What Time Is It in Taiwan? Time Zones and Travel Planning Tips

Time Zone Difference Between Taiwan and the United States

Taiwan operates on National Standard Time (NST), UTC+8, officially maintained by the Central Weather Administration (Taiwan). Taiwan does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), which makes its time system stable year-round.

Because the United States spans multiple time zones and observes DST, the time difference between Taiwan and the U.S. changes depending on both location and season. Understanding this difference is essential when planning flights, scheduling medical appointments, arranging business calls, or coordinating with family across the Pacific.

For exact real-time comparisons, you can use tools like the Time and Date World Clock, which provides accurate, updated time differences worldwide.

Time Differences by U.S. Region

Below are the standard time differences (during U.S. Standard Time, roughly November–March). During Daylight Saving Time (March–November), subtract one additional hour from the U.S., increasing the gap by one hour.

East Coast (Eastern Time)

Cities: New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami

• Standard Time: Taiwan is 13 hours ahead
• During DST: Taiwan is 12 hours ahead

Example: When it is 12:00 PM in New York, it is 1:00 AM the next day in Taipei (standard time).

East Coast travelers often experience noticeable jet lag due to the 12–13 hour reversal of day and night cycles.

Central Time

Cities: Chicago, Dallas, Houston

• Standard Time: Taiwan is 14 hours ahead
• During DST: Taiwan is 13 hours ahead

This larger shift means your internal body clock is almost completely reversed. Preparing your sleep cycle before departure is highly recommended.

Mountain Time

Cities: Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix

• Standard Time: Taiwan is 15 hours ahead
• During DST: Taiwan is 14 hours ahead

Note: Arizona does not observe DST (except the Navajo Nation), so the time difference remains consistent year-round for most of the state.

West Coast (Pacific Time)

Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

• Standard Time: Taiwan is 16 hours ahead
• During DST: Taiwan is 15 hours ahead

Example: When it is 12:00 PM in Los Angeles, it is 4:00 AM the next day in Taipei (standard time).

Because this is nearly a full 16-hour shift, many West Coast travelers find it easier to adjust by staying awake during the flight and sleeping after arrival.

Alaska and Hawaii

Cities: Anchorage and Honolulu

• Alaska: 17–18 hours behind Taiwan
• Hawaii: 18–19 hours behind Taiwan

Hawaii does not observe DST, so the time difference remains stable year-round.

Daylight Saving Time and Seasonal Changes

Taiwan remains at UTC+8 throughout the year. However, the United States follows Daylight Saving Time (DST), officially overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

DST typically begins in March and ends in November. When DST is active, the time difference between Taiwan and the U.S. decreases by one hour compared to standard time.

This seasonal adjustment affects:

• Flight departure and arrival times
• International business meetings
• Telehealth or cross-border medical consultations
• Stock market opening hours and financial coordination

Because Taiwan does not adjust its clocks, its time system remains predictable, which simplifies long-term planning.

Flight Times and Jet Lag Considerations

Nonstop flights between the U.S. West Coast and Taiwan typically take 12–15 hours. Most international arrivals land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the country’s largest international gateway.

Typical travel pattern:

• Depart Los Angeles late evening
• Arrive in Taipei early morning or midday (local time)
• Cross the International Date Line and lose one calendar day

Return flights often arrive in the United States on the same calendar day due to time reversal.

To reduce jet lag:

1. Gradually adjust your sleep schedule 2–3 days before departure.
2. Stay hydrated during the flight and limit alcohol intake.
3. Expose yourself to natural sunlight upon arrival.
4. Avoid scheduling critical meetings or medical exams on your first day.

For additional health guidance related to travel and jet lag, consult resources from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Scheduling Appointments Across Time Zones

When planning business meetings, family calls, or medical appointments between Taiwan and the United States, always confirm:

• The local time in Taiwan (UTC+8)
• Whether the U.S. is currently observing DST
• The correct calendar date (due to next-day differences)

Digital scheduling tools such as Google Calendar automatically adjust time zones when properly configured, helping prevent costly scheduling mistakes.

Medical Appointment Planning

If scheduling a health screening or medical consultation in Taiwan:

• Plan major appointments 2–3 days after arrival to allow jet lag recovery.
• Morning Taiwan appointments (8:00–10:00 AM) often correspond to U.S. evening hours, making coordination easier with family.
• Avoid scheduling during major Taiwanese holidays such as Lunar New Year.

Taiwanese business and medical culture values punctuality. Arriving on time demonstrates professionalism and respect.

Practical Scheduling Strategy

• Use dual time-zone clocks on your smartphone.
• Label calendar entries with both Taiwan and U.S. time.
• Color-code meetings by region.
• Set reminders adjusted to your departure location.

For families:

• Weekend calls often work better than weekday evenings.
• Establish a fixed weekly check-in time to reduce confusion.

Final Thoughts

Managing the Taiwan–U.S. time difference may seem complicated at first, but once you understand how DST and regional time zones work, it becomes predictable and manageable.

Taiwan’s stable UTC+8 time system simplifies long-term planning, especially for healthcare, business travel, and remote coordination. By carefully accounting for time zone differences and allowing adequate jet lag recovery, you can ensure smoother travel, clearer communication, and better overall productivity during your international trip.