Visa-Free Expiry — Critical Window

Taiwan's 14-day visa-free trial for citizens of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines expires July 31, 2026 — 46 days from publication. BOCA announced the current one-year extension on June 14, 2025. No renewal has been announced as of June 15, 2026. Based on prior-year cadence, an announcement would typically precede August 1 by 6–8 weeks; that window is now past. Travelers from these countries planning October arrivals face booking risk until BOCA announces a decision.

Thailand / Brunei / Philippines 14-day visa-free: expires Jul 31, 2026. No renewal announced as of Jun 15. BOCA announcement overdue on historical cadence. Separate programs (Guanhong Project, Simplified Visa SEA group tourist) extended through Dec 31, 2026 — not affected.

EVA Air IAD Nonstop — Launches June 26

EVA Air's Washington Dulles (IAD) nonstop launches June 26, 2026 — 11 days from publication. Service: 4×/week (Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun), Boeing 787-9, Royal Laurel Class / Premium Economy / Economy. This is EVA Air's 10th North American destination and the first nonstop Taiwan–Washington, D.C. route operated by any carrier. October round-trip economy pricing: ~$1,000–$1,400 RT (unchanged from Jun 8 survey).

October 2026 Flight Prices — Stable

Round-trip economy prices to TPE for October 2026 are broadly unchanged from the June 8 survey. Floors established as booking window advances:

LAX~$800–$1,100
SFO~$850–$1,150
SEA~$950–$1,250
JFK~$900–$1,300
IAD~$1,000–$1,400
IAH~$1,100–$1,500
LHR~$780–$1,100
AMS~$850–$1,150
FRA~$850–$1,150

Sources: Expedia / KAYAK / momondo / airline direct, Jun 15, 2026. SEA floor reflects loss of $795 Alaska/EVA promo fare (gone as of Jun 8). EU hub floors reflect loss of promotional inventory.

New Routes — STARLUX Updates

STARLUX Prague (TPE–PRG): Confirmed launch August 1, 2026. Aircraft: A350-900, 306 seats (4 First / 26 Business / 36 Premium Economy / 240 Economy). Schedule: 3×/week (Tue/Thu/Sat), expanding to 4×/week October 1 (Mon added). First STARLUX European route.

STARLUX Busan (TPE–PUS / RMQ–PUS): Launched June 1, 2026. Taoyuan–Busan: daily; Taichung–Busan: Tue/Fri/Sun. Aircraft: A321neo. First Taiwanese carrier to operate Taoyuan–Busan and Taichung–Busan routes.

STARLUX JFK: No DOT filing. No formal launch announcement. Not before 2027.

China Airlines EU Fleet Swap

China Airlines replacing A350-900 with 777-300ER on AMS (4×/wk) and FRA (daily) routes Sep 1–Oct 24. A350 resumes Oct 25. LAX/SFO see inverse swap (A350 in, 777-300ER out) for the same period.

TPE Transit

NT$600 transit voucher: non-Taiwan passport holders transiting ≤24h; T1/T2 Visitor Service Centers 07:30–22:30; campaign runs through Oct 31, 2026; vouchers valid through Dec 31, 2026. MRT Airport Express: 35 min, NTD 150. T3 North Concourse operational Dec 25, 2025.

Entry Requirements — Unchanged

  • TWAC: mandatory within 72h before arrival. Free. No paper alternative.
  • US / EU / UK / AU / CA: 90-day visa-free.
  • US State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions. No change.

Weather — Sept–Nov

  • October: High 27°C / Low 22°C — fewest rainy days; optimal window.
  • September: 28–32°C; typhoon season active through Oct 1.
  • November: 20–25°C; NE monsoon increases north/east coast precipitation.

Key October Events

Oct 9–11: National Day long weekend (Double Tenth Oct 10 = Sat; in-lieu Fri Oct 9).
Oct 12–23: Lowest prices / fewest crowds — optimal booking window.
Oct 24–26: Retrocession Day weekend (Oct 25 Sun + Oct 26 Mon observed) + Taipei Hakka Yimin Festival at CKS Memorial Hall. Demand spike.
Oct 29–Nov 1: Taiwan Pride, 25th edition (~80,000–200,000 attendees; parade Oct 31). Major demand spike.
Mid-late Oct: Taichung Jazz Music Festival (~10 days, free outdoor; exact dates TBC).
Sep 1–Oct 31: Taipei Jazz Festival, Taipei Music Center, Nangang.
Oct–Nov, Miaoli/Hsinchu: Saisiyat paSta'ay biennial indigenous festival (2026 active year).
Mid-Oct–mid-Nov: Taipingshan beech foliage, Yilan County.