Here are five things you must remember about living in Taiwan!

Hello everyone. This is Olivertomo!



I know that living abroad for the first time can be full of worries…



I also had a lot of anxiety at first, and I’m sure there are a lot of things that newcomers to Taiwan don’t understand.



I’m going to introduce you to some of the things you should keep in mind when actually living in Taiwan!

I’ve been on a working holiday in Kaohsiung for a year since February 2020. I am currently writing a blog based on my experience.



By reading this post, you’ll get an idea of what’s important in living in Taiwan!

Introduction to apps you should download for living in Taiwan

1 NAVITIME Transit

This is a very useful app that allows you to search for trains all over the world for free!



It’s easy to use and you can search offline as well.



In Taiwan, you can search for the railways in Taiwan, the subway in Taipei, the train in Taichung, and the subway in Kaohsiung.



The information is updated daily, so you can search with the latest information.



The app can also be used in countries other than Taiwan, so it is one of the best apps to use when you travel.

2 Taiwan Railways train dynamics

Since the first app does not cover the part of the railroad in Taiwan, I recommend downloading this one as well.



This app is especially useful when traveling in Taiwan or going to faraway places by train.



It also allows you to search for bus information throughout Taiwan, which is very helpful.



The times are reflected in real time, so I’d definitely recommend downloading this one when you’re visiting other cities!

3 Uber

When you take a city cab in Taiwan, you will sometimes get ripped off.



If you want to avoid this, I recommend using the Uber app.



I recommend registering your card in advance so you don’t have to go through the hassle of paying!



It is easy to specify the destination and the fare is cheaper than in Japan, so please try it!

4 Uber Eats

Taiwan is a country with a strong delivery service culture, and many restaurants offer delivery services.



Among them, Uber Eats is a very convenient and affordable way to order.



I recommend it over a delivery service called Food Panda, because their fees are way lower!



The payment service also accepts cards and cash, so you can use it depending on the occasion.

5 Pleco

This is a Chinese dictionary app that also allows you to search from English.



It supports both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and you can learn all about reading, pronunciation, and meaning.



It’s a must download if you want to learn Chinese!

Is my bag a must-have item in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, you should always carry your own bag!



This is because many stores will not give you a bag.



Because many shops don’t give out bags, and most stores charge for them, it is recommended to prepare your own bags in advance.

Do you drive on the right or the left side of the lane in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, the traffic lane is on the right side of the road, unlike in Japan.



If you think you are in Japan, you may be in danger, so be careful.



Also, all cars in Taiwan drive on the left side of the road.



So be careful when you are driving!

Is toilet paper free or charged at train stations?

With the exception of airports and other large train stations, there are basically vending machines where you have to buy toilet paper.



Keep in mind that the vending machines only accept coins.



It is not actually toilet paper, but a kind of pocket tissue, and I wondered if this would be enough.



When outside, You would try to use the restrooms in department stores as much as possible.



In fact, I used to bring toilet paper when I went to faraway places.

Are traffic manners in Kaohsiung good or bad?

As it turns out, the manners are bad.



The further south you go in Taiwan, the worse the traffic manners are, so be careful.



Please be careful of cars and motorcycles when walking on the road.



In the morning and evening of commuting time, traffic will be heavy, so please do not to get into an accident.

Conclusion

Here is a summary of what you need to remember about living in Taiwan!



We will continue to provide information on Taiwan in the future, so please stay tuned.



Thank you for reading to the end!