I am having a difficult time getting recently tourist information about the Island. The best source I have come accross is the current Lonely Planet guide, but this was printed in 2004. My local bookstore didn't have any other guide books on Taiwan.

I will be in Taiwan for a day and a half, I need to order New Taiwanese Dollars (NTD) from my local bank, before I leave home. How much NTD should I take? i am thinking of taking USD 100 worth of NTD, is this too much or too little?

Is there a money exchange bureau at TPE airport? What are their rates like?

I will need NTD for meals, transport (to and from the airport and within the city) and entrance fees for Taipei 101 and the National Museam.

What suggestions do fodorites have?

Thanks in advance.

I would get US$200 worth of NT. Better safe than sorry. TPE airport is not in Taipei. It is in Taoyuan and the taxi ride to Taipei city might be a half hour 1 way. I think you might spend approximately US$20 each way for the taxi rides. You can exchange US$ for NT inside the airport.

TPE has a pretty good website:

www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw/web/english/index.jsp

Taxi fare to Taipei about NT$1,100 or US$35.

I'm sure you'll find plenty of ATMs, or currency exchange places. Just bring USD from home. No reason to get them here.

I agree, the worst way to get NTD is to order it ahead of time. Bring some cash with you to exchange or use an ATM.

I don't think Taiwan $ is that easily available outside of Taiwan.

There are a couple of ATMs at the airport that accepted my bank debit card. Can't recall if it was at the customs or after the customs...

Aside from obvious taxis, there are airport buses (run by different companies) that connects the airport and many hotels/taipei train station.

Once you're in central Taipei, getting cash should be quite easy. In general, i found food quite cheap (I stay at Landis or Westin, hotel meals are not cheap but found a lovely chinese vegetarian restaurant near Westin).

I also must confess I'm a big fan of chinese reflexology (lots of salons, just ask the hotel)--they accepted C/C.

You can purchase NTD at the airport outside Taipei. We purchased at the airport before we flew out of Toronto, and that was a bad move. Better deal in Taiwan.