Field Notes: Taiwan as a Stopover
Maximize Your Travel With the Right Gear
Taiwan wasn’t part of the original travel plan. But what began as a convenient stopover turned into a surprising destination.
With our GlobeRider35 Travel Backpacks, we were able to easily exit and re-enter the airport, ready to explore somewhere new and exciting. We kicked off our trip in Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan – a modern city with charm. With a great public transportation system in place, the island is easily accessible.
Wandering through districts (or neighborhoods), we stumbled across a local market. Hungry from our travels, we devoured delicious street food and Taiwanese staples like beef noodle soup.
On the back-end of our trip, we ventured out to Jiufen, an old mining town famous for its red paper lanterns and teahouses. We got to experience firsthand a taste of Taiwan's history and natural beauty.
IS TAIWAN WORTH VISITING?
Yes, Taiwan is a hidden gem worth traveling to. It’s an underrated destination for those interested in exploring beyond the usual tourist hotspots in Asia. Whether you’re in search of mountains, cities, beaches, or national parks, Taiwan has it all. The island is easy to navigate with public transportation, Uber, bicycle rentals, etc.
And of course, the people of Taiwan proved to be warm and hospitable, willing to share their unique culture with travelers.
COUNTRY PROFILE
Capital: Taipei City.
Language: Taiwanese Mandarin / Mandarin Chinese.
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD; often shown as NTD$ or NT$). For public transportation, most locals use the EasyCard.
Voltage: 110 V / 60 Hz. Plug types A and B.
Helpful Apps: Uber, YouBike (bike rentals).
THE CARRY-ON ADVANTAGE
Your choice of travel gear can make or break your stopover experience. It’s no secret that checking a bag eats up precious time at the airport. But traveling with only a carry-on for stopovers actually makes it possible to exit and re-enter the airport efficiently.
In general, we find that a carry-on travel pack is ideal for a quick day-trip. Even with a multi-day stopover, traveling with a backpack made the journey much more comfortable.
Opting for some fresh air, we walked thirty minutes from the train station to our hotel without a second thought. Our GlobeRider35 Travel Backpacks allowed us to cover more ground with minimal effort.
Favorite features on the GlobeRider35 Travel Backpack include the hip belt, ultra-comfortable carry harness, and the smuggler's pocket. The weight distribution and the secure storage system are game-changers.
GEAR ESSENTIALS FOR A TAIWAN STOPOVER
GlobeRider35 Travel Backpack
Designed for smooth carry-on travel, GlobeRider35 delivers all-day comfort and smart, intuitive storage. Carry everything you need without the bulk of a checked bag.
Packing Cubes
Stay organized and maximize space. Packing cubes keep everything in its place, wherever you land.
Speed Stash
Keep essentials at your fingertips. Passports, tickets, sunglasses, cell phone — right where you need it, when you need.
View All Recommended Travel Gear Here
PRO TIPS FOR A SMOOTH STOPOVER
Stash your gear. If you want to ditch your bag, airports often have secure luggage lockers, so you can explore freely.
Stopover-friendly airlines. Some airlines, such as Icelandair or Turkish Airlines, are geared towards multi-day stopovers. Check their sites for free or discounted stopovers. Alternatively, book roundtrip tickets to an easily-accessible destination as your base. Then buy separate flights with local airlines, using sites like Skyscanner.com.
Score local deals. Apps like FLIO, Lounge Finder, or Dayuse let you access lounges, showers, or even hotel rooms for a few hours without a full booking.
Pack smart. Keep essentials (passport, charger, snacks) in an easily-accessible yet secure pocket, like the Speed Stash, to avoid digging through your main bag.
Plan your layover. When you’re tight on time, planning out your adventures and nailing down the logistics can save you a whole lot of headache. Map out your route on Google Maps, downloading the stopover city so you can use it offline. Or…just wing it and hope for the best. It’s an adventure, after all.
WHY YOU SHOULD ADD STOPOVERS TO YOUR ITINERARY
The beauty of multi-day layovers is that you get to experience a bonus destination. You can maximize your trip, especially with places that require extensive travel. It can also help you save on costs with airfare. Not only do you avoid buying two separate flights, you can strategically fly to destinations with cheaper airfare.
There are so many incredible destinations and not enough time to see them all. Check off a few more bucket list trips with stopovers.
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