Key takeaways
Taiwan has some of the fastest and most reliable mobile networks in Asia, with 4G almost everywhere people live and 5G across Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Roamix covers Taiwan with Roamix Omni, a pay as you go eSIM that uses Chunghwa Telecom, the largest network, as its preferred network. You load a balance, pay only for the data you use, and keep the rest for your next trip. Apps like LINE, WhatsApp, Google and Instagram all work without a VPN. Budget 3 to 6 GB for a week of maps, messaging and photos.
- Roamix covers Taiwan with Roamix Omni, a pay as you go eSIM, rather than a fixed data plan.
- Chunghwa Telecom is Omni's preferred network in Taiwan and has the widest coverage, including mountain roads and the east coast.
- Taiwan's internet is open, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and every major app work normally.
- LINE is the messaging app most Taiwanese use, so install it before you arrive.
- Taipei's MRT, the high speed rail and most of the west coast have strong 4G and 5G signal.
Best way to get data in Taiwan
Roamix Omni is the easiest way to get data in Taiwan: install once, pay per megabyte on the country's biggest network, and keep any leftover balance for your next trip.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix Omni eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travelers | Pay only for what you use on Chunghwa Telecom, balance never expires. |
| Local SIM at the airport | Best for: Heavy users staying a month | Needs a passport and a physical SIM slot. |
| Home carrier roaming | Best for: Very short stays | Usually the most expensive option. |
| Free Wi-Fi only | Best for: Light users | Unreliable outside hotels and stations. |
Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes, MRT stations and convenience stores, but mobile data is far more reliable when you are moving around.
How much data you need
With pay as you go, you pay for what you use, so it helps to know what uses what.
2 to 3 GB
Long weekend in Taipei
Maps, messaging and some social media.
3 to 6 GB
One week round the island
Navigation, rail bookings and photo sharing.
10 GB or more
Remote work for two weeks
Video calls and hotspot use add up quickly.
Data per hour, by activity
- Google Maps navigation for an hour
- 5 to 10 MB
- LINE or WhatsApp messages for a day
- 10 to 30 MB
- Instagram for 30 minutes
- 100 to 200 MB
- A 10 minute video call
- 50 to 150 MB
Turn on Low Data Mode and pause photo backups on Omni to make your balance last.
How to set up a Taiwan eSIM
Install Roamix Omni over Wi-Fi before you leave. It connects automatically when you land in Taiwan.
- 1
Load $10 or more on the Roamix Omni page. Your balance never expires.
- 2
Scan the QR code to install Omni over Wi-Fi before you fly.
- 3
Keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and turn off data roaming on it.
- 4
Set Omni as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for Omni only.
- 5
Land in Taiwan and Omni connects to its partner network automatically.
Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Omni sets its APN automatically. If data does not start, toggle airplane mode on and off.
If data does not connect, check data roaming is on for the Omni line, select Chunghwa Telecom manually and restart your phone.
Visa and entry for Taiwan
Citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many others can visit Taiwan visa free, usually for up to 90 days.
- eVisa or ETA
- Visa free visitors fill in an online arrival card before landing. Other nationalities may need an eVisa or a visa from a Taiwan representative office.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of an onward or return ticket may be requested.
Save your arrival card confirmation and hotel address on your phone before you fly.
Entry rules depend on your passport and can change. Check with Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs or your local Taipei Economic and Cultural Office before booking.
When you land in Taiwan
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How people message here
LINE is used for almost everything in Taiwan, from chatting with friends to booking restaurants and talking to guesthouses.
Do you need a local number?
Most travelers do not need one. Omni is data only, so keep your home SIM active if you need to receive texts such as banking codes.
Add your hotel on LINE at check in. It is often the fastest way to reach the front desk.
Airports in Taiwan
TPE
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Taipei
Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals.
Omni connects as you land, so you can check the Airport MRT timetable before baggage claim.
TSA
Taipei Songshan Airport
Taipei
Free Wi-Fi in the terminal.
Songshan sits in the city and connects straight to the MRT brown line.
KHH
Kaohsiung International Airport
Kaohsiung
Free Wi-Fi in the terminal.
The red MRT line runs from the airport into central Kaohsiung.
Apps and internet access in Taiwan
Taiwan has an open internet. Every major app and website works on any network.
None for travelers. Taiwan does not block foreign apps or websites.
LINE, works
The main messaging app in Taiwan for friends, shops and hotels.
WhatsApp, works
Works normally, though fewer locals use it than LINE.
Google Maps, works
Accurate for the MRT, buses and walking.
Instagram and Facebook, works
Both work normally and Facebook is widely used by local businesses.
Getting around Taiwan
Taiwan's public transport is clean, cheap and easy, and an EasyCard covers almost all of it.
High speed rail
Good 4G for most of the route, with short gaps in tunnels.
Taipei and Kaohsiung MRT
Full coverage in stations and tunnels.
Scooter and car rental
Reliable for navigation on main roads, weaker on high mountain routes.
Buses and taxis
Uber and local taxi apps work in major cities.
Use your EasyCard for the MRT, buses, YouBike and convenience stores.
Money and payments in Taiwan
The New Taiwan dollar (TWD) is the currency. Cash is still used at night markets and small restaurants.
- Cards and cash
- Cards work in hotels, department stores and chain restaurants. Carry cash for street food.
- ATMs
- ATMs in 7-Eleven and FamilyMart accept most foreign cards.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work in many chains, and an EasyCard pays at convenience stores.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected. Hotels and some restaurants add a 10% service charge.
Daily budget
Budget travelers can manage on about TWD 2,000 to 3,000 a day.
Local tips for Taiwan
- Language
- Mandarin is spoken everywhere. English signs are common in Taipei and on the MRT.
- Food
- Night markets, beef noodle soup, xiaolongbao, bubble tea and some of Asia's best breakfast shops.
- Plugs
- 110V, Type A and B plugs
Apps worth having
LINE
Messaging
How locals and businesses communicate.
Google Maps
Navigation
Accurate transit directions everywhere.
Taiwan Railway and THSR apps
Transport
Book trains and check times.
Uber
Rides
Works in Taipei and other major cities.
Safety and health in Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the safest places to travel in Asia, with very low crime.
- Stay reachable
- Typhoon and earthquake alerts are sent to phones. Keep data on to receive local updates.
- Health
- Healthcare is excellent and pharmacies are everywhere.
- Tap water
- Most locals boil or filter tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water.
Networks and coverage in Taiwan
Taiwan has three national mobile networks: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone. All three run 4G LTE nationwide and launched 5G in 2020. Chunghwa Telecom has the largest network and the best rural coverage. Roamix Omni connects to Chunghwa Telecom as its preferred network, with Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone as extended networks where they add coverage, each billed at its own published rate.
Chunghwa Telecom
The largest network, with the best coverage in the mountains, on Taroko Gorge roads and down the east coast. Omni's preferred network.
Taiwan Mobile
Strong in cities and along the west coast. An Omni extended network.
Far EasTone
Fast in cities with good 5G. An Omni extended network.
- Typical speeds
- Expect 30 to 150 Mbps on 4G in cities and 200 Mbps or more on 5G. Speeds stay usable on the high speed rail and in most mountain towns.
- 5G
- 5G covers central Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, plus many smaller cities. Omni connects at 5G wherever the network supports it.
Your phone uses the preferred network first. If you want to stay on it, you can select Chunghwa Telecom manually in your network settings.
Signal thins out on high mountain trails such as Yushan and in parts of the Central Mountain Range. Download offline maps before hiking. Taiwanese networks use common LTE and 5G bands supported by modern unlocked phones from Apple, Samsung and Google.
Where to go in Taiwan
Taiwan packs world class food, mountain scenery, temples and some of the friendliest cities in Asia into an island you can cross in a few hours on the high speed rail.
Best time to visit
October to April is the most comfortable, with mild weather and little rain. Summer is hot and humid, with typhoons possible from July to September.
Taipei
The capital, with Taipei 101, night markets, hot springs at Beitou and easy day trips to Jiufen.
- Taipei 101
- Shilin Night Market
- Beitou hot springs
- Jiufen Old Street
Excellent 4G and 5G everywhere, including underground on the MRT.
Hualien and Taroko
Marble canyons, cliff roads and the Pacific coast on Taiwan's east side.
- Taroko Gorge
- Qingshui Cliffs
- Qixingtan Beach
Good signal in Hualien city, patchy deeper in the gorge.
Taichung and Sun Moon Lake
A relaxed city with creative districts, and Taiwan's best known mountain lake nearby.
- Sun Moon Lake
- Rainbow Village
- Gaomei Wetlands
Strong coverage in Taichung and around the lake.
Tainan and Kaohsiung
The old capital's temples and street food, and the port city of Kaohsiung in the south.
- Anping Old Fort
- Lotus Pond
- Pier 2 Art Center
- Kenting National Park
Excellent 4G and 5G in both cities.
Working remotely from Taiwan
Very good. Taipei has fast internet, plenty of cafes and coworking spaces.
- Connection
- 5G in Taipei handles video calls easily, but heavy hotspot use adds up on pay as you go.
Use cafe or coworking Wi-Fi for long calls and Omni for everything on the move.
