Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines in MRT stations. The fare is based on the trip distance and starts at NT$20. Those planning frequent trips can buy a one-day ticket for unlimited travel at MRT stations for NT$150.

Bus
     The bus system is reliable and efficient in Taipei. There are more than 300 bus lines and the major transfer hub is around Taipei Main Station. The bus system is extremely comprehensive, but can be difficult for non-Chinese readers. Destination signs on all buses are in Chinese, as are the bus schedules. Most bus drivers do not speak English. The fare for travel is NT$15 per section. Most bus services operate until 23:00.

Taxi

     There are many taxis on the streets of Taipei. They all have a yellow color and charge by the meter for trips within the Greater Taipei area. Flag fall is NT$70 and is good for the first 1.5 km, after which the charge is NT$5 for each additional 300 m or accumulated 5-min stopping. A 5-km trip typically costs about NT$125. At night (23:00-06:00), there is an additional 20% charge. There is no need to tip the driver. You might have to pay a little more (NT$ 30~50) to use the trunk to transport your luggage. Women passengers are advised to call a taxi company for a pick-up at night for safety reasons. Most taxi drivers can speak or read no English, so providing the destination in Chinese characters or a map is helpful.

Transportation from Taipei City to the CKS International Airport

     Four bus companies, Taiwan Bus Corp. (Guo Guang Bus), Free Go Express, Air Bus, and Evervoyage, operate shuttle services between CKS airport and various hotels in Taipei every 15 to 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. They have two major stops in Taipei: Taipei Main Station and Sungshan Domestic Airport (in the eastern section of the city).  The shuttle each way costs between NT$100 to NT$120 per passenger.

Please consult the web page
http://www.cksairport.gov.tw/english/transportation/taipei.htm for details.

---

     Although no responsibility can be assumed by the Symposium for a participant’s personal accidents, sickness, or property damages, we, as host of the symposium, shall ensure that you have a safe stay in Taiwan and shall do our utmost to assist you in any unexpected situations.

Safety
     Although we are proud of the low rate of crime in Taiwan, it is our responsibility to remind you that burglary, pick-pockets, and robbery are not unknown. It is wise to take some precautionary measures during your stay in Taiwan, especially when you are in a crowded area or when you are alone in a remote area. Be prepared by keeping photocopies of your passport, other identification, and credit cards. You should exercise caution when crossing streets because some drivers might not respect your right of way.

Drinking Water
     Although the Taipei Water Department claims that tap water is drinkable, drinking unboiled tap water is not recommended. Most hotels provide brand-name bottled water and boiled drinking water. Bottled water is available at most convenience stores and supermarkets.

Emergencies
      In case of emergency, call 110 for Police; 119 for Ambulance. No coins are required in using public telephones for these two numbers.

Health Care
     If you need any medical assistance during your stay in Taiwan, please contact the hotel or our local staff for immediate assistance. In case you must seek medical assistance by yourself, here is a list of hospitals in which English-speaking medical staff is available (recommended by the American Institute in Taiwan)

• AdventistHospital(Taiwan): 424 Bater Rd., Sec.2, TEL 2-2771-8151
• CathayGeneralHospital: 280 RenAi Rd., Sec.4, TEL 2-2708-2121
• MackayMemorialHospital: 92 ZhongShan N. Rd., Sec.2, TEL 2-2543-3535
• NationalTaiwanUniversityHospital: 7 ZhongShan S. Rd., TEL 2-2397-0800
• Shin Kong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital: 95 WenChang St., TEL 2-2833-2211
• VeteransGeneralHospital: 201 ShiPai Rd., Sec.2, TEL 2-2871-2121

---

Currency Exchange
      The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The current exchange rates are about 1 USD @ 35 NTD and 1 EUR @ 45.0 NTD (update date:12/16/2008). Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at CKSAirport and the Grand Hotel. Paper money is currently available in NT$100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 bills. Coins have NT$1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 denominations. Major credit cards are accepted in many shops, but traveler's cheques might be accepted only in tourist-oriented shops and hotels.

Public Telephone Services
     Public telephones are either coin-operated or card-operated. All local and domestic long-distance calls are timed. The basic charge for a local call is NT$1. Telephone cards can be purchased in most convenience stores. International Direct Dial (IDD) calls can be made by dialing the international access code 002 + country code + area code (without the preceding "0") + local number. Just dial the 8-digit numbers for calls inside Taipei (area code "02"); dial the area code ("03" for Hsinchu) plus the number if you are dialing to outside Taipei. International reverse-charge and credit-card calls can be made through dedicated telephones located at international airports and major hotels. You can also use the AT&T Direct service number 0080-1102-880, MCI service number 0080-1134-567 or Sprint service number 0080-1140-877 if you have an account with them. For English-speaking directory assistance in Taipei, call 106. Copy and telefax facilities are available in most convenience stores, major post offices and tourist hotels.

Shopping and VAT Refund for Tourists
        The 5 % sales tax is included in the sale price. Bargaining is common in traditional stores or night markets, but not in departmental stores. Foreign passengers, who on the same day and from the same authorized TRS (Tax-Refund Shopping)-labeled store purchased more than NT$3,000 (VAT inclusive) of goods eligible for VAT refund and who exit Taiwan with the goods within thirty days from the date of purchase, may claim for refund upon departure. Please proceed to the "Foreign Passenger VAT Refund Service Counter" of the Customs Service located in the airport and present the Application Form for VAT Refund, the passport (travel document or entry/exit permit), the goods to be carried out of the country and the original copy of the "uniform invoice" to the Customs officers for verification and approval. After verification, the Customs officers will issue the "VAT Refund Assessment Certificate". Present the "VAT Refund Assessment Certificate" to the designated bank located in the airport or at the seaport to receive the payment of the VAT refund. Please read the web site http://www.ntat.gov.tw/english/03information.htm or call the tourist bureau at (02)2717-3737 or 0800-011765, or the CKS service center at (03)383-4631 for details.

Tipping
    In general, there is no tipping in Taiwan! You do not have to tip waiters and taxi drivers. However, in some international hotels, such as the Grand Hotel, tipping hotel porters and maids will be appreciated. In some restaurants a 10 % service charge is automatically included. All other tipping is optional.

Telephones of Airlines

Terminal 1
	Airline	Reservation	Airport
CI	China Airline	(02)2715-1212	(03)3982451
CO	Continental	(02)2719-5947	(03)3833858
CX	Cathay Pacific	(02)2715-2333	(03)3982501
EG	JapanAsia	0800-065-151	(03)3982282
KE	Korean Air	(02)2518-2200	(03)3834106
NW	Northwest	(02)2772-2188	(03)3982471
TG	Thai Airways	(02)2509-6800	(03)3834131
AF	Air France	(02)2718-1631
AY	Finn Air	(02)2773-3266
BA	British Air	(02)2512-6888
Terminal 2
	Airline	Reservation	Airport
AA	American	(02)2563-1200	(03)3983525
AC	Air Canada	(02)2507-5500	(03)3982968
BR	Eva Air	(02)2501-1999	(03)3982968
EL	Air Nippon	(02)2501-7299	(03)3982968
KL	KLM Asia	(02)2711-4055	(03)3833034
SQ	Singapore	(02)2551-6655	(03)3983988
UA	United	(02)2325-8868	(03)3982781
DL	Delta	(02)2551-3656
LH	Lufthansa	(02)2325-2295
LX	Swiss Air	(02)2507-2213

　

Foreign Consulates in Taiwan

ASIAN AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES
Australian Commerce and Industry Office	(02)8725-4100
Korean Mission in Taipei	(02)2758-8320
Singapore Trade Office in Taipei	(02)2772-1940
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Belgian Trade Association, Taipei	(02)2715-1215
British Trade and Cultural Office	(02)2322-4242
Danish Trade Organizations' Taipei Office	(02)2718-2101
FinlandTradeCenter	(02)2722-0764
French Institute in Taipei	(02)2545-6061
Deutsche Institute Taipei	(02)2501-6188
Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office	(02)2345-0320
Netherlands Trade and Investment Office	(02)2713-5760
Norwegian Trade Council	(02)2543-5484
Spanish Chamber of Commerce	(02)2518-4901
Swedish Trade Council	(02)2757-6573
Trade Office of Swiss Industries	(02)2720-1001
AMERICAN COUNTRIES
American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Office	(02)2709-2000
Canadian Trade Office in Taipei	(02)2547-9500