Tourists in Taiwan primarily use a mix of cash and contactless payments. While credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted in department stores and hotels, cash (New Taiwan Dollar - TWD) is essential for night markets, small eateries, and local shops. An EasyCard is vital for public transport and convenience stores.
What is the main payment method in Taiwan? The most popular digital payment method in Taiwan is the credit card, which is widely used for both online and offline retail. E-wallets like LINE Pay and JKOPAY are also extremely popular for in-store QR code payments, P2P transfers, and bill payments.
We recommend that you have access to more than one source of money – bringing a combination of cash and a credit/debit card will give the most security and flexibility while travelling.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Taiwan?
Don't change the currency in the U.S., not a good rate. At Taiwan airport or the local bank is not much difference. At the local bank, if you not have Taiwan passport, there will be some extra charge for currency exchange. So Debit card might be a good idea.
Before Covid-19, mobile payment penetration in Taiwan had been climbing steadily, reaching 40% in 2017, 62% in 2019, and 68% in 2020, according to data cited by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the NDC. By 2023, penetration had risen to more than 80% as both consumers and merchants sought out contactless solutions.
How much cash should I bring to Taiwan for 3 days?
As you can see, budget travelers can comfortably explore Taiwan on around NT$2000 (US$65) per day, while mid-range travelers should prepare about NT$4,000 (US$130).
Yes, you can absolutely wear red in Taiwan; it's a very auspicious color symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and celebration, used extensively in festivals, weddings, and temples, though you should avoid writing someone's name in red ink as it's considered bad luck and a sign of death. Red clothing is common and welcomed, especially during festive times, and generally, you can wear whatever you like, with few restrictions.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
Look for ATMs at major banks like Cathay United Bank, E. SUN Bank, or those CTBC Bank at 7-Eleven convenience stores, which are known for their higher success rates with foreign cards.
Tipping is also not common practice in Taiwan. Patrons don't need to add additional costs to a meal's base price. Servers in the country make a living wage and don't rely on tips. Some locals may consider efforts to tip as rude behavior.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
Toilet paper has short fibers and disintegrates easily, therefore it can be flushed down the toilet, as long as it is not done in large quantities deliberately. If the public toilet has the “Flush Toilet Paper Down the Toilet” sign, please do so as instructed.
The best months to visit Taiwan are generally March-May (Spring) for blossoms and mild weather, and October-November (Autumn) for comfortable temperatures, low humidity, and fall foliage, avoiding the hot, humid, typhoon-prone summer (June-August) and the cooler, wetter winter in the north. Spring offers cherry blossoms and hiking, while autumn is great for festivals, hiking, and national parks, though occasional typhoons can occur.
Dependence on Technology: The use of digital wallets requires a reliable internet connection and a functional electronic device. In areas with poor connectivity or during device failures, users may not be able to access their funds. Privacy Issues: Digital transactions can be tracked, raising concerns about privacy.
Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are probably three of the most popular digital wallets, but there are quite a few others. Some other popular digital wallets include PayPal and Venmo, both of which are uniquely social by allowing you to easily send money to retailers and friends.
