Taiwan First Timer Guide for Filipinos: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go!
If Taiwan isn’t on your travel list yet, it totally should be. For first-time travelers, this country is an absolute dream — safe, easy to explore, and packed with a perfect mix of culture, food, and city adventures.
When we first visited, we were blown away by how easy it was to get around, how friendly the locals were (despite the language barrier!), and how every corner felt like a scene from a K-drama… but in Mandarin. 😅
Whether you’re coming for the night markets, cherry blossoms, or the chance to release a sky lantern in Shifen, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth and unforgettable Taiwan experience.
Contents:
Visa
Currency & Budget
Getting Around
Language
Connectivity
Night Market
Power Plug
Day Trips
Beitou Hot Spring Museum
Visa-Free Entry (Until 2026!)
Let’s start with the best news: Filipinos can visit Taiwan visa-free until July 31, 2026!
Yep, you read that right. No embassy appointments, no waiting anxiously for approval — just grab your passport, make sure it’s valid for at least six months, book your flights, and you’re good to go.
The only requirement? A return or onward ticket. Immigration just wants to know you’re leaving before your 14 days are up.
For spontaneous travelers, this is the ultimate blessing — you can literally book today and fly tomorrow.
Direct flights from Manila to Taipei are easy to find. You can fly with Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, China Airlines, AirAsia, or Cebu Pacific all offering daily flights that take just about two hours. Perfect for a quick weekend getaway! If you love scoring cheap deals, watch out for seat sales from Cebu Pacific and AirAsia — they frequently drop fares as low as a domestic flight.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan
Taiwan is one of those destinations that’s beautiful year-round, but your experience changes depending on the season.
Here’s a breakdown:
🌸 Spring (March–May) is an absolute dream — cool but not too cold, and cherry blossoms start popping up around the city. Imagine sipping milk tea under pink trees without battling tourist crowds — it’s a vibe.
🍁 Autumn (September–November) is just as magical, with crisp weather and vibrant foliage that makes every photo look like a screensaver. If you love sweater weather without the extreme chill, this is your season.
🔥 Summer (June–August) is humid and sweaty — but also when night markets and beaches are most alive.
❄️ Winter (December–February), on the other hand, is chilly but that’s the perfect excuse to hit up a hot spring and indulge in Taiwan’s comforting beef noodle soup.
We celebrated Christmas and New Year on our first-ever trip to Taiwan — yes, peak tourist season! There were a lot of tourists, but honestly, it was very tolerable.
We LOVED the winter weather — it was chilly enough for jackets but not painfully cold. Parang Baguio feels, pro max! ❄️ It wasn’t snowing, but malamig talaga, and it made exploring the night markets and walking around Taipei even more fun.
Plus, seeing Taipei 101’s New Year’s Eve fireworks up close was unforgettable!
Currency & Budget
Money in Taiwan is straightforward — the currency is New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), and as of writing, 1 NTD is about 1.80 PHP.
Cash is king, especially for night markets, hole-in-the-wall eateries, and small shops. Don’t worry though — ATMs are everywhere, and you can use your GCash or GoTyme card to withdraw directly at fair exchange rates.
For hotels, malls, and big restaurants, your credit card will work just fine. We usually split my budget — half in cash for street eats and transport, half on card for bigger purchases.
Getting Around Taiwan
Taipei is one of the most commuter-friendly cities we’ve been to. The MRT system is a lifesaver — clean, fast, cheap, and easy to navigate even for first-timers.
We recommend getting an EasyCard right away. It’s like your golden ticket — you can use it for the MRT, buses, and even for paying at 7-Eleven (super handy for late-night snacks!). Get your EasyCard in advance via Klook so you can just pick it up at the airport. Use our code OOOWANDERSKLOOK to save!
Need to get home after a late night market crawl? Taxis and Uber are everywhere. They cost more than the MRT but are worth it for convenience, especially if you’re carrying shopping bags.
If you want a slower-paced adventure, try Youbike — it’s a bike rental system that lets you explore Taipei’s parks and riverside paths.
Language Barrier
Yes, Mandarin is the main language in Taiwan, and not everyone speaks English. But don’t let that scare you off — Taiwanese people are some of the kindest and most patient locals you’ll ever meet.
Download Google Translate on your phone, and make full use of the camera function. It’s a lifesaver when you’re staring at a menu full of characters and you’re trying to figure out if you just ordered pig intestines or fried chicken.
Learning a few basic phrases will go a long way:
“Hello” – 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
“Thank you” – 謝謝 (Xièxiè)
“How much?” – 多少錢？(Duōshǎo qián?)
Locals will appreciate the effort, and you might even score an extra helping of food for being so friendly.!
Free WiFi Everywhere
Taiwan might just be one of the most WiFi-friendly countries ever. You can register for iTaiwan at the airport and enjoy free WiFi almost anywhere in the city. MRT stations also offer free connections, though they can be a bit spotty during rush hour.
For uninterrupted connection (and better Instagram Stories uploading power), I recommend renting a pocket WiFi or getting an eSIM from Klook. Use OOOWANDERSKLOOK to score a little discount.
Night Market Adventures
If there’s one thing you cannot miss in Taiwan, it’s the night markets. The lights, the smells, the sizzling sounds — it’s sensory overload in the best possible way.
Here’s your must-eat list:
🥟 Xiao Long Bao – Soup dumplings that burst with flavor in every bite (Din Tai Fung is the classic choice!).
🍜 Beef Noodle Soup – Rich, savory, and comforting, like a hug in a bowl.
🧀 Stinky Tofu – Smells scary, tastes amazing. Give it a try at least once.
🧋 Bubble Tea – Taiwan is the birthplace of milk tea. Don’t leave without trying Tiger Sugar or 50 Lan.
For a hassle-free foodie night, you can even join a night market food tour and let a guide show you the best stalls. Don’t forget to use our code OOOWANDERSKLOOK for savings.
Power Plugs & Voltage
Good news — Taiwan uses Type A/B plugs, the same as the US and Japan. The voltage is 110V, 60Hz, so check your devices before you plug in. Bring a universal adapter if your chargers look different — better safe than sorry.
MRT Etiquette
One big rule: no eating or drinking inside MRT stations or trains. The fine can go as high as NT$7,500 (around PHP 13,500), and you don’t want to spend your beef noodle soup money on penalties.
Day Trips Worth Taking
While Taipei is amazing, don’t miss out on the incredible day trips just outside the city.
Take the train or book a day tour to Jiufen, a charming old town tucked in the mountains with alleyways full of tea houses and lanterns that look straight out of Spirited Away. Pair it with Shifen, where you can release a sky lantern with your wishes written on it. Then head to Yehliu Geopark to marvel at its unique rock formations like the Queen’s Head.
You can hit all three in one day by joining a guided tour. Book here and don’t forget to use OOOWANDERSKLOOK for discounts.
Final Thoughts: Taiwan is Calling
Taiwan is such a perfect destination for first-timers — safe, affordable, and full of adventures big and small. Whether you’re here for the food, the scenery, or just a quick escape from Manila’s hustle, this country has something for every kind of traveler.
So what are you waiting for? Book that ticket, grab your EasyCard, and don’t forget to use our code OOOWANDERSKLOOK when booking tours, SIM cards, and hotels on Klook. You can even use it up to three times, which means more savings for your future travels.
Taipei is waiting — and so is your first sip of authentic bubble tea. 🧋✨
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