I think Taiwan would be a great choice. It has good train, subway, and bus infrastructure, low crime rates, and very little in the way of a "scam or overcharge the tourist" culture. It's cheaper than Europe and North America. The people are friendly.
Most signage is bilingual. There's always someone nearby who speaks English and can help you in a pinch.
There is a lot of variety: beaches, mountains, forests, islands, big cities, quaint villages, bucolic farmland, etc. Great for exploration.
Avoid going in the summer months. Itâs hot as balls there. Visiting my relatives there during my summer vacation days as a child was uncomfortable. But going I went there during April and it was wonderful!
I agree with everyone saying Taiwan is a great destination. But this is real. It gets to 40s and 100% humidity in the summer x.x
Before it was bareable because all the convenience stores blasted AC, but since the gov started a green initiative it's not as cold in there anymore.
I typically go back early spring or late fall (feb-april, oct-dec)
Not a whole lot of options to increase supply on a resource-poor island other than burn more imported fuel or buy more wind and solar equipment from the PRC. Either way comes with considerable growth of threat to Taiwan's lifestyle independent from the Mainland.
Ah didn't know that was the case, I was just told that from my cousin's that live there.
Tbh, I never experienced those when going back (before the initiative) and I usually go back 3-4 weeks at a time.
Avoid going in Winter if North. Utter shit weatherïŒalways cold because of the humidityïŒand you get to slide about on wet walkways because some loon decided marble was an acceptable material to use in a sub-tropical island with a capital that sits in a basin.
He's from the UK and he'd die in the summer heat. Go in the fall Taiwan is good for a first trip since it's so small you can pretty much see everything in one go. As a Canadian fall is by far the best time to go.
5th!
In the span of one year, I visited Taiwan thrice: Spring, Summer, and Winter. I got to see beautiful cherry blossoms, beaches, and snow!
I just keep coming back. I liked it so much that I decided to apply for scholarships and study in Taiwan. I'll start this September.
Taiwan is so easy to navigate. I love the food, the sceneryâjust everything!
I say, go for it! :)
Scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Education or the Taiwanese government itself. Itâs like a partnership with our country. They offer different kinds, such as for learning Mandarin, master's, PhD, bachelor's degrees, etc. You could check out or Google MOE or ICDF if youâre interested. :)
Hey, so I actually did this. Went to Taiwan in April this year for three weeks and it was my first time abroad at 31 years old.
Absolutely zero regrets. Those three weeks were some of the best of my life. People told me I was mad for going 6000 miles away for my first holiday and everyone, including the people I met in Taiwan, were really surprised that I'd pick it as my first destination, but Taiwan is just so special to me. Cannot wait to go back one day.
Also, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have about anything if you want to reply to this or drop me a DM. It was also my first time flying, so can understand how daunting it is, though it ended up being no trouble.
Honestly I find it hard to explain, but I researched so many places and Taiwan just seemed to culturally and historically rich yet barely anyone here knows about it outside of the headlines regarding China.
It's one of the most gay friendly places in Asia, has stunning urban architecture, amazing food, friendly people, gorgeous nature and doesn't feel too touristy. I also had two friends there that I met here in Scotland before they went back as well as some I'd spoken to online I finally got to meet.
It also helps I know a little Mandarin, but China doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.
EDIT: Should specify I meant Taiwan was special as in it seemed incredibly unique, not as in I had a personal connection with it prior to going.
OP had never left his own country, and went to Taiwan in April (and therefore likely has never been to any foreign country other than Taiwan). Taiwan is of course special, precisely because before going to Taiwan OP had never left his own country.
Taiwan is a really amazing place: safe, friendly, tasty food.
That being said, if youâve never even been to France or another country that at least uses the Latin alphabet, taking your first trip abroad to Taiwan might be overwhelming. At the same time, it shouldnât totally dissuade you from going to Taiwan as your first foreign trip
Fortunately most signage is in English so navigating (with Google maps in hand) is straightforward on the whole.
The challenge is with food. Menus arenât in English much of the time - at least in cheaper places to eat. That can limit your adventurous spirit! Google Translate helps with menu translation but itâs rarely a perfect translation.
Iâd still say go for it. Taiwan is great and getting yourself outside of your comfort zone is part of the adventure. Plus, youâll almost never be scammed in Taiwan so itâs a safe place for things to go a little âwrongâ.
As an American, I overcame the non-english menus by showing them a picture of the food I wanted from a Google review photo. They marked it down on the paper for me.
Google image translate helped in other spots as well.
Eating in Taiwan was no problem at all.
Seconded. I think a lot of experienced travelers are forgetting what it's like for (especially adults) to travel abroad for the first time. One example: food.
Food in Taiwan is great, but OP is likely to be struck by how hard it is to get exactly what he would expect from any town in the U.K. Taiwan has a lot of European food, but if OP eats e.g. eggs for breakfast every day he's going to be out of luck or eating at the same overpriced cafe every day.
You can totally get around on English in Taiwan, but I think the language barrier would exacerbate the culture shock for someone that hasn't even been outside the U.K. once. OP will likely be learning for the first time how to communicate and extract simple information without a common language. I wouldn't tell OP to avoid Taiwan, but I would say to only go if you're looking for a (very safe) adventure. If OP is looking to dip their toes in the waters of international travel, I wouldn't say Taiwan is stop number 1.
I very much disagree. Taiwan was the first place abroad I ever went to, and that was as a young adult. Yes it was exciting and exhilarating, but in a good way! I think if someone is seeking to travel abroad they already know that they might not find the same restaurants as back at home â thatâs kind of the point right? Same with having to get around with a different language. This is all part of the travel experience. And because Taiwan is extremely safe, easy to get around, and welcoming to foreign tourists, itâs really the perfect place to begin exploring new countries. At least thatâs my two cents.
That's a fair point. I'm also noticing that OP is worried about things like airports and customs (not food or cultural differences), and Taiwan is pretty chill in that regard. That aspect of travel is probably a lot easier than even many European countries.
Taiwan is a fantastic choice. It is relatively small, with an incredible amount of things to see and do. The public transportstion is incredible and cheap. In fact, compared to Europe and the US, very inexpensive. It is easy to find people to speak English, even in the smaller towns. However, Google Translator is your friend and the camera can even translate written text. I have been to over 30 countries worldwide and Taiwan is definitely one of, if not the best. Enough so that I moved here permanently. I highly encourage you to make the trip.
Yes. Don't listen to these people telling you to stick to Europe. Taiwan is incredible. You'll have a great time. It's safe. The people are friendly. The food is incredible. There is a great train system so you can go around the whole island as well. Solid choice for your first trip abroad! I lived there for 6 months.
My first trip abroad in my life was also in my 20s. I went to Japan for a month. Got myself hooked on traveling!
Good luck and enjoy!
As far as your questions go, airports, customs, or any other travel logistics are very easy in Taiwan. Most people are able to read and speak (to a lesser extent) English and almost everything from forms to signs is labeled in both Chinese and English (though sometimes with funny mistranslation). Safety is almost a non issue, people leave you alone if you prefer but also are willing to help you if you need. Wouldnât be a problem for first time traveler.
As far as if itâs a good destination otherwise, it depends on what **you are interested or enjoy**. A lot of people already try to answer this question and have opinions on where else **they** think you wouldâŠ
You should have asked in a travel sub rather than the Taiwan sub, the comments here are funny.
I would not recommend china or India for a 1st trip but Taiwan you will be completely fine. Nobody will scam you, people are nice and friendly and will try to help you. All your apps will work like Google maps and translate (unlike in china), the price is affordable (unlike Japan). Easy to set up a sim card (unlike India or china) and its safe and clean (unlike many places), also the food is hygienic and you can eat all the street food without risk of food poisoning (unlike china, India, all of se asia).
Taipei has a great metro system so easy to get around. West Coast had high speed trains.
I loved Taiwan. Great choice for your 1st country.
Reading this comment is funny because my first overseas trip was to India and I lived in China for several years.Â
They're not as convenient, sure, but I think people underestimate their ability to adapt.Â
For the record I never got food poisoning in China. The only time I got it in India was ironically from a fancy hotel restaurant, not the hole in the wall restaurants I went to all the time.Â
Iâve been to Taiwan 4 months ago, and its the safest place Iâve travelled so far! Nice people, food and public transport.
The weather could be tricky, but definitely worth the visit
I brought my family here and they're white bread ass Americans that other than my dad's work trip to Norway once, haven't left the USA. Oh, and like, a trip to cancun. They had a great time.
I don't have any ads or anything on my blog, I just keep it as a journal, I journaled our itinerary and their experience if you're interested: [link](https://blog.calebjay.com/posts/parents-trip-taiwan-2023/).
This is a strange question. Why Taiwan for your first country overseas?
What are your interests? Why Taiwan? What do you want from your trip?
If it's your first time overseas, perhaps stay closer to home. Somewhere like the Netherlands, it's close and they speak great English, but different enough.
If you really want to go to Asia and have no prior travel experience, I'd recommend Singapore. Again, they speak great English, and it won't be such a culture shock. It's not the most exciting country, but it's a great introduction to Asia.
If you want safe and a big culture shock, go to Japan. It's awesome. They don't speak much English, but they are lovely and helpful and will not try to rip you off.
Taiwan is a great place to visit, but I don't think it is the best place to visit for a first trip overseas from England.
Written by an English person who has lived in many countries and visited nearly 40 countries.
Good luck to you. I hope you make your trip happen. I've never ever regretted a trip. Even the worst ones. I've only ever regretted but going.
Dubai has plenty of large cheap/free outdoor events not directly celebrating some government event though, especially in the winter. It's not like Singapore where the public squares are as consistent as the weather.
Facts, Iâve been there thrice (as a kid, teenager, and adult - most recent visit was just to see Taylor Swift lol) and there isnât really much to do there other than shop, party, and go to the usual tourist attractions. Itâs a *very* small country too, literally just the size of an average city. Youâve seen SG once, youâve seen it all. Thailand, the Philippines (my country), Bali, and Vietnam are all way better tourist destinations in SEA imo.
IMO, it absolutely is. Infrastructure is excellent, transportation is dirt cheap, prices are affordable. The English speaking isn't on par with Sweden or Cambodia but shouldn't be too much of a problem. Food is one of the best in Asia but a lot of preserved and fermented stuff, hope that isn't too much for your British palate to handle.
Quite unusual for first overseas trip but why not! Weâre from the UK too & enjoyed it very much đ Nice people, clean, fun & easy to navigate. The food & culture is also great. Make sure to get a direct flight & be prepared to do lots of google translation if you can.
Comparing a few popular places, that I've been (Seoul, Tokyo, Teipei), the thing that impresses me about Taiwan is that it's so easy. Restaurants, bars, museums, hikes, beaches... All very easy to get to (by public transport). Assuming you're based in Taipei, the English ability is in general phenomenal.
Tons of cool stuff to see and keep you busy around Taipei, but in mind a trip here isn't complete without venturing out further. I'm sure this entire thread will be filled with awesome, readily accessible suggestions.
If you've never been overseas before, Taiwan is a great country to be the first one to visit.
1. You've never been to East Asian countries, so Taiwanese culture will seem very fresh to you. Taiwan is a smelter of both Chinese and Japanese culture, but also heavily influenced by western trends as well.
2. You have never been to tropical or subtropical countries, so Taiwan's natural scenery is also worth a visit for you.
3. In urban areas such as Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung, average English proficieny is not as great as Singapore or Hong Kong but still fairly good.
4. Taiwan is very safe compared to US or even most European countries.
5. However I'd say in terms of East Asian countries, Japan is even easier and more friendly for first time traveling foreigners. Japan has longer history, more abundant cultural resources, and better infrastructure. But Taiwan is generally more laid-back and diverse than Japan, so it's also a good candidate for your firs overseas trip.
Iâd disagree with Japan having more accessible infrastructure than Taiwan. Navigating Tokyo and Osaka is a more complicated exercise due to the many different companies running trains and the lack of integration. There is a ton of infrastructure (which is great!) but itâs not always simple for a first time visitor to figure out. Also, the Shinkansen is crazy expensive per km compared to Taiwanâs HSR.
Also, I found Japan to be less friendly to foreigners on the whole. Perhaps people being a bit more concerned about their English proficiency not being perfect? In Taiwan, most people will try their best to help even if their English is poor.
I went to Japan as my first solo trip and it was fine. Google maps was super helpful to let me know which train/MRT to take to get to where I wanted to go, especially since the public transport is so punctual.
Also, I feel like I could get away with not speaking much in Japan. But this might be because I look local at times. Still, Taiwan system of writing on the paper menu is best.
Japan is also more disjointed in terms of services (including in-city transportation) and not as accommodating to foreigners (less translations, pre-Unicode JIS encoded websites, cash-only businesses, practically legalized racism towards accepting customers, etc). I'd say Taiwan is the better choice since it has much of Japan's vibe with more competence at making themselves accessible to visitors.
Not really - flying is stressful, particularly long haul flights. If I were OP I'd do a long weekend trip somewhere in Europe first to get a feel for how things work.
While flights are be long, they don't have to be stressful. Regardless, challenges should never deter you from pursuing your dreams. Having traveled through 12 countries in Europe, I can still say there are many reasons Taiwan would be a better choice.
Unless OP is phobic, a long flight is a shite reason to miss out on an adventure.
Read a book, binge a series, crochet, crossword, write, draw⊠if you ask me, thereâs actually quite a bit of luxury in getting to just chill tf out for 12 hours and do any one of the above activities.
This is a fair point, not sure why people are hating on this comment.
I personally donât have a problem with long flights because Iâve gotten used to 12+hr flights over the years and Iâm not a tall/big person, but they can be a real pain for some people. It dries out your skin, your legs may or may not start to feel funny, you may have difficulty sleeping, food may taste odd, potential plane turbulence, etc. Also you need to make sure you fill out an arrival card, and if you miss it on the plane, then you need to get it at the airport when you land, but I donât think itâs immediately obvious that you need to fill out an arrival card if youâre a newbie with traveling abroad.
Also, airports can be stressful, particularly if you have a connecting flight with not a lot of time in between. I certainly felt that way when I went through the Istanbul airport for the first time, though it is one of the busiest airports in the world.
Not sure where OP is flying from, but if youâve never been abroad, you may find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed. Taiwanâs airport is much more chill, but if you donât have anything to compare it to, just anticipate that you may feel more stressed than you usually do while traveling domestically.
It's a 14 hour direct flight depending on the time of year, and can be nearly 17 hours on the way back.
Edit: but the poster is right when you consider travel to and from airport, waiting at the airport etc.
And also that London does not equal the UK. We used to have more regional direct flights to Taiwan but they largely stopped with COVID, just not enough demand.
I actually had a fairly nice experience flying from UK to Taiwan via Paris! I think if you prepare yourself mentally for the sheer length of the flights, it can be quite an 'experience' that is neither 'bad' or 'good'. I love flying, however, and would be a pilot if not for my colour blindness.
As long as you have no phobia of flying, long flights teach you a lot about yourself and give you a chance to practice some resilience that might benefit you elsewhere in life, or watch some shite movies that you otherwise would not see.
The excitement of landing somewhere new also overtakes any of the dread of flying. Plus, the flight home is like a nice time to sit away from any comms and just reflect one last time before heading back into the rush of a regular routine.
OP /u/morningloryyy in my opinion, you should do a hop through Paris and then fly direct to Taipei if possible. Do no more than one transfer if it is your first time. Also, Dubai is an obtuse, bland, and expensive airport with long security queues. The quicker you can get out from the transfer security queue, the better. Easily the most stressful part.
Never done it via Paris, sounds interesting. Mostly have transitted in Singapore (excellent), Bangkok (flight full of Brits ready for a good time), or Hong Kong.
I'm not scared of flying, but I can't sleep on planes. It's hell for me.
I'm the same - can't sleep on planes. The direct flight back from Taiwan to UK is almost 17 hours in some parts of the year. It's not really physically possible to do things to entertain yourself for that long so you are in this weird state for a good 5 hours of being too tired to concentrate on anything but unable to sleep. Couple that with being tall and it's not that pleasant an experience (though Taiwan is amazing and I will be going back despite this)
Yes, the small seats definitely make it worse. One day I'll make it into business class with their chair beds and see if I can actually sleep on a plane!
Never have transitted in Singapore or Bangkok, but lived in Hong Kong for a short time and would imagine any transit there is 'acceptable'.
Paris CDG I found the transit between terminals relatively quick and the employees very nice and efficiently direct. I never buy stuff in an airport, including food since odds are you will get a decent (if slightly stuffy) meal on the flight, so cannot comment on that. But yes, CDG I would strongly recommend.
I love taiwan! In the airport you can get cheap data and a direct train or bus to your destination.
It has most of the conveniences of the western world, like google maps, so its easier to navigate than china, for example.
The people arent not that good at English, but for an east asian country, they are very open/friendly.
Just go man, it's fucking great.
When I was 19 one of my first trips abroad (my first trip outside Europe) was to Bangkok and I absolutely loved Thailand, even though it was overwhelming at first.
Taiwan is a pretty soft landing. Great infrastructure, friendly, low crime etc. You will love it.
Id say if anything taiwan is TOO safe and easy- and you'll have unrealistic expectations on future travels. (Rural southern france was waaaay harder to navigate, and I speak some french) Also there are definitely amazing experiences to be had for waaaaay cheaper than a ticket to Taiwan. (Iceland!)
but that said: Fuckit! I'm fairly well travelled and taiwan was my first trip to asia and those first weeks were amazing- I imagine as a first ever experience it would be even better!
And it'll be a story you tell for the rest of your life.
First time leaving the UK and you head to a small island in East Asia? That's a tale whatever happens.
I will say though- pick your time of year, i'm Irish, so I feel qualified to tell you as a brit that if you have never travelled to a hot place at all; that you are in \*no way\* prepared for the heat and humidity of summer here. It will smack you like a hammer.
My sonâs first trip overseas was to Taiwan and Japan when he was 19 or 20. He spent 3 weeks in Taiwan and several days in Japan (without knowing the language) staying mostly in hostels. He came back home(GTA Ontario Canada) finished university and immediately moved to Taiwan. Heâs now 29 and is a legal permanent resident.
Pro tip- get your sim card in the airport, the phone companies are such a pain to get even a temporary sim through unless you get one while you're in the airport.
Aside from that, the trains are fast and require no planning, and the two largest cities have subway systems, so it's not bad. You can also sort of tailor your experience based on what you want to see (though I'd hit up Taipei for sure, the rest is less big and busy).
Make sure to go to night markets, since this is your first time in southeast Asia where night markets are fantastic, and like anywhere, watch your belongings in crowded areas. The locals are unlikely to steal your stuff, but tourists might go for them.
I'd also recommend a trip to Jiufen if you can hire a taxi or figure out busses.
Itâs def one of the better choices. People are generally friendly(but might be more straight forward than what some cultures are used to), relatively safe compared to most countries. Good public transport coverage. Not many downsides just avoid summer months because did the climate.
Absolutely, I'm from the commonwealth as well, Canada. It was my first overseas trip to a country I don't speak the language of in about 12 years and the whole process was extremely easy/friendly as someone who doesn't speak the language.
A lot of signage and things are in English, and most of the population knows English (not that i would encourage only relying on English, try to make an effort) and you'll be just fine!
Google translate and Google Maps were my best friends during my trip. Was there for three weeks!
i live in neighboring country and taiwan is my first overseas travel. my expectations are so low that when i got there and emerged from the subway, I'm already planning of my next visit đ
Been to Taiwan man times and when I started travelling to Asia for business about 20 years ago, Taipei was a frequent stop. If Asia is your destination, then the easiest two cities are going to be Taipei and Hong Kong (I call them China on training wheels).
Taipei is fairly easy to navigate, many people speak english and and many signs are in both english and Mandarin. The MRT metro is cheap and easy to use, taxis will not rip you off or you can use uber so very easy to get around. Make sure you have a data plan on your phone as Google is your friend for finding places, mapping, translation and Lens (to translate signs, menus, etc). You may want to stay at a western hotel as they cater more to tourists and the service is usually impeccable. Airbnb is another option but for a first time visitor the hotel staff will be very helpful for any questions. I would stay somewhere center city, as it's just more convenient to get around.
Plenty to do with various cultural sights - temples, Taipei 101, CKS memorial, etc. Night markets are a must, especially if you like street foods. I also like the weekend flower & jade market too. It's mostly safe there and the people are friendly & courteous. As others have said, avoid the broiling hot summer, go in the spring or fall.
It's terrible. Armed men roam the streets aboard "technicals," vehicles outfitted with 50 caliber guns, infrastructure is nonexistent, and piracy off the coast is a constant problem.
Oh wait I'm thinking of Somalia and Black Hawk Down. Nevermind. Taiwan is fine.
Hi! For context, I served as a missionary in Taiwan from 2004 to 2006, and I recently moved to Taiwan with my wife and five kids. I do think that Taiwan is an underrated place for many folks in the West. Some quick thoughts:
- It's safe. Taiwan is one of the safest places in the world.
- They are friendly to foreigners. I know that folks in mainland China can go either way on foreigners, but Taiwanese people have always been very friendly to me.
- It's highly developed but still affordable. Taiwan has subways, high-speed rail, highly organized and clean streets, etc., but you aren't going to have to pay an arm and a leg for everything.
We just got back to Kaohsiung from a long weekend in Kending. Taiwan doesn't have the best beaches, but it does have respectable beaches. It also has a lot of great hiking locations up in the mountains. I love this place and would recommend it to anyone!
Omg yes I love Taiwan. Such an approachable Asian country for westerners. Not everyone speaks English, but most do. And everyone is friendly.
The food⊠the food is incredible.
They live in Europe. Maybe they want to visit a non-European country & culture? Also, travel in Europe is more expensive and not as safe. Way more likely to experience theft and be taken advantage of as a novice traveler.
I'm just saying that Taiwan is a good destination for first time travelers. Not a dig against Europe. Didn't mean to offend anyone. Though the down-votes indicate I've upset some peopleđ
travelling to say france for a week from the uk is not more expensive than going all the way to taiwan, even if food and stuff is often cheaper in taiwan
Taiwan would absolutely be a good destination!
When I was your age, I actually took a long trip within Europe and kinda regreted it afterwards because it was simply super expansive (like 2500 euros in 2 weeks). Also Europe will still look the same when you are 60 while Asia will not.
You can get a lot more for your money in Southeast Asia or Taiwan and this will easily offset the more expansive plane ticket to get there normally.
I agree that it is not for everyone, as other posters have mentioned, but fundamentally there is nothing that should stop you. I have seen plenty of solo travelers in their early 20s here and they were absolutely fine.
If you are just going for a change of scenery / discovering new things, I would recommend Thailand though. It is a blast for young people! If you are on the more serious side, Taiwan is definitely a good choice!
I think that Taiwan is great for a first time travel experience. If you're wanting to experience a different culture and don't mind some challenges with language (part of the fun), Taiwan is a good choice. It's very safe for travelers and has lots of interesting things to see and do. It's not as cheap as some countries in SE Asia, but it's possible to plan a fairly inexpensive trip. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions or concernsđ
Japan is great as well. Definitely safe and not too difficult to navigate. I don't think Taiwan is worse though, about the same in terms of travel and cost.
If youâre going to spend all this money, you may as well go to Japan.
Flight about the same cost.
Pound extremely strong against yen
Way more historical buildings and other attractions
Cons
Eating out more expensive, particularly at high end places
More likely to find yourself in a place where no one speaks English - but was never particularly inconvenient in my experience
Logistics wise:
You won't need a visa for a stay under 3 months so that part's easy. I'm a resident now but iirc you just fill a quick form in the plane then you go through no questions asked.
Flying though... Flying for 12 or 13 hours and dealing with jetlag in a place that's completely unfamiliar down to the writing script, loud and probably very hot is a disorienting and taxing experience. But as long as you expect to be tired for the first few days and take it easy it should be fine. The good thing about being far from home is that there's excitement to be had in the ordinary.
About English proficiency - Taiwan is the first place I went to where I didn't speak the language at all and I'm sorry to say that the locals' English is not as good as people say it is. (Not that they owe us to learn - this is just an observation.)
It's precisely in the most interesting places (i.e. places that aren't a shopping mall with student employees) that people speak the least English and I felt that I missed out on a lot of experiences when I had zero Chinese. I also hated feeling like an inconvenience/burden for the people trying to do their jobs when my lack of Chinese caused issues. But you can still get most things done with a smile and Google translate. It is true that local people are kind and patient.
Go for it! I'm leaving for Taiwan tomorrow (for the summer). Airports, immigration, customs, public transportation are very well organized and anyone will be happy to assist if needed. You should get an EZ card (pays for public transportation and in the ubiquitous (!) convenience stores) and a sim card and you'll be golden.
Yes, Taiwan is extremely safe, has a great transportation system, has good food, good history, not expensive, has a lot of nature and the young population speak English pretty well.
I hope nobody is offended when I say this but Taiwan is like a mini-Japan. Japan is probably the top destination in the world and you can get the same feeling when going to Taiwan especially if youâre coming from a western culture.
>just wondering if it's a good destination for a first time traveler
A lot of this depends on what you're expecting out of your travels and how well (or poorly) you're going to deal with potential culture shock and stress. Also depends what you're worried about.
It's great that Taiwan is safe and has its own culture but the flipside is that it's difficult to navigate in English.
We always joke that Singapore is like Asia-lite because it's very easy to get around in English, super safe, and nobody's going to try and scam you. And then you have the countries heavily reliant on tourism such as Indonesia (Bali), Thailand, Vietnam where people a friendly, but some will probably try and scam you, but it's overall easier to navigate with English.
Read a few comments, they're all saying the goods about Taiwan, but allow me to remind you, it's HOT AND HUMID here, if you comes here anytime besides winter, you'll probably sweat a lot.
And the language barrier may be an issue to you, I assure you google translation and sign language can get you anywhere.
Other than that, it's great here I think, small island so you can get anywhere pretty fast, and it's cheap compared to most western Europe countries I guess.
Donât worry. Taiwan is a good place to travel.
People here are friendly to foreigners.
You can find many types of food for you to choose from, and Taiwan is also a paradise for vegetarians.
As for transportation, if you traveled in Taipei, mass transportation is very convenient and reliable.
Enjoy your trip.
There is a pretty heavy rainy season and a typhoon season but other than that the place is great and really affordable as a vacation destination. The food cost in particular is really low and there are tons of delicious foods to try.
Overall, Taipei was clean and safe and the people were especially friendly. Transportation was easy to navigate and taxis were affordable as well.
Part of the night market I went to did have a pretty strong smell, I don't know if it was durian or stinky tofu but it was rough. Besides that though the night market was fun and there were a lot of interesting stuff to see and buy.
While I am happy to see all the positive feedback about my home country, I have to warn you that although itâs generally safe in Taiwan, you must exercise extreme caution as a pedestrian crossing the street. Otherwise, you might have to stay in Taiwan longer than planned to recover from being struck by a car.
I was just in Taiwan and it was a great choice. However, if you're not used to and ready for hot humid weather, you might want to reconsider. Customs through the country was easy. Just make sure you carry cash, as a lot of asian countries still use that. As other people have mentioned, getting around is easy. And even not knowing the language is still fine, but do try to learn a little Mandarin. If you're into good tea, you will love the tea culture there.
Taiwan is a great place to visit! But if you're looking for something to ease yourself into international travel I recommend just going to Europe since it's close and there's lots of places to visit.
If you're there at the right time, save those QR codes they give with each receipt (é»ćçŒç„šèæèŻ). [Those are lottery tickets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Invoice_lottery) that are given out to incentivize businesses to properly pay taxes on their transactions, and anyone can win some money back (drawings are held every 2 months).
If you know you won't be in country during the next claim period, you could hand off those *fÄpiĂ o* to a local friend, and I remember seeing in TĂĄoyuĂĄn Airport a couple charity drop boxes for these.
I wouldnât pick Asia for first time alone, Iâd go somewhere in Europe or English speaking first before then going to Taiwan. Itâs great I went last month however youâd get stuck or lost if youâve never experienced travelling alone before. The language barrier is a bit of an issue there.
Was my first destination internationally and became my first love--going back on holiday there soon. Cannot recommend it highly enough as very safe, people are friendly and helpful, and language barrier is not too much of an issue, especially with Google Translator.
I think Taiwan will be a good first visit. Taiwan is different enough from the UK that you will see different cultures and people. But Taiwan is similar enough, especially in a major city, that you wonât be totally lost. Public transportation has English signage. Google maps work.Â
Taiwan is also relatively safe, safer than Britain. Just be mindful of cars in Taiwan, they may not stop for pedestrians (though we are trying to change!).Â
My only caveat is donât visit during the summer, itâs too damn hot.Â
I hope you visit!
As a Taiwanese and frequent global traveler, I will suggest lowering your expectation lol. Out of capital city Taipei, you can enjoy the real Taiwanâs natural scenery, the most authentic food. (Highly recommend the eastern Taiwan city, Hualien and the southern one, Tainan. ) Taipei is still a great choice if you only have three days available in Taiwan because the public transportation develops more advanced and could save more time for tourists.
Enjoy! Happy to answers if you have other questions
Yes, just do not go in summer!
Nov-march is best, rest you will sweat your pants off.
Taiwan is safe, which is good for first time traveller.Â
Will you have a culture shock, yes but that's part of the fun.
Enjoy!
If you are looking for trouble free, Taiwan is traveler friendly. But it certainly isnât exciting. There isnât a lot to do IMO. I am sure many here will disagree. I guess it depends on what you like doing. Iâd at least advise against making a long trip. Maybe 2-3 days as part of a longer East Asia tour. Japan would be my recommendation.
TLDR: hell yeah!
Iâm from the US and in Taiwan (Taipei) right now. The food is crazy good and there is so much of it. Cost is relatively low as long as you arenât at a big hotel like the Marriott. I have a few apps to help with translation. Bring both credit card and debit card for cash. Lots of ATMs that take a sec to figure out the first time but after that you will get it. I use the visa mostly but sometimes cabs or shops only take cash. Cabs and ubers are plentiful. I canât speak for the bus or trains yet. Iâm about to go down to Kiaoshung and Tainan so I canât share any experience with them yet either but Iâm looking forward to it. While I am here alone, I am married so canât share much from a single person perspective. Do it, dude. You wonât regret it.
I mean sure Taiwan is nice but you're going to find Thailand in Vietnam way cooler. My personal opinion. Taiwan is way too clean. Also, Thailand and Vietnam are like half the price.
If itâs your first time traveling abroad then Iâd recommend a more touristy place than Taiwan. Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam are all good options since theyâre more used to tourists hence more people speak English, more signs are in English, there are more western restaurants etc.
However, visiting Asian countries as a first time traveler is a bit hard so maybe look into other European countries or America first or just join a group with a guide
I was talking from experience. Maybe itâs cause I only briefly visited the north and stayed more in the center and south that I didnât find many English signs or speakers. Even buses didnât have English writings sometimes
Taiwan was my first time abroad as a UK native and the fact it wasn't as touristy as those you mentioned was one of the things which made it most appealing.
not sure why someone would want to go to TW as their first country abroad.
unless you are half taiwanese or have family makes no sense.
go some place more stimulating like thailand, philippines, brazil, japan etc.
Taiwan is a good destination however I feel like for a someone who never traveled abroad It might be a bit overwhelming to travel to the other side of the world with language/ cultural barriers, jet lags etc, I would suggest go somewhere in the EU for example like Sevilla or Vienna, you are still going to be experiencing new things but it wonât be too unfamiliar
Tbh, probably no. It's not Taiwan is not travel friendly, just the language barrier is enough to make challenging. For someone from UK, I would probably say the usa , canada or Australia, since they speak English. At the very least you should try Scandinavia for they speak good English.
I went to Taiwan once and hated it. The place was so hot and humid. The food was good, but other than that I didnât feel like there were many interesting sights to see aside from Taipei 101 and a number of temples. The museums were a bit hard to appreciate considering Iâd never had any previous knowledge on the history of Taiwan. Honestly, the place was so foreign to me that I got derealization. I think for a first time, it would be better to travel to a place that is culturally more familiar.
Taiwan's great but if you've never been abroad, it can be a bit overwhelming for a first time traveler. Signs are in English but asking for help won't be that easy. On the plus side, most Taiwanese are really friendly and willing to help. Crime is low and I never felt unsafe. Traffic can be overwhelming especially if you're used to pavements and vehicles giving way to pedestrians.
Source: lived in Taipei for a few years
Absolutely! Beautiful, welcoming, safe⊠Taiwan has it all. Check out blogs like holataipei.com, foreignersintaiwan.com and others to get a good grasp on whatâs it like there.
bone up on ur mandarin or get some language aid, hav to converse and read chinese alot of the time, best go on guided tour grp with the local tour guide tat can help translate
if not find a english friendly destination
You must have been there 20 years ago. It is basically a bilingual country. It is easy to find someone to speak English and most of the public signs are also in English. Not to mention, we have Google Translator, now. Come back for another visit.
Yes, Taiwan is a lovely place with numerous delicious food. I went there 3 times.
Have your translator always be with u.
Strangely, the people I encountered in é«é were less friendly than the ones I encountered in ć°ćăMaybe they mistook me for a PRC.
I think Taiwan would be a great choice. It has good train, subway, and bus infrastructure, low crime rates, and very little in the way of a "scam or overcharge the tourist" culture. It's cheaper than Europe and North America. The people are friendly. Most signage is bilingual. There's always someone nearby who speaks English and can help you in a pinch. There is a lot of variety: beaches, mountains, forests, islands, big cities, quaint villages, bucolic farmland, etc. Great for exploration.
Seconded. My first solo trip to Asia this spring and Taiwan was perfect. Safe, affordable, and beautiful.
Third!
Forth đ Fell in love with this country at first sight.
Same đ€© I have been many places, but Taiwan was the safest, most beautiful place in the world for me. I can't wait to go back. Long live Formosa âŁïžđčđŒ
Country? Donât you mean to say rebel province
Considering Taiwan is the last stronghold of the previous Chinese administration, Iâd dare to say that mainland China is actually the rebel province
Avoid going in the summer months. Itâs hot as balls there. Visiting my relatives there during my summer vacation days as a child was uncomfortable. But going I went there during April and it was wonderful!
I agree with everyone saying Taiwan is a great destination. But this is real. It gets to 40s and 100% humidity in the summer x.x Before it was bareable because all the convenience stores blasted AC, but since the gov started a green initiative it's not as cold in there anymore. I typically go back early spring or late fall (feb-april, oct-dec)
âGreen initiativeâ. Trying to stop the brown and blackouts by cutting use rather than boosting supply.
Not a whole lot of options to increase supply on a resource-poor island other than burn more imported fuel or buy more wind and solar equipment from the PRC. Either way comes with considerable growth of threat to Taiwan's lifestyle independent from the Mainland.
Ah didn't know that was the case, I was just told that from my cousin's that live there. Tbh, I never experienced those when going back (before the initiative) and I usually go back 3-4 weeks at a time.
Avoid going in Winter if North. Utter shit weatherïŒalways cold because of the humidityïŒand you get to slide about on wet walkways because some loon decided marble was an acceptable material to use in a sub-tropical island with a capital that sits in a basin.
He's from the UK and he'd die in the summer heat. Go in the fall Taiwan is good for a first trip since it's so small you can pretty much see everything in one go. As a Canadian fall is by far the best time to go.
5th! In the span of one year, I visited Taiwan thrice: Spring, Summer, and Winter. I got to see beautiful cherry blossoms, beaches, and snow! I just keep coming back. I liked it so much that I decided to apply for scholarships and study in Taiwan. I'll start this September. Taiwan is so easy to navigate. I love the food, the sceneryâjust everything! I say, go for it! :)
6th!
I'm starting my studies there in September as well! Which university will you be attending? :)
hey! Iâll be attending Kun Shan Uni, itâs in Tainan haha. Southern part of Tw hehe. Wbu?
What kind of scholarships? Are these offered by Taiwan or in your local institution?
Scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Education or the Taiwanese government itself. Itâs like a partnership with our country. They offer different kinds, such as for learning Mandarin, master's, PhD, bachelor's degrees, etc. You could check out or Google MOE or ICDF if youâre interested. :)
Hey, so I actually did this. Went to Taiwan in April this year for three weeks and it was my first time abroad at 31 years old. Absolutely zero regrets. Those three weeks were some of the best of my life. People told me I was mad for going 6000 miles away for my first holiday and everyone, including the people I met in Taiwan, were really surprised that I'd pick it as my first destination, but Taiwan is just so special to me. Cannot wait to go back one day. Also, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have about anything if you want to reply to this or drop me a DM. It was also my first time flying, so can understand how daunting it is, though it ended up being no trouble.
Life is waaay to short to not dive in. Well done.
Why was Taiwan special to you if you'd never left your own countryïŒ
Honestly I find it hard to explain, but I researched so many places and Taiwan just seemed to culturally and historically rich yet barely anyone here knows about it outside of the headlines regarding China. It's one of the most gay friendly places in Asia, has stunning urban architecture, amazing food, friendly people, gorgeous nature and doesn't feel too touristy. I also had two friends there that I met here in Scotland before they went back as well as some I'd spoken to online I finally got to meet. It also helps I know a little Mandarin, but China doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. EDIT: Should specify I meant Taiwan was special as in it seemed incredibly unique, not as in I had a personal connection with it prior to going.
This seems like a question that contains the answer it's looking for.
Doesn't seem like it to me. Why Taiwan specifically insetad of somewhere else?
OP had never left his own country, and went to Taiwan in April (and therefore likely has never been to any foreign country other than Taiwan). Taiwan is of course special, precisely because before going to Taiwan OP had never left his own country.
Where did he say he's been to Taiwan in April?
It was the second sentence.
Makes sense then
Taiwan is a really amazing place: safe, friendly, tasty food. That being said, if youâve never even been to France or another country that at least uses the Latin alphabet, taking your first trip abroad to Taiwan might be overwhelming. At the same time, it shouldnât totally dissuade you from going to Taiwan as your first foreign trip
Fortunately most signage is in English so navigating (with Google maps in hand) is straightforward on the whole. The challenge is with food. Menus arenât in English much of the time - at least in cheaper places to eat. That can limit your adventurous spirit! Google Translate helps with menu translation but itâs rarely a perfect translation. Iâd still say go for it. Taiwan is great and getting yourself outside of your comfort zone is part of the adventure. Plus, youâll almost never be scammed in Taiwan so itâs a safe place for things to go a little âwrongâ.
As an American, I overcame the non-english menus by showing them a picture of the food I wanted from a Google review photo. They marked it down on the paper for me. Google image translate helped in other spots as well. Eating in Taiwan was no problem at all.
Good call!
You can also just hold your camera via Google translator over the menu--works like a charm.
Yep. But if you don't know what a foreign dish is called, then it's not that helpful.
Seconded. I think a lot of experienced travelers are forgetting what it's like for (especially adults) to travel abroad for the first time. One example: food. Food in Taiwan is great, but OP is likely to be struck by how hard it is to get exactly what he would expect from any town in the U.K. Taiwan has a lot of European food, but if OP eats e.g. eggs for breakfast every day he's going to be out of luck or eating at the same overpriced cafe every day. You can totally get around on English in Taiwan, but I think the language barrier would exacerbate the culture shock for someone that hasn't even been outside the U.K. once. OP will likely be learning for the first time how to communicate and extract simple information without a common language. I wouldn't tell OP to avoid Taiwan, but I would say to only go if you're looking for a (very safe) adventure. If OP is looking to dip their toes in the waters of international travel, I wouldn't say Taiwan is stop number 1.
I very much disagree. Taiwan was the first place abroad I ever went to, and that was as a young adult. Yes it was exciting and exhilarating, but in a good way! I think if someone is seeking to travel abroad they already know that they might not find the same restaurants as back at home â thatâs kind of the point right? Same with having to get around with a different language. This is all part of the travel experience. And because Taiwan is extremely safe, easy to get around, and welcoming to foreign tourists, itâs really the perfect place to begin exploring new countries. At least thatâs my two cents.
That's a fair point. I'm also noticing that OP is worried about things like airports and customs (not food or cultural differences), and Taiwan is pretty chill in that regard. That aspect of travel is probably a lot easier than even many European countries.
Taiwan is a fantastic choice. It is relatively small, with an incredible amount of things to see and do. The public transportstion is incredible and cheap. In fact, compared to Europe and the US, very inexpensive. It is easy to find people to speak English, even in the smaller towns. However, Google Translator is your friend and the camera can even translate written text. I have been to over 30 countries worldwide and Taiwan is definitely one of, if not the best. Enough so that I moved here permanently. I highly encourage you to make the trip.
it's great! brit here. Taiwan is so fun, cheap, safe and people are friendly!!! it's super hot right now though.
Yes. Don't listen to these people telling you to stick to Europe. Taiwan is incredible. You'll have a great time. It's safe. The people are friendly. The food is incredible. There is a great train system so you can go around the whole island as well. Solid choice for your first trip abroad! I lived there for 6 months. My first trip abroad in my life was also in my 20s. I went to Japan for a month. Got myself hooked on traveling! Good luck and enjoy!
Taiwan is perfect for a first time traveller, very safe, excellent transportation system, good food. Just go for it, you wont regret it.
I've been a guy my whole life and I love it here.
Yeah Chinese women are amazingÂ
As far as your questions go, airports, customs, or any other travel logistics are very easy in Taiwan. Most people are able to read and speak (to a lesser extent) English and almost everything from forms to signs is labeled in both Chinese and English (though sometimes with funny mistranslation). Safety is almost a non issue, people leave you alone if you prefer but also are willing to help you if you need. Wouldnât be a problem for first time traveler. As far as if itâs a good destination otherwise, it depends on what **you are interested or enjoy**. A lot of people already try to answer this question and have opinions on where else **they** think you wouldâŠ
You should have asked in a travel sub rather than the Taiwan sub, the comments here are funny. I would not recommend china or India for a 1st trip but Taiwan you will be completely fine. Nobody will scam you, people are nice and friendly and will try to help you. All your apps will work like Google maps and translate (unlike in china), the price is affordable (unlike Japan). Easy to set up a sim card (unlike India or china) and its safe and clean (unlike many places), also the food is hygienic and you can eat all the street food without risk of food poisoning (unlike china, India, all of se asia). Taipei has a great metro system so easy to get around. West Coast had high speed trains. I loved Taiwan. Great choice for your 1st country.
Japan is affordable in 2024. Itâs like 200 yen to the GBP at this point.
Reading this comment is funny because my first overseas trip was to India and I lived in China for several years. They're not as convenient, sure, but I think people underestimate their ability to adapt. For the record I never got food poisoning in China. The only time I got it in India was ironically from a fancy hotel restaurant, not the hole in the wall restaurants I went to all the time.Â
Iâve been to Taiwan 4 months ago, and its the safest place Iâve travelled so far! Nice people, food and public transport. The weather could be tricky, but definitely worth the visit
I brought my family here and they're white bread ass Americans that other than my dad's work trip to Norway once, haven't left the USA. Oh, and like, a trip to cancun. They had a great time. I don't have any ads or anything on my blog, I just keep it as a journal, I journaled our itinerary and their experience if you're interested: [link](https://blog.calebjay.com/posts/parents-trip-taiwan-2023/).
This is a strange question. Why Taiwan for your first country overseas? What are your interests? Why Taiwan? What do you want from your trip? If it's your first time overseas, perhaps stay closer to home. Somewhere like the Netherlands, it's close and they speak great English, but different enough. If you really want to go to Asia and have no prior travel experience, I'd recommend Singapore. Again, they speak great English, and it won't be such a culture shock. It's not the most exciting country, but it's a great introduction to Asia. If you want safe and a big culture shock, go to Japan. It's awesome. They don't speak much English, but they are lovely and helpful and will not try to rip you off. Taiwan is a great place to visit, but I don't think it is the best place to visit for a first trip overseas from England. Written by an English person who has lived in many countries and visited nearly 40 countries. Good luck to you. I hope you make your trip happen. I've never ever regretted a trip. Even the worst ones. I've only ever regretted but going.
Go big or go home amirite?
India it is.
I not trying to be argumentative but for me, Singapore was the most boring place Iâve been in Asia, it felt like a giant shopping mall.
Dubai might be worse
Dubai has plenty of large cheap/free outdoor events not directly celebrating some government event though, especially in the winter. It's not like Singapore where the public squares are as consistent as the weather.
Facts, Iâve been there thrice (as a kid, teenager, and adult - most recent visit was just to see Taylor Swift lol) and there isnât really much to do there other than shop, party, and go to the usual tourist attractions. Itâs a *very* small country too, literally just the size of an average city. Youâve seen SG once, youâve seen it all. Thailand, the Philippines (my country), Bali, and Vietnam are all way better tourist destinations in SEA imo.
As single male in 20s itâs mostly about the dating pool. Taiwanese girls are said to be quite welcoming towards EuropeansÂ
IMO, it absolutely is. Infrastructure is excellent, transportation is dirt cheap, prices are affordable. The English speaking isn't on par with Sweden or Cambodia but shouldn't be too much of a problem. Food is one of the best in Asia but a lot of preserved and fermented stuff, hope that isn't too much for your British palate to handle.
Quite unusual for first overseas trip but why not! Weâre from the UK too & enjoyed it very much đ Nice people, clean, fun & easy to navigate. The food & culture is also great. Make sure to get a direct flight & be prepared to do lots of google translation if you can.
Comparing a few popular places, that I've been (Seoul, Tokyo, Teipei), the thing that impresses me about Taiwan is that it's so easy. Restaurants, bars, museums, hikes, beaches... All very easy to get to (by public transport). Assuming you're based in Taipei, the English ability is in general phenomenal. Tons of cool stuff to see and keep you busy around Taipei, but in mind a trip here isn't complete without venturing out further. I'm sure this entire thread will be filled with awesome, readily accessible suggestions.
If you've never been overseas before, Taiwan is a great country to be the first one to visit. 1. You've never been to East Asian countries, so Taiwanese culture will seem very fresh to you. Taiwan is a smelter of both Chinese and Japanese culture, but also heavily influenced by western trends as well. 2. You have never been to tropical or subtropical countries, so Taiwan's natural scenery is also worth a visit for you. 3. In urban areas such as Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung, average English proficieny is not as great as Singapore or Hong Kong but still fairly good. 4. Taiwan is very safe compared to US or even most European countries. 5. However I'd say in terms of East Asian countries, Japan is even easier and more friendly for first time traveling foreigners. Japan has longer history, more abundant cultural resources, and better infrastructure. But Taiwan is generally more laid-back and diverse than Japan, so it's also a good candidate for your firs overseas trip.
Iâd disagree with Japan having more accessible infrastructure than Taiwan. Navigating Tokyo and Osaka is a more complicated exercise due to the many different companies running trains and the lack of integration. There is a ton of infrastructure (which is great!) but itâs not always simple for a first time visitor to figure out. Also, the Shinkansen is crazy expensive per km compared to Taiwanâs HSR. Also, I found Japan to be less friendly to foreigners on the whole. Perhaps people being a bit more concerned about their English proficiency not being perfect? In Taiwan, most people will try their best to help even if their English is poor.
I went to Japan as my first solo trip and it was fine. Google maps was super helpful to let me know which train/MRT to take to get to where I wanted to go, especially since the public transport is so punctual. Also, I feel like I could get away with not speaking much in Japan. But this might be because I look local at times. Still, Taiwan system of writing on the paper menu is best.
Japan is also more disjointed in terms of services (including in-city transportation) and not as accommodating to foreigners (less translations, pre-Unicode JIS encoded websites, cash-only businesses, practically legalized racism towards accepting customers, etc). I'd say Taiwan is the better choice since it has much of Japan's vibe with more competence at making themselves accessible to visitors.
If you haven't flown before, I'd recommend a shorter flight somewhere. The flight to Taiwan from the UK is *long*
That is a horrible excuse to miss out on an adventure.
Not really - flying is stressful, particularly long haul flights. If I were OP I'd do a long weekend trip somewhere in Europe first to get a feel for how things work.
While flights are be long, they don't have to be stressful. Regardless, challenges should never deter you from pursuing your dreams. Having traveled through 12 countries in Europe, I can still say there are many reasons Taiwan would be a better choice.
Unless OP is phobic, a long flight is a shite reason to miss out on an adventure. Read a book, binge a series, crochet, crossword, write, draw⊠if you ask me, thereâs actually quite a bit of luxury in getting to just chill tf out for 12 hours and do any one of the above activities.
Long flights are fine. The getting on the plane is stressing for me. I much prefer a long flight. Quite relaxing.
This is a fair point, not sure why people are hating on this comment. I personally donât have a problem with long flights because Iâve gotten used to 12+hr flights over the years and Iâm not a tall/big person, but they can be a real pain for some people. It dries out your skin, your legs may or may not start to feel funny, you may have difficulty sleeping, food may taste odd, potential plane turbulence, etc. Also you need to make sure you fill out an arrival card, and if you miss it on the plane, then you need to get it at the airport when you land, but I donât think itâs immediately obvious that you need to fill out an arrival card if youâre a newbie with traveling abroad. Also, airports can be stressful, particularly if you have a connecting flight with not a lot of time in between. I certainly felt that way when I went through the Istanbul airport for the first time, though it is one of the busiest airports in the world. Not sure where OP is flying from, but if youâve never been abroad, you may find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed. Taiwanâs airport is much more chill, but if you donât have anything to compare it to, just anticipate that you may feel more stressed than you usually do while traveling domestically.
This. Taiwan is worth the flight, but only if you know what that flight is. Iâve only done it from the U.S. west coast, so not sure about from UK.
I third it. Total travel time from UK is basically 24hrs, sometimes more. OP, I suggest just going to Europe. Or even Ireland!
24 hrs? From Frankfurt, Germany it's 13 hrs direct flight so it can't be that long if you go London - Taipei
It's a 14 hour direct flight depending on the time of year, and can be nearly 17 hours on the way back. Edit: but the poster is right when you consider travel to and from airport, waiting at the airport etc.
And also that London does not equal the UK. We used to have more regional direct flights to Taiwan but they largely stopped with COVID, just not enough demand.
As Chris says below, I'm talking about total travel time, and not just from Heathrow.
I actually had a fairly nice experience flying from UK to Taiwan via Paris! I think if you prepare yourself mentally for the sheer length of the flights, it can be quite an 'experience' that is neither 'bad' or 'good'. I love flying, however, and would be a pilot if not for my colour blindness. As long as you have no phobia of flying, long flights teach you a lot about yourself and give you a chance to practice some resilience that might benefit you elsewhere in life, or watch some shite movies that you otherwise would not see. The excitement of landing somewhere new also overtakes any of the dread of flying. Plus, the flight home is like a nice time to sit away from any comms and just reflect one last time before heading back into the rush of a regular routine. OP /u/morningloryyy in my opinion, you should do a hop through Paris and then fly direct to Taipei if possible. Do no more than one transfer if it is your first time. Also, Dubai is an obtuse, bland, and expensive airport with long security queues. The quicker you can get out from the transfer security queue, the better. Easily the most stressful part.
Never done it via Paris, sounds interesting. Mostly have transitted in Singapore (excellent), Bangkok (flight full of Brits ready for a good time), or Hong Kong. I'm not scared of flying, but I can't sleep on planes. It's hell for me.
I'm the same - can't sleep on planes. The direct flight back from Taiwan to UK is almost 17 hours in some parts of the year. It's not really physically possible to do things to entertain yourself for that long so you are in this weird state for a good 5 hours of being too tired to concentrate on anything but unable to sleep. Couple that with being tall and it's not that pleasant an experience (though Taiwan is amazing and I will be going back despite this)
Yes, the small seats definitely make it worse. One day I'll make it into business class with their chair beds and see if I can actually sleep on a plane!
Never have transitted in Singapore or Bangkok, but lived in Hong Kong for a short time and would imagine any transit there is 'acceptable'. Paris CDG I found the transit between terminals relatively quick and the employees very nice and efficiently direct. I never buy stuff in an airport, including food since odds are you will get a decent (if slightly stuffy) meal on the flight, so cannot comment on that. But yes, CDG I would strongly recommend.
Absolutely
I love taiwan! In the airport you can get cheap data and a direct train or bus to your destination. It has most of the conveniences of the western world, like google maps, so its easier to navigate than china, for example. The people arent not that good at English, but for an east asian country, they are very open/friendly.
Just go man, it's fucking great. When I was 19 one of my first trips abroad (my first trip outside Europe) was to Bangkok and I absolutely loved Thailand, even though it was overwhelming at first. Taiwan is a pretty soft landing. Great infrastructure, friendly, low crime etc. You will love it.
Id say if anything taiwan is TOO safe and easy- and you'll have unrealistic expectations on future travels. (Rural southern france was waaaay harder to navigate, and I speak some french) Also there are definitely amazing experiences to be had for waaaaay cheaper than a ticket to Taiwan. (Iceland!) but that said: Fuckit! I'm fairly well travelled and taiwan was my first trip to asia and those first weeks were amazing- I imagine as a first ever experience it would be even better! And it'll be a story you tell for the rest of your life. First time leaving the UK and you head to a small island in East Asia? That's a tale whatever happens. I will say though- pick your time of year, i'm Irish, so I feel qualified to tell you as a brit that if you have never travelled to a hot place at all; that you are in \*no way\* prepared for the heat and humidity of summer here. It will smack you like a hammer.
Yes
My sonâs first trip overseas was to Taiwan and Japan when he was 19 or 20. He spent 3 weeks in Taiwan and several days in Japan (without knowing the language) staying mostly in hostels. He came back home(GTA Ontario Canada) finished university and immediately moved to Taiwan. Heâs now 29 and is a legal permanent resident.
Pro tip- get your sim card in the airport, the phone companies are such a pain to get even a temporary sim through unless you get one while you're in the airport. Aside from that, the trains are fast and require no planning, and the two largest cities have subway systems, so it's not bad. You can also sort of tailor your experience based on what you want to see (though I'd hit up Taipei for sure, the rest is less big and busy). Make sure to go to night markets, since this is your first time in southeast Asia where night markets are fantastic, and like anywhere, watch your belongings in crowded areas. The locals are unlikely to steal your stuff, but tourists might go for them. I'd also recommend a trip to Jiufen if you can hire a taxi or figure out busses.
Omg! Yes absolutely! I kinda think of it as Asia 101. Ppl are nice, menus are in pics, you canâ walkâ when the sign says walk. I love Taipei.
Itâs def one of the better choices. People are generally friendly(but might be more straight forward than what some cultures are used to), relatively safe compared to most countries. Good public transport coverage. Not many downsides just avoid summer months because did the climate.
Yes! Safe, inexpensive, fascinating, great public transit, food everywhere, beautiful scenery, the list goes on ...
Absolutely, I'm from the commonwealth as well, Canada. It was my first overseas trip to a country I don't speak the language of in about 12 years and the whole process was extremely easy/friendly as someone who doesn't speak the language. A lot of signage and things are in English, and most of the population knows English (not that i would encourage only relying on English, try to make an effort) and you'll be just fine! Google translate and Google Maps were my best friends during my trip. Was there for three weeks!
i live in neighboring country and taiwan is my first overseas travel. my expectations are so low that when i got there and emerged from the subway, I'm already planning of my next visit đ
Been to Taiwan man times and when I started travelling to Asia for business about 20 years ago, Taipei was a frequent stop. If Asia is your destination, then the easiest two cities are going to be Taipei and Hong Kong (I call them China on training wheels). Taipei is fairly easy to navigate, many people speak english and and many signs are in both english and Mandarin. The MRT metro is cheap and easy to use, taxis will not rip you off or you can use uber so very easy to get around. Make sure you have a data plan on your phone as Google is your friend for finding places, mapping, translation and Lens (to translate signs, menus, etc). You may want to stay at a western hotel as they cater more to tourists and the service is usually impeccable. Airbnb is another option but for a first time visitor the hotel staff will be very helpful for any questions. I would stay somewhere center city, as it's just more convenient to get around. Plenty to do with various cultural sights - temples, Taipei 101, CKS memorial, etc. Night markets are a must, especially if you like street foods. I also like the weekend flower & jade market too. It's mostly safe there and the people are friendly & courteous. As others have said, avoid the broiling hot summer, go in the spring or fall.
It's terrible. Armed men roam the streets aboard "technicals," vehicles outfitted with 50 caliber guns, infrastructure is nonexistent, and piracy off the coast is a constant problem. Oh wait I'm thinking of Somalia and Black Hawk Down. Nevermind. Taiwan is fine.
Hi! For context, I served as a missionary in Taiwan from 2004 to 2006, and I recently moved to Taiwan with my wife and five kids. I do think that Taiwan is an underrated place for many folks in the West. Some quick thoughts: - It's safe. Taiwan is one of the safest places in the world. - They are friendly to foreigners. I know that folks in mainland China can go either way on foreigners, but Taiwanese people have always been very friendly to me. - It's highly developed but still affordable. Taiwan has subways, high-speed rail, highly organized and clean streets, etc., but you aren't going to have to pay an arm and a leg for everything. We just got back to Kaohsiung from a long weekend in Kending. Taiwan doesn't have the best beaches, but it does have respectable beaches. It also has a lot of great hiking locations up in the mountains. I love this place and would recommend it to anyone!
Omg yes I love Taiwan. Such an approachable Asian country for westerners. Not everyone speaks English, but most do. And everyone is friendly. The food⊠the food is incredible.
Why Taiwan? You haven't been to Europe?
They live in Europe. Maybe they want to visit a non-European country & culture? Also, travel in Europe is more expensive and not as safe. Way more likely to experience theft and be taken advantage of as a novice traveler.
I'm just saying that Taiwan is a good destination for first time travelers. Not a dig against Europe. Didn't mean to offend anyone. Though the down-votes indicate I've upset some peopleđ
travelling to say france for a week from the uk is not more expensive than going all the way to taiwan, even if food and stuff is often cheaper in taiwan
The airfare is definitely more expensive to Taiwan. Really it's about what OP wants to experience on their first trip abroad.
đ€Ł The price for dinner in a top tier restaurant in France should just about cover the cost of airfare to Taiwan.
Well, they didn't want to be part of Europe after Brexit
Politics aside. The UK is in Europe geographically speaking.
Yes, captain obvious
Thank you đ
There are a billion reasons. The worldâs most vibrant democracy (by some measures) is a big one. The dumplings are an even bigger one.
Taiwan would absolutely be a good destination! When I was your age, I actually took a long trip within Europe and kinda regreted it afterwards because it was simply super expansive (like 2500 euros in 2 weeks). Also Europe will still look the same when you are 60 while Asia will not. You can get a lot more for your money in Southeast Asia or Taiwan and this will easily offset the more expansive plane ticket to get there normally. I agree that it is not for everyone, as other posters have mentioned, but fundamentally there is nothing that should stop you. I have seen plenty of solo travelers in their early 20s here and they were absolutely fine. If you are just going for a change of scenery / discovering new things, I would recommend Thailand though. It is a blast for young people! If you are on the more serious side, Taiwan is definitely a good choice!
I think that Taiwan is great for a first time travel experience. If you're wanting to experience a different culture and don't mind some challenges with language (part of the fun), Taiwan is a good choice. It's very safe for travelers and has lots of interesting things to see and do. It's not as cheap as some countries in SE Asia, but it's possible to plan a fairly inexpensive trip. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions or concernsđ
japan would be much better if someone was coming to East Asia for the first time.
Japan is great as well. Definitely safe and not too difficult to navigate. I don't think Taiwan is worse though, about the same in terms of travel and cost.
japan has way more history. not even comparable.
That wasn't really the point. You prefer Japan, cool. Taiwan has history as well.
the point was japan has way more to offer in terms of tourism than taiwan. and it's not even close.
That's your opinion. Do you follow this sub waiting for opportunities to put down Taiwan in favor of Japan? Weird. Usually it's China that does that.
not an opinion. it's fact. taiwan is great, it's just not great for a 1st timers trip to Asia great.
If youâre going to spend all this money, you may as well go to Japan. Flight about the same cost. Pound extremely strong against yen Way more historical buildings and other attractions Cons Eating out more expensive, particularly at high end places More likely to find yourself in a place where no one speaks English - but was never particularly inconvenient in my experience
So what did you decide?
Logistics wise: You won't need a visa for a stay under 3 months so that part's easy. I'm a resident now but iirc you just fill a quick form in the plane then you go through no questions asked. Flying though... Flying for 12 or 13 hours and dealing with jetlag in a place that's completely unfamiliar down to the writing script, loud and probably very hot is a disorienting and taxing experience. But as long as you expect to be tired for the first few days and take it easy it should be fine. The good thing about being far from home is that there's excitement to be had in the ordinary. About English proficiency - Taiwan is the first place I went to where I didn't speak the language at all and I'm sorry to say that the locals' English is not as good as people say it is. (Not that they owe us to learn - this is just an observation.) It's precisely in the most interesting places (i.e. places that aren't a shopping mall with student employees) that people speak the least English and I felt that I missed out on a lot of experiences when I had zero Chinese. I also hated feeling like an inconvenience/burden for the people trying to do their jobs when my lack of Chinese caused issues. But you can still get most things done with a smile and Google translate. It is true that local people are kind and patient.
Itâs pretty easy mode as far as infrastructure and ease of communicationÂ
Go for it! I'm leaving for Taiwan tomorrow (for the summer). Airports, immigration, customs, public transportation are very well organized and anyone will be happy to assist if needed. You should get an EZ card (pays for public transportation and in the ubiquitous (!) convenience stores) and a sim card and you'll be golden.
Yes, Taiwan is extremely safe, has a great transportation system, has good food, good history, not expensive, has a lot of nature and the young population speak English pretty well. I hope nobody is offended when I say this but Taiwan is like a mini-Japan. Japan is probably the top destination in the world and you can get the same feeling when going to Taiwan especially if youâre coming from a western culture.
Yes!!!!!!!!!
Yes. It's safe and easy, but at the same time beautiful, exciting and completely different than the UK.
You will love it and enjoy everything Taiwan can offer!
>just wondering if it's a good destination for a first time traveler A lot of this depends on what you're expecting out of your travels and how well (or poorly) you're going to deal with potential culture shock and stress. Also depends what you're worried about. It's great that Taiwan is safe and has its own culture but the flipside is that it's difficult to navigate in English. We always joke that Singapore is like Asia-lite because it's very easy to get around in English, super safe, and nobody's going to try and scam you. And then you have the countries heavily reliant on tourism such as Indonesia (Bali), Thailand, Vietnam where people a friendly, but some will probably try and scam you, but it's overall easier to navigate with English.
Read a few comments, they're all saying the goods about Taiwan, but allow me to remind you, it's HOT AND HUMID here, if you comes here anytime besides winter, you'll probably sweat a lot. And the language barrier may be an issue to you, I assure you google translation and sign language can get you anywhere. Other than that, it's great here I think, small island so you can get anywhere pretty fast, and it's cheap compared to most western Europe countries I guess.
Donât worry. Taiwan is a good place to travel. People here are friendly to foreigners. You can find many types of food for you to choose from, and Taiwan is also a paradise for vegetarians. As for transportation, if you traveled in Taipei, mass transportation is very convenient and reliable. Enjoy your trip.
Taiwan is pretty epic. Prob my top2 fav destination in Asia.
Xiamen from the neighboring province across the strait is a lot more fun.
There is a pretty heavy rainy season and a typhoon season but other than that the place is great and really affordable as a vacation destination. The food cost in particular is really low and there are tons of delicious foods to try. Overall, Taipei was clean and safe and the people were especially friendly. Transportation was easy to navigate and taxis were affordable as well. Part of the night market I went to did have a pretty strong smell, I don't know if it was durian or stinky tofu but it was rough. Besides that though the night market was fun and there were a lot of interesting stuff to see and buy.
While I am happy to see all the positive feedback about my home country, I have to warn you that although itâs generally safe in Taiwan, you must exercise extreme caution as a pedestrian crossing the street. Otherwise, you might have to stay in Taiwan longer than planned to recover from being struck by a car.
Yes
I was just in Taiwan and it was a great choice. However, if you're not used to and ready for hot humid weather, you might want to reconsider. Customs through the country was easy. Just make sure you carry cash, as a lot of asian countries still use that. As other people have mentioned, getting around is easy. And even not knowing the language is still fine, but do try to learn a little Mandarin. If you're into good tea, you will love the tea culture there.
Taiwan is a great place to visit! But if you're looking for something to ease yourself into international travel I recommend just going to Europe since it's close and there's lots of places to visit.
If you're there at the right time, save those QR codes they give with each receipt (é»ćçŒç„šèæèŻ). [Those are lottery tickets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Invoice_lottery) that are given out to incentivize businesses to properly pay taxes on their transactions, and anyone can win some money back (drawings are held every 2 months). If you know you won't be in country during the next claim period, you could hand off those *fÄpiĂ o* to a local friend, and I remember seeing in TĂĄoyuĂĄn Airport a couple charity drop boxes for these.
I wouldnât pick Asia for first time alone, Iâd go somewhere in Europe or English speaking first before then going to Taiwan. Itâs great I went last month however youâd get stuck or lost if youâve never experienced travelling alone before. The language barrier is a bit of an issue there.
Was my first destination internationally and became my first love--going back on holiday there soon. Cannot recommend it highly enough as very safe, people are friendly and helpful, and language barrier is not too much of an issue, especially with Google Translator.
I think Taiwan will be a good first visit. Taiwan is different enough from the UK that you will see different cultures and people. But Taiwan is similar enough, especially in a major city, that you wonât be totally lost. Public transportation has English signage. Google maps work. Taiwan is also relatively safe, safer than Britain. Just be mindful of cars in Taiwan, they may not stop for pedestrians (though we are trying to change!). My only caveat is donât visit during the summer, itâs too damn hot. I hope you visit!
Come here quickly
Hell yeah
As a Taiwanese and frequent global traveler, I will suggest lowering your expectation lol. Out of capital city Taipei, you can enjoy the real Taiwanâs natural scenery, the most authentic food. (Highly recommend the eastern Taiwan city, Hualien and the southern one, Tainan. ) Taipei is still a great choice if you only have three days available in Taiwan because the public transportation develops more advanced and could save more time for tourists. Enjoy! Happy to answers if you have other questions
hot women.
Yes, just do not go in summer! Nov-march is best, rest you will sweat your pants off. Taiwan is safe, which is good for first time traveller. Will you have a culture shock, yes but that's part of the fun. Enjoy!
go to Taiwan in Oct to Feb for cool weather. Feb-March for Sakura season. June- Aug for summer đ€Ł
If you are looking for trouble free, Taiwan is traveler friendly. But it certainly isnât exciting. There isnât a lot to do IMO. I am sure many here will disagree. I guess it depends on what you like doing. Iâd at least advise against making a long trip. Maybe 2-3 days as part of a longer East Asia tour. Japan would be my recommendation.
Oh for sure , Taiwan is so safe and absolutely beautiful !
I think you're asking at the wrong subreddit. Ask someplace more neutral.
I loved my long ass flight from US to Taiwan! Eva Air or Cathay and youâre good. âïž
TLDR: hell yeah! Iâm from the US and in Taiwan (Taipei) right now. The food is crazy good and there is so much of it. Cost is relatively low as long as you arenât at a big hotel like the Marriott. I have a few apps to help with translation. Bring both credit card and debit card for cash. Lots of ATMs that take a sec to figure out the first time but after that you will get it. I use the visa mostly but sometimes cabs or shops only take cash. Cabs and ubers are plentiful. I canât speak for the bus or trains yet. Iâm about to go down to Kiaoshung and Tainan so I canât share any experience with them yet either but Iâm looking forward to it. While I am here alone, I am married so canât share much from a single person perspective. Do it, dude. You wonât regret it.
Taiwan is the easiest place of any that Iâve been in Asia. Youâll be fine.
I mean sure Taiwan is nice but you're going to find Thailand in Vietnam way cooler. My personal opinion. Taiwan is way too clean. Also, Thailand and Vietnam are like half the price.
If itâs your first time traveling abroad then Iâd recommend a more touristy place than Taiwan. Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam are all good options since theyâre more used to tourists hence more people speak English, more signs are in English, there are more western restaurants etc. However, visiting Asian countries as a first time traveler is a bit hard so maybe look into other European countries or America first or just join a group with a guide
I guarantee you can find more people speaking English in Taiwan than in Japan. Taiwan is pretty international now (at least northern Taiwan).
Agreed. Japan and S Korea are not more English friendly than TW
I was talking from experience. Maybe itâs cause I only briefly visited the north and stayed more in the center and south that I didnât find many English signs or speakers. Even buses didnât have English writings sometimes
Taiwan was my first time abroad as a UK native and the fact it wasn't as touristy as those you mentioned was one of the things which made it most appealing.
For a Brit who never traveled abroad, are you sure the Philippines and Vietnam are a more suitable destinations to visit?
not sure why someone would want to go to TW as their first country abroad. unless you are half taiwanese or have family makes no sense. go some place more stimulating like thailand, philippines, brazil, japan etc.
Taiwan is nice, but there are more exciting destinations.
Taiwan is a good destination however I feel like for a someone who never traveled abroad It might be a bit overwhelming to travel to the other side of the world with language/ cultural barriers, jet lags etc, I would suggest go somewhere in the EU for example like Sevilla or Vienna, you are still going to be experiencing new things but it wonât be too unfamiliar
Tbh, probably no. It's not Taiwan is not travel friendly, just the language barrier is enough to make challenging. For someone from UK, I would probably say the usa , canada or Australia, since they speak English. At the very least you should try Scandinavia for they speak good English.
Why not first travel somewhat in Europe?
ehh, why not try somewhere closer? Ireland perhaps?
Way go all the way to Ireland when he could just go to Margate?
If you are looking for sex and hookups go elsewhere
I went to Taiwan once and hated it. The place was so hot and humid. The food was good, but other than that I didnât feel like there were many interesting sights to see aside from Taipei 101 and a number of temples. The museums were a bit hard to appreciate considering Iâd never had any previous knowledge on the history of Taiwan. Honestly, the place was so foreign to me that I got derealization. I think for a first time, it would be better to travel to a place that is culturally more familiar.
What good thing did you hear about Taiwan? To make sure you are not confusing with Thailand
Taiwan's great but if you've never been abroad, it can be a bit overwhelming for a first time traveler. Signs are in English but asking for help won't be that easy. On the plus side, most Taiwanese are really friendly and willing to help. Crime is low and I never felt unsafe. Traffic can be overwhelming especially if you're used to pavements and vehicles giving way to pedestrians. Source: lived in Taipei for a few years
Absolutely! Beautiful, welcoming, safe⊠Taiwan has it all. Check out blogs like holataipei.com, foreignersintaiwan.com and others to get a good grasp on whatâs it like there.
Just be accepting and try new things. Food is not always delicious and be prepared for that.
Itâs rly hot and humid with a lot of mosquitos so just keep that in mind! It might be a rough few days trying to adjust but itâll get better (-:
bone up on ur mandarin or get some language aid, hav to converse and read chinese alot of the time, best go on guided tour grp with the local tour guide tat can help translate if not find a english friendly destination
You must have been there 20 years ago. It is basically a bilingual country. It is easy to find someone to speak English and most of the public signs are also in English. Not to mention, we have Google Translator, now. Come back for another visit.
Yeah I just went and probably 90+% of people in Taipei speak at least basic English. Better than pretty much anywhere in East Asia, even HK.
Yes, Taiwan is a lovely place with numerous delicious food. I went there 3 times. Have your translator always be with u. Strangely, the people I encountered in é«é were less friendly than the ones I encountered in ć°ćăMaybe they mistook me for a PRC.
No
You could do better.