10 Common Travel Mistakes to Avoid in Taiwan (for First-Timers)

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If you’ve made it to this article, it means you’re serious about visiting Taiwan and I couldn’t be happier for you. Taiwan is one of my favourite countries, and the first time we visited, Alessandro and I spent 2 full months exploring it.

While it’s an easy and safe country to navigate, there are a few mistakes to avoid in Taiwan that could cost you time, money, or awkward moments. Some of them we had to learn the hard way, so I put together a guide to help prepare you for your trip.

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Taiwan

1. Confusing THSR and TRA Trains

Many first-time visitors assume Taiwan has only one train system, and confuse the High Speed Rail (THSR) with the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) network. The THSR travels down the West Coast at top speed, while the TRA serves local routes, and the East Coast (e.g. Ruifang (transit for Jiufen), Shifen, Yilan). In cities like Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan, THSR and TRA stations are kilometers apart!

What to do instead: Use the THSR for fast, long-distance travel down the West Coast (e.g., Taipei to Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung). Since THSR stations outside Taipei are on the outskirts, add a 20-to-30-minute transfer to your itinerary to reach the city centers.

If your hotel is close to a central TRA station and you are only traveling a short distance, a direct TRA train may be faster door-to-door.

2. Taiwan EasyCard vs iPASS & Bus Slip-Ups

Many tourists stress over Taiwan EasyCard vs iPASS differences or assume local buses operate on a single-tap system. While EasyCard originated in Taipei and iPASS in Kaohsiung, both now offer almost identical coverage across Taiwan.

What to do instead: Pick up an EasyCard at the airport or any convenience store and load it with cash. I prefer EasyCard since it is slightly more recognized in the north and has fun designs.

You can top it up at MRT station machines, service counters, or convenience stores using cash only. We withdrew cash from Chang Hwa Bank and Hua Nan Bank ATMs due to their lower withdrawal fees.

Finally, when riding city buses, always tap your card twice; once when boarding and once when getting off.

3. Assuming Pedestrians Have the Right of Way

Taiwan has one of the highest densities of motor scooters in the world, and traffic culture can feel chaotic for pedestrians. You might step onto crosswalks expecting cars and scooters to automatically stop, but turning vehicles might just sweep right past you. A couple of times we noticed scooters turning right on a green pedestrian signal without slowing down.

What to do instead: Stay vigilant whenever crossing streets in Taiwan, regardless of the traffic signals. Look in all directions, and never cross while looking down at your phone.

4. Missing the Taiwan Lucky Land Lottery

One crucial thing to know before going to Taiwan is that the country offers a generous visitor incentive, and we had no idea it existed until it was too late to register!

The Taiwan Tourism Administration regularly runs promotional travel draws for foreign tourists offering up to NT$5,000 – 8,000 (€137.96 – €219) in travel credit or hotel vouchers. How amazing is this?

What to do instead: Submit your flight details, passport info, and travel dates onto the Taiwan Tourism Administration campaign portal anywhere between 7 to 90 days before landing in Taiwan, so you are eligible for the draw. Do re-verify the latest rules on the portal before registering, as terms and campaign names change over time.

5. Relying only on Credit/Debit Cards

While shopping malls, major hotel chains, and modern restaurants accept international cards, Taiwan runs heavily on cash. Night market stalls, traditional breakfast spots, and small eateries operate strictly on cash (NTD).

The biggest surprise for us was paying for accommodation. Several boutique hotels we booked via Booking.com in Jiaoxi, Ruifang, Tainan, and Kaohsiung required cash payment on arrival.

What to do instead: Always carry NTD for food, markets, and regional transit. Double-check payment terms with your hotels ahead of time so you aren’t stuck paying a large bill in cash upon check-in – this happened to us and we had to run to an ATM to withdraw more cash (Chang Hwa Bank and Hua Nan Bank ATMs have lower foreign transaction fees).

💡Pro Tip: Use the free ATM Fee Saver app (Google Play/App Store) to locate low-fee ATMs in any country. Also, note that tipping is not customary in Taiwan. Paying the exact bill amount is completely standard!

6. Throwing Away Store Receipts

Whenever you buy something at a 7-Eleven, supermarket, or retail store in Taiwan, you get a long paper receipt. Most travelers (like us!) crumple these up and toss them into the trash missing out on a fun local perk!

What to do instead: Keep those receipts! Every paper store receipt in Taiwan has a 8-digit number that enters you into the government’s bi-monthly Uniform Invoice Lottery offering grand prizes. Check your receipt numbers at the end of your trip via the Ministry of Finance eTax Portal to see if you won. Good luck!

7. Eating, Drinking or Chewing Gum on the MRT

The MRT subways in Taipei and Kaohsiung are famous for being clean, punctual, and safe. However, first-timer visitors might not be aware of the rules and sip water, unwrap snacks, or chew gum on train platforms or subway trains.

What to do instead: Avoid consuming any food, water, tea, or gum once you cross the yellow restriction line at MRT turnstiles (as soon as you tap in). The rule applies inside train cars and across all station platforms. Fines range from NT$1,500 to NT$7,500 (€41-€207), so be mindful of the rules and keep the subway clean for everyone.

8. Not Booking Hotels in Advance

An essential accommodation tip to know before going to Taiwan is that it is a popular domestic travel destination, with locals regularly traveling on weekends, during cherry blossom seasons, and national holidays. If you wait until the last minute to book hotels in hot spots like Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, or Alishan, you might face fully booked hotels or inflated prices.

This happened to us on October 10 (Taiwan’s Double Ten National Day). Although we originally planned to travel outside Taipei, most hotels in neighboring regions were booked.

What to do instead: Book your accommodations well in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak periods or weekends. Use refundable options on platforms like Booking.com to secure reasonable rates while keeping your itinerary flexible.

9. Rushing a “Full Island Loop” Itinerary

Another one of the mistakes to avoid in Taiwan is squeezing many locations like Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Kaohsiung etc into a single 7-day itinerary. You will spend most of your vacation inside train carriages and buses rather than actually enjoying the country’s rich culture, night markets, food scene, and hiking trails.

What to do instead: For trips of 7 days or less, focus on one main region and explore it deeply:

• West Coast High-Speed Rail Corridor: Taipei →Taichung (gateway to Sun Moon Lake) → Chiayi (gateway to Alishan) → Tainan / Kaohsiung

• Scenic East Coast: Taipei → Yilan → Hualien / Taroko Gorge

Reserve the full island loop for itineraries of 10 to 14 days or longer.

10. Underestimating the Heat, Humidity, and Rain

One important thing to know before going to Taiwan is that its climate combines intense heat and high humidity with cold indoor air-conditioning. Also, don’t underestimate the sudden downpours in coastal and mountain spots like Jiufen or Keelung that can leave you soaked within minutes (as we experienced multiple times!).

What to do instead: Pack light, breathable fabrics, but always carry a lightweight jacket or layer for chilly subways, museums, and shopping malls. Keep a compact travel umbrella or lightweight rain jacket in your daypack, or grab a cheap rain poncho at any 7-Eleven as soon as the clouds roll in.

Final Thoughts – Mistakes to Avoid in Taiwan

Overall, we loved our 2-month stay in Taiwan and can’t wait to go back. However, there are a few things to know before going to Taiwan that will make you more prepared. We had to learn some of them the hard way so you don’t have to!

Have you been to Taiwan, or are you currently planning your first trip? Let me know in the comments below which tip surprised you most or if there’s anything else you’d add to the list!