If you’re traveling to Taiwan and want to know what to pack, there are dozens of lists out there. This packing list is for those travelers, like me, who are always on the go—collecting experiences along the way and saving room for gifts (a.k.a. snacks) to bring back home. ?
Scroll down and check-off items as you pack or feel free to print this printable packing list so that can pack on the go.
Note: the average temperature in Taiwan is 22º Celsius or 71.6º Fahrenheit. Depending on the season, though snow is very rare, there may be rain and/or winds. The average temperature can also vary widely. For this reason, check out the very end of this guide to make sure that you’re bringing just what you need to feel comfortable.
Travel Documents
- Visa / Passport
- Driver’s license – you may need more than one form of ID.
- Medical insurance card – you may be out of network, but if your insurance extends out of the country this may be a good thing to carry.
- Copies of these documents – originals are best, but it’s better to be prepared than not.
- Printed hotel confirmations – most hotels will have some kind of Wi-Fi, but owner-owned rentals may not have the same kind of perks.
- Printed activity confirmations – some parts of the island have little to no connectivity. Don’t be stuck trying to prove a booking without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
Means of Payment
- Credit card
- Debit card
- NTD
- Small wallet or purse – though there isn’t as much crime as other places around the globe, separating and hiding your money can be a good way of securing yourself.
Toiletries
If you forget any of these items or wish to pick them up in Taiwan, you can do so at most any convenience store. I would recommend checking out Poya for a wide variety of options.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shaver
- Travel-sized bottle of shampoo
- Travel-sized body soap
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Styling products
Other Essentials
- External charger
- A/B socket power adapter – if you don’t have this type of connection already.
- Toilet tissues – on occasion, especially in more rural areas, toilet paper maybe unavailable. Better to be prepared in this case.
- Computer charger
- Phone charger
- Camera – if you enjoy recording your experience, this is a must.
- Travel backpack – this can be a great way to keep and store everything you might need for a quick walk about town (as well as to store any trinkets you may pick up).
General Clothing
- T-shirts – it’s fairly easy to do laundry, so you don’t need to bring too many. Dryers are less common, though many will have clothes lines to hang dry clothes outside.
- Dressier shirt and slacks – generally not necessary, but classier restaurants may require them and temples may appreciate more conservative dress.
- Quick-dry undergarments – due to the generally high humidity and rain, the easier it is to dry, the more comfortable you’ll be.
- Moisture-wicking socks
- Comfortable shoes – you’ll probably do a lot of walking, even with the comprehensive transportation system.
Travel in May, June, July, August, September, or October
- Light rain jacket – because these months are more prone to rainy, hot weather, a light rain jacket can provide relief from downpours and days of precipitation.
- Folding umbrella – it’s not uncommon for many around the island to be using umbrellas while walking around even without rainy conditions to prevent sunburn and tanning.
- Shorts
- Tank tops – instead of t-shirts, you may want to swap out some shirts for tanks due to the high heat and humidity.
- Sunglasses, baseball cap, and/or hat – it can get pretty sunny and hot, especially in the southern part of the island near Kenting (墾丁 / ken ding).
- Quick-dry clothing – it can get sticky and wet. Clothing that dries quickly can be the difference between being miserable all day or not.
- Sturdy flip-flops – I found that I pretty much did not wear shoes during the summer months except at night.
- Swimwear
- Quick-dry travel towel
- Mosquito repellent –
Travel in November, December, January, February, March, or April
- Waterproof windbreaker – as these months can be colder, and you’re on an island, this type of jacket will help keep you warm and dry in case of the rarer (but still possible) rainstorm.
- Travel pants
- Long sleeve clothing
Additional Considerations
- Swimwear – even if you’re going to Taiwan during the colder months, doesn’t mean you need to ditch the swimwear. These months are perfect for going to a hot spring.
- Hiking gear – if you’re planning on doing any outdoor activities, especially those in the Alishan Mountains (阿里山 / a li shan), hiking shoes and clothing can make the journey much more bearable.
- Phrase books – though you can get by with some English in Taipei, other areas are less forgiving.
- Pocket WiFi – pick this up at the airport and use it for quick and convenient access to the Internet sans cellular connection.
Hope this helps! Let me know if there’s anything I’m missing or that you would also pack.
I love what I’ve seen about your travel in Taiwan! I lived in Taipei for a year as an exchange student. For anyone going to Taiwan that is a sweaty foreigner like, the deodorant is crucial! I packed a small bar thinking I’d just buy more when I got there but of course deodorant wasn’t really a thing there haha. That was really my first culture shock! Also when it comes to the umbrellas please invest in a durable one. The wind from the occasional typhoon was also crazy there. Great content! Keep it up!