Category: Taiwan arrival guide

Last Updated: May 2026
Based on my actual Taiwan trip in December 2025 via Clark International Airport and Starlux Airlines

Taiwan Arrival Guide for Filipinos

Taiwan is one of the countries I keep returning to. I’ve now visited Taiwan five times, and every trip has become easier because I already know what to prepare before leaving the Philippines and what to do immediately after landing.

This arrival guide is based on my actual experience during my last Taiwan trip in December 2025. For this visit, I flew from Clark International Airport to Taiwan via Starlux Airlines and followed the exact steps outlined in this guide—from completing my eTravel registration before departure to taking the Airport MRT into Taipei after landing.

If it’s your first time visiting Taiwan, this post will walk you through exactly what I personally do before departure and after arriving at Taoyuan Airport.

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My Latest Taiwan Trip at a Glance

• 📅 Travel Date: December 2025
• ✈️ Airline: STARLUX Airlines
• 🛫 Departure Airport: Clark International Airport
• 🛬 Arrival Airport: Taoyuan International Airport
• 🏨 Base Area: Ximending, Taipei
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan Visit Number: 5

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Quick Taiwan Travel Information

• 📍 Destination: Taiwan
• ✈️ Main Airport: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
• 🛂 Visa Required: No
• 📅 Visa-Free Stay: Up to 14 days
• 💳 Transportation Card: EasyCard
• 💵 Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NTD)
• 📶 Recommended: eSIM

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Good News: Taiwan is Visa-Free for Filipinos

One reason Taiwan remains one of the easiest destinations for Filipino travelers is its visa-free entry program.

Filipino passport holders can currently enter Taiwan visa-free for tourism for up to 14 days.

Even though a visa is not required, you should still prepare the following:

✔️ Passport with at least 6 months validity

✔️ Return or onward ticket

✔️ Hotel booking confirmation

✔️ Taiwan Arrival Card

✔️ eTravel Registration

✔️ Proof of sufficient funds (rarely requested but good to have)

I always save screenshots of these documents in a dedicated album on my phone before every trip.

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🎥 Watch My Taiwan Arrival Guide in Under 60 Seconds

If you’re short on time, you can watch my Taiwan Arrival Guide video before continuing with the detailed step-by-step guide below.

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Before Your Flight

Step 1: Complete Your eTravel Registration

Before leaving the Philippines, all departing passengers must complete their eTravel registration.

Official Website:
https://etravel.gov.ph

Important reminders:

✔️ eTravel is FREE

✔️ Do not pay any third-party websites

✔️ I usually complete mine 24 to 72 hours before departure

✔️ Save a screenshot of your QR code

This is one of the first things I do after receiving my flight details.

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Step 2: Complete the Taiwan Arrival Card

Taiwan requires arriving passengers to submit an Arrival Card.

Official Website:
https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webacard/

Important reminders:

✔️ The Taiwan Arrival Card is FREE

✔️ I usually complete it 1 to 3 days before departure

✔️ Save a screenshot after submission

✔️ Filling it out before arrival helps speed up immigration processing

I normally complete this together with my eTravel registration.

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Step 3: Book Your Airport MRT Ticket

One thing I always book before flying is my Airport MRT ticket.

The Airport MRT is my preferred way of getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei because it’s affordable, reliable, and beginner-friendly.

Benefits:

✔️ Avoid long taxi queues

✔️ Direct connection to Taipei

✔️ Easy to use even for first-time visitors

Klook.com

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Step 4: Activate Your eSIM

I activate my eSIM one day before departure.

This way, I don’t need to spend time setting it up at the airport.

As soon as I land, I simply turn it on and start using Google Maps, Messenger, and Grab.

Klook.com

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Step 5: Don’t Bring Meat Products

This is one of the most important Taiwan travel rules.

Taiwan has strict regulations regarding meat products.

Avoid bringing:

❌ Pork products

❌ Longganisa

❌ Tocino

❌ Ham

❌ Sausage

❌ Dried meat snacks

Heavy fines may apply.

When packing, I always double-check my carry-on and checked luggage just to be safe.

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After Landing in Taiwan

Step 6: Proceed to Immigration

After arriving, follow the signs to Immigration.

Have these ready:

✔️ Passport

✔️ Hotel booking

✔️ Return ticket

✔️ Arrival Card information

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Step 7: Claim Your Luggage

After clearing Immigration, proceed to baggage claim.

Always check the monitor screens for your baggage carousel number.

Before leaving, verify your luggage tag.

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Step 8: Turn On Your eSIM

Once I have my luggage, I immediately activate my eSIM.

The first things I check are:

✔️ Google Maps

✔️ Messenger

✔️ Facebook

✔️ Email

✔️ Banking apps

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Step 9: Withdraw Taiwan Dollars

I usually withdraw cash from Bank of Taiwan ATMs inside the airport.

Cards I’ve personally used:

✔️ GoTyme

✔️ GCash Visa Card

Even though Taiwan is becoming increasingly cashless, cash is still useful at some night markets and small shops.

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Step 10: Buy or Top Up Your EasyCard

The EasyCard is one of the most useful things you can have in Taiwan.

You can use it for:

✔️ MRT

✔️ Buses

✔️ Convenience Stores

✔️ Selected attractions

I still use the same EasyCard from previous trips and simply top it up upon arrival.

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Step 11: Take the Airport MRT

After completing everything at the airport, it’s finally time to head into Taipei.

The Airport MRT is clean, efficient, and beginner-friendly.

For first-time visitors, it’s one of the easiest ways to start your Taiwan adventure.

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My Taiwan Travel Essentials

Taiwan eSIM

Stay connected immediately after landing.

I personally use an eSIM when traveling because it’s more convenient than looking for a physical SIM card at the airport.

If you’d like to have internet access immediately after landing, you can check the eSIM options I personally recommend here:

Klook eSIM

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Airport MRT Ticket

Skip the lines and book in advance.

Airport Transfers & Transportation

One thing I always arrange before flying is my airport transportation.

Whether you prefer the Airport MRT, private airport transfers, or day tours, you can check the same booking platforms I use during my trips:

👉 Airport MRT Tickets

👉 Airport Transfers

👉 Taiwan Tours & Activities

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Where I Stay in Taipei

As a solo traveler, I always prioritize hotels near MRT stations because it makes getting around Taipei much easier.

I also love staying in Ximending because it’s convenient, lively, and packed with restaurants, shopping, and transportation options. Most of my Taiwan trips have been based in this area.

Here are some hotels I’ve personally stayed at:

🏨 Tomorrow Hotel
A budget-friendly option located right in the heart of Ximending.

🏨 Rainbow Hotel
One of the most convenient locations in Ximending and just a short walk from the MRT.

🏨 Airline Inn Ximen
A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and excellent access to shopping and transportation.

🏨 Hotel Puri
One of my favorite choices for solo travel thanks to its location near Ximen Station.

💡 Compare hotel prices before booking. I usually check multiple platforms because prices can vary depending on promotions and travel dates.

Check rates here:

👉 Agoda

👉 Trip.com

👉 Klook Hotels

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Bonus Travel Tips From My 5 Taiwan Trips

💡 Save your hotel address in Traditional Chinese.

💡 Download Google Maps offline.

💡 Bring a power bank.

💡 Keep at least NT$500–1,000 cash available.

💡 Check Airport MRT operating hours if arriving late at night.

💡 Take screenshots of hotel bookings and return flights.

💡 Download Google Translate before your trip.

💡 If staying in Ximending, use the Airport MRT + MRT combination instead of taking a taxi.

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Final Thoughts

After five visits to Taiwan, I’ve realized that arrival day becomes much easier when you prepare everything before your flight.

Completing your eTravel registration, Taiwan Arrival Card, transportation bookings, and eSIM setup ahead of time means less stress and more time enjoying your trip.

Taiwan remains one of the easiest destinations in Asia for Filipino travelers, and it’s a country I always look forward to visiting again.

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“Every trip starts long before the plane takes off. The better you prepare, the more you can enjoy the journey.”

– Mommy Helena

✨ Ready to explore?

Book your hotels, tours, activities, flights, and travel essentials through my trusted travel partners:

🏨 Agoda

🎟️ Klook

🌍 GetYourGuide

✈️ Trip.com

Using my links helps support my travel content at no extra cost to you.

Travel smart, travel with style. See you on the next adventure! ✈️

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