THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
TAIWAN

(Updated March 2019)

 
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 as you will need to present it when checking in at the airport. Please be advised not all airlines assign seats in advance. Some airlines assign seats at the airport during check-in. We recommend all travellers 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 Immigrations 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 flag or sign. Please wear your Affordable badge for easy identification.  

Airport Transfers upon Arrival
Affordable World tour 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.  

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. The tour guide will leave information for you at the hotel front desk regarding the time of the meeting the next day. Airport transfers out are not included for those who have chosen to extend their stay at the end of the tour. If you have purchased an airport transfer service from us, please be sure to provide all flight information to Affordable World prior to your trip departure date.  

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date of your trip
• US Passport holders – a visa is not required for your stay in Taiwan up to 30 days
• Non US-Passport holders – please check with your local Taiwan consulate for Visa requirements
• It is the responsibility of the traveller to obtain this visa in a timely manner
• For detailed passport and entry requirements, all travellers are advised to check with their embassy or consulate

 
BAGGAGE
Baggage allowance for international flights may vary by airline and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the below information for each airline’s baggage policy as of June 2016. For up to date baggage allowance information, please check directly with the airlines.
Baggage Allowance:

• Eva Air International Flights - The standard free baggage allowance on international flights is 2 pieces, up to 50 lbs each. Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per person, up to 15 lbs.
• Please keep in mind within China and Asia, the baggage limitation on all flights is restricted to one piece of check-in luggage, up to 44 lbs and one carry-on bag with a combined total dimension not exceeding 45 inches.

Important Luggage Info & Tips

• Baggage is the sole responsibility of the traveller. We recommend using a TSA approved luggage lock and Affordable World luggage tags showing the name and contact information of the owner (Please use the Affordable World luggage tags provided in this package). 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 and toiletry 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 labelled by 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 keep an eye on your personal belongings and valuables at all times. 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.

 
TAIWAN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
Foreign visitors 20 or over in age are allowed to import, free of duty, 200 cigarettes (or 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco), 1000 c.c or less alcoholic beverages without limitation on the number of bottles. Foreign visitors are not allowed to bring any meat products into Taiwan; any visitor found bringing meat products into Taiwan will be fined up to one million NTD. For inbound and outbound traveller declaration and duty exemption, please check the Taipei Customs website for further details www.taipei.customs.gov.tw  

CURRENCY
Taiwanese currency is called New Taiwan Dollar (NT). We suggest you bring a combination of cash and major credit cards for your trip. As of December 2018, the following exchange rates apply: US $1 = TWD 30.8165  

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.  

HEALTH & MEDICAL MATTERS
Medical and vaccination requirements vary between countries and 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 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 labelled. 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.  

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT
Taiwan’s electrical system operates at 110 volts. The electrical outlets are compatible with those in the USA.  

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 the providing 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 requests, 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.  

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
National Holidays:

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

National Festivals:

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

 
CLIMATE
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.  


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.  
 
TAIWAN TRAVEL INFO
For detailed Taiwan travel guides & maps please visit: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/  

TAIWAN EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
+886-2-2563-5313
Our experienced staff of Taiwan specialists take 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!

Bon Voyage!