Everyday practical information for Taiwan

Local rules and cultural differences

• Strict ban on eating and drinking in the metro (MRT): Across the entire metro system in Taipei, Kaohsiung and other cities, there is an absolute ban on eating, drinking, chewing gum or betel nut. The ban starts at the yellow line on the floor before the turnstiles (the paid area) and applies on platforms and inside trains alike. It even covers plain bottled water. The only exceptions are breastfeeding mothers and people with an acute medical condition (e.g. diabetics) after notifying station staff. Violating this rule is punished without exception by inspectors or metro police with a fine of 1,500 to 7,500 NTD. The rule exists to keep the system perfectly clean and prevent rodents that could damage the electrical wiring of the safety systems.
• Strict drone regulation: Operating a drone in Taiwan is subject to strict rules from the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA). Any drone with a maximum take-off weight of 250 grams or more owned by an individual must be registered in the national registry at drone.caa.gov.tw.
• Registration for foreigners: Foreign tourists (non-residents) must register by entering their passport number and uploading a valid drone license/registration issued in their home country (e.g. a registration issued by your national civil aviation authority). Registration for non-residents is valid for a maximum of 6 months, and the administrative fee is 150 NTD. The registration number must be clearly and permanently marked on the drone body (e.g. with a QR-code sticker).
• Penalties: Flying an unregistered drone weighing over 250 g carries a fine of 30,000 to 150,000 NTD. Flying in no-fly zones (airport perimeters, military sites, government buildings, national parks without a permit) is punished with an extreme fine of 300,000 to 1,500,000 NTD and immediate confiscation of the device.
• Flight rules: Maximum flight altitude is limited to 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level. Flying is only allowed in daylight (sunrise to sunset), within the pilot's direct visual line of sight (max. 900 meters horizontally), and is strictly forbidden over crowds, outdoor gatherings or demonstrations.

Everyday practical information

• Power outlets: All of Taiwan uses Type A and Type B electrical outlets (matching the US and Canadian standard). Mains voltage is 110 V at 60 Hz. European travelers need a physical adapter. For appliances that don't support dual voltage (marked 100–240 V - typically hair dryers or travel kettles), a voltage converter is required, or the device will underperform or be damaged. Phone and laptop chargers typically support dual voltage.
• Time zone: Taiwan Standard Time (TST) is UTC+8. Taiwan does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference from Central Europe is +6 hours during Central European Summer Time and +7 hours during winter time.
• Opening hours: Taiwan has an exceptionally developed network of round-the-clock services. Convenience stores - 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life and OK Mart - are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in urban areas. Regular retail stores and shopping malls typically operate daily from 11:00 to 21:30 or 22:00. Government offices and banks are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:30.
• Public restrooms: Available free of charge at every metro station, train station, department store and temple, and kept to a high standard of cleanliness. In older buildings and public parks, toilet paper should not be flushed directly into the bowl (narrow pipes clog easily) - it goes into the bin next to the toilet (watch for the pictograms).
• Public Wi-Fi: The free national iTaiwan network has thousands of hotspots across public buildings, metro stations, libraries and tourist attractions. Foreigners can activate free access by showing their passport at any Travel Service Center counter (e.g. at airports or main train stations), where staff will set it up using the passport number.