In this episode of “BuyFunLife,” I’m talking about Taiwan’s regulations and common sense. I’m SUSU, and I bet you’re imagining your Taiwan trip as a foodie dream—sipping boba and munching on fried chicken. But the worst-case scenario? You just hopped off the plane with some fragrant cured sausages in your luggage, vapes in your pocket, and maybe a lingering cannabis buzz in your head. Instead of a warm welcome from locals, you’re greeted by a cute but ruthless Customs Beagle, a massive NT$200,000 fine, and an accidental “prison experience.”
And that’s just the beginning. The moment you rush into the MRT with your ice-cold boba tea—”Beep!” That crisp sound at the gate might just be the receipt for another fine.
In Taiwan, some rules are written in law, while others are etched into the “stares” of the locals. If you start devouring a greasy piece of fried chicken on a packed bus, or block the left side of the escalator, you might find yourself trending on “Threads” within minutes.
Want to “buy happiness” in Taiwan? You’d better understand these rules first, or your travel budget will go toward fines before you even taste the food.
🚨 Customs Regulations: Heavy Fines of NT$200,000
Meat Products: NT$200,000 Fine
Any products containing meat (including meat chunks in instant noodles, unfinished ham sandwiches from the plane, or even meat floss rolls) are a hard NO! Chicken, pork, beef, lamb… basically any meat is prohibited. The Customs Beagles have an incredible sense of smell. If caught, it’s an immediate NT$200,000 fine. Get caught a second time, and the fine jumps to NT$1 million. Wouldn’t you rather spend that money eating at Din Tai Fung 40 times?
Especially if you’re from a country with lax customs, do NOT bring meat into Taiwan! Even some Taiwanese people have made this mistake and paid the NT$200,000 price. I check my own suitcase meticulously every time I fly home.
Vapes/Heated Tobacco Totally Banned
Taiwan currently has Zero Tolerance for e-cigarettes/vapes. Bringing them in will result in confiscation and heavy fines. Using them on the street can lead to people reporting you with photos. Please stick to traditional cigarettes and only smoke in designated areas—smoking while walking is prohibited.
Cannabis is a Serious Crime
Cannabis might be recreational in some countries, but in Taiwan, it is a Category 2 Drug. Bringing cannabis into the country will take you directly from the airport to prison. This isn’t something a fine can fix.
Weapons and Knives Banned
Taiwan strictly prohibits carrying firearms or knives. Violators will face jail time.
How to Ride the Taipei MRT for the First Time?
There are TWO airports: Northern Taiwan has two airports. Most international flights land at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). You won’t mix it up coming in, but when heading back, don’t just tell the taxi driver “Taipei Airport.” You might end up at Songshan Airport (TSA) inside Taipei City, and you will definitely miss your flight. I suggest showing the driver a map or setting your Uber destination to “Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.”
About Taoyuan Airport MRT: The Taipei MRT and the Airport MRT are separate systems. From the airport, you’ll take the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then transfer to the Taipei MRT. There are “Express” and “Commuter” trains. The Express train has fewer stops and is much faster—this should be your first choice. Commuter trains stop at every station for local residents and take longer.
Buy a Transit Card First: Tourists usually cannot tap their phones directly for the MRT (due to bank restrictions). I strongly recommend buying an “IC Transit Card,” known in Taiwan as the “EasyCard.” You can use it for the MRT, trains, buses, and even small purchases. They come in many cute designs and are sold at convenience stores, MRT stations, and even the Pokemon Center.
Foreign tourists: just get an “EasyCard.” No reservations needed—just tap and go for the MRT.
EasyCard Official Website
NO Eating or Drinking: Once you cross the yellow gate, don’t even think about food. Not even chewing gum or a sip of water. This rule is stricter than in Japan or the US. The fine is enough to buy fifty cups of boba. Also, keep it quiet; taking loud phone calls on speaker will get you some serious side-eye.
Stand on the RIGHT on Escalators: While the government says you can stand on both sides, locals almost always stand on the right and leave the left for those in a hurry. If you block the left side, people behind you will be staring at your back.
Priority Seats: The dark blue seats are “Priority Seats.” Young people usually prefer to stand rather than sit there to avoid the social pressure of giving up the seat to the elderly.
Let Passengers Exit First: For any transport, please “exit first, then enter.” On the MRT, queue along the white lines on the platform. Wait for everyone to get off before you board. Don’t block the door or cut the line—Taiwanese people hate line-cutters (Taiwan is a nation of queues!).
On the map, the “light purple” line is the Airport MRT. To get to Taipei, you go from station “A12” to “R11” (Taipei Main Station). I’ll write a separate guide on how to navigate the Taipei MRT later!
Taiwan Trains (TRA) and High-Speed Rail (HSR)
There are two types of trains: “TRA” (Regular/Local) and “HSR” (High-Speed). The HSR is like the Bullet Train—it’s the fastest and most expensive. Note that HSR stations and TRA stations are often far apart (especially in Southern Taiwan). Luckily, at Taipei Main Station, they are in the same building.
Limited Express trains require reservations. Do not just tap your EasyCard and board. If you stand on a reserved-only train without a ticket, you will be considered ticketless and fined an extra 50% of the fare.
High Speed Rail (HSR) Rules
The HSR is a separate system from the regular train. You can choose “Reserved Seats” or “Non-reserved Seats” (Cars 10-12). If you don’t have a reservation, queue for the non-reserved cars. Do NOT sit in someone else’s reserved seat—it’s very awkward.
Can I tap my EasyCard for the HSR?
HSR gates currently do not support regular EasyCards for entry. Taiwanese people use electronic QR codes from the HSR App. I suggest foreign tourists buy tickets online or at the counter.
What are Non-reserved Seats?
Basically, it’s “buying a ticket that guarantees entry but does not guarantee a seat.” You can board any train on the “same day” as your ticket.
Car Restrictions: Cars 10 to 12 are for non-reserved seats (more cars may be opened on holidays).
Price: Slightly cheaper than reserved seats (about 3% off).
Rule: First come, first served. If there are no seats, you stand.
Should I always buy a reserved seat?
I strongly recommend booking a reserved seat on the App if you are in these situations:
Long Distance: Taipei to Kaohsiung is at least 1.5 hours. Standing the whole way will make you question your life choices.
Peak Times: Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, or public holidays. Non-reserved cars will be so packed you’ll feel like you’re climbing Mt. Everest just to breathe.
Large Luggage: Luggage racks in non-reserved cars fill up instantly.
Eating is Allowed: Unlike the MRT, you can eat on the HSR, and they even sell bento boxes on board.
Taiwan Railway (TRA) Rules
Reserved-Only Trains (Tze-Chiang 3000, Taroko, Puyuma):
These trains do NOT allow standing passengers. You absolutely cannot tap your EasyCard to board these. If you are found on board without a reserved ticket, the conductor will fine you and ask you to leave at the next station.
Trains where you can tap but might have to stand (Standard Tze-Chiang, Chu-Kuang):
You can tap your EasyCard, but you don’t have a seat. You can sit in a vacant seat, but if the person who actually booked it shows up, you must move. This is a physical struggle if you have big suitcases.
Trains where you can “Sit Anywhere” (Local Train, Local Express):
These are like the subway. Sit if there’s a spot, stand if not. Just tap your EasyCard to enter. These are slow but stop at every station.
Eating is Allowed: You can eat on the TRA, and their bento boxes are legendary.
Buses and Coaches in Taiwan
Wave to Stop: You must wave your hand at the bus stop so the driver can see you, otherwise they will drive right past.
Press the Bell Early: Press the “Stop” bell before your station so the driver knows to stop.
Tap On AND Off: You must tap your EasyCard when getting ON and OFF the bus, or your card will be locked. Unlocking it requires visiting a service counter—it’s a huge hassle.
No Change Given: If you pay with cash, drivers do NOT give change. If you drop a $100 bill, consider the extra a donation. Buy an EasyCard and top it up!
Bus APPs: Google Maps is great for trains but often inaccurate for buses due to traffic. Everyone in Taipei uses the “BusTracker Taipei” App. It shows exactly how many minutes until the bus arrives and includes MRT maps. It also works for New Taipei City, Keelung, and places like Jiufen or Yehliu.
BusTracker Taipei APP Android download / iPhone download
Shopping and Street Etiquette
Crosswalks aren’t “Safe Zones”: Cars in Taiwan don’t always stop for pedestrians! Some even run red lights. Don’t look at your phone while crossing. Even if the light is green, watch for turning vehicles. Wait for them to slow down before you cross, and always stay on the zebra crossing.
Intersections without lights: Always use the zebra crossing. If there are no lights or crosswalks at a big intersection, look for an overpass or underpass. If you see a flashing orange light, you can cross when clear. For small alleys with no markings, just cross when it’s safe.
No Trash Cans: You’ll rarely find trash cans on the street. Carry a small bag for your trash. You can find bins at attractions, stations, or convenience stores, or just take it back to your hotel.
Eating while walking: Unlike Japan, eating while walking is perfectly fine at night markets. Most stalls don’t have trash cans nearby; they are usually at the entrances/exits of the market.
Cash is King: For night markets and street stalls, it’s cash-only or local mobile payments.
No Tipping Culture: Unlike the US, Taiwan restaurants usually include a “Service Charge” (even if there’s barely any service). If you leave a tip, the staff usually has to hand it over to the restaurant anyway—they don’t get to keep it. A compliment is better! The service charge is usually 10% of the bill. Night markets and small eateries don’t charge this, but air-conditioned restaurants do. Check the menu for this charge before ordering!
Toilet Paper: In older restaurants or night markets, toilet paper goes into the trash bin next to the toilet, not the bowl, to avoid clogging. Look for signs. Generally, in MRT stations, you can flush it. However, many hotels still ask you to use the trash bin—always check the sign.
Hotel and Accommodation Tips
No Complimentary Disposable Toiletries
To reduce plastic, many hotels do not proactively provide disposable toothbrushes, razors, or combs. You can usually buy them for about NT$10 at the counter. Shampoo and body wash are still provided.
Voltage and Plugs (110V)
Taiwan uses 110V (60Hz) with Type A/B (US-style) two-pin plugs. If you’re from Europe, Hong Kong, or Singapore, you’ll need an adapter.
No Tipping but a Service Charge
Basically, no tipping is required. A 10% service charge is often added to the bill. If a bellhop is extremely helpful, NT$100 is a nice gesture, but not expected.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
Tap water in Taiwan is not potable. You must boil it first or drink the bottled water provided by the hotel.
Check the Toilet Paper Signs
Look for signs on whether to flush toilet paper or put it in the trash bin. Older hotels or guesthouses might clog easily if you flush it.
Strict Indoor Smoking Ban
By law, smoking is strictly prohibited indoors. If you smoke in your room or on the balcony, you’ll be charged a “cleaning fee” (usually NT$3,000+), and you could be fined by the government.
Passport Registration
Foreigners must show their original passport at check-in. Some hotels don’t accept photos or copies. You can use Agoda or Booking.com for reservations.
The Polite ‘Thank You’ Culture
“Bu Hao Yi Si” is a Magic Spell: These words (meaning “sorry” or “excuse me”) can solve 80% of social problems. Use it before ordering, asking for directions, or getting past someone. Taiwanese people will be much more patient with you.
Receipts are Lottery Tickets: Don’t throw away your paper receipts! They are lottery tickets drawn every two months. The top prize is NT$10 million—if you win, your flight is paid for!
Don’t Stick Chopsticks in Rice: This is a traditional ritual for the deceased. Doing it will definitely shock your Taiwanese dining companions.
Say Thank You: Taiwanese people say “Thank you” constantly. Say it when getting off the bus, when food is served, and when leaving a restaurant.
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