Graduation trips in elementary, junior high and high school always followed the school’s itinerary. Traveling with your best friends was fun, of course, but a fixed schedule gets a little boring, not to mention that you may have already done the exact same route two or more times!
By the time you reach your college graduation trip, you finally get to call the shots! But where should you go and how should you plan it? Is it giving you a headache all over again? Here, the gogoout editor has put together the ultimate guide to graduation trips in Taiwan for you soon-to-be graduates!
| Why take your graduation trip in Taiwan?
When people talk about graduation trips, everyone seems to dream of going abroad — flying to Thailand or rounding up a group for Japan or Korea. But Taiwan is a gem of a destination too, so who says you can’t have a great time on a graduation trip at home? Here the gogoout editor breaks down three reasons to take your graduation trip in Taiwan!
1. The effects of the pandemic
Because of the coronavirus, many countries have been placed under level 3 travel warnings this year and flights have been suspended, so plenty of overseas graduation trips have been canceled — even if you want to fly out, you can’t.
But a college graduation trip only happens once in a lifetime, and it feels like such a waste to simply cancel it. Once everyone goes their separate ways it gets much harder to travel together, and you really don’t want to miss this chance to take a trip as a group. That’s when a graduation trip in Taiwan becomes your best option!
2. Less complicated preparation for a graduation trip in Taiwan
Traveling to another country means applying for a visa. Even if you just hand your documents to a travel agency and let them handle it, visa and passport applications still cost money — and if something comes up and you need to cancel the trip, those processing fees can’t be refunded!
On top of that, before an overseas graduation trip you have to pick a suitable package from among countless travel agencies, make repeated appointments with the agency and gather all your classmates for discussions. Getting ready for an overseas graduation trip is a real hassle!
3. A graduation trip in Taiwan is more flexible
Everyone is more familiar with transportation and geography in Taiwan. Even if you’ve already planned the itinerary in advance, you can still change it on the fly as the situation calls for, instead of following a travel agency’s schedule. Compared with an overseas graduation trip, you get much more freedom!
| Transportation guide for a graduation trip in Taiwan
1. Taiwan Railway
The safest way to get around Taiwan is probably the train! But isn’t booking Taiwan Railway tickets a constant struggle? Here the gogoout editor has gathered some tips for booking Taiwan Railway tickets! Learn them and become a booking pro!
👉Tips for booking Taiwan Railway tickets
2. Car rental
There are bound to be a few friends in your group who got their driver’s license long ago and can play chauffeur! The gogoout editor highly recommends taking the train to your destination and then renting a car near the station — it makes the trip far more convenient, flexible and comfortable!
3. Scooter rental
If no one in the group is a confident driver, no problem — traveling by scooter is super convenient too. It may get a bit hot, but it’s a blast! A graduation trip on scooters is sure to become an unforgettable memory.
4. Airplane
If you’re planning a graduation trip to one of Taiwan’s outlying islands, flying is a good option. Here the gogoout editor has put together some things to note about domestic flights:
1. We suggest booking directly with the airline (there are often discounted fares, which works out cheaper)
2. Baggage check-in opens only 30 minutes before departure
3. Checked baggage is limited to 10 kg and carry-on to 7 kg, but the excess baggage fee is small, so there’s no need to worry too much.
4. Dangerous goods are not allowed, but liquids may be carried on board.
5. No passport needed — your ID card or National Health Insurance card is enough!
6. If you plan to visit Xiamen via the Mini Three Links, remember to bring your Taiwan Compatriot Permit!
👉Click to view domestic flight schedules (Civil Aeronautics Administration, MOTC)
5. Passenger ferry
| Destination | Penghu | Xiaoliuqiu | Green Island |
| Ferry operator |
Chiayi Budai Express Ferry | x | x |
| Departure point | Budai Port Visitor Service Center | Donggang Pier | Fugang Pier, Taitung |
| Operating hours | ◆ April–October ◆ Depending on passenger numbers, up to two sailings a day Outbound 7:00, return 13:00 (extra sailing) Outbound 10:00, return 16:00 (regular sailing) | ◆ Open year-round ◆ 7:00–17:00, one sailing every hour (extra sailings added as needed based on passenger numbers) | ◆ Open year-round ◆ Sailing times vary by departure date (7:00–16:00) |
| Ticket price | One way NT$1,000 Round trip NT$1,950 | Public ferry one way NT$200; private ferry one way NT$230 | Round-trip full fare NT$800
|
| Sailing time | About 80–90 minutes | About 25–35 minutes | About 45–55 minutes |
◎ Kinmen is currently accessible by air only
◎ For Matsu, flying is recommended (going by ferry requires an overnight stay)
| Recommended graduation trip destinations!
Taitung ⇆ Green Island
◆ Eastern Taiwan is gogoout’s top pick for a graduation trip! In July there’s even the Taitung Balloon Festival! Not only can you explore Taitung, you can also hop on a boat or a plane over to Green Island! Green Island is an outlying island full of culture, and you can do water activities like diving there too. Beyond the fun, you can also visit the site where political prisoners were held during the Martial Law era, for a real jolt of history.
👉Top picks for places to stay in Taitung
👉2024 Taitung Balloon Festival (updated regularly)
👉The complete guide to car rental in Taitung
◆ Recommended ways to get around Taitung and Green Island:
1. Fly to Green Island then take a boat or plane to Taitung
2. Take the train to Taitung rent a car and explore Taitung then take a boat or plane to Green Island
Camping
◆ If you still think camping is a huge hassle, think again! There are now plenty of tent-style hotels and guesthouses, so you won’t end up roughing it, and today’s campgrounds are styled so beautifully that you can take picture-perfect photos. Camping on a graduation trip is a real thrill, too: barbecuing, having a drink and playing games with friends out in nature sounds fun just thinking about it!
Outlying islands
1. Matsu – Blue Tears
◆ Matsu’s Blue Tears was named by CNN as one of the world’s 15 natural wonders, and gogoout thinks it’s something to see at least once in your life! The “Blue Tears” are algae that glow when the water is disturbed; watching them from a sculling boat along the Beihai Tunnel waterway is an unforgettable experience! Matsu has a great many tunnels, and the more you learn about them, the more the history hits you. Did you know the rumor was that the 823 Artillery Battle was originally going to target Matsu? There are so many layers of history waiting for you to discover for yourself! On a graduation trip to Matsu, you can also visit the Matsu Distillery and taste kaoliang liquor with your classmates!
◎ Flying to Matsu is recommended (the ferry involves an overnight trip) / you can take passenger ferries between the islands of Matsu / if you plan to use the Mini Three Links route, have your Taiwan Compatriot Permit ready
2. Penghu – Fireworks Festival
◆ Penghu is the outlying island gogoout thinks everyone has to visit, and it’s perfect for a graduation trip! Penghu’s tourism scene is now very well developed, with fun water activities, delicious seafood and, best of all, the amazing Fireworks Festival! Even after traveling all over, gogoout still finds the Penghu Fireworks Festival the most moving and memorable fireworks of all!
👉Latest 2020 Penghu Fireworks Festival info
👉Best spots to watch the Penghu Fireworks Festival
👉The complete guide to car rental in Penghu
👉The complete guide to scooter rental in Penghu
3. Kinmen – Ocean Carnival
Still think Kinmen is just boring old ruins? These days Kinmen hosts the “Ocean Carnival” every July, bringing in singers and bands from Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China to perform! On top of the lively music, there are plenty of art installations to pose with for photos. Shamei Old Street is also known as “Little Morocco” – so head to Kinmen on your graduation trip and see it for yourself!
👉A look back at the Kinmen Ocean Music Festival
👉The complete guide to car rental in Kinmen
👉The complete guide to scooter rental in Kinmen
👉Where to stay in Kinmen – 823 Hotel
👉Where to stay in Kinmen – Han Yu Fang Guesthouse
Read more >>
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This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
