Taiwan trip from India: 7-day itinerary, visa and budget

A 7-day Taiwan trip from India costs about ₹67,000 to ₹1.09 lakh per person, and Indians need a visa or an online Travel Authorization Certificate before they fly. This plan covers Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake, mostly by high-speed rail and train.

Visa and entry rules for Indians

India is not on Taiwan’s visa-exemption list, so Indian passport holders need either a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) or a visitor visa. Two official pages set out the rules, and we checked both on 10 October 2026.

1. The TAC route. The Bureau of Consular Affairs’ TAC page says Indian nationals who hold a valid resident or visitor visa (including an electronic one) or a resident certificate from the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, a Schengen country, Australia or New Zealand can apply online. It describes a stay of up to 30 days. You must not have worked in Taiwan as a blue-collar worker. Travellers who cannot show the qualifying visa at immigration are not admitted. You apply on the National Immigration Agency portal, which lists India among the eligible nationalities.
2. The visitor visa route. If you have no qualifying visa, you apply at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai. We could not load the TECC’s India visa page when we checked (it showed a “website is under repair” notice), so we cannot give you a verified fee, document list or processing time. Check it on the TECC India website before you plan.

Several things the official pages do not state: the TAC fee, its processing time, and the passport validity needed. Indian travel sites quote a 14-day stay on the TAC where the Bureau of Consular Affairs says 30. Read the stay printed on your approved certificate, and carry the printout, as the page says it is used for boarding and immigration.

Do not pay a website to “arrange” a Taiwan visa. File the TAC yourself on the government portal, and apply for a visitor visa directly at the TECC.

What it costs in rupees

Per person, sharing a double room, for 7 days and 6 nights. These are our estimates for mid-range travel, not quotes, and the visa fee is left out because we could not verify it.

Flights are the biggest line. Compare fares via Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, and book at least four to six weeks ahead. Taipei hotels cost more than Hualien or Taichung, and a business hotel near Taipei Main Station keeps your metro and rail costs low.

Day-by-day plan

Day 1: arrive in Taipei

Land at Taoyuan airport and take the airport MRT or a bus into the city. Buy an EasyCard at the airport or a convenience store, and use it on the metro, buses and many trains. Spend the evening at Shilin or Raohe night market.

Day 2: Taipei highlights

Start with the National Palace Museum, then see Taipei 101 and its observation deck, or climb Elephant Mountain for a free view of the same tower at sunset. Eat dinner at a vegetarian buffet if you want a stress-free meal.

Day 3: Jiufen and the north coast

Go to Jiufen by bus or train and bus from Taipei. Walk the old street, then eat at a teahouse with a view. Jiufen is crowded on weekends, so go on a weekday and leave Taipei early, then come back for dinner.

Day 4: Taipei to Hualien

Take the express train east from Taipei, a ride of roughly two hours. Check in, then explore the town and its night market. Book your train ticket in advance, because trains on this route sell out at weekends and holidays.

Day 5: Taroko Gorge

Spend the day in Taroko National Park, with its marble gorge, tunnels and river views. Some trails and roads close after earthquakes and rain, so check the park’s official site for current closures before you go. Hire a driver or join a small group tour if you do not want to deal with the bus timetable.

Day 6: Sun Moon Lake

Return to Taipei or head south by train, then take the high-speed rail to Taichung and continue to Sun Moon Lake by bus. Cycle or take a boat around the lake and see the temples. Stay in Taichung if you want a night market with a bigger choice of vegetarian food.

Day 7: back to the airport

Take the high-speed rail to Taoyuan and a metro or bus to the airport. Be there three hours before an international flight, and leave a buffer for the rail connection.

Food for vegetarians and Jain travellers

Taiwan has a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition, which makes it easier than most East Asian countries. Look for the 素 sign, vegetarian buffets priced by weight, and fully vegetarian restaurants in most cities. Buddhist kitchens often leave out onion, garlic and other pungent vegetables, which works for many Jain travellers. Still ask about eggs, fish sauce and stock. Regular night-market stalls rarely cater to vegetarians, so look for the dedicated stalls.

Best time to go

October to December and March to April are the best months, with milder temperatures and less rain. June to September is hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt rail and flights, so travel insurance matters. January and February are cool and wet in Taipei, but clear in the south.

Practical tips

• Money: the currency is the New Taiwan dollar. Carry a forex card, and keep some cash for night markets and small shops. Do not rely on UPI.
• SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly saves queueing at the airport.
• Plugs: Taiwan uses Type A and B plugs on 110 V. Most phone and laptop chargers accept this voltage, but pack an adapter, and check hair dryers and irons.
• Transport: the EasyCard works on the metro, buses, many trains and bike rental. Buy high-speed rail and Hualien tickets online in advance.
• Language: English signs are common in Taipei and at stations, less so in smaller towns, so keep addresses saved in Chinese on your phone.

Related guides

Planning an East Asia city break with a visa-free route? Read our Hong Kong 4-day plan. For a longer trip, see the Japan cherry blossom plan, the South Korea 7-day plan for Seoul and Busan, or the Singapore guide if you are connecting through Singapore. More facts are on the Taiwan hub.