Is Taipei Safe in January 2026?

Some drivers outside the official taxi queue at Taoyuan International Airport approach arriving tourists and quote flat fares to Taipei city that are 50–100% above the metered rate. They are convincing and insist that the meter will cost more due to traffic.

How to avoid: Use only taxis from the official taxi rank inside the terminal. The meter will always be used by licensed drivers. Alternatively, take the Airport MRT directly to Taipei Main Station for a fixed, much cheaper fare.

Some vendors at Shilin and Raohe Night Markets apply significantly higher prices for foreign-looking tourists compared to locals, sometimes charging double. Prices are not always posted, allowing vendors to quote different rates at their discretion.

How to avoid: Look for vendors with clearly posted price boards and point at the listed price when ordering. If no price is shown, ask before ordering. Having the price written or shown on a phone translation app removes ambiguity.

In jade markets and souvenir shops, items made of glass, dyed stone, or plastic are sold as genuine jade or precious gemstones at significant prices. Certificates of authenticity are easily forged, and tourist buyers have no way to verify claims on the spot.

How to avoid: Only purchase jade or gemstones from reputable certified jewellers with independently verifiable credentials. Be sceptical of certificates from unknown labs. Avoid buying gemstones from markets or street vendors unless purely as decorative novelties.

Taxi drivers and informal guides steer tourists to specific traditional Chinese medicine shops or tea shops in Wanhua or Datong districts where they receive a referral commission. Tourists are given exaggerated health pitches and pressured to buy expensive herbal products.

How to avoid: If you are interested in traditional medicine products, research reputable shops independently before your visit. Politely decline any driver's recommendation of a specific shop, especially if it was unsolicited.

Unlicensed taxi drivers outside Taoyuan International Airport approach tourists before they reach the official taxi rank and offer rides at flat rates well above the metered fare to Taipei city.

How to avoid: Use the official Taoyuan Metro direct train to Taipei Main Station (fastest and cheapest). If taking a taxi, use only yellow taxis from the official rank with a meter. The legal metered fare to central Taipei is approximately NTD 1,200.