Best Tourist Sim Cards in Taiwan in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Taiwan across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, having a reliable means of staying connected is a must. Navigating your way through new cities becomes a breeze with internet access, allowing you to discover the top restaurants, find your way to your accommodation, book a taxi, and effortlessly share your travel experiences with your loved ones.
While roaming is an option, the fees can quickly add up when traveling internationally. That’s why we highly recommend either getting an eSIM or a local SIM card to benefit from local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining either option in Taiwan is incredibly simple. However, it helps to know which one is the better choice.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to purchase a SIM card in Taiwan, including the latest pricing details and the absolute best SIM card option to suit your needs. So, let’s dive in and make sure you’re fully prepared!
All mobile network operators in Taiwan offer tourist sims and prepaid sim cards that include data across very extensive mobile networks. Basically, no matter who you choose you will have fast internet everywhere in Taiwan.
I recommend Chungwha Telecom’s tourist sim card as it offers the best value compared to the other operators. YOu can choose from a range of 4G and 5G options for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 day passes. The 5, 7 and 10 day passes cost the same at 500 NTD and include unlimited data. This is what I recommend to most people visiting Taiwan.
If you are visiting for longer, then you should purchase the 15 or 30 day pass for 700 NTD or 1,000 NTD respectively.
For most people the 4G passes above are perfectly fine, but if you want the fastest internet possible then there are 3, 5 and 7 day passes for 500, 600 and 800 NTD respectively that offer faster 5G internet instead.
Stores will only offer to sell tourist sims so you won’t be able to buy a local package instead, so bear in mind you’ll almost certainly need to purchase the tourist sim packages described above.
Another option to consider is the Airalo Taiwan eSim. However, the Chungwha sim cards come with unlimited data, so for the price they are a much better deal. As eSims are always better and more convenient than physical sim cards, I recommend considering this option if you are visiting Taiwan on a short trip and don’t wish to waste time visiting a store and installing a physical sim card. Otherwise, the Chungwha tourist sim is a better deal.
A Tourist Sim Card in Taiwan costs 500 NTD in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Taiwan will cost between $7 USD and $31.50 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Taiwan which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $21 USD.
The top sim card providers in Taiwan are Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) and Taiwan Mobile.
No matter which provider you go with, you will have access to high-speed 4G and 5G mobile data in all parts of Taiwan. It’s a small country and as far as speed and connectivity are concerned all companies are near-perfect.
Even all their tourist plans are essentially identical with unlimited data for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days and with either 4G or 5G data. You get to choose what you need and you pay a fair price for this.
Chunghwa Telecom is the largest telecommunications company in Taiwan and boasts an incredible network that covers the entire island with high-speed mobile data.
The prepaid packages offered by Chunghwa for tourists are extensive and all include unlimited mobile data. You have the option to choose a package for the amount of days you you require and the speed you want (4G or 5G). This customisability ensures you pay only what you need to.
You can easily purchase the Chunghwa tourist packages at any Chunghwa Telecom store, including the kiosk in arrivals at Taiwan Airport.
The price of a Chunghwa Telecom tourist sim card in Taiwan is 500 NTD.
The plan offered by Chunghwa Telecom stores includes unlimited 4G data valid for 10 days.
Far EastOne Telecommunications (FET) is one of the leading sim card providers in Taiwan. Similar to Chunghwa Telecom, FET has a fantastic mobile network with great coverage all across the island.
FET’s tourist plans are similar to Chunghwa Telecom’s and are a suitable alternative. Essentially their plans offer the same data for the same price and with roughly similar mobile networks they’ll be basically identical to even the most discerning tourist.
The price of a Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) tourist sim card in Taiwan is 500 NTD.
The plan offered by Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) stores offers unlimited 4G data valid for 10 days.
Just like FET and Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile has an excellent mobile network with strong coverage and fast download speeds.
Their tourist sim plans are the only ones that will be available to you and are identical to their competitors. Prices are reasonable with unlimited 4G data for any number of days you plan to visit Taiwan.
The price of a Taiwan Mobile tourist sim card in Taiwan is 500 NTD.
The plan offered by Taiwan Mobile stores includes unlimited data valid for 10 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Taiwan: Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) and Taiwan Mobile are your best options in Taiwan.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can easily buy sim cards in major airports in Taiwan. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Taiwan to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) or Taiwan Mobile staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Chunghwa Telecom that includes unlimited 4G data for 500 NTD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 500 NTD to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Taiwan at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Taiwan then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Taiwan have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) and Taiwan Mobile. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Taiwan are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Taiwan with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Taiwan. The Airalo Taiwan eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $21 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Taiwan without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Taiwan is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Taiwan and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Taiwan eSim uses the Chungwa and Taiwan Mobile networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Chungwa and Taiwan Mobile networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Taiwan.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Taiwan eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $14 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $31.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $21 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Taiwan eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Taiwan eSim uses the Chunghwa Telecom / Taiwan Mobilenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Taiwan
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Taiwan eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
An eSIM, which stands for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is included within a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, an eSIM does not require physical insertion or removal from the device.
Rather, the eSIM is built into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the need to physically swap SIM cards.
The use of eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between different mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the necessity of purchasing and inserting physical SIM cards, making it more convenient for managing multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the desired mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services as with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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