Budget & Costs
What does Taiwan cost?
Price-wise, Taiwan lies between Southeast Asia and Japan — with a tendency towards the affordable. The value for money is excellent: You get Japanese quality (infrastructure, safety, cleanliness) at a fraction of Japanese prices. Especially when it comes to food, Taiwan is sensationally cheap — a complete night market dinner costs less than a sandwich in Tokyo.
Typical Prices (Guidelines 2025/2026)
| Item | Price (TWD) | Price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Bubble Tea | 40–70 | 1–2 |
| Night Market Dish | 40–100 | 1–3 |
| Beef Noodle Soup | 120–200 | 3.50–6 |
| Dinner at a Restaurant | 200–500 | 6–15 |
| Beer (Supermarket) | 35–60 | 1–1.80 |
| Beer (Bar/Restaurant) | 100–200 | 3–6 |
| Metro Single Ride Taipei | 20–65 | 0.60–2 |
| HSR Taipei → Kaohsiung | 1,490 | 44 |
| Hostel Dorm | 400–700 | 12–20 |
| Double Room 3★ Hotel | 1,500–3,000 | 44–88 |
| Double Room 4–5★ Hotel | 3,500–8,000 | 103–235 |
| Scooter Rental (per day) | 300–500 | 9–15 |
| SIM Card (15 days, unlimited 4G) | 700 | 20 |
Budget Levels
Backpacker (€25–40 per day)
Hostels and dorms (from €12/night), night markets and street food as the main diet (3–5 different dishes for €4–7), metro and local buses, EasyCard for everything. Free walking tours, free temples, hiking trails, and public hot springs. Taiwan is a paradise for backpackers — you live well for €30 a day and eat better than in any European restaurant.
Budget Travelers (€40–65 per day)
Guesthouses or simple hotels (€20–40), mix of night market and local restaurants, HSR early bird for long distances, occasionally a taxi or scooter. More comfortable than backpacking, but still very affordable. Most travelers are well accommodated in this category.
Mid-Range (€65–120 per day)
3–4-star hotels (€50–90), good restaurants and occasional gourmet experiences (Din Tai Fung, tea ceremonies), HSR without discount, taxis in the cities, one or two guided tours. Taiwan offers an excellent experience in this price range — you stay comfortably, eat excellently, and reach everything conveniently.
Comfort / Luxury (€120–250+ per day)
5-star hotels and design accommodations, gourmet restaurants (Taipei has several Michelin stars), private transfers, exclusive tea tastings in the mountains, spa hotels in Beitou. Taiwan can also be luxurious — and the prices are significantly below European levels even in the luxury segment.
Tipp
Taiwan's biggest saving hack: night markets. A complete dinner (3–4 different dishes + bubble tea) costs 150–250 TWD (€4–7). It's cheaper than cooking, ten times better than any restaurant, and the most authentic Taiwan experience ever. Visit a different night market EVERY evening!
Saving Tips
Taiwan is already affordable, but with these strategies, you can save even more:
- EasyCard: The rechargeable card (100 TWD deposit) works on the metro, buses, trains, convenience stores, and even some restaurants. 20% discount on metro rides! Buy at the airport or any metro station.
- HSR Early Bird Tickets: Book up to 28 days in advance: up to 35% discount on high-speed trains. Taipei → Kaohsiung: instead of €44, only €29. Book online at thsrc.com.tw.
- Tourist HSR Pass: 3 days of unlimited HSR travel for 2,200 TWD (€65) — worth it for 2 long-distance trips. Only for foreign tourists!
- Breakfast at 7-Eleven: An onigiri (rice triangle, 25–35 TWD) + soy milk (15 TWD) = solid breakfast for €1.50. Alternatively: Danbing (蛋餅, egg pancake) at a street stall for 25–40 TWD.
- Water at the Convenience Store: Bottled water costs 20 TWD (€0.60). Many hotels and public buildings have free water dispensers — bring a water bottle!
- Free Attractions: Most temples are free, hiking in national parks is free (only permits for special trails), hot springs in the wild (Wulai) are freely accessible.
- Accommodation Tip: Taiwanese hostels are excellent — clean, modern, often with a communal kitchen. Capsule hotels from €15 offer more privacy than dorms.
- Scooter instead of Taxi: In cities like Tainan and along the east coast, a scooter (300–500 TWD/day) is cheaper than any taxi and gives you maximum freedom.
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