Off to Taiwan soon? Great news – but planning and packing properly is the key to a successful Taiwan trip.
From Taiwan’s changeable weather (pack layers – you’re welcome) to Taiwan travel essentials like the correct plug adaptors, putting together a Taiwan packing list is a must-do before you fly.
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We’ve been lucky enough to visit Taiwan many times in all weathers over the years and we now have our packing down to a fine art form!
From gadgets and gizmos like AirFly to some small things you might not even consider, here is our Taiwan packing list guide.
Please note this article uses Amazon affiliate links.
Taiwanderers tip – Take a look at our guide to Taiwan souvenirs before you fly – it shows all the amazing gifts and momentos you will likely buy and want to bring home, from the famous Taiwan bag to pineapple cakes so make sure you have ample suitcase space (or a large luggage allowance so you can buy another suitcase and fill it up with gifts and goodies)!
You might like – Our first timers guide to Taipei and Taiwan >
Taiwan checklist
We love using agoda.com, expedia.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels.
For booking tours, transfers and buying SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, KK Day or Klook. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars. For private drivers and taxis, check out our Transfer guide >
For more recommendations, check out our Taiwan travel booking resources page >
All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >
Taiwan Packing List and Checklist
So you’ve booked your flight to Taiwan – don’t forget to also complete your Taiwan online arrival card if you are visa exempt.
Next on your Taiwan to do list, start making a list of things to pack and purchase. We’ve broken it down into several sections from what you need to buy before you travel, items for the plane plus what to use and wear in Taiwan itself.
Before you travel
Taiwan SIM cards and eSIMs
Make sure you get the right Taiwan SIM card or eSIM for your travels – they are surprisingly inexpensive but prices can vary greatly (particularly eSIMs).
You can easily reserve your Taiwan SIM card in advance before you travel and collect at the airport, or you can download an eSIM before you travel so you can switch on data as soon as you land in Taiwan.
Alternatively you can always hire a portable Wi-Fi router / egg should several of you want to share.
There are lots of eSIM brands and suppliers that have packages compatible in Taiwan – the ones mentioned most frequently in our Taiwan Facebook group are Airalo, Ubigi, Saily and MobiMatter. You can check out our guide to buying the right eSIM or SIM card for Taiwan >
If you wish to have data as soon as you land, then we recommend MobiMatter for purchasing cheap eSIMs. You can use the code CAROL86604 to receive cashback on your first purchase.
Check out our Taiwanderers guide to the best phone apps to download for your Taiwan trip >
Taiwan Travel Guide Book
Obviously we think this website will always be your best Taiwan travel resource (so modest, eh) but we also like taking a printed guide book like Lonely Planet.
Check out Taiwan Lonely Planet and Taipei Lonely Planet on Amazon.
Quick Tip – if you like printed guides, be sure to check out the Taiwan Tourism Administration Centers (there is one at Ximen MRT station) or regional tourism offices as they usually have lots of printed maps, brochures in various languages and even the occasional free gift exclusive for travellers.
Taipei With Kids eBook
If you are visiting Taipei with kids then check out our fun and educational Taipei travel eBook aimed at children aged 7+. Visit our Taiwanderers shop page for more details >
Chinese Mandarin Phrase Book (or use an app)
Many members of our Taiwan Travel Tips Facebook group express a desire to learn some conversational or basic Mandarin before they arrive so you might want to invest in a Mandarin phrase book
Check out this Lonely Planet Mandarin phrase book on Amazon >
Alternatively, if you just want to free-wheel it in Taiwan and use translation apps, we find Google Translate works well.
Here is our guide to the 25 best Taiwan phone apps for travellers >
Passport Cover
Ok, this might sound like an obvious one but to keep your passport nice and clean, get a passport cover to reduce the risk of being turned away at the airport for having a damaged passport.
Check out passport covers on Amazon >
Join our Facebook Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Group!
Need help with your Taiwan itinerary or have any questions? Head on over to the most fun and fastest growing Taiwan Facebook group with 140,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >
For the Flight
AirFly
The best airplane gadget ever – we (Neil & Caroline) both have Airfly units as we hate the free airplane headphones because of their bad sound quality and trailing wires.
Airfly uses Bluetooth technology and it wirelessly connects the sound jack from your airplane television to your own wireless bluetooth headphones. The sound quality is superb and it blanks out all the aircraft noise – seriously, we don’t travel without them and this is a must buy for any trip.
Phone Holder Mount
To watch downloaded movies on your phone during your flight, make sure you pack a phone holder mount.
Check out this phone holder mount on Amazon >
Neck Pillow
No explanation is needed here other than this makes long flights much more comfortable.
Check out neck pillows on Amazon >
Sleep mask and Ear Plugs
Some airlines provide these but not all so check before you fly.
Check out sleep masks and ear plugs on Amazon.
Compression socks
Useful for flights, compression socks help stimulate blood circulation and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Check out these compression socks on Amazon UK >
Hand sanitizer
It is hard not to touch surfaces on a flight and you can’t always get to the wash basin in the toilets so hand santizer is an essential packing list item for flights.
Check out hand sanitizers on Amazon >
Toothbrush
Again, some airlines provide these but on some budget flights, toiletries are not provided so make sure you have access to them in your hand luggage (and keep carry on liquids below 100ml).
You might like – Iconic Taiwan – 25 famous Taiwan things >
Popular Taiwan Novels
If you are more of a bookworm or can’t stand to watch second rate movies on flights, you could immerse yourself into Taiwan culture and read a popular Taiwan novel translated into English like:
- The Man with the Compound Eyes by Wu Ming-yi >
- A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers by Hsiao Li-Hung >
- Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin >
You might like – Our 3 day Taipei itinerary or our 3 day Kaohsiung itinerary
Taiwan Packing List – for your trip / luggage
Don’t forget to include these items as part of your Taiwan checklist and packing list:
Packing Cubes
We genuinely don’t know how we packed before we discovered packing cubes a few years ago – these help keep clothing types together and save space so you can fit in more items into your suitcase.
Check out packing cubes on Amazon >
Airtags
Apple Airtags would be another of our top 5 must travel essentials for Taiwan or any country recently. You can track where your suitcase is via your phone and keep track of it, if it has been lost by the airline.
Or pop one in your wallet or passport in case you fear losing them – please note Airtag tracking capabilities work best with Apple products like iPhones and iPads.
Check out Airtags and Airtag keychain holders on Amazon.
Scrubbra Wash Bag
What is a Scrubbra wash bag? If you don’t have access to a hotel laundry or you are staying somewhere remote like a Taiwan National Park, Scrubbra is like a portable washing machine for travel – like a washboard in a bag, it is great for camping or when using a campervan.
Check out Scrubbra wash bags on Amazon >
Travel adaptor – A & B types
One of the most commonly asked questions in our Taiwan Travel Tips Facebook group is about which plug adaptor to use in Taiwan.
So make sure you buy one of the A & B type adaptors for use in Taiwan – similar to the USA and Canada plug types but some places may also have the two prong style plugs
Voltage in Taiwan is 110V whilst some bathrooms may have a plug socket for up to 220V (or use a voltage transformer).
Check out this travel adaptor on Amazon >
Knife and fork / spork
Some restaurants and traditional night markets in Taiwan provide chopsticks and spoons but not all offer knives and forks.
To avoid being caught out (and denying yourself those tasty Taiwanese foods), make sure you are always carrying an emergency knife, fork and spoon set – or even a spork!
Check out this metal cutlery set and this bamboo cutlery set on Amazon.
Portable phone charger
If you are sightseeing all day and taking photos in Taiwan chances are your phone power won’t last all day (especially if it’s an old iPhone – am I right!?)
From 1 March 2025, power banks and chargers are allowed in carry-on luggage but MUST NOT be used during the flight. Also they are not allowed inside your checked luggage.
Visitors to Taiwan can bring up to five power banks with a maximum power of 100 watt-hours (Wh) each. Batteries between 100Wh to 160Wh are limited to two per passenger, and subject to airline approval. Batteries above 160Wh are banned.
PS In an emergency, you can also buy really cheap powerpacks from places like Guang Hua Digital Plaza near Syntrend mall, Costco or larger Taiwan supermarkets like Carrefour.
Check out portable chargers on Amazon >
Reusable bag / tote bag
Taiwan charges for bags in supermarkets and malls so take a tote with you or buy a bag to reuse out there.
Also don’t forget to pack a laundry bag too!
Portable mini USB fan
Taiwan in the summer months can get very hot so you may want to pack a USB powered fan.
Also some fans have a misting function where you pour tap water into a small tank and the result is a cooling mist.
Check out this portable USB fan and this portable handheld misting fan on Amazon.
Basic First Aid Kid
Hopefully just in case of emergencies and so you have easy access to an English language first aid kit.
Check out this first aid kit on Amazon >
Sea Sickness / Motion Sickness Pills
Some of the Taiwan mountain roads and bus journeys (like the Alishan bus from Chiayi) can be quite windy in certain parts – plus sailing trips and ferries aren’t always fun in choppy waters. So if you are used to a certain brand of tablet, best to bring it with you.
Check out these motion sickness pills on Amazon >
Sunscreen
Sometimes you can have four seasons in one day in Taiwan so be sure to bring (or buy) suncream and keep it in your day bag.
Period products
We recommend taking your own sanitary towel and tampon products to Taiwan as availability can be limited and they can be heavily scented.
Mosquito repellent
This is an important one, especially if you are going to trails like Elephant Mountain in Taipei or in more rural area. Taiwan mosquitoes are very annoying especially on the trails so bring extra strength repellent or DEET (or try stores like Watsons in Taiwan).
Gatsby Deodorant Body Wipes
South Korea can get VERY HOT in the summer months and one of our group members recently recommended Gatsby Deodorant Body Wipes. They said “…Gatsby cloths…are small and not expensive. Worth every cent”.
Water bottle
Especially of use in the warm Taiwan summer months, drink plenty of water during the day, then drink lots of Taiwan craft beer at night – the second one is optional!
Check out the range of water bottles on Amazon >
Hand warmers
Spending the winter in Taiwan or Christmas in Taipei? We’d recommend gloves and hand-warmers. Due to the risk of fire, hand warmers should be only be transported in your carry-on bag (not checked in bag).
Check out the range of hand warmers on Amazon >
You might like – 40 things to do in Taipei with kids including colorful manhole spotting
Money Belt
Taiwan is generally very safe – so much so that many locals leave their phones and laptops on cafe seats whilst they go to get a drink or visit the bathroom.
However, if you worry about losing your money or being pickpocketed, grab a money belt and wear it under your clothes.
Check out the range of money belts on Amazon >
Mini Day Bag / Rucksack
This is down to personal preference but we always like to pack an even smaller day bag / mini backpack to use on city days when you don’t need so many items.
Taiwan Packing List – clothing / what to wear
Taiwan’s weather is notoriously changeable plus rather extreme – it can be up to 30°C (86°F) in the summer and then below -10°C (14°F) in the mountains in the winter.
Even in spring or autumn in Taiwan, the weather can quickly change so the key is to pack for all eventualities and layer up, so you can easily shed clothing if it goes from cold to warm.
Taiwanderers tip – we love cheap clothing shopping at NET, Taiwan’s Affordable Fashion Store. With over 150 NET fashion stores around Taiwan, it is a clothing chain that is similar in style to UNIQLO and GAP…but much MUCH cheaper. Read our NET Taiwan fashion guide >
Some of the Taiwan clothing essentials include:
- Rain mac or winter jacket (seasonal dependent)
- Gloves, hat and scarf in winter
- Swim wear for beach stays like Kenting, Qiding Beach near Taipei or Taiwan hotels with pools
- Cool evening wear
- All your standard clothes like pants, socks, T-shirts, pyjamas etc – although don’t overpack as you can buy lots of cool T-shirts, jeans etc in Taiwan at stores like 50 PERCENT, Zara and UNIQLO.
We also bought a portable clothes steamer for our Taiwan travels, if you like to keep your gear wrinkle free.
The final part of your Taiwan packing list – Taiwan Checklist
We’d recommend reading our first timers guide to Taipei but some of the key things to also remember when planning your packing lists and itinerary:
Currency / ATMs / Overseas Cards
The currency of Taiwan since 1949 has been the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD).
There are lots of Taiwan based banks (Bank of Taiwan, Land Bank of Taiwan etc) and overseas banks (such as Citibank) with ATMs all over Taipei.
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Taipei shopping malls also have ATMs.
Although many restaurants, businesses and convenience stores accept debit and credit cards it is important to carry cash as well as some proprietors (especially Taiwan night market stalls) only accept cash. We also found on occasion our UK debit card wouldn’t work in some stores.
Travel insurance
It is surprising how often in the group that someone asks ‘is travel insurance necessary for Taiwan’?
Even though healthcare in Taiwan is some of the best in the world (and comparatively affordable), it is NEVER wise to travel to ANY foreign country without some form of insurance.
As the old saying goes – “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel….”
Taiwan Online Arrival Card
An online arrival card will need to be completed by most international visitors to Taiwan – it is easy to fill in online before you arrive or at the airport itself before Immigration.
On our last visit to Taiwan in early 2025, we bought Taiwan SIM Cards and filled out the form using the QR codes on display in arrivals – free Wi-Fi is available at the airport too.
From 1 October 2025, paper Taiwan Arrival Cards will be phased out and you must complete one online before you enter Taiwan.
Here is our Taiwanderers step-by-step guide to completing the 2025 Taiwan Online Arrival Card >
Or go straight to filling out the official online arrival card here >
Taiwan EasyCards
A travel essential for anyone visiting Taiwan for the first-time, EasyCards are so simple to buy and top up.
They can be used on public transport, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, taxis and more.
Plus there are so many cute EasyCard designs in Taiwan, which we’ve written about here >
Buy your Taiwan EasyCard in advance via Klook or at the airport or Taiwan convenience stores.
Car Rental, Tours and More
Finally, if you are looking to book tours day-trips or car rental in Taiwan, check out our Travel Resources hub which includes reputable travel companies like Klook, Get Your Guide and many more.
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