Taiwan on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Taiwan is easy on a budget. Plan on about NT$2,100 per person per day (bed NT$900, food NT$600, sights NT$300, transport NT$300), averaged with two long HSR journeys.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NT$900 | NT$2,000 | NT$5,000 |
| Food & drink | NT$600 | NT$1,200 | NT$2,500 |
| Sights & tickets | NT$300 | NT$600 | NT$1,200 |
| Local transport | NT$300 | NT$600 | NT$1,200 |
| Per person, per day | NT$2,100 | NT$4,400 | NT$9,900 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Taiwan day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the changing of the guard
- Climb Elephant Mountain for the Taipei 101 view
- Visit Longshan Temple
- Walk Dihua Street's old shophouses
- See the steaming Thermal Valley in Beitou
- Explore Tainan's temples and lanes
Cheap eats
- Beef noodle soup: about NT$150–250
- Pepper bun at a night market: about NT$50–70
- Oyster omelette: about NT$70–100
- Braised pork rice (lu rou fan): about NT$40–80
- Bubble tea: about NT$50–80
Where to sleep for less
Hostels and small hotels near Taipei Main Station and Ximending cost about NT$1,500–2,500 a double, with dorm beds cheaper.
Getting around cheaply
Use an EasyCard on the MRT (NT$20–65 a ride) and buses. TRA trains are cheaper than the HSR. The airport MRT links Taoyuan Airport with Taipei Main Station.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (free)
- Lunch: beef noodle soup (about NT$200)
- Afternoon: Longshan Temple and Dihua Street (free); MRT about NT$50
- Evening: Elephant Mountain sunset and Raohe Night Market snacks (about NT$300)
- Total: about NT$550 plus your bed, roughly NT$1,500–2,100
More ways to save
- Buy breakfast at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.
- Book HSR early-bird tickets where available.
- Visit the Beitou public hot spring (about NT$60–150).
- Carry cash for night markets.
- Choose hostels with free breakfast.
- Use YouBike for short trips.
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Common questions
Can I visit Taiwan on a budget?
Yes, easily, at about NT$2,100 a day.
What is the best transport card?
The EasyCard, used on the MRT, buses, trains and in shops.
What is free in Taipei?
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Elephant Mountain, Longshan Temple and Dihua Street.