1Do Indians need a visa for Taiwan? What options are available?
Yes — most Indian passport holders need a visa for Taiwan. However, Indians holding a valid US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Schengen visa are eligible for Taiwan's e-Visa or landing visa at Taoyuan Airport. Without a qualifying foreign visa, you must apply at TECRO New Delhi (B-9, Vasant Vihar) or TECO Mumbai (BKC). Processing takes 7–10 working days. Visa fee is approximately ₹5,000–₹5,500 (USD 62) for single-entry.
2Is Taiwan expensive for Indian tourists?
A 7-day Taiwan trip from India costs approximately ₹80,000–₹1.8 lakh per person — flights (₹30K–₹70K), visa (₹5K–₹6K), hotels (₹3K–₹10K/night), food (₹1.5K–₹4K/day), and transport (₹500–₹1.5K/day on EasyCard). Taiwan is one of the best-value destinations in East Asia — substantially cheaper than Japan and Singapore for the same quality experience.
3How long is the flight from India to Taiwan?
Flights from India to Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) take 7–11 hours total travel time with one layover. Popular routings include DEL/BOM → Bangkok (BKK) → TPE via EVA Air or Thai Airways, and DEL/BOM → Singapore → TPE via Singapore Airlines or Scoot. AirAsia X via Kuala Lumpur is a budget option. No direct flights from India to Taiwan currently operate.
4What is the best time to visit Taiwan from India?
October to December (autumn) and April to May (spring) are the best months. Autumn is the single best window — clear skies, 18–25°C in Taipei, full trail access at Taroko, and all national parks open. Indian school holidays in December–January are manageable but slightly cooler in Taipei. Strictly avoid July–September unless you are prepared for typhoon disruptions — several flights and parks close during typhoon warnings.
5Is Taiwan safe for Indian tourists?
Taiwan is consistently ranked among Asia's top 3 safest countries. Petty crime is rare, violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of, and public transport is safe at all hours. Indian solo travelers, families, and women travelers all report very positive experiences. The 24-hour tourist hotline (0800-011-765) provides English support at no charge.
6What is the power plug situation in Taiwan — will my Indian appliances work?
This is critical: Taiwan uses 110V at 60Hz — completely different from India's 220V/50Hz. You need BOTH a Type A plug adapter AND a voltage converter for most Indian appliances. Exception: modern smartphone chargers, laptops, and camera chargers typically support 100–240V — check the small text on your charger. If it says "100-240V", you need only a flat-pin plug adapter. For hair dryers, straighteners, electric shavers — always check and carry a converter. Many Taiwan hotels have a 220V socket in the bathroom specifically for shavers.
7Can vegetarian Indians find food easily in Taiwan?
Yes — Taiwan is genuinely one of the best countries in Asia for Indian vegetarians. Buddhist vegetarian (素食, sùshí) culture is deeply embedded in Taiwanese society. Vegetarian restaurants are found in every city and town, marked with green signs showing lotus or Buddhist symbols. Night markets offer veggie dumplings, scallion pancakes, tofu, taro balls, and fresh fruit. Always say "Wǒ shì sùshí (我是素食)" — I am vegetarian. If you follow a strict Jain diet without garlic/onion, specify clearly as many "vegetarian" dishes may include these.
8Can I use Indian Rupee or UPI in Taiwan?
No. The local currency is New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). UPI is not available. Exchange INR to TWD at Taoyuan Airport (reasonable rates) or at banks and exchange counters in Taipei. International Visa/Mastercard debit and credit cards are accepted in malls, restaurants, and most shops. For night markets, carry cash — most stalls are cash-only. Post office ATMs (郵局) and Citibank ATMs reliably accept international cards with low fees.
9What is the time difference between India and Taiwan?
Taiwan (CST, UTC+8) is exactly 2.5 hours ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30). When it is 9:30 AM in India, it is 12:00 PM in Taipei. Taiwan does not observe daylight saving time, so the gap is constant throughout the year. This smaller time difference (vs Europe or the Americas) means calling home in the evening is perfectly reasonable.
10What is the national dish of Taiwan?
Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan, 滷肉飯) is widely considered Taiwan's national comfort food — minced pork belly slow-braised in soy sauce, rice wine, and five-spice, served over steamed white rice. It costs ₹140–₹340 at local canteens. For vegetarians: Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵) is the other national contender, and Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶) is Taiwan's most famous gift to global food culture — invented in Taichung in the 1980s.
11How do I get around Taiwan?
Taiwan's transport system is exceptional. The EasyCard (悠遊卡) is your key — buy one at Taoyuan Airport and it covers Taipei MRT, buses, TRA trains, and convenience store payments. The High Speed Rail (HSR) connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in 90 minutes — buy a Taiwan Rail Pass for group/multi-city travel. Taipei's MRT is clean, frequent, and English-signposted. Uber and Line Taxi operate in all major cities. For Taroko and Sun Moon Lake, book guided day tours from Hualien or Taichung.
12Which is better for first-time visitors — Taipei or Taroko Gorge?
Both, ideally. A first Taiwan trip works well as: 3 nights Taipei (101, temples, night markets, Jiufen day trip) + 2 nights Hualien for Taroko Gorge + 1 night Sun Moon Lake on the return. If you only have 4 nights, Taipei alone is fully satisfying — Jiufen, Yehliu, the MRT network, and Shilin Night Market keep most travelers very busy without leaving Taipei County.
13Is Taiwan better than Japan for Indian tourists on budget?
For on-ground costs, yes — Taiwan is 20–30% cheaper than Japan overall. Hotels, food, and local transport cost noticeably less. Taiwan's Taiwan Rail Pass is cheaper than Japan Rail Pass. Food at night markets costs ₹100–₹400 per item vs ₹300–₹800 at equivalent Japanese stalls. Flights from India are similarly priced. The major difference: Japan's tourist visa costs only ₹1,550, while Taiwan's is ₹5,000–₹6,000. Still, total Taiwan trip cost (₹80K–₹1.8L) usually undercuts Japan (₹1.2L–₹2.5L).
14What SIM card or internet option should I get in Taiwan?
Taiwan SIM cards with unlimited data are available from Chunghwa Telecom, FarEasTone, and Taiwan Mobile at Taoyuan Airport arrivals. A 5-day data SIM costs approximately TWD 300–600 (₹840–₹1,700). Alternatively, buy a Taiwanese eSIM before travel from Airalo or Klook for convenience. Taiwan has near-ubiquitous free Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, 7-Elevens, MRT stations, and even public buses — making connectivity easy even without a SIM.
15Does Destination To Plan offer group tour packages to Taiwan?
Yes. Destination To Plan offers customised group and family tour packages to Taiwan from India — including return flights, hotels, Taiwan Rail Pass, Taroko guided tours, night market walks, Sun Moon Lake visit, and visa assistance. Contact us via the inquiry form below or visit our
Taiwan tour packages page for details and current pricing.
