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Getting online in Taiwan: travel eSIMs, airport SIMs and the apps that work

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Install a travel eSIM before you fly, unless you need a Taiwanese number. You don’t need a VPN.

What do you need?

Before you fly

  1. Check your phone is unlocked, as below.
  2. Check it supports VoLTE if you want to make calls. Taiwan switched off 3G in June 2024,Taipei Times (opens in a new tab)taipeitimes.com and phones from before 2017 may lack VoLTE.CNA (opens in a new tab)cna.com.tw
  3. Install your eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi. Switch it on when you land.
  4. Leave your home SIM on with data roaming off, so bank codes still reach you by text.
  5. Install LINE, Uber and the YouBike app. Sign up to LINE with Apple or Google, not your phone number.

If it doesn’t go to plan

  • eSIM won’t connect when you land? Buy a tourist SIM at a carrier counter in arrivals instead (details).
  • Chunghwa’s counter shut, or no cash? Taiwan Mobile’s counter in Terminal 2’s passport-check hall opens 04:30 to 23:00 and takes cards.
  • Phone still locked? Buy your home carrier’s roaming day pass.
  • No Uber nearby? Hail a street taxi and pay cash.

Is your phone unlocked?

  • iPhone: go to Settings > General > About. “No SIM restrictions” next to Carrier Lock means it’s unlocked.Apple (opens in a new tab)support.apple.com
  • Android: put in a SIM from another network. If it connects without asking for an unlock code, it’s unlocked. No spare SIM? Ask your carrier.
  • Locked? Only your carrier can unlock it, and it can take a few days. Ask at least a week before you fly.

If you need a Taiwanese number

Buy Chunghwa Telecom’s tourist SIM or eSIM. It has the widest coverage.NOWnews (opens in a new tab)nownews.com

  • Price: unlimited 5G data from NT$500 for 3 days to NT$1,600 for 30 days, with NT$50 to NT$200 of call credit.Chunghwa (opens in a new tab)cht.com.tw
  • Bring your passport, a second photo ID such as a driving licence, and Taiwan dollars. Chunghwa takes cash only.Chunghwa eSIM FAQ (opens in a new tab)cht.com.tw
  • Buy a pass for the whole trip. It can’t be extended.
  • Counters are at both Taoyuan terminals and at Songshan, Taichung and Kaohsiung airports.Chunghwa (opens in a new tab)cht.com.tw
  • No cash, or landing at dawn? Taiwan Mobile charges the same, takes cards, and its counter in Terminal 2’s passport-check hall opens 04:30 to 23:00.Taiwan Mobile (opens in a new tab)taiwanmobile.com

Using LINE

Hotels, guides and small businesses message you on LINE.

  • Sign up with Apple or Google. Phone sign-up only takes numbers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea or Thailand.LINE (opens in a new tab)help.line.me
  • Add a business by searching ”@” plus its ID, or scanning its QR code.LINE (opens in a new tab)help.line.me

Riding YouBike without a Taiwanese number

Use Single Rental in the YouBike app, with a credit card and email.YouBike (opens in a new tab)en.youbike.com.tw

  • NT$3,000 deposit is held on your card for each rental and released when you return the bike.
  • NT$10 per 30 minutes for the first four hours.
  • No free half hour. Taipei’s free first 30 minutes and EasyCard tap-on are for members, and membership needs a Taiwanese number.YouBike Taipei rates (opens in a new tab)en.youbike.com.tw

Getting a ride

VPNs and Wi-Fi