How to Solo Travel through Taiwan’s Urban Circuit
Taiwan is often overshadowed by Japan, but for modern solo travel it may be Asia’s most underrated destination.
What makes Taiwan unique is its rare balance of high-speed efficiency and slow-travel freedom. With trains reaching 300 km/h, world-class coffee culture, and far fewer crowds than neighbouring countries, moving between cities is effortless. You can wake up in tropical humidity, board a train, and arrive in another city entirely within an hour.
For solo travel, Taiwan offers something even more valuable: ease and independence. You can design your days around your own energy, switching between temples, cafés, museums or quiet walks without pressure.
And then there’s the people. Taiwanese hospitality is quietly remarkable. During my stay in Taipei, hotel staff left me a handwritten note and packed a bag of noodles for my train journey south. A small gesture, but one that perfectly captured the spirit of travelling here: you may arrive solo, but you rarely feel alone.
My solo travel route through Taiwan followed a simple slow-travel circuit:
Taipei (4 nights) → Taichung (3 nights) → Kaohsiung (4 nights)
Each city has its own personality, connected by the country’s seamless high-speed rail and is extremely simple and efficient to navigate, particularly for solo travellers.
Taipei
Taipei is a sprawling but incredibly well-organised city.
Arriving via Taoyuan Airport is easy. The Airport MRT Express (Purple train) leaves every 15 minutes and takes about 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station, making the transition into the city seamless. It costs NT$160 (approximately $7 AUD). You can tap and go with an EasyCard or simply with your Credit card.
Where you stay is also important in terms of proximity to transport, but also having the amenities you’re looking for. I stayed at Ambiance hotel, a minimalist hotel near Zhongshan with incredible customer service and breakfast included.
It was here that I received the handwritten note and noodles—a standard of hospitality that redefined the trip for me.
Great neighbourhoods for solo travellers include Ximending, Zhongshan, Da’an or Xinyi.
Taipei Highlights
- Yongkang Street – A foodie street filled with lovely boutiques and teahouses.
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – A grand national monument surrounded by lovely gardens
- Taipei 101 – Skip the observatory queue and head to Simple Kaffa Sola on the 88th floor. It’s more affordable and the view is just as spectacular, with exceptional coffee
- Dihua Old Street – Historic architecture, tea shops and traditional markets.
- Ximending – Known for the Rainbow Crossing, shopping streets, temples and street food.
- Huashan 1914 Creative Park – A former factory complex transformed into design stores, galleries and exhibitions.
Taichung
Taichung has a noticeably slower rhythm than Taipei. Blue skies, open spaces and an emphasis on design and architecture make it ideal for slow travel.
The HSR station is in Wuri, about 20 minutes from the city centre. A short local train or Uber ride connects you easily and Taichung Railway Station surrounds make a good base. I chose to stay at CityInn Hotel Plus Taichung Station Branch which was a small simple hotel. A 5 minute walk from the station and easy to walk everywhere from here. Very small clean rooms were adequate but the included breakfast was not great.
Taichung highlights
- National Taichung Theatre: A stunning, cave-like design by Toyo Ito.
- Big Buddha – not on the tourist trail and slightly outside the main city, this small buddhist temple has an incredibly large buddha statue worth visiting.
- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts – A free museum surrounded by gardens and sculpture parks.
- Taichung Park and the Green River Waterfront – Perfect for slow walks.
- Miyahara: Famous for elaborate ice-cream creations inside a grand historic building. Tip: Walk to nearby Fourth Credit Union for the same ice cream without the queues. (They even have great sorbet options if looking for dairy-free)
- Shen Ji New village – only open on weekends but a cool local market with creative flair
- Wu Wei Tsao Tang Teahouse – A hidden gem. It’s a traditional teahouse set around a koi pond—the ultimate “reset” for a solo afternoon.
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung was the biggest surprise of the trip and my personal favourite.
Taiwan’s second-largest city feels more tropical, creative and relaxed. Its sleek metro system makes getting around effortless.
I stayed near the city centre, at the Kung Shang Design Hotel which was excellent. The rooms were large, modern and clean. There was a great breakfast spread and they even offered free afternoon tea. Another area you might consider is the Yancheng District near the harbour for arts and cafés.
Kaohsiung Highlights
- Pier 2 Art Centre – Former warehouses turned into galleries, boutiques and art installations. Visit SunnyHills for a free sample of their famous pineapple or apple cake and tea.
- Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard station – One of the world’s largest glass art installations inside a metro station.
- Lotus Pond – Iconic. A surreal lake dotted with temples and pagodas. Enter through the Dragon and exit through the Tiger for good luck.
- Cijin Island – A 15-minute ferry ride that feels like a world away. Stroll the black sand beach and walk up to the lighthouse for the best sunset views.
- Sunfong Temple – a striking temple filled with rows of glowing red lanterns.
Flying out of Kaohsiung was surprisingly easy as the airport is small, close to the city and very efficient.
The practicalities of solo travel in Taiwan
Arrival
Most travellers land at Taoyuan and follow the crowd to the long immigration lines. To save yourself an hour of standing around, follow this two-step ‘Fast-Track’ strategy:
The Digital Arrival Card (TWAC): You must fill out the Online Arrival Card.
Note that you can only do this within 3 days of your arrival. Set a reminder for two days before you fly to get it out of the way.
The E-Gate: Even if it’s your first time in Taiwan, look for the e-Gate Enrollment Counter before you reach the main immigration hall. They’ll register your photo and fingerprints (it takes about 2 minutes). Once done, you can bypass the main queues and use the automated gates for the rest of your trip—and every future visit to Taiwan. It turns a stressful queue into a 30-second breeze.
Getting around Taiwain using the High Speed Rail (HSR)
Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) is the backbone of this itinerary. It connects the island from north to south in just a few hours and makes city-hopping effortless.
Typical travel times:
Taipei → Taichung: ~1 hour
Taichung → Kaohsiung: ~1 hour
HSR tickets are often cheaper if purchased online in advance (around $25–$35 AUD for standard seats) which i booked through Klook.
There is a luggage section at the back of each carriage and the seats are very spacious and can also accommodate large luggage.
Currency
New Taiwan Dollar is the official currency. Whilst cards are widely accepted across the country, cash is still king in Taiwan, especially for street food and small boutiques, so make sure to always have local currency on hand. Best to use the ATM inside the convenience store .
Power & Connectivity
Voltage: Taiwan operates on 110V.
Check your gear: Most modern laptops, phone chargers, and cameras are “Dual Voltage”. These will work perfectly with just a simple plug adapter.
Warning: High-heat appliances like hair straighteners or dryers from 230V countries (like Australia) often struggle or even “fry” on 110V. I’d recommend leaving these at home and using the ones provided by your hotel.
Plug Types: Taiwan uses Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (three pins), identical to those used in the US and Japan.
E-sims are invaluable for data from the moment you land. I used an Airalo eSIM which I downloaded and activated at home and it automatically connects upon arrival.
A VPN like NordVPN is also useful to keep on in the background as an essential “digital lock” to stay secure when your phone auto-joins public Wi-Fi networks.
Health & Comfort as a solo traveller
For those who travel with digestive sensitivities or just appreciate a high standard of hygiene, Taiwan is a revelation. I’ve traveled to many countries where finding a clean, public restroom is a stressful mission, and in Taiwan, it is a non-issue.
Good places to visit:
- MRT Stations: Every single metro station in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung has free, spotless, and well-signed restrooms. They are often cleaned hourly and are a reliable ‘safe bet’ when you’re on the move.
- Department Stores: If you want a ‘luxury’ experience, head to the upper floors of department stores like SOGO, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, or Breeze. These are essentially five-star hotel quality, often featuring heated seats and bidets
You will often see icons on stall doors indicating the type of toilet inside (mix between sitting and traditional ‘squat’ toilets. It’s always worth carrying a small pack of tissues in your bag just in case, but the majority of places provide the necessities. Note that plumbing is delicate and some places require you to use the bins provided.
Weather reality: Taiwan’s Micro-Climates
Taiwan’s weather can be unpredictable.
I travelled in November, traditionally considered the start of the dry season, yet found myself tracking a developing typhoon just before departure. I almost cancelled. But travel, I’ve learned, requires a balance of strategy and a healthy dose of luck.
While November is technically the start of the dry season, my journey was defined by this late-season anomaly. It shifted the trip from a sunny ‘urban circuit’ to a high-stakes test of endurance. It meant pivot points, cancelled stops, and a constantly shifting itinerary. If you’re prone to travel anxiety, the ‘unknown’ of a Taiwanese autumn can be daunting, but the lesson here was simple: Trust the infrastructure.
The reality is simple: perfect weather rarely exists, so bring the right gear and go anyway. It might be pouring rain in Taipei, yet brilliant sunshine in the south just 90 minutes away by train. Typical seasons look like this:
- Spring (Mar–May) – Pleasant but rainy
- Summer (Jun–Aug) – Hot, humid, typhoon season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) – Usually the best weather
- Winter (Dec–Feb) – Cool and grey in the north, mild in the south
Download the ‘Taiwan Central Weather Administration’ app to stay informed with real-time alerts for earthquakes and typhoons that are often more accurate than global weather apps.
Safety: Travelling solo through Taiwan
One of the most frequent questions I hear about solo travel is: ‘Is it safe?’
The answer is absolutely – Taiwan is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world (often second only to Japan), and as a solo traveller, this changes how you move through the world. People are very respectful of others in Taiwan and I always felt comfortable walking around day and night. That said, you should always take precautions.
Solo Travel in Taiwan: Food, Cafés & Everyday Rituals
Travelling solo means choosing what works best for your body and energy.
While Taiwan’s night markets are iconic, I often preferred restaurants, bakeries and food halls for calmer, more intentional dining.
Convenience stores also have great options (Taiwan’s 7-Eleven culture is elite). My go-to option is always the onigiri – cheap, fresh and perfect for train rides.
Coffee & Bubble Tea
Taiwan’s café culture is exceptional. On days when you want something familiar, brunch cafés serve great coffee and dishes like avocado toast.
And of course, bubble tea. My favourite order was light oolong tea with coconut jelly and boba from 50 Lan.
What to bring home
Skip the plastic souvenirs. Taiwan’s best edible gifts include:
- Pineapple cakes (especially brands like Chia Te or SunnyHills)
- Traditional nougat
They’re beautifully packaged and deeply rooted in Taiwanese food culture
Why Taiwan is perfect for solo travel
Taiwan is a country that values efficiency without sacrificing atmosphere.
Trains run on time. Cities are safe and easy to navigate. Cafés invite you to linger.
But what makes Taiwan special isn’t just infrastructure. It’s the feeling that the country quietly supports independent travellers. Solo travel in Taiwan doesn’t have to feel solitary. Sometimes the best trips aren’t about ticking every box, but intentionally exploring and getting lost. I skipped places like Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake and Yehliu Geopark this time, and that’s okay.
Travel isn’t a checklist, nor a destination you ‘finish’. Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from moving slowly, wandering freely, and letting a place reveal itself at its own pace. Whether it’s the buzzing energy of the city streets, to a quiet teahouse, this country has so much to offer for the slow traveller and there’s still so much to discover. Until next time.
Interested in more? Join the list for early access to the newsletter and receive a free carry-on packing list.
