Traveler-compatibility checks for this destination are still pending. Local notes are useful, but phone, payment and signup eligibility are not yet sourced per service.
Taiwan Taxi (55688) is the largest fleet and locals' default; Uber is popular too (and runs on licensed taxi/rental drivers). Many locals also just flag metered yellow taxis. Most cabs take cash, credit card, and increasingly EasyCard.
Taiwan's largest taxi fleet (台灣大車隊) and the local default — biggest network means short wait times. Reliable metered cabs; app or dial 55688. Cash/card/EasyCard.
Widely used, especially by visitors and expats; rides are fulfilled by licensed taxi/rental drivers. Pay by card, Apple Pay, or cash.
Book a taxi straight from the LINE app (formerly LINE Taxi). Convenient if you already live in LINE.
Hotai/Toyota-backed fleet with newer, cleaner cars and upfront fixed fares. Good backup at peak times.
A two-horse race — foodpanda and Uber Eats split the market roughly 52/48. Install both; coverage and restaurants differ block to block.
Market co-leader (~52%). Widest restaurant coverage; also runs pandamart quick grocery. (Uber's 2024 bid to buy foodpanda TW was blocked by Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission and terminated in 2025; it still runs as foodpanda.)
Co-leader (~48%). Slick app, strong in central Taipei; pairs with your Uber account.
Locals mostly shop in person — PX Mart supermarkets and 24h convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) are everywhere. For delivery, use the food-delivery apps' quick-commerce arms.
Get a physical EasyCard first (any MRT station or convenience store) — tap it for MRT, buses, YouBike, and convenience stores. It gives ~20% off MRT vs cash. The metro is world-class.
The default tap-to-pay IC card for all transit. EasyWallet app tops it up and, on NFC Android, turns your phone into the card.
Official Taipei MRT app — route planner, fares, first/last train times, real-time status.
Alternative IC card, interchangeable with EasyCard on Taipei transit (dominant in the south).
Book the bullet train for intercity trips (Taipei–Taichung–Tainan–Kaohsiung). Reserve seats in-app.
LINE Pay is the runaway leader, but LINE Pay/JKOPay signup usually needs a local bank account + Taiwanese number. As a visitor, lean on EasyCard, Apple Pay, and cash. Night markets and traditional markets are cash-only.
Dominant wallet (~13M users, over half the country). Baked into LINE; accepted almost everywhere. Full setup needs a local bank account.
The #1 standalone e-wallet, strong at restaurants and small shops. Also typically needs a local bank account.
Beyond transit, tap the IC card at convenience stores, vending machines, and many cafes. Easiest option for tourists.
Contactless works with your foreign card at chains, MRT, convenience stores, and larger restaurants — no local account needed.
Still king at night markets, street food, and traditional markets. Always carry some.
Coverage is excellent nationwide. Global eSIMs route over Chunghwa Telecom (the top local network). For long stays, a physical Chunghwa SIM at Taoyuan Airport gives best value and a local number.
Most popular traveler eSIM; runs on Chunghwa Telecom. Cheap data plans, instant activation on arrival.
Comparable coverage to Airalo, often competitive on larger data bundles.
The main local carrier — best coverage/speed. Physical tourist SIMs at the airport are great value for longer stays.
LINE is everything in Taiwan — friends, family, shops, restaurants, and businesses all run on it. WhatsApp is uncommon; don't expect locals to use it.
Shopee owns app traffic and C2C; momo leads B2C by revenue with famously fast delivery. Delivery to convenience-store pickup lockers is the norm.
YouBike is the iconic city bike-share and blankets Taipei. Shared electric mopeds (GoShare/WeMo) exist but require a local motorcycle license and registration — realistic mainly for residents.
Dockless-ish city bikes everywhere; unlock with EasyCard or the app. First 30 min is very cheap.
Gogoro electric moped sharing. Needs a Taiwan motorcycle license and account verification.
110 and 119 are free from any phone. English isn't guaranteed on 110/119 — the 1990 foreigner hotline offers multilingual help and can relay.
Nationwide police emergency. Free, 24/7.
Fire and medical emergencies/ambulance. Free, 24/7.
24/7 multilingual help (English, Japanese, and more) for foreigners; replaced the old 0800-024-111.
24/7 toll-free travel information and assistance in English.
Maritime and coastal emergencies.
Six concrete setup decisions for Taipei. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Most popular traveler eSIM; runs on Chunghwa Telecom. Cheap data plans, instant activation on arrival. Coverage is excellent nationwide. Global eSIMs route over Chunghwa Telecom (the top local network). For long stays, a physical Chunghwa SIM at Taoyuan Airport gives best value and a local number.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
Taiwan's largest taxi fleet (台灣大車隊) and the local default — biggest network means short wait times. Reliable metered cabs; app or dial 55688. Cash/card/EasyCard. Taiwan Taxi (55688) is the largest fleet and locals' default; Uber is popular too (and runs on licensed taxi/rental drivers). Many locals also just flag metered yellow taxis. Most cabs take cash, credit card, and increasingly EasyCard.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
The default tap-to-pay IC card for all transit. EasyWallet app tops it up and, on NFC Android, turns your phone into the card. Get a physical EasyCard first (any MRT station or convenience store) — tap it for MRT, buses, YouBike, and convenience stores. It gives ~20% off MRT vs cash. The metro is world-class.
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
Excellent transit, walking, and driving directions; download offline maps as backup. Google Maps is the default and its Taipei transit directions (MRT + bus, with real-time) are reliable. Address search and English work well.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
Dominant wallet (~13M users, over half the country). Baked into LINE; accepted almost everywhere. Full setup needs a local bank account. LINE Pay is the runaway leader, but LINE Pay/JKOPay signup usually needs a local bank account + Taiwanese number. As a visitor, lean on EasyCard, Apple Pay, and cash. Night markets and traditional markets are cash-only.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
The universal messenger. Chats, calls, payments, official business accounts, stickers — essential day one. LINE is everything in Taiwan — friends, family, shops, restaurants, and businesses all run on it. WhatsApp is uncommon; don't expect locals to use it.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Cash remains useful at night markets, small restaurants, and older businesses; cards are strongest at chains and malls.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026