Public transport in Taiwan is best paid for using rechargeable IC cards like EasyCard or iPASS. These contactless cards cost NT$100 (refundable deposit) and can be purchased and topped up at all convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) and MRT stations. They work on MRT, buses, and trains.
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.
Cash is still king in 90% of the places. You can use credit cards in restaurants and convenient stores, but for night markets, taxi etc., most places still take cash.
Just tap your contactless credit or debit card at the MRT fare gate or card reader on buses. For contactless credit or debit cards that come with ez-link/NETS FlashPay functionality, the ez-link/NETS FlashPay function will be the default payment mode for transit.
Get a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP), a special EZ-Link stored-value card which will allow you unlimited travel for one, two or three days. The Pass can be bought at the SimplyGo Ticket Office at selected MRT stations.
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.
If you're eating with Taiwanese people they will probably insist that you eat more even if you say you're full. The etiquette here is to politely insist you're full. Your host is just being a good host by offering more food and making sure you're not just too shy to eat more.
EasyCard (official site / order on KKday / order on Klook) is Taiwan's most popular and common reloadable transport card for both locals and travelers.
Get an EasyCard or iPASS – Getting an EasyCard or iPASS is your key to hassle-free travel. They work for MRT, buses, YouBike, some trains, and even taxis. You can buy one at any MRT station or convenience store and top it up as you go. Download Google Maps – Your best friend in Taiwan.
The EasyCard is your travel companion to getting around the island effortlessly. The EasyCard Taiwan (悠遊卡) is Taiwan's most widely used contactless transport and payment card — and for tourists, it's hands-down the easiest way to get around the country.
Even though it's good to have cash on hand, it is important to be aware that using international ATMs can trigger unexpected fees, and some banks cap how much you can withdraw each day. You can minimize fees by using the ATMs in your home bank's network or at a bank that partners with it.
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.
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.
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.
Why am I seeing a $0.10 charge when paying for public transport?
When you tap your GXS FlexiCard on the fare gantry, a S$0.10 pre-authorisation charge is made to ensure your card is active and ready. Don't worry, this isn't your actual fare. It will be promptly returned once the final transaction details from SimplyGo are processed.
Bus and train (MRT and/or LRT) fares in Singapore are charged according to the total distance travelled in a journey and this is known as the Distance Fares system. It lets you make transfers without paying a charge each time you board a bus or train during a journey.
