[Taiwan Travel 2] How My friend Couldn't Leave for Taiwan and I Almost Became a Lonely International Lost Traveler (+ Taoyuan Airport Overnight Stay)

Excited for a Trip to Taiwan with My friend Sen Unnie… Until Disaster Struck!

We were all set for our thrilling Taiwan adventure, but then came a shocking twist: my sister was denied entry to Taiwan! Her ticket couldn’t even be issued, and she couldn’t go through the departure process.

Now, I know what you’re thinking—”How will she survive solo?” Don’t worry, I’m not a lost child (I’m a fully grown woman with… let’s just say a mature sense of independence). In the end, I managed to leave safely, and none of the worst-case scenarios came to pass.

What Happened?

Here’s a crucial travel tip for anyone planning a trip to Taiwan:

Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining to enter Taiwan.

Unlike countries that require a tourist visa, Taiwan has a relatively simple entry process, much like Japan—you just book your ticket and go. It’s so straightforward that we didn’t notice any warnings when booking our tickets, and this rule wasn’t even highlighted in most travel blogs we checked.

Unfortunately, we only discovered this rule at the airline check-in counter. Thankfully, we had arrived super early at the airport, so there was time to make alternative arrangements.

Lesson Learned

This experience was a stark reminder to double-check entry requirements and passport validity rules for every country you visit. Even seasoned travelers like my sister—who’s practically a pro—can overlook these details, especially when it’s been a while since their last trip.

Part of the reason we missed it is because we were overconfident in the strength of the Korean passport (ranked among the most powerful in the world). Normally, we don’t encounter issues like this, so we didn’t even think to check.

So, take it from us: always verify the entry conditions of your destination country. Don’t let a small oversight derail your travel plans!

So, How Did We Manage to Travel?

In situations like this, the usual solution is to get an emergency passport issued.

However, in our case, it was the weekend, and issuing an emergency passport wasn’t an option. With no viable alternatives, we found ourselves in a tough spot, brainstorming with the airline staff for what felt like ages.

Then it hit me.

Me: “Unnie, wait… don’t you have two passports?”

So, What Happened Next?

Turns out, Sen Unnie has dual citizenship, and her other passport still had more than six months of validity. So, we headed back to her house, grabbed the other passport, and returned to the airport.

Lesson learned: If you don’t have two passports, make sure to double-check all the entry requirements in advance!

Thanks to this, we ended up visiting her house, where we had an incredible meal at a local restaurant nearby. We even had to grab some digestive medicine afterward to help with the food coma. In the meantime, I was thrilled to try some new food—Latiao—and let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious.

Anyway, we eventually arrived in Taiwan without any further issues. The only thing left was to spend the night at Taoyuan Airport.

Airport sleeping? It’s so romantic, right? Let’s do it!! (Rainbow ENFP vibes).

Taoyuan Airport Convenience Store Haul

What’s the first thing you do when you land in Taiwan, all excited?

For me, it was heading straight to the convenience store…^^ Even though I had packed digestive medicine, I just couldn’t resist trying all the delicious food Taiwan is famous for.

In the past, when everyone else went to Taiwan for sky lanterns, bubble tea, pineapple cakes, and xiaolongbao, I missed out on all of it.

My stomach was full, but my mind was still hungry, so I ended up getting some late-night snacks from the convenience store.

The Taiwan convenience store food and tea options were mostly delicious, but there’s one item that stands out in my memory: Cha Ye Dan (Tea Eggs).

Cha Ye Dan—A Must Try!

Tea eggs are eggs that are boiled with the shell still on, then simmered in a flavorful sauce. The pattern on the eggshell, which forms as the shell cracks and absorbs the sauce, is also quite fascinating. But the flavor… it’s truly amazing.

I first tried “Gandonglan” (Japanese-style boiled eggs) and was impressed by their soft, salty flavor. However, I personally think Cha Ye Dan is an even better egg snack.

And of course, since Taiwan is famous for its tea, you have to drink some while you’re there. There are so many varieties to choose from… I kept bothering Sen Unnie, asking her to help translate and choose, but honestly, everything tastes good. So, instead of bottled water, try some tea while you’re traveling!

Also, I was surprised to find that Taiwanese convenience stores stock a lot of Korean lunch boxes and instant noodles. If you really can’t handle spicy food, you could try a Korean-style lunch box made in Taiwan. (I even joked with Sen Unnie about how fun it would be to try Korean food in Taiwan together!)

Taoyuan Airport Overnight Stay!

Yay! Exciting airport camping! (???)

Actually, Sen Unnie had experience spending the night at Taoyuan Airport before. (I heard she even did some homework there.)
This was my first time in Taiwan, but I can sleep anywhere, even on the street.

After completing immigration at Taoyuan Airport, we headed towards the escalator, where there were green lounge sofas shaped like “Taiwan” or “Taipei.” We claimed our spot there. Since we arrived late at night, many people from different countries had already claimed the good spots, but we still managed to find a decent place.

There was a water dispenser and bathroom right next to us, and if you go one floor down, there’s a convenience store, so it was very convenient.

The airport itself isn’t super big or spacious (don’t expect Incheon Airport-level size), but compared to that, it felt safe and comfortable.

However, the power outlets are limited.

Luckily, Sen Unnie brought a 110V multi-adapter… (She’s a lifesaver!) Thanks to her, charging was a breeze.

Pro Tip: If you have a lot of devices to charge, bring a multi-adapter and share it with others.

Next, I’ll be back with the actual start of our Taiwan adventure!

See you!

[Taiwan Travel 2] How My friend Couldn’t Leave for Taiwan and I Almost Became a Lonely International Lost Traveler (+ Taoyuan Airport Overnight Stay)