Do I need to speak Mandarin?

Not in the cities. Younger locals and service staff in Taipei usually speak good English, and signage in train stations is bilingual.

Yes. While MRT and convenience stores take cards, night market stalls and many small eateries are cash-only.

One Week in Taiwan: A Practical Itinerary

Spend 7 days splitting your time between Taipei’s urban energy, the natural scenery of Taroko Gorge, and the historic streets of Tainan. Use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to move between major cities and the local MRT or buses for short distances.

Get an EasyCard upon arrival. Purchase an EasyCard at the airport or any convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart). Load it with 1,000 TWD to cover all MRT rides, city buses, and small convenience store purchases.
Buy a THSR pass. If you are a non-resident, buy a 3-day flexible THSR pass online before you arrive. It is significantly cheaper than buying individual point-to-point tickets for travel between Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan.
Use local bike-share systems. Download the YouBike 2.0 app. It’s the most efficient way to navigate the 'last mile' from train stations to your accommodation.

Do I need to speak Mandarin?: Not in the cities. Younger locals and service staff in Taipei usually speak good English, and signage in train stations is bilingual.
Is cash necessary?: Yes. While MRT and convenience stores take cards, night market stalls and many small eateries are cash-only.