Working in Taipei Taiwan
Over the past two decades Taipei has transformed into a typical thriving metropolis found in this part of Asia. Continued improvements to the standard of living in Taipei have created one of the region’s most comfortable and livable cities. The Taiwan capital has also become more attractive to tourists through the introduction of a more vibrant nightlife and entertainment facilities.
Despite these developments the charm of historical Taipei can still be found in the Old Town. The original area of city development still has old gates to provide the historical factor. Other areas of interest in Taipei include Zhongshan, Eastern Taipei, Tianmu and Shilin
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Emergency
- Shopping
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Taiwan’s largest airport is easily the busiest international facility in the country with it handling more than 27 million passengers in 2012, which ranks in the top 15 worldwide. Located in the Dayuan Township, Taoyuan International Airport serves domestic and international flights from all over the world.
Taoyuan International Airport can be reached by extensive bus and rail services. Frequent buses link the airport to Taipei, along with surrounding destinations that include Jhongli and Taoyuan City. A new rail service, known as the Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System, is currently under construction and expected to be opened by 2014. The service will provide a 35-minute express train linking the airport and Taipei. Taxi services are also easily located at the airport.
Railway Station
Taipei Railway Station
A magnificent building in true Taiwanese style, Taipei Railway Station serves local rail services, high-speed rail, the metro and is a key bus depot. The station handles more than half a million passengers on a daily basis and can be very crowded during busier times of the day. The area surrounding Taipei Railway Station has been revamped in recent years and is due to include an express train to the city’s international airport in 2013.
Transportation
Taipei has an extensive metro and bus system servicing all parts of the city. The Taiwanese capital has a modern and efficient Mass Rapid Transit system, also known as MRT, for its metro. The last trains depart at midnight and fares are reasonably cheap. English-speaking travelers will also find the system well-marked in their home language.
The bus system in Taipei is also efficient and well marked in English. Each bus that navigates the city has a number, with many traveling through the city’s central areas and others to the outer residential suburbs.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Taipei is low by western standards and the average monthly wage is typically about $1500 equivalent.
According to online cost of living database Numbeo (www.numbeo.com), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $3.05 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $21.50 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $1.80 |
| Coke (330mL) | $1.10 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $2.60 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.70 |
| Eggs | $1.70 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $0.60 |
| Monthly pass | $53.90 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $1.25 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $700 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $1250 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $15 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $220 |
Accommodation
Taipei has a broad range of accommodation options catering for visitors of all types. There is ample choice for the high-end or business traveler, while backpackers are also spoilt with cheap hotels and hostels. The most popular areas include Ximending district, Xinyi district and around the main railway station in the city’s east.
A few options to consider include:
Budget
KDM Hotel
Donghwa Hotel
One Star
Mid-range
Les Suites Daan Taipei
Taipei Fullerton 41
Hotel Flowers
High-end
Westin Hotel Taipei
Ritz Landis Hotel
Sheraton Hotel Taipei
Emergency
General emergency numbers:
Fire / ambulance 119
Police 110
Oversea operator 100
Shopping
Taipei has two main shopping areas, simply known as east and west. In the east, shoppers will find the Old Town of Taipei where traditional Taiwanese shops line narrow streets. The shopping district in the west is a modern experience featuring boulevards lined with brand name stores and the occasional department store. The major shopping areas or malls in Taipei include: Xinyo District, Taipei 101 Mall, Shilin Night Market and Eslite Mall.
Insurance and Healthcare
The health care system in Taiwan is known as National Health Insurance (NHI). The system is a single-payer compulsory social insurance plan which centraliaes the disbursement of health-care funds. The system promises equal access to health care for all citizens, and the population coverage has reached 99% in the past decade. The NHI is mainly funded through taxes, such as income and corporate tax.
Expats in Taiwan can also take out private health insurance and there are plenty of options for this in the country. Costs for private health treatment in Taiwan are inexpensive compared to those in Australia. Despite a very good standard of health facilities in Taiwan, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.