Welcome to Taiwan! You have just landed, and your priority is to connect with family and friends and get your bearings. A local SIM helps with all of this. Luckily, you can buy a Taiwan airport SIM card right after landing, at cellular service centers, such as Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone (FET), Ezfly, and Unite Traveler. An even simpler option is to order an eSIM plan online at ohayu.com and activate it using the airport Wi-Fi.
In this guide, I will show you exactly where to buy a mobile plan, using airport maps and real store photos, so you can connect quickly and hassle-free.
Why get a Taiwan SIM card at the airport
- Convenience. When you land, you want to get online as soon as possible. Having a mobile connection upon arrival means you can use your phone for maps, messages, and travel info. It also saves you a lot of time you would spend hunting for a store in the city later.
- Can cost less than roaming from your home carrier. Using your home carrier abroad usually means you need to pay high roaming charges for data and calls. But a local SIM or a travel eSIM gives you access to oftgen more affordable local Taiwanese rates – perfect if you plan to stay connected throughout your trip.
Also read: How does a SIM card work when traveling abroad?
eSIM for Taiwan
If you prefer to set up mobile service before traveling, an eSIM is a convenient choice. Here are the pros of using an eSIM in Taiwan.
- No physical SIM card needed – it is already built into your device, just check the compatibility.
- You can activate your eSIM after landing and connect to local networks faster.
- Ohayu eSIM can connect you to supported Taiwan mobile providers like Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, or Taiwan Mobile.
- Skip the lines and don’t struggle to find mobile operator counters.
- Keep your home SIM active if your phone supports dual SIM.
eSIM setup is simple: purchase a plan online before your trip or at the airport, and activate the plan after landing using free airport Wi-Fi. This way, you avoid searching for counters and can go online right away.
However, if you prefer a physical SIM card or need a local Taiwanese number to make calls during your trip, here is how to find the nearest provider stores.
Where to purchase a Taiwan airport SIM card
Specialized stores and kiosks that sell SIM cards are available at all major international airports: Taoyuan (TPE), Kaohsiung (KHH), and Taipei Songshan (TSA).
- Kaohsiung (KHH): International Terminal 1F.
- Taipei Songshan (TSA): International Terminal T1-1F.
- Taoyuan (TPE): Multiple telecom counters are spread across the arrival halls.
At Kaohsiung and Songshan airports, sales counters are located right in the arrivals hall on the first floor. You can easily find them after customs. Signs are clear, and staff generally speak English.
Taoyuan, being larger, has more telecommunications shops for tourists; let’s find them on the map and see how to find the right store.
Navigating Taoyuan International Airport
When arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), passengers land at one of the gates on the second floor (2F). After that, they go through immigration, collect their luggage, pass through customs, and enter the arrivals hall on the ground floor.
- The Terminal 1 (T1) departures hall is also located on the ground floor.
- For Terminal 2 (T2), departures are on the third floor (3F).
After checking in and clearing immigration, you go to the departure gates (3F for both terminals). Let’s see the T1 and T2 layouts to give you a better view of the site.
Terminal 1 layout
Terminal 1 (T1) is organized across multiple levels for easy navigation: B1 hosts public areas beneath the main halls, 1F handles arrivals and departures with Skytrain access, 2F combines public and controlled zones, including admin areas and concourses, 3F features restaurants, security, immigration, and departures, while 4F is reserved for VIP lounges.
Terminal 2 layout
Terminal 2 (T2) spans multiple levels for passenger flow: B2 hosts the food court and Airport MRT, 1F is the Arrivals Hall, 2F is controlled with arrival concourses and Skytrain access, 3F combines departures and concourses with links to observation decks, 4F offers restaurants, showers, spa, massage, and VIP lounges, while 5F features observation decks and a quiet waiting area.
SIM card stores at Taoyuan Airport
At Taoyuan International Airport, there are several places to buy SIM cards. The staff usually helps travelers choose and set up a plan.
Cellular Service
Dedicated Cellular Service counters offer SIM cards and Wi-Fi rentals.
- Location: 1F of T2 (public area before the security check) and 1F of T1 (public area).
- Open hours: 06:00-23:30, 07:00-23:00, 11:00-20:00 (T1-1F, T2-1F).
- Contact: +886-922-638-999 (T2-1F), +886-938-809-366 (T1-1F), +886-908-858-619 (T2-1F), +886-908-858-618 (T1-1F), +886-3-383-3602.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT)
Chunghwa Telecom is a major provider. They offer prepaid packages, phone rentals, internet roaming, and other services. Their counters are located in four areas.
- Locations: T2 (1F, 3F, both areas are public zones); T1 (1F public space store, 3F arrivals hall).
- Working hours: 05:00-22:00 (T2-1F), 07:00-19:00 (T2-3F), 08:00-22:00 (T1-1F), 07:00-24:00 (T1-1F), 09:00-20:00 (T1-3F).
- Contact: +886-3-383-4458 (T2-1F), +886-3-393-2401 (T2-3F), +886-3-383-5670 (T1-1F), +886-3-383-3457 (T1-1F), +886-3-383-3505 (T1-3F).
Taiwan Mobile
Taiwan Mobile is one of the largest telecom companies in the country. They offer prepaid SIMs, pocket Wi-Fi rentals, and roaming services. You will find their locations in three areas.
- Locations: T2 (1F), T1 (1F, 3F).
- Open hours: 08:30–20:00 (T2-1F, T1-1F), 08:30–17:30 (T1-3F).
- Contact: +886-809-000-852.
Far EasTone (FET)
This is the third-largest local telecommunications company in Taiwan. As with competitors, you can buy a Taiwan airport SIM card, rent smartphones, or use their internet roaming service at the airport. Their counters are accessible in both terminals.
- Locations: T2 (1F, open to everyone, located before the security check), T1 (one booth at 1F, which is a public area, and another one at 3F, right in the arrivals area).
- Hours: 08:00-21:00 (T1-1F, T2-1F), 08:30-18:00 (T1-3F).
- Contact: +886-800-058-885.
Ezfly (Hifi Travel)
Ezfly is a travel agency that sells travel necessities: domestic and international network products, mobile network packages, SIM cards, and 3C products (electronics).
What is more, they sell tickets for Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR), iPASS, and EasyCard for public transport payment. They are also agents for the Airport MRT (metro between Taipei and Taoyuan).
- Locations: Their counters are in five convenient spots: on the first three floors of T2 and on the 1st and 3rd floors of T1.
- Hours: 04:30-23:00 (T2-1F, T2-2F), 05:30-23:00 (T2-3F), 10:45-19:15 (T1-1F), 04:30-20:45 (T1-3F Arrival), 05:30-21:00 (T1-3F).
- Contact: +886-900-100-172, +886-900-100-117, +886-800-100-171, +886-900-100-050, +886-900-100-135, +886-900-100-262.
Unite Traveler
At Unite Traveler, you can rent Wi-Fi devices and buy prepaid SIM cards. They also sell transportation cards (EasyCard and iPASS).
- Locations: T1 (1F), T2 (1F).
- Hours: 04:30-23:00.
- Contact: +886-3-399-2378.
Understanding prepaid plans
At local operator kiosks, you might see dozens of different plans and get frustrated. The three major things you should keep in mind are: plan type (internet data only, or calls + SMS), validity time (no need to get a monthly subscription if you plan to stay for a week), data amount (3-5 GB of internet is usually enough for a week).
Data-Only
These plans are perfect if you only need internet access. Tourists often use apps like WhatsApp, Line, or Viber and avoid extra roaming charges. Ohayu offers data-only Taiwan country and Global plans (from $9.99 per month).
Some local providers offer unlimited data. However, after you use a certain amount of high-speed data, the speed might slow down. This is usually enough for regular browsing and messaging, but not for streaming or online videos.
Calls/SMS + Data
These bundles give users gigabytes for internet use and include some credit for local calls and SMS.
They’re useful for travelers who need to make occasional local calls, such as booking taxis or making reservations. E.g., Chunghwa Telecom has a 7-Day plan, which costs NT$800 and offers unlimited data with 300 minutes of local calls (approximately $26.40 per month).
| Type of plan | What it includes | Best for | Things to know |
| Data-only | Unlimited or high-speed data (may slow after a limit) | Travelers who just need internet (messaging, maps, social apps) | Great for browsing & messaging, but not ideal for streaming or heavy video use |
| Calls/SMS + data | Data plus a small amount of call and SMS credit | Travelers who want to make local calls (taxis, restaurants) | Credit is usually limited, but enough for most tourists |
Validity Periods
Various validity periods mean the plan works for a set number of days. Common options include:
- 3, 5, or 7 days are suitable for short trips or stopovers.
- 10, 15, or 30 days are better for extended vacations.
The validity period starts the moment your SIM is activated. So, it’s important to choose a plan that aligns with your travel dates.
Mobile plans comparison table
| Operator | Plan / Validity | Price (USD) | Data & voice Info |
| Ohayu eSIM Global Plan | 25 GB / 30 days, 4G/5G | $49.49 | Data-only, hotspot supported, no voice calls, covers 120+ countries |
| 15 GB / 30 days, 4G/5G | $39.99 | Data-only, hotspot supported, no voice calls, covers 120+ countries | |
| 7 GB / 30 days, 4G/5G | $24.99 | Data-only, hotspot supported, no voice calls, covers 120+ countries | |
| 2 GB / 30 days, 4G/5G | $9.99 | Data-only, hotspot supported, no voice calls, covers 120+ countries | |
| Chunghwa Telecom | 30 days, 4G | ~$33.00 | 1.2 GB high-speed data, 430 NT$ voice, tethering 280 GB, Taiwan-only |
| Taiwan Mobile | 30 days, 5G | ~$53.00 | 30 GB data, 200 NT$ airtime, hotspot info N/A, Taiwan-only |
| Far EasTone (FET) | 30 days, 5G | ~$53.00 | 30 GB data, 200 NT$ voice, hotspot info N/A, Taiwan-only |
Prices for local SIM cards in USD are approximate, because airport stores will charge you in local currency (now 1 NT$ ≈ 0.033 USD). Prices for eSIM are set in USD.
As you can see from the table, Ohayu is a data-only option for travelers who want to install an eSIM online before or during the trip. Moreover, the Global plan works in 120+ countries and automatically switches between supported local networks when tourists cross borders.
Local Taiwanese mobile operators (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone) provide physical SIMs with plans that include both mobile data and some credit for local calls or SMS. But the internet can slow down after a certain threshold, and hotspot usage isn’t guaranteed across all plans.
Taiwan SIM card requirements
There are additional requirements you should keep in mind before buying a physical SIM card at the Taiwan airports.
- Age limitations. Travelers generally need to be at least 20 years old to buy a Taiwan SIM card.
- Passport. A passport is required for tourist physical SIMs.
- Payment method. While many vendors now accept non-cash payments, it’s still a good idea to have some New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) in cash. Some smaller shops or specific operators might prefer cash payments. So, exchanging some money beforehand is a smart move in case you need a physical SIM card.
- Unlocked phone. Your device must be unlocked. If it is locked to a carrier you are subscribed to at home, a new SIM card will not work. Double-check this before your trip.
- Secondary ID. Some local operators may ask for a second form of identification. This could be your driver’s license or visa. It is good practice to carry two pieces of identification with you, just in case.
For the Ohayu data-only eSIM, you do not need to register a local Taiwan SIM card at the airport. Local operator eSIMs or pickup products may still require ID.
Other SIM card alternatives at the Taiwan airports
There are other alternatives to get connected in Taiwan, which were very popular in the past. One of them is a pocket Wi-Fi.
Pocket Wi-Fi (portable hotspots)
A pocket Wi-Fi is a small, portable device that creates a personal internet hotspot. You can connect multiple devices – such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop – and get internet access.
- Sharing: It works for families or groups traveling together, since everyone can connect to the same device.
- Rental: Widely available for rent at major airports. You pick it up on arrival and return it before departure. Rental costs depend on the length of your trip, the number of devices, and the amount of data. Usually it’s around $1.5-$3 per day.
- Battery life: The device needs daily charging and can last 4-14 hours, so plan to keep it powered up.
Related article: eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi in Japan
Payphones
Payphones are the old-school way to make calls, and honestly, you’ll barely need them nowadays. They’re still around the airports in some public spots, but smartphones, pocket Wi‑Fi, and eSIMs have mostly replaced them.
- Emergencies: They’re handy if you need to make a quick local emergency call.
- Payment: You’ll need coins or a prepaid phone card, which can be tricky for travelers who don’t have local currency.
- Availability: Payphones are becoming rare. You might spot one at an airport, but they’re not something to count on.
Bottom line: payphones exist, but for anyone wanting reliable, uninterrupted internet or calls, a pocket Wi‑Fi or an eSIM is a much smarter choice.
Read more: How to access the internet without cable.
Final thoughts
It’s convenient to buy a Taiwan airport SIM card right after landing. You can also get an eSIM online and install it with Wi-Fi before using it on a supported network. With either option, you’ll stay connected and ready to explore Taiwan.
You may also find my other posts about purchasing SIM cards at Changi (Singapore), Haneda (Tokyo), and Humberto Delgado (Lisbon) airports useful for your next trips.
