Taiwan SIM Card, eSIM, or Pocket WiFi – Which is Best to Use?
On our first trip to Taiwan, we didn’t prepare our SIM card, eSIM, pocket WiFi, and even our EasyCard ahead since we thought we could easily secure them upon arrival. But we regret not doing so. The outlets were already closed so we had to wait the next day to get these Taiwan travel essentials. So, learn from us and make sure to have them ready before your Taiwan trip.
Now, you might be wondering, is it better to get a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket WiFi in Taiwan? We’ll break down the details and give our recommendations so you can make the right choice for your Taiwan trip.
Taiwan SIM card
What is a Taiwan SIM card and eSIM?
A Taiwan SIM card is a tiny chip inserted into your phone so you can call, text, or use the internet with mobile data while in Taiwan.
A Taiwan eSIM, on the other hand, is just like a regular SIM but you don’t need to insert a physical chip into your phone. You just need to download an app, subscribe to a plan, and activate it.
Both SIM cards and eSIMs are provided by telecommunications companies (telcos) and internet service providers (ISPs) in the country like Taiwan.
What is the best tourist SIM and eSIM in Taiwan?
Here are some of the best Taiwan SIM cards and eSIMs foreign travelers can buy online:
1. Chunghwa Telecom 4G SIM Card
This 4G SIM card is offered by Chunghwa Telecom, the largest telco and the best network in Taiwan. It features unlimited 4G data which you can use for 3 to 30 days, depending on your length of stay in Taiwan. It is also inclusive of at least NT$100 credit you can use for local and international calls.
We used the Chunghwa SIM card when we traveled to Taiwan. We must say that the connection was fast and reliable, and we were able to share it via mobile hotspot without issues.
Price: NT$276 (US$8.39) unlimited data for 3 days
Pick-up Locations: Taoyuan Airport; Taichung Airport; Kaohsiung Airport; Taipei Songshan Station; Chunghwa/Senao Telecom
2. Far EasTone 4G/5G SIM Card
This 4G/5G SIM card is offered by Far EasTone, the third largest telco in Taiwan. It features unlimited 4G/5G data, which is usable across Taiwan for 3 to 30 days, depending on your preferred validity. It also includes a voice credit, which means you can use it to call in Taiwan.
Price: NT$240 (US$7.29) unlimited data for 3 days with NT$100 voice credit
Pick-up Location: Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1
3. TripRoaming 4G SIM Card
This 4G SIM card is powered by TripRoaming, a telco headquartered in Hong Kong but has international coverage including Taiwan. It features unlimited 4G data all over Taiwan, which you can use for 3 to 14 days. This Taiwan SIM card will also be delivered to your address in Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, or Mainland China.
Price: NT$127 (US$3.85) 3GB data for 3 days
Delivery: Taiwan, Macau, HK, China
4. Chunghwa Telecom 4G/5G eSIM
This 4G/5G eSIM by Chunghwa Telecom is one of the most reliable eSIMs in Taiwan. It features unlimited 4G/5G data which you can use for 3 to 30 days anywhere in Taiwan. It also includes NT$100 local and international call credit.
What’s great about this eSIM is that you don’t have to insert another physical SIM card to your mobile phone. You just need to download the digital SIM and follow the eSIM setup instructions.
Price: NT$276 (US$8.39) unlimited data for 3 days
5. Xie Xie 謝謝 eSIM
This Xie Xie 謝謝 eSIM on Airalo is one of the cheapest eSIMs in Taiwan. From NT$148 (US$4.50), you can already enjoy 1GB data for 7 days in Taiwan. Again, eSIMs are so convenient since you don’t have to insert any SIM card to your phone.
Price: NT$148 (US$4.50) 1GB data for 7 days
6. Yesim eSIM
Yesim eSIM is one of the reliable eSIMs in Taiwan with local operator Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s largest telco. You can choose from standard or unlimited data coverage all over Taiwan with 1 to 30-day validity periods. Just download the Yesim app and subscribe to a data plan. Use our promo code: CHILL3 to get a €3 (~NT$36) discount on your first subscription.
Price: NT$1,000 (US$30.80) unlimited data for 7 days
How much is a SIM card and eSIM in Taiwan?
A Taiwan SIM card could cost from NT$127 (US$3.85) to NT$276 (US$8.39) for 3 days, while a Taiwan eSIM could range between NT$148 (US$4.50) and NT$1,000 (US$30.80) for 7 days, depending on the network provider. See a summary of Taiwan SIM card and eSIM costs below:
Taiwan SIM card and eSIM prices (online rates)
| SIM Provider | 3 Days | 7 Days | 30 Days |
| Chunghwa Telecom | NT$276 | NT$460 | NT$920 |
| Far EasTone | NT$240 | NT$450 | NT$900 |
| TripRoaming | NT$127 | NT$222 | – |
| eSIM Provider | 3 Days | 7 Days | 30 Days |
| Chunghwa Telecom eSIM | NT$276 | NT$460 | NT$920 |
| Xie Xie 謝謝 eSIM | – | NT$148 | NT$313 |
| Yesim eSIM | – | NT$1,000 | NT$2,135 |
*Do note that Taiwan SIM card and eSIM prices are correct as of publication date and may still change. Check their respective plan listings prior to your Taiwan trip for the most updated prices.
Where to buy a Taiwan SIM card?
Learn from us and buy your SIM card before your Taiwan trip to avoid the hassle. After paying online, you can just claim the actual Taiwan SIM card at designated areas in Taoyuan Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung Airport, and Taichung Airport. You may also pick up your Taiwan SIM from the telco outlets in the city.
If you really failed to buy your Taiwan SIM card ahead like us, you may still buy your SIM card at airport counters and mobile centers of network providers including Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, Taiwan Mobile, and Taiwan Star Telecom.
Taiwan pocket WiFi
What is a Taiwan pocket WiFi?
A Taiwan pocket WiFi is a small wireless device where your gadgets including phones, tablets, laptops, and active watches can connect to for internet usage. A SIM card from a mobile network is usually inserted to the pocket WiFi device to provide the coverage.
What is the best pocket WiFi for Taiwan?
Here are some Taiwan pocket WiFi options you can consider renting ahead:
1. 游客邦 Unite Traveler 4G Pocket WiFi
This pocket WiFi from Unite Traveler is a reliable pocket WiFi device with unlimited 4G WiFi across Taiwan. It has a battery life of up to 4 hours and can be shared by up to 5 devices.
Price: NT$99 (US$3) per day
Pick-up Locations: Taoyuan Airport T1 & T2; Taipei Songshan Airport; Kaohsiung Airport
2. GoWiFi 4G Pocket WiFi
This pocket WiFi from GoWiFi is one of the portable WiFi devices in Taiwan offering unlimited 4G WiFi. It has a battery life of 12 hours and can be shared with up to 5 devices. What’s good about this device is that it’s also a power bank in case your gadgets get drained while traveling in Taiwan.
Price: NT$66 (US$2) per day
Pick-up Locations: Taoyuan Airport T1 & T2; Kaohsiung Airport
How much is pocket WiFi in Taiwan?
Taiwan pocket WiFi could cost from NT$66 (US$2) to NT$99 (US$3) per day, which can be shared with up to 5 devices. See a summary of Taiwan pocket WiFi rentals below:
Taiwan pocket WiFi prices (online rates)
| Service Provider | Battery Life | # of Devices | Cost Per Day |
| Unite Traveler | 4 hrs | 5 | NT$99 |
| GoWiFi | 12 hrs | 5 | NT$66 |
*Taiwan pocket WiFi prices above are accurate as of publication date. Check the respective listings for the latest Taiwan pocket WiFi rates.
Where can I rent pocket WiFi in Taiwan?
We always recommend that you prepare your Taiwan pocket WiFi before your arrival. After paying your pocket WiFi online, you may get the pocket WiFi device at designated counters in Taiwan airports such as Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport.
Some pocket WiFi devices can also be delivered to you at an additional fee.
Taiwan SIM card vs eSIM vs Pocket WiFi
Now, you might ask, is it better to get a SIM card, eSIM or pocket WiFi in Taiwan? The answer to that largely depends on factors including your budget, number of people, and travel period.
Which one is cheaper?
Comparing both costs, say for 3 days, the cheapest Taiwan SIM card costs NT$127 (US$3.85) and a pocket WiFi costs NT$198 (US$6). With those amounts, you can immediately say that a SIM card is cheaper. However, you should consider that you may share the pocket WiFi with up to 5 devices. So, if there are 5 travelers using the device, it would only cost NT$39.6 (US$1.20) per person for 3 days as opposed to NT$127 (US$3.85) for 1 SIM card or NT$276 (US$8.39) for 1 eSIM.
This means if you are traveling in groups of up to 5 people, it’s more cost-efficient to get the pocket WiFi since you can share and divide the cost.
So, the questions to ask are:
- How many people will use the internet?
- How long will you stay in Taiwan?
Answering these questions will already give you a rough idea on which one is best to use for your trip.
What are the pros and cons?
Taiwan SIM Card
Pros:
- No more separate device
- It’s more practical for those traveling solo or as a couple
- No hassle of returning the SIM card
Cons:
- The physical SIM may take time to set up
- Potential phone compatibility issues
- Dependent on your phone’s battery life
Taiwan eSIM
Pros:
- No need to insert an actual SIM
- Just download and activate on the same phone
- No need to return the eSIM
Cons:
- eSIM compatibility of the your phone
- Non-techie users may find it difficult to install
- Still dependent on your phone’s battery life
Taiwan Pocket WiFi
Pros:
- Faster to use since no more set up needed
- Shareable with up to 5 devices
- Cheaper for those traveling in groups of 3 to 5 people
Cons:
- Extra device to carry and charge for battery
- Battery life could be limited
- You need to return the device and make sure there are no damages
What do we recommend to use in Taiwan as travelers?
If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it would be wise to get a SIM card in Taiwan. But if you’re traveling in groups of 3 to 5 people, it’s more practical to rent a pocket WiFi in Taiwan since it would cost less when you split the bill, especially if budget is a concern for you. If you want convenience, you can get an eSIM instead since you don’t need to insert another SIM or carry an additional device. Be sure to check your phone eSIM compatibility before buying a plan.
We actually experienced traveling to Taiwan as a couple and in groups, and in both instances, we decided to get a SIM card. Why so? As a couple, only one person had to use the internet to navigate in Taiwan. And as a group, we decided to get multiple SIM cards since there were times when we had to go our separate ways.
Now that you know all these things, would you use a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket WiFi in Taiwan? Hope we enlightened you to make the right decision.
You might also want to read our Hong Kong SIM guide, Japan SIM guide, Korea SIM guide, Philippines SIM guide, and Singapore SIM guide.
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