Money and costs

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.