Taiwan Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Despite Taiwan’s complex ethnic and cultural mix, its way of life is predominantly Chinese, steeped in tradition and marked by superstition. As such, often ancient customs and festivals are celebrated with fervor, and traditional holidays are closely observed. Taiwanese people are extremely friendly, and standards of hospitality are high. Entertainment is more commonly offered in restaurants than in private homes, and visitors are not usually expected to entertain. Handshaking is common, and casual wear is widely acceptable.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is China Airlines (CI) (website: www.china-airlines.com).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) (website: www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw) is 40km (25 miles) south of the city (journey time - 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses depart for both Sung Shan (domestic) airport, the main railway station and high-speed rail Taoyuan Station. Taxis and buses are available to the city center. Facilities: Duty-free shop, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, bar/restaurant and tourist information.

Kaohsiung International (KHH) (website: www.kia.gov.tw) is 9km (4 miles) from the town center. To/from the airport: A regular bus service is available (journey time - 30 minutes). There is a taxi service to the town. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, post office and bar/ restaurant.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Keelung and Kaohsiung (website: www.khb.gov.tw).
Ferries run regularly between Keelung and Kaohsiung ports (Taiwan) and Okinawa (Japan). There are also sea links between Kaosiung and Macau.

Overview
The following items may be imported by persons over 20 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g of tobacco.
• One bottle (not more than 1l) of alcoholic beverage.
• Reasonable quantities of perfume.
• Other goods for personal use up to the value of NT$20,000 (NT$10,000 for passengers under 20 years of age).

Note: All baggage must be itemised and declared in writing.

Prohibited Imports
Narcotics, arms, ammunition, gambling articles, non-canned meat products, fresh fruit and toy pistols. Publications promoting communism are prohibited, as are items originating in Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (PR), Cuba, Korea (Dem Rep), Laos, Romania, Vietnam and members of the CIS.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Far Eastern Air Transport (website: www.fat.com.tw), Mandarin Airlines (website: www.mandarin-airlines.com), Transasia Airways (website: www.tna.com.tw) and Uni Air (website: www.uniair.com.tw) are amongst the domestic airlines that run services to local destinations from Sung Shan Airport, Taipei.

Getting Around by Water
There are currently connections between Keelung and Okinawa. Services are also available between Taiwan and the islets.

Getting Around by Rail
THSR (tel: (2) 4066 5678; website: www.thsrc.com.tw) runs high-speed rail services down the west coast of Taiwan from Taipei to Zuoying. Services are also provided to destinations all over the island by the Taiwan Railway Administration (website: www.railway.gov.tw). The main tourist routes are Taipei-Taichung-Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung (a top-class service), Taipei-Taichung-Sun Moon Lake (with the last leg of the journey by bus), Chiayi-Alishan (with spectacular mountain scenery) and Taipei-New Hualian-Taitung (scenic coastal route). Air-conditioned electric trains run at least hourly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; some trains have restaurant cars. Children under three travel free; children aged three to 13 pay half fare. Train tickets can be purchased at many major hotels in Taipei, as well as at the main railway station.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. There is an adequate road system joining all major cities. A highway links Taipei and Kaohsiung. Some main streets have English signs. Congestion can be a problem, and mudslides may block mountain roads.

Bus: There are both local and long-distance bus and coach services. Long-distant buses are provided by Guo-Guang Bus Corporation, Union Bus, Dragon Bus, Free Go Bus Corporation and Aloha Bus. Reserve tickets 14 days in advance of travel date. Travelers should not take illegal highway buses provided by unlicensed companies. Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are the main transferring stops.

Taxi: These are plentiful and inexpensive (metered). A 20% surcharge is charged 2300-0600. An extra charge is made for a taxi ordered over the phone and for luggage put in the trunk. The destination may have to be written in Chinese for the driver. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers.

Car hire: This is available in major towns. Most hire fees do not include insurance. Travelers are recommended to hire a car with a driver.

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn by the driver and the front seat passenger.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
A number of private bus companies provide extensive services in Taipei. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, a monorail train, serves Taipei and its suburbs. Open 0600-0000, there are currently five lines in operation with stations situated by all major tourist attractions. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Taipei to other major cities/towns:

	Air	Road	Rail
Kaohsiung	0.40	5.30	4.40
Tainan	0.40	4.30	4.10
Taitung	0.50	10.00	5.30
Makung	0.40	-	-

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