In this blog post, I am sharing some key preparations I made for my Taiwan trip that made my arrival and travel experience is as smooth as possible! This article assumes you’ve already booked your flights and obtained any necessary visas (note: U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to visit Taiwan).

1. Get an EasyCard (Taiwan’s Transportation Card)

To navigate Taiwan’s public transportation system, including trains and buses, it’s essential to have a widely accepted transportation card, such as the EasyCard.

Buying & picking up your EasyCard

One of the first things you should do before your trip to Taiwan is purchase an EasyCard in advance or pick it up at Taoyuan Airport.

I purchased mine through Klook. They have pickup counters in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 which operates from 4:30 AM to 11 PM. By purchasing in advance and picking it up at the airport, I can use it right away for the train from the airport.

If you’re arriving outside of Klook counter hours or prefer not to buy from Klook, you can also purchase an EasyCard at the Airport MRT Station (at the EZfly counter) or at convenience stores like FamilyMart and 7-Eleven.

As of November 2024, an EasyCard costs NT$100 (approximately $3 USD) and is valid for use on the MRT (Metro), TRA (Train), and buses. You cannot use the EasyCard for the high speed rail. If you choose to purchase your EasyCard from Klook, I recommend to select to pre-load it with NT$400, if you are in Taiwan for one week and plan to actively use the public transportation network. Transportation costs are quite affordable, with fares starting at about NT$15 for the MRT and NT$60+ for the TRA. Prices vary based on the distance traveled. Therefore, NT$400 should be sufficient for most travelers.

Topping off your EasyCard

You can top off your EasyCard at the Add-value machines (see kiosk signs for IC Card Vending/Top-up) at major train stations (like Taoyuan, Taipei, and Kaohsiung) or at convenience stores like FamilyMart and 7-Eleven with cash. There may be some places that may allow credit cards but this is rare.

2. Get a SIM Card for Connectivity

When traveling, staying connected is essential, whether it’s to look up directions, check your itinerary, or find places to eat or explore. While you can purchase an international plan from your current carrier, SIM cards are much more affordable and are often a better option.

When purchasing your EasyCard from Klook, I recommend adding a SIM card to your purchase. Klook allows you to select from different SIM card packages depending on your length of stay and it is very affordable— for one week of unlimited data, it cost $15 USD. This is by far cheaper than adding an international plan with your existing phone provider. Picking up a SIM at the airport will allow you to get connected immediately, which is extremely helpful when navigating a new place (whether it be getting directions on which exit to take from a train station, or finding your hotel, or translating signs in Chinese) and in general provides a peace of mind.

If you choose not to prebook a SIM in advance, there are counters at the airport where you can do so. Please note that short term SIM cards aka tourist SIMs is extremely hard to find outside the airport! So definitely make sure to purchase one being leaving the airport.

3. Convert Money at the Airport

Yes, you read that right— at the airport! The Bank of Taiwan offers some of the best exchange rates available and Taiwan is one of the only places that I know off that still gives fair rates at the airport. Before leaving the arrival area (and after picking up your EasyCard and SIM card from the Klook counter), look for the Bank of Taiwan’s pink counter—you can’t miss it.

While many places in Taiwan now accept credit cards, there are still many street vendors and night market stalls that only accept cash. Having cash on hand will make your experience more convenient and enjoyable.

4. Don’t book your HSR/TRA tickets in advance from the airport

I know what you’re thinking—why not book everything ahead of time? But hear me out. You can’t control when your flight lands. Sure, we all hope for an on-time arrival, but delays happen. Plus, you have to factor in the time it takes to pick up your bags, reserved SIM card, transportation card, exchange money, and swap your ticket reservation for a physical ticket. Sometimes the lines are short, and sometimes they’re really long. You just never know. The last thing you want is to start your trip stressed out about missing a train!

After the train ride from the airport to Taoyuan HSR (the main station that connects you to the rest of Taiwan), I needed to buy another ticket to reach my first destination. Unfortunately, I got caught in a crowd of people trying to do the same, and there were only a few ticketing machines. I ended up waiting in line for about half an hour just to purchase my ticket! Some friends on the same flight had reserved tickets to Kaohsiung, which is much farther, and they were stuck in the same line and missed their train. Luckily, they were able to transfer to the next one, but it shows how booking tickets in advance from the airport can cause unnecessary stress.

The good news is there are plenty of trains and they run frequently. Taiwan isn’t as touristy as Japan, so you don’t need to worry about finding/reserving a seat far in advance. Once you get to the airport train station, you’ll find kiosks to buy your TRA and HSR tickets. There’s also a counter with staff who speak enough English to help you if you have questions or prefer to buy your tickets in person. After purchasing your ticket, it is just a short walk to your train’s platform.