Major city · Taiwan
Tainan臺南
Choose Tainan for temples, old forts and Taiwan's best-known street food: 2 nights, walkable by bike or taxi, about 1 h 45 min from Taipei by high-speed rail plus a 30-minute shuttle.
Tainan is Taiwan's oldest city and was its capital under Dutch and Qing rule. It has dense clusters of temples, forts and old lanes, and it is known for small-plate snacks eaten in many short stops. The high-speed rail station is outside the centre and connects by a shuttle train. It rewards slow days and early starts, and it is the best food stop on a west-coast trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (dry, mild)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, typhoons)
- Airport
- TNN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tainan110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English)0800-011-765
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tainan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyVery safe by global standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 0800-011-765 Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTNN Tainan Airport (Domestic flights only; taxi to the center in about 15 min, roughly NT$200–300 (≈ US$7–10) (2026 estimate).
- Getting aroundcheckThe old town is walkable in cool months but hot from May to Sept; rent a bike or scooter (check license rules first: a license recognized in Taiwan…
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TNN Tainan Airport (Domestic flights only; taxi to the center in about 15 min, roughly NT$200–300 (2026 estimate). International visitors usually arrive via Taipei or Kaohsiung.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (17 rain days), driest Nov (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tainan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable in cool months but hot from May to Sept; rent a bike or scooter (check license rules first: a license recognized in Taiwan is required), use buses, or take taxis and ride-hailing that are cheap (about NT$100–200 for short trips, 2026 estimate). From the HSR station take the Shalun line train to Tainan station in about 30 min. Buy an EasyCard or iPASS.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kaohsiung
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Shalun train to the HSR station, then high-speed rail to Zuoying, about 15–20 min
Pier-2 and Cijin Island; see the Kaohsiung page.
Chimei Museum
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi or bus from Tainan Station, about 30 min
European art and instruments; closed on some weekdays, so check.
Guanziling hot springs
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Xinying or taxi, about 1–1.5 h
Mud hot springs; limited return buses, so check the timetable.
Alishan
overnightDoor to door: About 3–4 h
Train to Chiayi, then a bus up the mountain
Too long for a return day; stay a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
West Central District
Old-town temples and food within walking distance; best for a first visit.
Near Tainan Station
Rail access, buses and the Shalun line; less character than the old town but easy with bags.
Anping
Near the fort and old street; quiet at night, 15 min by taxi from the center.
Shennong Street area
Old lane with small hotels and cafes; nearby food stalls and bars.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$600–1,000 (≈ US$20–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
- High
- NT$2,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is intense; plan indoor midday breaks and drink water often.
- Some food stalls close early or on set days, especially Mondays; check hours before crossing town.
- Scooters ignore red lights at times; cross with locals.
- Typhoons and heavy rain flood some streets; check the weather bureau before day trips.
- Temple lanes can be crowded during festivals; keep bags in front.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English)
- 0800-011-765
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tainan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar (dry, mild) · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, typhoons) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- HSR and Shalun-line arrival contract with last trains field-checked.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Chihkan and the old town, Shennong Street, Anping, Confucius Temple.
- Eat pages with verified closing days and last orders for the main food stalls.
Sources
- officialTaiwan Tourism Administration
- secondaryWikivoyage — Tainan