Before your trip

Taiwan

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR TRIP
TAIWAN

(Updated March 2025)

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
As you prepare to embark on your upcoming Affordable World journey, please log on to your My Affordable account and click on your trip confirmation ID to review the most up to date trip details including hotel information, flight schedules, and ticket number(s). Please make sure you have all travel documents*, passports, and necessary visas ready before you depart for your trip.

CHECKING IN AT THE AIRPORT
Be sure to bring your passport and all required travel documents* as you will need to present them when checking in at the airport. Please be advised that not all airlines assign seats in advance. Some airlines assign seats at the airport during check-in. We recommend all travelers arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to the flight departure time. You will receive boarding passes at the airline counter when you check in for your flight.

UPON ARRIVAL IN TAIWAN
Please go through Customs and immigration on your own. After you pick up your luggage, exit the baggage claim area and look for the Affordable World representative holding an Affordable World sign. Please wear your Affordable badge for easy identification.

Please click here to view the arrival instructions. Please proceed to the Tourist Service Center and call the operation hotline at +886-2-25634621 or +886-2-25635313 or +886 966550866 (WhatsApp) if you have trouble locating a representative.

Airport Transfers upon Arrival
Affordable World guides/airport assistants will wait for arriving tour members outside the airport baggage claim area for up to 90 minutes* after the landing time of the tour member's flight before departing from the airport with transportation to the hotel. If for any reason a tour member does not meet the Affordable World representative within 90 minutes after the landing time of the tour member's flight, the tour member will be responsible for his or her own transportation from the airport to the hotel, along with all associated expenses.
Please text or call the emergency contact numbers if you have any trouble finding the representative upon arrival at the TPE airport or if your luggage has been lost and you are still inside the luggage claim area.

Land Only & Extended Stay Travelers
Land only packages do not include airport transfers. Please arrange your own airport transfer to the hotel as listed in your travel documents. Airport transfers are not included for those who have chosen to extend their stay at the end of the tour or depart early. If you have purchased an airport transfer service from us, please provide all flight information to Affordable World prior to your trip departure date.

DAILY ITINERARY
Upon arrival in Taipei, a tour guide or representative will provide you with a detailed day-to-day itinerary with transfer schedules for the city and optional tours as well as any necessary vouchers required for the trip.
Land Only Travelers - an envelope with the above information will be left at the front desk in the Taipei hotel.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date of your trip and have at least 1 blank page. You will be denied entry into Taiwan if there is not enough space for entry and exit stamps in your passport.
Mandatory proof of return or onward ticket from Taiwan - Travelers require proof of a ticket showing their entrance and exit from Taiwan.
Non-US Passport holders – please check with your local Taiwanese Embassy or Consulate for Visa requirements
All travelers must ensure they are eligible to enter Taiwan and produce all required entry documentation for this vacation. Requirements and restrictions may depend on different factors including but not limited to: your country of residence, passport nationality, transit points, as well as previous travel history.
For detailed passport and visa requirements, all travelers are advised to check with the related embassy or consulate.
Please note that the information provided in this document is based on the time of print/publication and a country’s requirements can change at any time. It is the responsibility of the traveler to check all updates and obtain all necessary documents and tests prior to departure, as well as entry back into the US. Affordable World is not responsible if you are denied entrance for any reason in any country, even if you hold a valid passport and entry visa.

BAGGAGE

Baggage allowance for international flights varies by airline and is subject to change at any time. For up-to-date baggage allowance restrictions, please check with the appropriate airline for their latest regulations. Additional baggage charges may apply.
Please keep in mind within Asia the baggage limitation on all flights varies by airline. Generally, the baggage allowance on domestic and within Asia flights is limited to 1 checked-in of 44 lbs. and 1 carry-on with a combined total dimension not exceeding 45 inches. Please check directly with the corresponding airline to confirm baggage allowance policies.

Important Luggage Info & Tips

Baggage is the sole responsibility of the traveler. We recommend using a TSA approved luggage lock and Affordable World luggage tags (enclosed) showing the name and contact information of the owner. Baggage without a lock may be refused for transport
DO NOT pack medicine, valuables, and other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep these items in your carry-on bag
Consider packing a change of clothing, a set of undergarments and toiletries in your carry-on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delays or lost luggage.
Power bank chargers over 20,000 mAh are restricted from carry-on and check-in luggage
Power bank mAh capacity must be clearly labeled by the manufacturer on the charger
Please visit www.tsa.gov for USA carry on restrictions
No porter service will be provided throughout the tour. During the tour please always keep an eye on your personal belongings and valuables. Be aware of your surroundings when going out on your own.
Important note: Affordable World Tours’ representatives cannot enter the luggage claim area. After you collect your luggage and exit customs, our local Affordable World representative will be waiting for you outside with an Affordable World flag or sign.

CURRENCY
Taiwanese currency is called New Taiwan Dollar (NT). As of March 2025, the exchange rate is $1 U.S. dollar to 33.12 NT. We suggest you bring a combination of cash and credit cards for your trip. Most stores, hotels and restaurants will accept major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. However, it is more convenient to use cash especially if you are planning to shop and eat in smaller shops. Please always keep your currency exchange receipts as you may need to present these when changing NT back to your own currency at the end of your trip.

TIPPING
An important note on tipping - please note gratuities are not included in your tour cost. They are customary and their purpose is to encourage and reward quality service. Our guides greatly appreciate any tips you would like to give them. Our recommended tip amount is $10 USD per person per night for our guides and drivers to be shared.

HEALTH & MEDICAL MATTERS
Medical and vaccination requirements vary between countries. It is important you check with your family doctor or a qualified medical professional for the most up to date travel health information for the region you are visiting. Due to the length of the trip, it is strongly advised you consult your doctor for existing medical/dental conditions before departure. It is advised to pack any prescription medicine in your carry-on hand luggage. Please make sure prescription medicine is fully labeled. It may also be useful to bring aspirin, over-the-counter medicine for the flu, indigestion, motion sickness, etc. In case of illness during the trip, please immediately notify your tour guide for assistance.

WALKING
Our Itineraries include city tours and these involve a decent amount of walking. Be prepared for many steps, uneven pavement and walking up steep inclines (especially in temples) – comfortable walking shoes with grip are strongly recommended.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT
Taiwan’s electrical system operates at 110 volts / 60 hz and uses the type A and B power sockets. It may not be required however, iIt is recommended travelers bring their own voltage converter and adapter.

TIME DIFFERENCE
The time difference between major cities in North America and Taipei are as below:

Los Angeles + 15 hours
New York + 12 hours

MEALS
Meals are included in Taiwan as per the itinerary. Tap water is not potable in Taiwan. Bottled water may be purchased from the hotel or convenience store. We regret to inform you that Affordable World is unable to confirm any special meal requests as it is based on the availability of restaurants, hotels, and airlines. Please contact the airlines directly to place special meal requests for your flights.

SHOPPING
Although Affordable World’s national guides will be happy to assist you with any shopping requirements, Affordable World does not assume responsibility for any items purchased at shops while on tour. You are never required to purchase any items while on tour and thus must be responsible for your own purchases. Any after sales correspondence must be between the passenger and the shop in question.

OPTIONAL TOURS
Optional tours may be added up to 7 days prior to the departure date. Optional tours may also be purchased while on the tour. All on-site optional tour purchases are up to an additional $10 per person and must be payable in USD cash (credit cards are not accepted for on-site optional tour purchases). Optional tours that have a “pre-book” icon are only available for purchase up to 7 days prior to the departure date and are not available for on-site purchase. Unused services, including optional tours, are non-refundable.

CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Being a small Island Nation, Taiwan’s climate does not vary drastically from region to region. Taiwan has a subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid while winters can be cool and damp. The rainy season usually occurs late summer to mid-autumn.

Clothes should be light and loose; natural fibres or blends are best during the summer months and layers or warmer clothes for the winter months. Comfortable walking shoes are essential; sunglasses and light hats are recommended.

LANGUAGE
Mandarin is the official national language and is spoken by the vast majority of the population of Taiwan. To make your trip more interesting and rewarding, we have included a list of the most useful phrases in Mandarin.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

National Holidays:

January 1 New Year’s Day
February 28 Peace Memorial Day
April 3 The combined holidays of Women’s Day & Children’s Day
April 4 Children’s Day
April 5 Traditional Tomb Sweeping Day
May 1 Labor Day
October 10 National Day

National Festivals:

Lunar New Year and Spring Festival – 1st day of the 1st lunar month
Dragon Boat Festival – Fifth day of the fifth lunar month
Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) – The 15th day of the 8th lunar month
Lunar New Year’s Eve – last day of 12th lunar month

TAIWAN EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
+886-2-2563-5313
+886-2-2563-4621
+886-966-550-866(WhatsApp)

GOVERNMENT & INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
We’d like to remind all guests to check their local state travel guidelines regarding travel restrictions when arriving from international destinations or other US States, as this may vary state by state.
US State Department
WHO

The American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Main Office
No. 100 Jinhu Road
Neihu District, Taipei 114017, Taiwan
Telephone: +886 2-2162-2000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +886-2-2162 2000
Fax: +886 2-2162-2239
Email: TaipeiACS@state.gov
Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need.

Our experienced staff of Taiwan specialists takes pride in providing you with the very best in service and planning. Thank you for choosing Affordable World as your partner in travel. We are confident your trip will be happy and rewarding!