How To Buy A Prepaid SIM Card in Taiwan in 2022

If you’re anything like me you can’t survive long without your cell phone. When I step off the plane I’m already calculating the number of steps to the nearest SIM card Kiosk. It’s a good thing there are plenty of places to buy a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan! Another good thing is that competition is heating up between Taiwan’s two biggest telecom companies. This means there are more choices for tourists buying a Taiwanese SIM card in 2022.

Many SIM providers around the world make “too good to be true” promises of unlimited data and unrestricted use. The true terms of use are often shrouded in mystery until you run out of data 3-days into your unlimited plan. The good news is that data plans in Taiwan are fairly straightforward. Just make sure you navigate the various options and choose the plan that is best suited for you.

Taiwan is less traveled than many other Asian countries. But don’t let that fool you – this small island is quite advanced from a technological standpoint.

Thankfully, visitors can expect affordable high-speed cell connections across the island. And the best part is that prepaid SIM cards in Taiwan come at a budget-friendly price.

Companies offering a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan

There are three major companies that offer Taiwan sim cards.

1. Chung Hwa Telecom (中華電信) often abbreviated CHT. The mobile company was once government-owned and was Taiwan’s only telephone service. More providers have entered the market since regulations opened up roughly 20 years ago. However, Chung Hwa Telecom holds a dominating position in the Taiwanese mobile market.
2. Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大) The company has a 25% market share in Taiwan. Taiwan Mobile offers a competitive rate on SIM cards and monthly data SIM cards in Taiwan.
3. Far Eastone (遠傳電信股份有限公司) Far Eastone is similar in size to Taiwan Mobile and offers prepaid SIM cards with good coverage in Taipei City.

The three companies offer comparable services in Taipei save for a few minor differences. If you are looking for a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan all three will be able to serve your needs.

Which company should I choose?

When you travel to Taiwan you should definitely look for a 4G data prepaid SIM card. All the major companies now offer 4G LTE cell service as a standard feature. Most tourists SIM cards in Taiwan now offer unlimited 4G for the duration of the card. This is a huge step up from previous years when SIM data was limited.

I would highly recommend Chung Hwa Telecom if you plan on traveling to less populated cities or mountains around Taiwan. CHT has the most expansive coverage out of the top three mobile phone providers. CHT service extends to some of the less populated areas of Taiwan’s mountainous interior.

However, any of the three companies will suffice if you plan on staying in the city. As noted above, the network coverage in Taipei is consistently fast. (check the bottom of this post for a 4G speed check).

I personally prefer Taiwan Mobile in Taipei City. Especially if signing a long-term contract. When I first came to Taiwan, I signed a 2-year contract with Chung Hwa Telecom. The service was good but my data speed was throttled after the first 2GB. That part of the contract wasn’t explained to me when I signed the contract so I am not a big fan of the company. I’ve since switched to Taiwan Mobile which does not limit my connection speeds.

With that said, please note that this was my personal experience. You shouldn’t face any throttling issues when purchasing a short-term SIM card in Taiwan. The main factors to consider are your length of stay and the cost of the tourist SIM card.

Cost of a prepaid SIM card

For up-to-date information and prices on Taiwanese SIM cards, please check out the following links:

ChungHwa Tourist SIM Card – 3 to 30 day SIM cards for short-term visitors. CHT now offers SIM cards with up to 30-days validity. This is a big improvement over their initial offerings.

Taiwan Mobile Tourist Sim Card – 3 to 30 day SIM cards for short-term visitors.

FarEastone Tourist Sim Card – 1 to 30-day SIM card options.

Taiwan Mobile Pre-Paid SIM Card – Value-added SIM cards to be used within a 2 – 6 month period. Best for residents or long-term stays.

Taiwan Multi-Day SIM Cards

Chung Hwa Telecom – The biggest carrier with competitive rates. All pre-paid cards listed below include unlimited 4G data.

• 3-Day SIM – NT$300 (Costs the same as a 5-day pre-paid card)
• 5-Day SIM – NT$300
• 7-Day SIM – NT$500 (Costs the same as a 10-day pre-paid card)
• 10-Day SIM – NT$500
• 15-Day SIM – NT$700
• 30-Day SIM – NT$1000

Taiwan Mobile – Rates below are from the Airport Kiosk. Tourist sim card prices are slightly higher once you leave the airport. All cards listed offer unlimited 4G data.

• 3-Day SIM – NT$300 (Costs the same as a 5-day pre-paid card)
• 5-Day SIM – NT$300
• 6-Day SIM – NT$400
• 7-Day SIM – NT$450
• 10-Day SIM – NT$500
• 15-Day SIM – NT$700
• 30-Day SIM – NT$1000

Far Eastone – They seem to offer the fewest options but could be worth considering.

• 1-Day SIM – NT$100
• 3-Day SIM – NT$300
• 5-Day SIM – NT$500

Prepaid SIM Cards

Consider using Taiwan Mobile if you plan to stay in Taiwan for a month or more. These SIM cards are also good if you plan on entering the country multiple times over an extended period.

These prepaid plans can be seen here.

They are great for extended travel but come with limited data. If you don’t use much data I would highly recommend this option. Example: 1.2GB of data + NT$100 calling time can be had for as little as NT$300! The best part is that this SIM is valid for 60 days!

Note: this post has been updated with 2019 data and experiences. The amount of data that you get with prepaid packages is drastically higher than when this post was first written. The main reason for this is the frequent sales and promotions that can be found around Taiwan. Check the section below for updated SIM card packages.

SIM Cards For Long Term Visitors

There are some excellent options for getting a SIM card in Taiwan in 2019. Many deals have come up in the past year that makes prepaid SIM cards more and more attractive.

I have previously enjoyed unlimited data plans with both Chung Hwa and Taiwan Mobile. However, in 2019 I made the permanent switch to a prepaid data plan.

Let’s break it down. Most prepaid SIM cards are valid for 6 months and can be reloaded an unlimited number of times. Reloading or adding funds adds another 6-months of validity to the Taiwanese SIM card. Data packages vary widely depending on the carrier and type of promotion currently going on. I’ve found that it’s cost-effective to reload your SIM during a good promotion, even if you aren’t running short on data.

Another point I should make is that prices will vary based on whether you are topping up in-store or online. When I compared, online rates were 33% better than in-store! The most recent deal I got was in June 2019 and was $33 for 36GB of data. This was with Taiwan Mobile, my preferred telecom company in Taiwan. Other common deals that can be found are $33 for 24GB, $15 for 12GB, and $40 for 36GB.

It helps to check around and wait for a promotion before doing a large data purchase. The examples above are of top-tier packages. Expect prices to adjust accordingly if you need smaller amounts of data.

Where to buy a SIM card in Taiwan

The best place for a tourist to buy a SIM card in Taiwan is at the Taoyuan International Airport. You can choose your preferred carrier and simply head to their kiosk in the arrival hall.

• Reservations can be made online through CHT – although this is generally not needed in my opinion. Staff at the airport are able to assist you in English and the process is over and done with fairly quickly.

CHT Kiosk Locations

Taiwan Mobile Kiosk Locations

The Kiosks open at 7am-8am and close between 10 pm and Midnight.

You will need to get a tourist SIM card at a branch location if you are arriving at Taoyuan Airport outside of normal hours.

Don’t worry, there are branches literally everywhere. Most locations seem to open at 11 am so don’t plan on going there too early!

Looking for additional activities in Taiwan?

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Wifi Router Update

For a long time, I avoided recommending portable WiFi Routers / WiFi Hotspots on this page. I have had bad experiences in other countries with spotty coverage and hidden data limits. So I always try to stick with local SIM cards when I travel.

However, I’ve had a number of visiting friends who have all successfully used portable WiFi routers in Taiwan. Over the past year, I feel like I have had enough hands-on experience to justify recommending them.

Check Prices on Portable Wifi Hotspots

You can’t deny the utility of being able to connect multiple devices to the same hotspot. And, with unlimited data, it makes everything worry-free. Personally, I still prefer using a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan, but if you’re looking to connect multiple devices the portable WiFi hotspot will work well.

To those travelling from Singapore, it is possible to buy a 4-G Wifi Router for Taiwan while still in Singapore. A number of locations at the Changi airport have been seen offering WIFI hotspots to tourists visiting Taiwan. This will let you avoid registering for a SIM card in Taiwan, but the downside is that you will need to carry an additional piece of equipment.

Taiwan SIM Card Type

Both Micro-SIM and Nano-SIM cards are available at all carriers in Taiwan. All SIM cards in Taiwan have multiple punchouts that allow you to select the size required by your phone.

Expect service staff to help with the SIM installation and activation. This is standard procedure if you are activating your phone at the airport or in an official store.

The only time you will need to worry about self-activation is if you purchase a card on your own at a 7-11 or similar secondary retailer.

What documents do you need?

To buy a SIM card in Taiwan you will need to provide your passport, as well as a second form of identification. This second ID could be in the form of a residency card, driver’s license, or student ID.

• Passport (not a photocopy)
• A second form of ID such as a Driver’s License, Student ID, etc.

Coverage

In Taipei city, you will have nearly full 4G coverage no matter where you go. The network has undergone serious development over the last few years. The result has been a significant improvement in Taipei’s 4G network and coverage area. Some areas on the outskirts of New Taipei City may still get 3G coverage, but those areas are the exception rather than the rule.

If you head out of Taipei you will see the cell data speeds drop significantly. The speed is not that slow, however. I think I’ve been spoiled by the smooth connection in Taipei. Most of the island receives a strong 3G signal that powers the internet for millions of people each day.

Only rarely will you lose your 3G cell signal in Taiwan. This typically happens when hiking Taiwan’s central mountains, or occasionally when taking a train through the countryside. This is when you will encounter the dreaded 2G icon. Thankfully, 2G cell service is something that won’t be experienced by normal visitors getting a SIM card in Taiwan.

Speed of prepaid SIM cards for Taiwan

I have a monthly contract with Taiwan Mobile which gives me unlimited 4G data. The cost comes out to NT$600 / $20 USD per month. Pretty inexpensive as I stream around 20GB of Netflix and Youtube each month!

The picture below is my current network speed with Taiwan Mobile 4G LTE.

Around my office, I get a respectable 51MB Upload and 35MB download.

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I hope this information helps you get a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan!

If you’re looking for more information about Taiwan, or want to know the cost of living on this beautiful island be sure to check out my other articles on Taiwan!

Is Taiwan A Good Place To Live
Average Cost Of Living In Taiwan
3-Day Taiwan Itinerary (Taipei and Jiufen)