Travel essentials for Taiwan
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type A, B adapter required
Taiwan uses Type A and B plugs on a 110V supply, the same as the US and Japan. Chargers cope automatically, but Australian hair dryers and styling tools will run weakly or not at all.
110V, 60Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Tap water is treated but locals boil it before drinking, largely because of old building plumbing. Filtered water stations are everywhere - in metro stations, convenience stores and hotels - so a refillable bottle still works.
Staying connected
Outstanding nationwide, including the metro, the high-speed rail and most of the mountains.
Taiwan has some of the cheapest mobile data in the world and unlimited-data tourist eSIMs are common. Note that a Taiwan plan does not cover mainland China or Hong Kong.
Compare Taiwan eSIMsHealth risks
- Typhoons between July and October
- Earthquakes - Taiwan is highly seismic
- Summer heat and humidity, and dengue in the south
Emergency numbers in Taiwan
| All emergencies | 110 police / 119 fire and ambulance |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance | 119 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Australian consulate | Australian Office Taipei - +886 2 8725 4100 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Not customary and can confuse. Restaurants often add a 10% service charge. Rounding up a taxi fare is the most anyone does.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Taiwan essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Taiwan travel essentials FAQs
What power adapter do I need for Taiwan?
A Type A or B adapter. Taiwan runs on 110V at 60Hz - the same as the US - so chargers work automatically but Australian hair dryers and styling tools generally will not.
Can I drink the tap water in Taiwan?
Locals boil it first, mostly because of old building pipes rather than the treated supply. Filtered water stations are everywhere - metro stations, convenience stores, hotels - so a refillable bottle is still the right call.
Planning Taiwan?
We will send you the Taiwan guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.