Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, a dense and walkable city of night markets, hot springs, temples, and mountain trails set in a basin ringed by green hills. Its skyline is anchored by Taipei 101, while the National Palace Museum holds one of the world's great collections of Chinese imperial art. Taipei pairs an efficient metro, a famously food-obsessed street culture, and easy access to hot springs and tea-growing hills within the city limits.
Taipei is a very safe destination with low crime rates and well-organised emergency services. The main risks are natural hazards (typhoons July-October, earthquakes year-round), summer heat and humidity, and scooter traffic. Petty theft is rare but can occur in crowded night markets.
Current safety advisory
Low
Last updated: 2026-09-20
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Seasonal
Level 1
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Taipei is among the safest major cities in Asia, with very low violent crime.
Carry a passport copy or ARC; police may ask for ID.
Earthquake and typhoon alerts arrive by National Alert SMS on all phones; the Central Weather Administration (cwa.gov.tw) publishes warnings.
Watch for scooters, which sometimes ride on pavements or turn against signals.
In July-August drink water and use sunscreen; heat exhaustion is common.
Hike Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan in daylight with water and a rain layer.
During typhoons, stay indoors, avoid rivers and mountain trails, and follow city announcements.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration 24-hour hotline is 0800-011-765 (or 1950) for help and information.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Some drivers do not use the meter at night or from unofficial airport pickups.
How to avoid: Use licensed yellow taxis with a meter, or the Uber and LINE Taxi apps; the Airport MRT is cheaper.
Bar or tea-house invitations
Occasional reports of strangers inviting tourists to a bar or tea house with a very high bill.
How to avoid: Decline unsolicited invitations and check prices on the menu before ordering.
Counterfeit goods
Some market stalls sell fake branded goods as genuine.
How to avoid: Buy electronics and jewellery from established stores.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are required for most travellers. Routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and influenza are advised. Dengue occurs in southern Taiwan and occasionally in Taipei in late summer, so use mosquito repellent.
- Water
- Tap water meets standards but locals boil or filter it; bottled or boiled water is recommended for drinking.
- Food
- Food hygiene is generally high. Street food is safe when busy; avoid raw seafood from unlicensed stalls.
- Facilities
- Taipei has excellent hospitals, including National Taiwan University Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital; many doctors speak English.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 110
- Medical
- 119 (ambulance)
- Fire
- 119
- Tourist Hotline
- 1950 or 0800-011-765 (Taiwan Tourism Administration, 24 hours, multilingual)
- General Emergency
- 112 from a mobile phone also connects to emergency services
- Main Hospital
- National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, +886 2 2312 3456
- Embassy Us
- American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office: +886 2 2162 2000, No. 100 Jinhu Road, Neihu District
- Embassy Uk
- British Office Taipei: +886 2 8758 2088, 26F, Taipei 101 Tower, No. 7 Xinyi Road Section 5