Solo Travel in Taiwan: My Perfect Guide on Traveling Solo & Backpacking Taiwan (2025)

Hey guys, Carae here!

Taiwan, over in East Asia, is definitely one of those countries I think you’ll start seeing everywhere online soon. I have a feeling it’s going to blow up as a travel destination, kind of like how Japan suddenly became super popular in recent years.

I visited Taiwan at the beginning of this year, and honestly, I was so impressed. The country is amazing, the people are incredibly kind and welcoming, the culture is fascinating, and the food is just so so good, I could easily spend weeks just eating my way through the entire island.

So, I thought it would make sense to put together a little solo travel in Taiwan guide to help all of you solo travelers, backpackers, and especially solo female travelers get ready. Since I really do think Taiwan will become a big spot for solo travel soon, here’s everything you need to know about exploring or backpacking Taiwan on your own.

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Solo Travel in Taiwan: My Perfect Guide on Traveling Solo & Backpacking Taiwan (2025)

What I Think About Solo Travel in Taiwan

I actually had no idea what to expect before arriving in Taiwan. At the time, I was backpacking in the Philippines and just looking for cheap flights out of Manila. Then I saw it, flights to Taipei were dirt cheap, so I thought, why not try something different?

Turns out, that was one of the best travel decisions I made all year. Taiwan was such an amazing surprise. Up until then, I’d traveled in places like the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, all so different from East Asia, which includes countries like China, Japan, Korea, and, of course, Taiwan.

This was my first time really exploring this kind of culture, and I loved it. The food, the language, the architecture, everything felt so new and different. Not many people spoke English, everything was in Chinese (I basically lived on Google Translate), but it was still super accessible and easy to get around.

On top of that, it’s way more affordable than you might think (way cheaper than Japan), which makes it a perfect backpacking destination in my eyes. I’m honestly surprised it’s not more popular yet. With the country feeling so safe, plenty of hostels and cheap hotels, and a welcoming vibe, it just makes sense as a solo travel destination.

A Mini Taiwan Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Public transport is great: Just grab an EasyCard at any 7-Eleven. You can use it for buses, trains, and the MRT (metro). Super convenient.
Book accommodation in advance: For some reason, weekends here get absolutely wild. Hostels and hotels book out fast, and prices go up like crazy. I recommend booking at least your weekend stays ahead of time so you’re not stuck paying double.
Join the Taiwan the Lucky Land lottery: Sign up about a week before your trip to claim rewards when you arrive at the airport, basically free money or travel credits. (Yes, it’s a real thing!)
Taiwan can get hot: Especially in summer. Ideally, visit in spring or fall to avoid melting.
Alcohol isn’t a big thing here: I remember trying to find a decent pub or patio to have a pint… it was actually pretty challenging.
It’s super safe: Taiwan is easily the safest country I’ve ever been to. Walking around alone at night? No problem at all.
Skip the THSR (high-speed rail): It’s expensive and the stations are usually far from the city centers. The normal trains are cheap, comfortable, and honestly fast enough.
Pick the right hostel: There are loads of hostels in Taiwan, but not all of them are social or “backpacker” hostels. Do a bit of research if you’re hoping to meet people.
Visit the night markets: They’re fun and chaotic in the best way, plus the food is cheap and insanely good.

Is Taiwan Safe to Travel Alone – My Experience

Absolutely. Taiwan is one of the safest countries I’ve ever been to, maybe even the safest. Public transport (buses, MRT, metro, trains) is super modern and well connected, there’s Uber everywhere, and even walking around at night never felt sketchy or scary at all. I’m sure there are some rougher areas somewhere (that’s true anywhere), but definitely not in the city centers or the main tourist spots.

I think it’s also part of the culture here. Crime and violence are really frowned upon and just not common at all. Plus, everything is open so late like night markets, shops, and malls stay open until midnight or even later. So even if you’re out at 11 pm, there are still families, elderly people, and tons of locals around. It feels busy and normal, not weird or deserted, which makes a huge difference.

To back this up: Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with very low violent crime rates (official stats show a homicide rate of just 0.6 per 100,000 people, one of the lowest globally).

Backpacking Taiwan (What is it like?!)

So, backpacking Taiwan is definitely not the same as backpacking in Southeast Asia, like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, or Indonesia, where I’ve traveled a lot myself.

Those countries have been popular with backpackers for over 20 years now, so there’s a full-on infrastructure in place: party hostels, backpacker activities, cheap boat trips, pub crawls, you name it. There’s even an established “banana pancake trail” that backpackers follow.

Taiwan isn’t like that at all. There isn’t really a big backpacker culture yet, so while you’ll definitely meet other travelers, the socializing and big nights out won’t be on the same level.

But here’s the thing, not everyone thinks backpacking automatically means partying every night. Sometimes you just want to explore, experience the culture, and actually travel a country without all the wild nightlife.

And for that, Taiwan is perfect. You’ll find cheap hostels, fantastic and affordable public transport, and cheap, incredible food. The social aspect just takes a bit more effort (mainly choosing the right hostel), but you’ll definitely meet other backpackers along the way.

Taiwan Travel Insurance

Even though Taiwan is one of the safest countries I’ve ever visited, I always recommend having travel medical insurance, especially when traveling solo. Accidents, unexpected illnesses, or even something simple like a bad food reaction can happen anywhere, and it just feels good to know you’re covered.

When I was in Taiwan, I personally used SafetyWing. It’s a travel medical insurance designed specifically for long-term travelers and backpackers. You can buy it while already abroad, it’s super flexible, and it covers unexpected medical issues and travel interruptions. It gave me peace of mind knowing I wouldn’t end up with a crazy hospital bill if something went wrong.

If you want more details on what to look for or what I picked, check out my full Taiwan Travel Insurance Guide

Check out Safetywing Here: Safetywing Travel Insurance

Where to Stay for Solo Travel Taiwan (Best Hotels & Hostels in Taiwan)

There are loads of great hostels and hotels all over Taiwan. For each city, I actually have a dedicated Where to Stay guide with my favorite areas and hotels which are definitely worth checking out. But just to give you a quick idea here, I’ll mention a few places that are popular or that I personally really enjoyed staying at.

Favorite Hostels in Taiwan

Taipei: Meander Taipei

Tainan: Fuqi Hostel-Heping

Kaohsiung: AHIRUYAH

Best Hotels in Taiwan:

Taipei: Humble Boutique Hotel

Tainan: The MSUG Hotel

Kaohsiung: Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung

Solo Friendly Activities in Taiwan

I feel like pretty much any activity you can do in a group, you can also do solo, just depends on whether you want to fully embrace traveling alone or join a group trip here and there. You can usually book group tours online or directly through your hostel or hotel.

One of my absolute favorite solo-friendly adventures was a day trip to Jiufen, just an hour outside of Taipei. It’s this small mountain village that used to be an old mining town, but now it’s all red lanterns, narrow alleyways, and gorgeous tea houses. It’s actually the inspiration for the movie Spirited Away, so it really does feel magical. I stayed the night so I could hike Teapot Mountain the next morning. It’s an easy nearby hike with amazing views and such a fun way to see more rural Taiwan beyond the cities.

The Alishan Forest is another great one. It’s up in the mountains, with a little train running through the forest, beautiful hiking trails, and sunrise viewpoints where you see the sun rise above the misty mountains. It’s seriously one of the coolest things I did in Taiwan.

Other than that, I totally recommend staying in hostels if you want to meet people. Another great way to connect is by joining a free walking tour in Taipei. I always ended up finding someone to grab dinner or a drink with afterwards. Same goes for food tours in Taipei; they’re such a fun way to meet other travelers. Just make sure when booking that the tour is in English and not Chinese.

Eating Out Alone in Taiwan (Super Normal Here)

I know this shouldn’t be a big deal, but if you’re anything like me, it can feel a little weird at first to go out for dinner alone. In Western cultures, it’s still not really the norm to ask for a table for one, right?

In Taiwan though, it’s a totally different story. I saw so many people eating alone everywhere, it’s as normal as going out with a big group. Honestly, it felt pretty freeing.

I definitely recommend visiting the night markets regardless, but they’re especially perfect for solo travelers. You can just wander around, grab a few different things to try for dinner, and not feel awkward at all.

Even in regular restaurants, from tiny local spots to nicer places, you’ll see solo tables everywhere. Usually they’re long, thin tables against a wall or a window where people sit alone. Most locals seem to watch shows or YouTube videos on their phones while eating, it’s super normal here. No one will even look twice if you’re by yourself.

Public Transport in Taiwan

From my experience, public transport in Taiwan is amazing. But for context, I’m from Europe, so I’m pretty used to cities having a metro, bus systems, and good intercity trains. It always cracks me up when Americans are so amazed by it. But yes, Taiwan really does have a fantastic system.

Most bigger cities (but not all) have a metro system called the MRT, as well as plenty of buses. You can pay for basically everything with your EasyCard, which is super convenient. Honestly, that was one of my biggest annoyances in Australia, every city had its own public transport card. But anyway, different story.

For getting between cities, you have trains. You can get from Taipei City all the way down to Kaohsiung (basically the whole country) in under 2 hours if you take the high-speed rail (THSR). There are also normal trains. Important to know: you need to buy separate tickets for normal trains and the THSR, and they don’t share the same stations or platforms.

Personally, I think the normal trains are actually better. They’re much cheaper, and the stations are in the city centers, where they should be! In contrast, many of the high-speed rail stations are pretty far outside the city, so you waste extra time getting in and out. Kinda defeats the point if you ask me.

I’d recommend taking normal trains for most trips. Maybe if you’re going from Taipei main station to Kaohsiung and you’re really short on time, the high-speed rail might be worth it. But otherwise, stick with the regular trains.

Is Taiwan Expensive to Travel Solo? A Taiwan Solo Travel Budget

I mean, this really depends on your style of travel. Taiwan can be both, it can be cheap, but it can also be expensive if you want it to be.

There are some amazing hotels and fancy restaurants here, and I know that solo traveler ≠ backpacker. Some people solo traveling Taiwan don’t care about budget hostels, they’re treating themselves, traveling solo in style, exploring Taiwan their way. And for them, there are plenty of nice hotels and higher-end spots to enjoy.

However, if you’re wondering if you can travel Taiwan on a budget, then yes, 100%. If you book a little in advance, you can easily find dorm rooms for around $15–20 a night. Sure, that’s more expensive than Vietnam, but way cheaper than Europe. Meals are easy to get for under $5, and street food is often under $3. Public transport is super cheap too, just a couple dollars to get around cities and usually under $10 between most cities.

So yes, you can definitely do Taiwan as a budget backpacker if that’s what you’re after.

FAQs About Solo Travel Taiwan

Is Taiwan safe for solo female travellers?

Yes! Taiwan is one of the safest countries I’ve ever been to. It feels super safe even at night, and I never once felt uncomfortable walking alone. Locals are friendly and helpful, and there’s a strong sense of respect and community.

What is a good Taiwan itinerary?

I’d recommend at least 10 days to 2 weeks. You can explore Taipei, do day trips to Jiufen and Taroko Gorge, visit Tainan for the food, Kaohsiung for the art and waterfront vibes, and head up into the mountains to Alishan.

Is Taiwan worth visiting?

Absolutely. The food, culture, friendly locals, and mix of city life and nature make it an amazing place to explore.

How about Backpacking Taiwan?

It’s a fantastic place to backpack, especially if you’re looking for something different from Southeast Asia. It’s super affordable, easy to get around, and there are enough hostels to meet other travelers, just don’t expect the same party-heavy vibe as Thailand or Vietnam.

Final Thoughts on Solo Travel in Taiwan & Backpacking Taiwan

I have to say, Taiwan might actually be one of the best countries to travel solo this or next year, and it’s the perfect place to visit before it gets super popular and ends up on everyone’s bucket list.

Yes, it’s definitely more about actually exploring the country than partying like in Southeast Asia, but that’s totally okay. Not every backpacker is a party animal, and Taiwan proves that.

So if you’re looking for a place that’s easy to travel solo, safe, super accessible, but also exciting and full of character, I totally recommend Taiwan.

I had the best time here and I’ll definitely be back. I’m really curious to see how it evolves in terms of international tourism and the backpacker scene because I have a strong feeling it’s going to blow up in the next 3–5 years.