Taiwan Travel Safety
Travel Safety in Taiwan
General travel safety in Taiwan on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
Taiwan
Updates
Updated: 8 Oct 2024 • Still current at: 13 Oct 2024
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Road safety
Several foreigners have been involved in accidents that caused serious and even fatal injuries. Motorcycles and scooters weave in and out of traffic. Driving or riding motorcycles is dangerous and should be avoided, even by experienced motorcyclists. Driving habits in Taiwan are often more erratic and reckless. Taxi drivers tend to speak little or no English, provide the driver with your destination written in Chinese. Mountain roads are narrow, winding and poorly banked. Some roads can become impassable due to heavy rain and landslides during the monsoon and typhoon seasons. Substandard road conditions and local disregard for traffic laws result in frequent accidents. Pedestrians should always exercise caution when crossing the road. Be aware of your surroundings at all times if you plan to drive a vehicle in Taiwan. Traffic congestion is severe in urban areas.
Women's safety
Based on the crime situation of the Taiwan, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.
Crime
The crime rate is relatively low in Taiwan. Petty crime, such as pick pocketing and purse snatching, occurs, usually in airports, public transportation facilities such as bus and train stations, main tourist shopping areas, hotel lobbies, crowded streets. Bags left unattended are likely to be stolen. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. Crimes, including passport theft, should be reported to the local police.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police110 or 112
- Fire119 or 112
- Ambulance119 or 112
Local Law and Culture
LGBT
Although the laws of Taiwan do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not socially tolerated. LGBT travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas.
Illegal or restricted activities
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and include the death penalty.
Driving
An International Driving Permit is recommended. The use of cellular phones while driving is strictly prohibited.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Taiwan.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.
The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.
The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
