Travels in Taiwan - How to Travel For Less

One consideration when traveling is how to manage costs.  Here is a short guide to the costs of a trip in Taiwan.

First, getting here.  If you book early enough, you can get a round trip from Vancouver to Taipei for under $700 CDN, that being the price in mid-2017.  There are two major airlines that are headquartered in Taiwan, EVA Air and China Airlines.  I'd recommend either one.  Their equipment is new, the service better than North American carriers, and generally, they are less expensive.

Second, getting around.  Taipei has a great subway system.  It's easy to figure out, fast, safe and cheap.  Most rides will cost about $1 CAD.  That's only two $10 NT$ coins.

Getting between cities around the outside of the island is best done by train.  I've written about that in another post.

Then there are buses.  I did take a few bus rides.  Some scenic areas have shuttle bus service.  Examples would be Taroko Gorge, the east coast line north of Taitung and around Sun Moon Lake.  Also, the only way to get into the island's interior is by bus.

Taiwan has a high speed rail system down the west coast.  I didn't take it because, other than the excitement of going that fast, it was more expensive and the stations are further outside of each city they stop at.  Sometimes 15 to 20 km outside.  Not convenient for the hiker/backpacker.

Regular restaurant meals are somewhat similar in price to Canadian establishments.  Perhaps a bit cheaper.  However, you can eat from street vendors and small food stalls.  I've written about food elsewhere.  If your accommodation provides free breakfast, use it.  You can pick up steamed buns on the street for 25 NT$ (about $1.25).  Instant noodles are cheap here and there are many varieties.  Hot water is available many places.  Fruit is cheap and good.  The island is noted for it.

Accommodation is next.  I booked everything through Expedia, in advance, and I generally used hostels, picking cheap places close to the train station in each city.  Per night costs could be around 500 NT$ per night, which is around $25 CAD.  Some offer free breakfast, some don't.  All have free WiFi, most have kitchens, boiling water machines, fridges, showers with good hot water, but often no towels supplied.  Because of the time of year I was there (late Oct early Nov), dorms were not often busy.  In some cases, I was the only person there.