Saturday, January 25, 2025 The Lunar New Year is here, and with it comes Taiwan’s most chaotic travel season. From bustling airports to overwhelmed consular services, millions of Taiwanese nationals and tourists are navigating the mayhem of the 2025 New Year holidays. Taoyuan International Airport , Taiwan’s main international gateway, expects a staggering 1.
55 million passengers over the peak travel week from January 25 to February 3, approaching pre-pandemic levels of 140,000 passengers daily. Passport Pandemonium One of the biggest challenges facing travelers is passport validity. Many Taiwanese nationals are discovering—often at the last minute—that their passports do not meet the six-month validity required by many countries.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) has stepped up to offer emergency passport renewal services at Taoyuan Airport , but it comes at a steep price. Emergency renewals cost NT$4,900 compared to the regular NT$1,300 , adding financial stress to travelers already battling the crowds. In 2024, over 1,194 emergency passports were issued at the airport alone, a testament to how unprepared travelers often are.
Calvin Ho, BOCA’s director-general, warns that this is a recurring issue and urges travelers to double-check their passports before heading to the airport. Navigating the Travel Frenzy Travelers departing from Taiwan’s airports during the Lunar New Year face not only crowded terminals but also longer waits for security and check-ins. Ta.