Taiwan in 9 Days
Taiwan is the most underrated trip in Asia: high-speed rail down the west coast, mountains in the middle, and night markets that make the food budget look like a typo.
9
Days
£55–£95 / $70–$120 per person per day
Per day
October–April; avoid typhoon season peaks in August–September
Best time
10
Nights
Your day-by-day plan
Arrive Taipei
Morning · Land, airport MRT into the city
Afternoon · Ximending and Longshan Temple
Evening · Raohe night market
Taipei classics
Morning · Chiang Kai-shek Memorial and Da'an Park
Afternoon · Taipei 101 observatory or the National Palace Museum
Evening · Elephant Mountain sunset, Tonghua market
Northeast coast
Morning · Train to Ruifang, Shifen sky lanterns
Afternoon · Jiufen old street tea houses
Evening · Yehliu or back to Taipei
To Hualien
Morning · Train down the east coast
Afternoon · Qixingtan pebble beach
Evening · Dongdamen night market
Taroko Gorge
Morning · Shakadang and Swallow Grotto trails
Afternoon · Baiyang waterfall trail
Evening · Back to Hualien
Sun Moon Lake
Morning · Train and bus across to Nantou
Afternoon · Lake cycle path and the ropeway
Evening · Ita Thao village
Tainan
Morning · Bus to Taichung, HSR south
Afternoon · Anping fort and the tree house
Evening · Tainan's food streets — the best eating in Taiwan
Kaohsiung or slow Tainan
Morning · Lotus Pond dragon-tiger pagodas
Afternoon · Pier-2 art centre
Evening · HSR back to Taipei (90 minutes)
Home
Morning · Beitou hot springs
Afternoon · Airport MRT
Evening · —
Local tips that save you money
- Buy an EasyCard at the airport — it works on metros, buses, trains and convenience stores nationwide.
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) are legitimately good for breakfast and left luggage.
- Taroko closes sections after earthquakes and typhoons; check the national park site the night before.
Taiwan: common questions
How many days do you need in Taiwan?+
This plan covers 9 days, which is the sweet spot for Taiwan without doubling back. You can trim the last two days or add a beach stop if you have longer.
What is the best time to visit Taiwan?+
October–April; avoid typhoon season peaks in August–September. Shoulder months give you the same sights with lower prices and shorter queues.
How much does a trip to Taiwan cost?+
Budget roughly £55–£95 / $70–$120 per person per day, excluding international flights. That covers accommodation, food, local transport and entry tickets at a mid-range pace.
How do you get around in Taiwan?+
EasyCard for metros and buses, HSR for long hops, TRA local trains for the east coast. Everything is signposted in English.
