Taiwan on a Budget: An Epic Solo Adventure for Under $500!
(Excluding flights & accommodation)
The Damage: My Taiwan Trip Breakdown
Alright, adventurers! Here's the lowdown on how I conquered Taiwan solo without breaking the bank. This doesn't include flights or hotels, but everything else was under $500!
- VISA: $50 (worth it!)
- Transportation: 4000 TWD (approximately $125 USD)
- Food & Drinks: 4000 TWD (approximately $125 USD)
Grand Total: Roughly $300 USD (excluding flight and accomodation)
Taiwan Travel Hacks: Level Up Your Trip
The EasyCard: Your All-Access Pass
Seriously, get an EasyCard. Think of it as your magic key to Taiwan. You can use it on buses, the MRT (subway), and even at tons of stores and malls. Grab one for 100 TWD, load it up with 100-300 TWD, and you're good to go! No more fumbling with coins at the checkout – just tap and go!
Ubike: Conquer Taiwan on Two Wheels
Want to explore like a local? Hop on a Ubike! Here's how:
- EasyCard Method: Scan your EasyCard. (You might need a friend in Taiwan to verify your card number through the Ubike app beforehand).
- QR Code Method: Use the Ubike app! Select "one-time login," link your VISA card (they'll temporarily hold 3000 TWD), scan the QR code, and ride! It costs around 10 TWD per 30 minutes. Before checking out of your hotel, refund the 3000 TWD in the app – the money goes right back to your VISA (mine was instant!).
Bonus Tip: Yellow bikes are pedal-powered. Orange bikes? Electric! Let your legs take a break.
Shopping Smarts: Where to Splurge (and Save!)
- Beauty Junkies: Watson's in Ximending is your happy place.
- Groceries: Local supermarkets are cheaper and have more variety than 7/11, but 7/11 and Family Mart are everywhere.
Hotel Hotspots: My Top Picks
- Kaohsiung: The Cloud Hotel (near a night market and the Formosa Boulevard MRT station) - 10/10 (Thanks, Hanh Nguyen!)
- Taipei: 9ine Hotel (right by an MRT station, making it super easy to get around) - 10/10
Foodie Adventures: Ask the Experts!
Overwhelmed by the menu? Just ask for the "best-seller"! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Opening Hours: Don't Get Stranded!
Many shops and restaurants in Taiwan close around 8:30 PM. Double-check opening hours before heading out, or you might end up with a serious case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
My Taiwan Itinerary: 6 Days of Awesomeness
Day 1: Hanoi to Kaohsiung – Arrival & Night Market Mayhem
Morning:
- Arrival Hustle: Scan the QR code before immigration to fill out your info. It takes about 15 minutes if you know some English.
- Lost Luggage? Speak Up! If your luggage is damaged, report it to Lost and Found ASAP for compensation. (I got around $7 USD back for a broken wheel).
- Lucky Draw: After baggage claim, try your luck at the Lucky Draw for a chance to win 5000 TWD! (I got the "better luck next time" message, LOL.)
- EasyCard Time: Buy an EasyCard and use Google Maps to find your way to your hotel via the MRT. (Some Google Maps apps might not show MRT lines at first – check your settings to enable all transportation types, then reset the app).
- MRT Tip: MRT directions in Kaohsiung aren't always intuitive, so pay attention to signs and ask for help if you're lost.
Afternoon:
- Bubble Tea Bliss: Indulge in local favorite 50 Lan.
Evening:
- Lao Song Beef Noodle: Open until 10 PM – a Kaohsiung must-try with a rich, herbal broth, tender beef, and chewy noodles. They even have instructions on how to eat it like a local!
- Night Market Hop:
- Liouhe Night Market (try the sausages!)
- Ruifeng Night Market (more lively! Watermelon juice, stinky tofu)
- Formosa Boulevard Station: Snap some iconic photos at this stunning MRT station.
Bonus: The hotel had self-service laundry – perfect for freshening up!
Day 2: Pier 2 Art Center & Taipei Bound
Morning:
- Pier 2 Art Center: Explore the quirky art installations.
- Train Station Photo Op: Snap some pics at the cool train station.
- Love Pier: Take a scenic train ride to Love Pier.
Lunch:
- Lemongrass Hot Pot: Warm up with a delicious hot pot!
Afternoon:
- High-Speed Rail to Taipei: Head to the High-Speed Rail station and buy a ticket to Taipei (1450 TWD). Trains depart every 15-30 minutes – check the departure board and ask staff at your gate (Gate 1, 2, or 3) for the right platform.
- Check-in Taipei: MRT to your hotel. (Note: Hotels provide basics like water, towels, and shampoo/body wash combos due to environmental regulations. Bring your own toiletries!)
Evening:
- Shilin Night Market: Take the bus (wave to flag it down, ring to get off – MRT is easier).
- Shilin Dinner Delights:
- Large Fried Chicken (since 1992 – worth the line!)
- Egg Crepes (delicious hot, on the left side of the market)
- Herbal Tea (go for the best-seller at the blue-signed stall #50)
- Pork Belly Bun (okay)
- Sticky Rice Sausage (okay)
MRT Pro Tip: Taipei's MRT is easier to navigate than Kaohsiung's!
Day 3: Taipei 101 or Bust!
Morning:
- Fu Hang Soy Milk: Prepare for a long wait (1 hour!) for Michelin-recommended soy milk and egg pancakes. (Divide and conquer: one person waits in line while the other shops at the nearby supermarket).
Afternoon:
- Taipei 101 View: Capture the iconic view from Takemura Izakaya alley.
- Din Tai Fung 101: Get your number (expect a 3-hour wait!). Explore Taipei 101 or shop inside while you wait.
- Tax Refund: Spend over 2000 TWD? Get a 3.8% tax refund! Bring your receipt and passport to B1.
Evening:
- Raohe Night Market: Similar to Shilin, but super crowded!
Day 4: Jiufen & a Bus Adventure Gone Wrong (Almost!)
Morning:
- Jiufen Bound: Take the MRT + bus to Jiufen.
- Tu-Tu Pineapple Cake: Try pineapple cake at Tu-Tu (left of the entrance to Jiufen Old Street).
- A-Mei Tea House: Get your photo op with the iconic lantern view.
Lunch:
- Beef Noodles: Enjoy delicious beef noodles at the start of Jiufen Old Street.
- Sweet Treats: Try the taro balls and tofu pudding next door (a little bland).
Afternoon:
- The Tiaoshi Bus Station Incident: Took the bus (past 70 stops!) to the infamous Tiaoshi Bus Station, expecting beauty, but found darkness, rain, cold, mountains, and no people. The bus stop was under construction! We were stranded! Uber wasn't working! Luckily, after 30 minutes, a bus came, and we hopped on, even though it wasn't the right number. We knew it was going back to civilization. (We were almost at the northernmost point, near the ocean!).
Late Night (11 PM):
- Hot Pot Victory: Finally back to the hotel! Celebrated our survival with hot pot and beer at a late-night local spot, 雅香石頭火鍋(西門總店) (open until 5 AM, popular, with a Haidilao-style sauce bar).
- Uber to the Rescue: Ubered back to the hotel at 2 AM (last MRT is before midnight). Download Uber in Vietnam before you go to activate your account for SMS verification.
Day 5: Serenity Now!
Morning:
- Longshan Temple: Find inner peace at Longshan Temple.
- Xing Fu Tang: Enjoy bubble tea at Xing Fu Tang in Ximending and watch the cool brown sugar torched by a "dragon head."
Lunch:
- Victoria Restaurant: Local Taiwanese restaurant with a 4-star rating and 2000 reviews, serving amazing braised pork belly.
Afternoon/Evening:
Split up to meet a friend studying at NTU near Taipei 101, then enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere. Wandered around, feeling like a small fish in a big pond, a 28 year old lost in translation.
Bonus: My friend went to Ningxia Night Market and tried the oyster omelet (long line!), taro cakes, and Three In bubble tea.
Day 6: Back to Reality
Enjoyed a chill day soaking up the last of Taiwan's atmosphere, wandered around Dadaocheng, had lunch at a spicy noodle place (4 stars, great reviews), packed, and headed to the airport, ending an unforgettable trip.
- Automatic Immigration: Use the automatic immigration gates for super-fast processing (less than 1 minute!) at both Taipei and Hanoi airports.
