Taiwan

VISA AND OTHER PROCEDURES

European Union citizens do not need a visa as long as their passports are valid for 6 months. Brazilian citizens need to apply for a visa. More information at ROC - Brazil

HEALTH CARE

Taiwan – officially named Republic of China – has a well-sanitized and sanitized sub-tropical territory. The only really advisable vaccine is the one that applies to most countries in the world, the hepatitis A vaccine. There is no risk of contracting malaria in Taiwan, but you should protect yourself as much as possible from mosquito bites to avoid possible fever of Dengue.

TRIP TO TAIWAN

Fly from Lisbon to the capital Taipei with the China Southern, with two stopovers in Amsterdam and Guangzhou, China, with a total flight time of 25 to 30 hours for around €500. This solution is substantially less expensive than some competitive single-stop flights. The most obvious example is the flight of Emirates which makes a single stopover in Dubai, lasts about 20 hours and it costs around 700€. 

• Taipei
• Kaohsiung
• Kenting National Park​
• sun moon lake
• Taroko Gorge National Park
• Alishan National Panoramic Area
• penghu

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

Taiwan's domestic flights are concentrated at the base of the aSongshan airport. Despite the island's small size, Taiwan is well served by several itineraries that are permanently covered. The most common destinations on both the main island and others off Taiwan are Hualien, Kaosiung, Kinmen, Taichung, Tainan and Taitung, Chiayi, Pingtung, Makung, Penghu (Fishermen), Hengchun, Nangan and Beigan.

The main airlines operating domestic destinations are the Mandarin Airlines, UNI Air and TransAsia Airways. 

TRAINS

A TRA – Taiwan Railway Administration - it's at THSR – Taiwan High Speed ​​Rail – trains operate on the island's two main lines. Detailed descriptions of the lines, stations, timetables, etc., of the TRA network can be consulted on the company's website, where tickets can also be purchased. The seats on these trains are very popular, especially as the weekend approaches.

THSR trains are more modern, faster, more comfortable and more expensive than TRA. These fast trains resemble Japanese bullet trains. A 345 km journey from Taipei – on the northern tip of the island – to Kaohsiung, near the south, takes just 90 minutes and costs €40 in economy class, €54 in business class. In addition to Taipei and Kaohsiung, fast trains stop at Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan stations.

BUSES

Taiwan's bus network still exists, but in recent times it has been seriously affected by competition from domestic flights and train travel. Even taking into account that the prices of buses are slightly lower than those of trains, the normal thing is that buses are really useful when there are no seats available on planes and trains. Among the most popular companies are Aloha, UBus and Kuo Kuang Hao.

SHIP

Some ferries connect Taiwan to the offshore islands, mostly on the same routes covered by domestic flights. Trips are more economical, but a day of stronger wind is enough for the swell to make the experience unforgettable. In the worst possible way.  

CAR RENTAL

It is the best way to explore Taiwan with complete freedom, even better if your vehicle is equipped with a good GPS. Both urban and intercity roads are good and partly signposted in English, although sometimes somewhat confusing. 

Driving in cities is organized but, especially in Taipei and Kaohsiung, it can be hopeless at rush hour due to the large amount of traffic. Outside the cities, Taiwan is traversed by well-preserved highways. Driving is fluid and, in certain parts of the island, very panoramic.

Taiwan authorities require foreigners to have an international driving license. This document can only be used on the island for 30 days, after which drivers must obtain a Taiwan driving license. 

Part of the intercity roads have tolls. Drivers are charged around €0.03 per km up to 200km and, from there, around €0.09 per km.

An economy car costs around 60€ per day at Taipei International Airport. Others rent-a-car from the capital or surrounding areas charge more affordable prices. Gasoline costs around €0.86 per liter.

Taiwan is the classic example of fast and unpredictable weather fluctuations. As a relatively small subtropical island, it is permanently subject to the passage of cold fronts, hot fronts and, year after year, tropical storms and cyclones, some of which are quite destructive.

September and October are considered the ideal months when the temperature is pleasant and the atmosphere is less humid. Spring is the season when everything is possible including changing from completely covered skies and rain to clear skies and sunshine several times in one day. Summer – end of May to end of August – is by far the riskiest, in terms of the possibility of the island being “attacked” by cyclones. Typically, this threat lasts until mid-October. Summer is also the high season for the Taiwanese themselves. At this time, during Chinese New Year and other holidays, the island's hotels are full. 

Taiwan's currency is the Taiwan dollar (TWD). Taiwan has a highly developed economy comparable to Hong Kong or Singapore. There are ATMs all over the island and credit card payments are widespread. Taiwan has a high cost of living.

ACCOMMODATION

Taiwanese cities have their hostels some of them are irreverently elegant, almost always with free wifi and prices from €30 to €35 per double room. 

In the hotel sector, the offer is very comprehensive. The most basic are real cement boxes, the most expensive are the elegant hotels of international chains that charge higher rates – than those of Taiwanese hotels of the same type and nearby. Expect €50 to €130 per night for Taiwanese, €140 to €500 in low season for internationals. 

In certain coastal areas such as Kenting, numerous resort-style hotels offer more leisurely stays for holiday bathers. The prices of these hotels have huge fluctuations according to the time of year and days of the week.

You will find motels everywhere. These Taiwanese motels are actually sex shelters that rent their rooms by the hour but may well accept a daily rental from a foreign visitor.

FOOD

Like most of the population, Taiwan's cuisine is derived from mainland China (People's Republic of China) and most specialties are also worshiped across the strait.

The places where you can eat for less money are the houses and street stalls in noodles where a bowl of considerable volume can cost between €0.50 and €2 depending on the type of dough and the ingredients that accompany it.

Here are the restaurants of fast food where a Big Mac menu is priced at around €3.

Taiwanese regular restaurants have traditional Taiwanese meals at prices that vary widely. From €10 to €100 or more depending on the refinement and reputation of the place. 

INTERNET

Taiwan authorities ensure free wifi in various parts of the country called iTaiwan which requires registration on the website. The capital Taipei does the same in public areas and buildings in the city, in the metro and aboard some buses. Registration is also required. Taipei FreeWifi. 

Internet cafes are plentiful and very sophisticated but more used by Taiwanese youth for online gaming than for surfing the internet. If you visit them, expect to pay around €0.50 per hour.

If none of the solutions are enough, you can purchase a company SIM Chunghwa Telecom for €6.25 for 3 days or €12 for 7 days use. The presentation of a passport is required to complete the purchase.