Guide
Transportation Cards (EasyCard/iPASS)
While having a small amount of cash on hand for public transportation or convenience store purchases is handy, preparing coins and bills in advance might be inconvenient for travelers. Instead, consider purchasing an EasyCard or iPASS. You can buy one before your trip or at the airport upon arrival.
These transportation cards not only simplify public transport payments but are also essential for MRT, buses, and YouBike rentals. Additionally, they’re accepted at convenience stores for small purchases. For a detailed guide, check: Ultimate Taiwan EasyCard Guide: Everything You Need for MRT, YouBike, and Bus Travel
Clothing and Footwear
Clothing
Here comes the part that fashion enthusiasts love the most! Your wardrobe should match the season and region you’re visiting. In general:
- Northern Taiwan tends to be cooler.
- Southern Taiwan is warmer year-round.
- Taipei, despite being in the north, is a basin, meaning it gets uncomfortably hot and humid in summer.
For summer, pack lightweight, breathable clothes that wick sweat easily to stay comfortable. In winter, average temperatures are usually in the low teens (°C) in lowland areas, though northern regions can drop to 0–4°C on rare occasions. The dampness and chilly winds make it feel even colder. A warm winter jacket and a windbreaker are highly recommended. During spring and fall, a light jacket will suffice.
For a detailed breakdown of Taiwan’s climate by season, check out: Taiwan Weather by Month: Seasons, Temperatures, and Packing Tips
Footwear
Choose your shoes based on the season and your planned activities. Even if you plan to bring stylish high heels or dress shoes, make sure to also pack at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes.
- Summer: Consider sandals or flip-flops, especially for beach outings.
- Winter: Bring warm shoes and thick socks to combat the cold.
Tips: Save space and weight in your luggage by wearing your heaviest pair of shoes on the plane.
Day Bag
You won’t be lugging your suitcase everywhere you go (unless you’re a hardcore backpacker—props to you). Bring a small day bag to carry essentials like your wallet, passport, power bank, and charger.
Personal Items
Personal Care Products
Most hotels in Taiwan provide basic toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and razors. However, due to increasing environmental awareness, some travelers opt out of these single-use items and bring their own. For those with higher quality standards, bringing personal care products can also ensure a more satisfying experience.
Makeup Bag
For those who wear makeup, don’t forget your makeup bag! However, keep in mind whether you’ll pack your makeup in checked luggage or carry-on. If you’re packing your makeup in checked luggage, make sure to place it right in the middle of your suitcase. After all, baggage handlers aren’t exactly known for their gentleness, and if your eyeshadow palette or powder gets crushed… well, so will your heart. And for the carry-on luggage, liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, with a total liquid allowance of 1 liter.
Nail Clippers
Yes, nail clippers! Although you can easily buy nail clippers in Taiwan, I’ve learned my lesson—this mindset has left me with eight nail clippers at home! While slightly overgrown nails or hangnails are just mildly uncomfortable, I personally can’t stand these little annoyances. Plus, nail clippers are surprisingly handy for cutting through those stubborn packaging bags. The best part? They’re lightweight, compact, and take up virtually no space in your luggage, yet they bring so much convenience. That’s why nail clippers have become an absolute travel essential for me.
Medication
If you have any chronic conditions requiring regular medication, don’t forget to pack enough supplies for the duration of your trip. It’s also a good idea to carry information about your medications in case you need replacements while in Taiwan.
Electronics and Gadgets
- Phone and Charger: Your phone is essential for navigation, communication, and more, so don’t forget your charger.
- Power Bank: While charging stations and rental power banks are widely available in urban areas, it’s more convenient and cost-effective to bring your own. Make sure your phone stays charged when you’re out and about.
- Travel Adapter: Taiwan uses Type A and Type B plugs with a 110V voltage. It’s best to bring a travel adapter beforehand, as they can be hard to find outside the airport, and airport prices tend to be higher.
Apps
Downloading a few helpful apps can make your trip smoother. Consider installing apps for navigation, translation, car rentals, and weather updates.
For detailed app recommendations, check out: 10 Must-Have Apps for Traveling in Taiwan: Your Ultimate Guide
Connectivity and Internet
Stay connected by purchasing a Taiwan SIM card or renting a portable Wi-Fi device. You can arrange this before your trip or pick one up at the airport upon arrival.
For more details, read: How to Stay Connected To The Internet In Taiwan? A Comprehensive guide for SIM Cards/eSIMs/Wi-Fi
Conclusion
Packing for a trip is a highly personal process—some prefer to bring only the essentials, while others like to prepare for every possible scenario. Both approaches aim to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey, but there are a few tips to make packing more efficient:
- Plan Outfits in Advance: Instead of packing a variety of clothes and deciding on outfits later, plan your outfits ahead of time. Clothing often takes up the most space, so this can significantly reduce your luggage size.
- Use Travel-Size Toiletries: For items like body wash, skincare products, or shampoo, consider transferring them into travel-sized containers or using sample packs. Bring only what you’ll need during your trip, instead of carrying full-sized bottles.
- Skip the Hair Dryer: Unless absolutely necessary, avoid packing a hair dryer. Due to voltage differences, it may not work well, and most accommodations in Taiwan provide one for guests.
By incorporating these tips, you can streamline your packing process and travel lighter without compromising comfort. But don’t worry if you forget to bring something, convenience stores in Taiwan are your lifesaver. Taiwan Convenience Store Complete Guide: Your 24/7 Life Helper & Cheap Food Paradise – Way More Amazing Than You’d Think!
Feel free to refer the guide I prepared for you guys, let us know if you have any feedback!
