How to Get Mobile Internet in Taiwan for Travelers: What Option to Choose?

Published: June 2024

Mobile internet in Taiwan is essential for tourists to stay connected, access online services, and have fun. Taiwan offers Asia’s quickest, most reliable, and cheapest mobile internet. This post will examine Taiwan’s mobile internet rates and benefits and recommend the best alternative.

In this article

I. Mobile Internet in Taiwan – Coverage and Speed

Three of Taiwan’s cellular carriers stand out: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone. Depending on the area, these businesses offer 3G, 4G, or 5G services nationwide.

The average download speed in Taiwan was 86.76 Mbps in January 2024, while the average upload speed was 23.66 Mbps, placing the country seventh on the Ookla Speedtest Global Index. Before Taiwan Mobile, there was Chunghwa Telecom, then Far EasTone, and finally Taiwan Star.

1. Taiwan Mobile Internet Coverage

Operator	3G Coverage	4G Coverage	5G Coverage
Chunghwa Telecom	99.9%	99.9%	85%
Taiwan Mobile	99.9%	99.9%	90%
Far EasTone	99.9%	99.9%	80%
Taiwan Star	99.9%	99.9%	70%

The table above demonstrates that all four operators have good 3G and 4G coverage and developing 5G coverage. Taiwan Mobile offers top 5G speed and coverage. Taiwan’s four carriers provide reliable mobile internet to non-5G clients.

2. Taiwan Mobile Internet Speed

Operator	Average Download Speed (Mbps)	Average Upload Speed (Mbps)
Taiwan Mobile	94.24	25.63
Chunghwa Telecom	88.35	24.12
Far EasTone	82.17	22.34
Taiwan Star	69.28	18.56

Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

Taiwanese infrastructure and technology boost mobile internet. January 2024 operator average download/upload speeds. Fast mobile gaming, calls, and streaming from Taiwan are available on Star, Chunghwa, and Far EasTone.

II. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Taiwan?

There are several ways to get mobile internet in Taiwan as a tourist, depending on your preferences, budget, and device compatibility.

Option	How it works	Cost	Where to buy	Convenience	Pros	Cons
SIM card	To connect to a local network, your phone needs a hardware card.	Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $5 to $30 for 5 to 30 days of unlimited data	Airport, convenience stores, online	Easy to use, but requires an unlocked phone and a SIM tray tool	Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast	It could not be compatible with your phone’s size, you might misplace your original SIM card, and you might have to use your passport or ID to register.
eSIM	A digital SIM that you download to your phone to access the local network	Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $5 to $30 for 5 to 30 days of unlimited data	Online	Easy to use, but requires an eSIM-compatible phone and a QR code or activation code	Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast, no physical card required, can switch between eSIMs easily	Limited availability; you may need to register with your passport or ID card
Roaming	Using your home network in Taiwan through a roaming agreement with a local operator	Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $10 to $50 per day for unlimited data	Your home operator	Easy to use, but requires a roaming-compatible phone and plan	Convenient, no need to change SIM or eSIM, keep your home number	Expensive, may have limited coverage or speed, may incur hidden charges
Public WiFi	Using free or paid WiFi hotspots in public places, such as airports, hotels, cafes, etc.	Free or varies by provider, ranging from $3 to $10 per day for unlimited data	Public places or online	Easy to use, but requires a WiFi-compatible device and login or password	Cheap or free, widely available, no SIM or eSIM required	Unreliable, slow, insecure, may have limited coverage or time
Pocket WiFi	A portable device that creates a WiFi hotspot using a local SIM card	Varies by the provider, ranging from $5 to $15 per day for unlimited data	Airport, online delivery	Easy to use, but requires a pocket WiFi device and a charger	Reliable, fast, secure, can connect multiple devices, no SIM or eSIM required	Expensive, bulky, may have limited battery life or coverage

As seen above, travelers’ preferred mobile internet in Taiwan depends on their demands. A data SIM card or eSIM is the cheapest, most flexible, trustworthy, and quickest. For eSIM-compatible phones, ESIM doesn’t need a card, SIM tray tool, passport, or ID card. Local providers and online shops like Gigago sell eSIMs.

Tip: Check your phone’s unlockability before buying a Taiwan SIM card. Check your phone’s eSIM compatibility—list at https://gigago.com/esim-compatible-list/.

III. Internet Rates in Taiwan

Good to know: The exchange rate of the local currency (New Taiwan Dollar, TWD) to USD (as of January 30, 2024) is 1 TWD = 0.035 USD.

The table below lists the mobile internet rates for each of the following options:

SIM card
eSIM
Roaming

The rates are based on the average prices of the four major operators in Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Star) and the average prices of the three major operators in the US (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile). The rates are converted to USD for comparison.

Option	Average Rate (USD)
SIM card	$15 for 30 days of unlimited data
eSIM	$15 for 30 days of unlimited data
Roaming	$40 per day for unlimited data

Source: Statista

Note: The above rates are for reference only. To update the latest information, contact the provider.

The cheapest mobile internet in Taiwan for visitors is a $15 SIM card or eSIM with 30 days of unrestricted use. The most expensive is $40/day for unlimited data roaming. A local operator or eSIM provider like Gigago gives Taiwan the most competitive and diverse alternatives; thus, we recommend it.

IV. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Taiwan

Mobile applications may connect travelers to homes via data SIM cards. Data SIM cards connect phones to local networks. Pick a data plan and bundle depending on budget and needs. Data SIM cards are accessible at airports, convenience stores, and online.

The table below lists data SIM card packages from Taiwan’s four major operators: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Star. From January 30, 2024, prices are in TWD and USD.

Operator	SIM Card Package (TWD)	SIM Card Package (USD)
Chunghwa Telecom	$300 for five days of unlimited data	$10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data
Taiwan Mobile	$300 for 5 days of unlimited data	$10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data
Far EasTone	$300 for 5 days of unlimited data	$10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data

Note: Please note that the above prices are for reference only. To update the latest specific information, contact the operator.

V. Data eSIM for Taiwan – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

Tip: This option only works if your phone is eSIM compatible.

An eSIM is a digital SIM you download to your phone to access the local network. An eSIM has many advantages over a SIM card, such as:

No-SIM phones save space.
Insert or remove the SIM card without touching the phone without a SIM tray tool.
Registration and papers are optional without ID or passport.
Fast online eSIM delivery.
Switch eSIMs without phone settings to keep your home number.

You can buy an eSIM for Taiwan online from a local operator or an eSIM provider, such as Gigago.

1. Buy eSIM from Taiwan Operators

Taiwan’s four electronic SIM carriers are Taiwan Star, Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone. Depending on the operator, online eSIM purchases may need a passport or ID card. Like a SIM card, an eSIM package offers unlimited data for 5–30 days for $5–$30.

Operator	eSIM Plan (USD)	How to Buy
Chunghwa Telecom	$15 for 30 days of unlimited data	Online
Taiwan Mobile	$15 for 30 days of unlimited data	Online
Far EasTone	$15 for 30 days of unlimited data	Online
Taiwan Star	$10 for 15 days of unlimited data	Online

Pros:

Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast
No physical card is required, and no SIM tray tool is required

Cons:

Limited availability; may need to register with a passport or ID card
May have compatibility issues with some phones or networks

2. Buy eSIM from Gigago

ESIMs from trustworthy sources like Gigago need no registration, shipment, or phone settings, making them the easiest and most convenient. Online retailer Gigago emails Taiwanese eSIMs quickly. Scan the QR code or enter your phone’s activation code to enable data roaming.

Gigago offers a variety of eSIM plans for Taiwan, depending on your data needs, budget, and trip duration. You can choose from the following plans:

Plan	Data	Validity	Price (USD)
Taiwan 1GB	1 GB	30 days	$4.99
Taiwan 3GB	3 GB	30 days	$9.99
Taiwan 5GB	5 GB	30 days	$14.99
Taiwan 10GB	10 GB	30 days	$19.99
Taiwan Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days	$29.99

Pros:

Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast
No physical card is required, no SIM tray tool is required, no passport or ID card is required, no waiting for delivery, no need to change phone settings
Can switch between eSIMs easily, can keep home number
Compatible with most phones and networks

Cons:

None

VI. FAQs

What is the best operator for mobile internet in Taiwan?

The best operator for mobile internet in Taiwan depends on your coverage and speed preferences.

How can I check if my phone is unlocked or eSIM compatible?

To check if your phone is unlocked, insert a different SIM card from another operator to see if it works. If it does, your phone is unlocked.

How can I buy a SIM card or an eSIM for Taiwan online?

You can buy a SIM card or an eSIM for Taiwan online from a local operator or an eSIM provider, such as Gigago.

VII. Conclusion

Travelers must have mobile internet in Taiwan. Taiwan’s four big carriers and more provide fast, dependable, and inexpensive mobile internet. Data-enabled SIM cards, or eSIMs, are Taiwan’s cheapest, most flexible, most reliable, and fastest mobile internet for visitors. ESIM is ideal for eSIM-compatible phones without a card, SIM tray tool, or ID. Enable your phone with Gigago’s online eSIM in minutes.

I am explaining Taiwan’s mobile internet utilization. Any questions? Contact us. Willing to assist. Enjoy the Taiwan trip. Thanks for reading.