This is an overview of what you should pack when visiting Taiwan. Keep reading to learn more.
I’ve visited Taiwan many times and currently live here. I put together several lists of things to pack, depending on your intentions.
Summary
- Insect repellant & sunscreen are essential for Taiwan travel.
- Google Translate & Google Maps are mobile apps I recommend downloading.
- If you move to Taiwan, bring supplements & CPAP equipment.
How to Pack for a Taiwan Trip
Aside from temperature fluctuations in winter, what you’ll pack for Taiwan remains the same throughout most of the year. You’ll find most items you need in Taiwan at low prices, like:
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Eye drops
- Some medicines (like acetaminophen)
- Umbrellas
It rains a lot in Taiwan. And it’s humid frequently. You’ll need to combat both umbrellas and body wipes. The latter will save you when your body erupts sweat when walking outside, since you could use the wipes to remove your sweat (and stinkiness).
What to Pack for Traveling to Taiwan in Summer & Autumn
Pack these items when traveling to Taiwan in the summer and fall:
| Backpack cover | Insect repellent | Sunscreen |
| Deodorant | Reusable water bottle | Dummy phone & wallet |
| Clothing | Saline nasal spray | Packable jacket |
| High-top boots | Female hygiene products | Sanitizing wipes |
| Medication | Condoms | Copy of travel documents |
| Portable power bank | Passport wallet/Purse/Day pack | Eye drops |
| Unlocked smartphone | Travel adapter | International Driving Permit |
| VPN | Portable Wireless Router | Lip balm |
| KF94 Face Mask | Durable umbrella | |
I have tested and frequently use all of these products except for the travel adapter and the backpack cover. I do have the travel adapter on my list of things to buy, though. I do thorough research on the products I recommend. As I always want to use the “best” of whatever I buy.
Average temperatures throughout summer and autumn in Taiwan are as follows:
| Month | Avg. Weather (°F) | Avg. Weather (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 60.4°F–71.8°F | 15.8°C–22.1°C |
| April | 78.3°F–66.2°F | 25.7°C–19°C |
| May | 84.6°F–72.1°F | 29.2°C–22.3°C |
| June | 76.3°F–89.6°F | 24.6°C–32°C |
| July | 93.7°F–79.3°F | 34.3°C–26.3°C |
| August | 79°F–92.8°F | 26.1°C–33.8°C |
| September | 88°F–76.6°F | 31.1°C–24.8°C |
| October | 72.1°F–81.5°F | 22.3°C–27.5°C |
What to Pack for Traveling to Taiwan in Winter
Pack these items when visiting Taiwan in winter:
| Backpack cover | Insect repellent | Sunscreen |
| Deodorant | Reusable water bottle | Dummy phone & wallet |
| Clothing | Saline nasal spray | Packable jacket |
| High-top boots | Female hygiene products | Sanitizing wipes |
| Medication | Condoms | Copy of travel documents |
| Portable power bank | Passport wallet/Purse/Day pack | Eye drops |
| Unlocked smartphone | Travel adapter | International Driving Permit |
| Jacket/coat |
Pack the same as you would for the winter, except you’ll need warmer clothing. Regardless of when visiting, you’ll need an umbrella. I recommend buying these at convenience stores. I found 65” umbrellas at Family Mart for NT$150.
Taiwan’s average temperatures during winter are as follows:
- November: 66.7 °F–75.6 °F
- 19.3 °C–24.2 °C
- December: 60.1 °F–69.3 °F
- 15.6 °C–20.7 °C
- January: 57 °F–66.4 °F
- 13.9 °C–19.1 °C
- February: 57.6 °F–67.3 °F
- 14.2 °C–19.6 °C
Apps to Download Before Traveling to Taiwan
Apps to help you navigate Taiwan easier include:
- Google Maps: to have offline maps of Taiwan and get directions, information & schedules of places to visit
- Uber: to book rides with drivers who can speak English and accept credit cards
- YouBike: to rent public bicycles in Taipei, Kaohsiung and other cities with bike lanes
- Taiwan Railway: to check train schedules, fares, & availability for traveling around Taiwan by rail
- LINE: to communicate with locals who use this instant-messaging app widely.
- Bus+: to track bus routes, stops, schedules and availability in Taipei, Kaohsiung, & other cities
- Go! Taipei Metro: to plan your trips on Taipei’s subway system with maps, fares & real-time information
- T Express: to book tickets for Taiwan’s high-speed rail service that connects major cities across the island
- Google Translate: to translate text, speech, handwriting, images & websites between 109 languages, including Chinese (Traditional) and English
- Easy Currency Converter: converts currency offline
How To Pack a Carry-on for One Bag Travel to Taiwan
Pack light with these items:
| Backpack cover | Insect repellent | Sunscreen |
| 2 pairs of clothing | Reusable water bottle | Dummy phone & wallet |
| Condoms | Female hygiene products | Packable jacket |
| Medication | Sanitizing wipes | Copy of travel documents |
| Portable power bank | Passport wallet/Purse/Day pack | Eye drops |
| Unlocked smartphone | Travel adapter | International Driving Permit |
| Travel adapter for A/B sockets |
Some Taiwan hotels and hostels offer laundry services, which will require you to pack less clothing. Otherwise, night markets and stores like Uniqlo offer affordable (and decent-quality) clothes.
If you have other things you’ll need to pack (e.g., portable CPAP), bring these as well. Though, it may make 1-backpack travel more difficult.
What to Pack When Moving to Taiwan
In addition to items you’d pack for traveling, bring these items if you’re living in Taiwan for over a year:
| Item to Bring | Why to Bring It |
|---|---|
| Travel Adapter | Bring these to use devices that don’t support types A & B plugs |
| Deodorant | Taiwan doesn’t have a wide selection |
| Certain skin care products | It’s difficult to find some popular skin products in Taiwan, unless you buy them online |
| Laptop variety | You’ll find better laptop deals outside Taiwan |
| CPAP machines | They’re expensive in Taiwan |
| Supplements | They’re expensive in Taiwan |
| Vintage video games | If you’re a collector |
Regarding hard-to-find supplements, I use iHerb to order what I need. However, you’ll need to pay them your soul (a lot of money) in import fees.
If you prefer aluminum-free deodorant, you won’t find many options. I’ve seen Arm & Hammer aluminum-free deodorant pop up in some stores within the last few years. But if you prefer other bands, you may have to order them online.
Many import shops on Shopee offer foreign and hard-to-find topics at a hiked price. It’s how I get my supplements. Costco does offer a wide selection of supplements, but mostly basic stuff like vitamin C and Lutein.
Buy CPAP machines outside Taiwan. From what I understand, they’re costly here. Though, I couldn’t find the exact prices.
Electronics in your home country will likely cost less than in Taiwan. Since Taiwan’s a smaller market, electronics manufacturers allegedly charge more for their products. For instance, you’ll likely find cheaper iPhones in the U.S.
Apps to Download Before Moving to Taiwan
Apps I use daily as a Taiwan expat are:
- LINE: how I communicate with everyone
- Go! Taipei Metro: fantastic for knowing when I’ll reach a station & the journey price
- Microsoft Translate & Google Translate: Google’s annoying because it uses Simplified Chinese as default
- I occasionally use Microsoft’s translator (it’s decent)
- Google Maps: great for offline navigation
- Surfshark VPN: I don’t trust public Wi-Fi
- EZ Way: for customs clearance
- Pleco: great tool for learning Mandarin Chinese
- Taiwan NHI app: for paying health insurance bills
I don’t take buses and trains often, though I should.
Important Phone Numbers in Taiwan
Phone numbers to know when visiting Taiwan include:
| Service | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire and Ambulance | 119 |
| Repair Services | 112 |
| Time | 117 |
| Weather Forecast | 166 |
| Freeway Condition Information | 168 |
| Center for Disease Control Hotline | 1922 |
| Anti-Fraud Hotline | 165 |
| Coast Guard | 118 |
FAQs
Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about packing for visiting (or living in) Taiwan.
What Do People Usually Wear in Taiwan?
In summer people wear thin clothes like cotton or linen. In winter, people wear jackets and sweaters.
