Compared across countries
Can you eat on the train?
For a trip that crosses borders — the same question, answered country by country.
The pattern
Two systems, opposite rules. Taipei writes the ban into national law — eating, drinking, even chewing gum inside the fare gates draws a fine — while New York has no rule against eating at all, and saves its prohibitions for the open container of liquid and for alcohol anywhere on the system.
-
United States
Eating is not against the rules here, which startles anyone who has just come from Taipei. What the MTA does prohibit is an open container of liquid on the train, and alcohol anywhere on the system.
-
Taiwan
No — and it is a national law, not a house rule. Eating, drinking, even chewing gum in the paid area draws a fine of NT$1,500 to 7,500.
United States
Taiwan