Having your own internet as you travel in Taiwan is essential for a great trip. Whether it is for map navigation, searching blogs, or communicating with friends and family, having a SIM card, eSIM, or portable Wi-Fi solution should definitely be part of your Taiwan travel plan. In this guide, we will compare the best eSIM providers and provide a deeper look into Taiwan’s mobile internet services.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
- How to get there: Plane tickets via Trip.com
- Best places to stay can be found on Agoda
- Book tours and activities in Taiwan on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Table of Contents
How can I get mobile internet while travelling in Taiwan?
There are a few solutions you can consider for mobile internet. We will post the pros and cons of each option below.
eSIM
eSIM is an embedded SIM card that is installed via software into a phone. This technology started being used in 2016, and now most modern smartphones (iPhone XR and later, and newer Android phones) are eSIM-enabled that were built after 2017.
Pros:
- You can store multiple SIM cards in your phone at one time
- Relatively easy to set up
- No need to go to a physical store to get internet
- No need for an extra device
- Relatively cheaper than traditional SIM cards, no need for expensive mobile contracts
- No need to open your phone or lose track of tiny SIM cards
Cons:
- Most travel eSIMs do not come with a phone number that you can use to make and receive calls and texts with. This can make it difficult to perform basic tasks like setting up online accounts, registering for services, etc.
- There may be bugs when first setting up the eSIM, which may cause delays
- You usually need to connect to Wi-Fi to set up to eSIM
- eSIMs cannot be transferred
Traditional Physical SIM card
Traditional SIM cards are the physical cards that most people are familiar with, which allow access to a mobile network and come with a phone number.
Pros
- These usually come with a phone number that you can use to make and receive calls and texts. This can make it possible to perform basic tasks like setting up online accounts, registering for services, etc. This is definitely recommended for long-term travellers.
- Usually, these cards come from established telecom companies in Taiwan with great customer service.
- You can easily take cards out and share them with other phones and devices.
Cons
- Usually, physical SIM card plans are more expensive than eSIMs.
- You have to visit a physical store to get one.
- Some companies (Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile) only offer SIM cards to foreigners that expire in less than six months, unless you have a resident permit (ARC card), and the number will disappear afterward. However, Far East Tone offers 1-year SIM cards to foreign tourists.
Portable Wi-fi
Portable Wi-fi is an internet solution that pre-dates eSIMs. I would say that eSIMs have basically wiped out the need for these, but for some people, this internet solution may still be a good fit.
Pros
- Cheap, portable Wi-Fi that does not require eSIM setup (if eSIM is not possible)
- You can connect multiple devices to one internet source
Cons
- Usually, these devices are battery-powered and will eventually run out of power. You have to constantly make sure that they are being charged.
- Usually, you have to visit a physical location to pick these up and drop them off when you are done.
I have used and recommend portable Wi-Fi from iVideo.
What are the best eSIM providers in Taiwan?
We have used quite a few eSIM providers during our travels in Taiwan and throughout Asia. Here are the best eSIM providers that we know of:
Klook
website: www.klook.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: Yes
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: Yes
KKday
website: www.kkday.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: Yes
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: Yes
Airalo
website: www.airalo.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: No
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Agoda:
website: www.agoda.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Yes SIM
website: www.yesim.app
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: No
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Sim Local
website: www.simlocal.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Trip.com
website: www.trip.com
- Unlimited Data available: No
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Nomad
website: www.getnomadapp.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: Yes
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
Holafly
website: www.esim.holafly.com
- Unlimited Data available: Yes
- Options from multiple carriers: No
- Relatively cheap: No
- Mobile phone number calling and texts available: No
What are the major mobile carriers in Taiwan (that offer physical SIM cards)?
Below, we will list the major telecom providers in Taiwan for your reference.
Chunghwa Telecom 中華電信
Chunghwa Telecom is a state-run telecom company and is the largest mobile internet provider in Taiwan. They are also the most expensive.
Please note that they no longer offer pay-as-you-go or longer-term plans for foreign tourists. They will only provide a SIM card for as long as your visa is valid. Permanent numbers are only available to Taiwan residents (ARC card).
Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大
Taiwan Mobile is the second-largest mobile network in Taiwan, although it borrows much of Chunghwa Telecom’s infrastructure. Recently, they acquired T-Star mobile.
Please note that they no longer offer pay-as-you-go or longer-term plans for foreign tourists. They will only provide a SIM card for as long as your visa is valid. Permanent numbers are only available to Taiwan residents (ARC card).
Far-East Tone 遠傳
Far-East Tone is the third largest mobile phone company in Taiwan, and is the most foreigner-friendly.
They offer pay-as-you-go and long-term plans for foreign tourists. You do not need to have a resident card.
ibon Moble 統一超商電信
ibon Mobile is a virtual carrier run by 7-11 chain stores, but it runs off of Far-East Tone.
LINE MOBILE
Line Mobile is another virtual carrier run by LINE, but it runs on Chunghwa Telecom.
Which international carriers have roaming service in Taiwan?
Personally, I used T-Mobile in Taiwan for several years. They provide free unlimited low-speed internet and unlimited texts to people roaming in Taiwan. Tello also has free Wi-Fi calling in-country to US numbers and to Taiwan landlines.
For more information about roaming services and charges, please check with your home carrier.
Which mobile internet solution would you recommend?
It depends on your situation and how long you will stay in Taiwan. I have separated my recommendations for mobile internet below:
Short Term Travel (less than a week)
I would recommend getting an eSIM through Klook. It is simple, cheap, and easy.
Longer Term Travel (a few weeks to a few months)
I recommend getting a SIM card or eSIM with a phone number such as this one with Klook. For a longer period, you will want a phone number for basic services in country. All major online shopping sites require a phone number.
Long-term Travel (more than six months)
I recommend getting a normal SIM card with a permanent number, preferabbly at Far-East tone. You will need a phone number to register for online accounts and services that will be used long-term in Taiwan.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our guides on Taiwan to come soon.
