How to get a Chunghwa or Taiwan Mobile tourist eSIM in Taiwan

(updated January 2024)

If you are heading to Taiwan and looking for tourist SIM cards and eSIMs to help you stay connected throughout your trip, we have got you covered with your options! Let's take a look at the major telcos in Taiwan, their offerings for tourist SIM cards, and how you can get a travel eSIM for Taiwan instead.

TL;DR You can get a local eSIM from the providers at the airport. But, surprise! It is actually cheaper to get a Nomad eSIM for Taiwan than to get a local SIM card.

Overview of Telcos in Taiwan

There are three main telcos in Taiwan, namely:

• Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信)
• Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大)
• FarEasTone (遠傳)

There are also a few smaller telcos, including Taiwan Star and APTG. Of the three main telcos, Chunghwa Telecom is the biggest and is known to provide the most extensive coverage.

All three telcos provide tourist SIM cards, with fairly similar plans. Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile are both very popular options for tourists looking to get a local SIM card. Of these telcos, only Chunghwa Telecom provides an eSIM option for tourist plans.

You can easily get a tourist SIM card from the Taoyuan International Airport — there are counters both before and after immigration. However, not all counters are open 24 hours. If you will be arriving early in the morning or late at night, your best bet will be the counters after immigration.

Chunghwa's tourist SIM card plans in Taiwan

Chunghwa Telecom offers day-plans, which is the most popular option for most travelers. With the day plans, you will be able to get unlimited data for a fixed duration:

On a 4G network,

• 3-days (72 hours) for 300NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls)
• 5-days (120 hours) for 300NTD (incl. 50NTD of local calls) or 500NTD (incl. 300NTD of local calls)
• 7-days (168 hours) for 500 NTD (incl. 150NTD of local calls)
• 10-days (240 hours) for 500NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls)
• 15-days (360 hours) for 700NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls) or 800NTD (incl. 250NTD of local calls)
• 30-days (720 hours) for 1000NTD (incl. 430NTD of local calls)

On a 5G network,

• 3-days (72 hours) for 500NTD (incl. 50NTD of local calls)
• 5-days (120 hours) for 600NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls)
• 7-days (168 hours) for 800 NTD (incl. 150NTD of local calls)

Alternatively, if you prefer to get a data volume bundle instead of unlimited data, your options are:

• 2.4GB for 280NTD, valid for 16 days
• 4.4GB for 400NTD, valid for 16 days
• 10GB for 699NTD, valid for 16 days

Each plan also comes with a local number and credits for local calls. Note that for all plans, your SIM card will be deactivated after the validity period. Extensions and top-ups will not be allowed.

Chunghwa also provides an eSIM option for their plans, but you will need to get this at the Chunghwa counters at the airport upon arrival.

Taiwan Mobile's tourist SIM card plans in Taiwan

Similar to Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile's daily plans are their main offerings. They offer more options for the validity of the day plans, but only 4G network is available.

• 5-days (120 hours) at 300NTD (incl. 50NTD of local calls)
• 6-days (144 hours) at 400NTD (incl. 50NTD of local calls)
• 7-days (168 hours) at 450NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls) or 500NTD (incl. 150NTD of local calls)
• 8-days (192 hours) at 450NTD (incl. 50NTD of local calls)
• 10-days (240 hours) at 500NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls)
• 15-days (360 hours) at 700NTD (incl. 100NTD of local calls)
• 30-days (720 hours) at 1000NTD (incl. 430NTD of local calls)

Similar to Chunghwa Telecom, all plans come with a local number, and your SIM card will be deactivated after the validity period ends, and extensions are not allowed.

Can I get a Chunghwa Tourist eSIM or Taiwan Mobile Tourist eSIM?

Yes, you can get a Chunghwa Tourist eSIM at the counters at the airport upon arrival. However, you will need to provide your identity documents to register for an eSIM. It is also important to note that the eSIM does not support top-ups nor extensions.

If you are traveling to Taiwan and looking for an alternative eSIM solution for Taiwan that uses the Chunghwa Telecom network or the Taiwan Mobile network, you can get a Nomad eSIM for Taiwan instead.

Nomad's eSIMs for Taiwan work with both the Chunghwa Telecom network and the Taiwan Mobile network, so you can switch between the networks via your device settings.

Nomad's eSIM plans for Taiwan are priced based on volume:

• 1GB for $4 USD (~125NTD), valid for 7 days
• 3GB for $5 USD (~158NTD), valid for 30 days
• 5GB for $7 USD (~220NTD), valid for 30 days
• 10GB for $11 USD (~346NTD), valid for 30 days
• 15GB for $13 USD (~409NTD), valid for 30 days

Compared to the prices of the plans offered by Chunghwa or Taiwan Mobile, Nomad's eSIM plans for Taiwan are at a much more competitive pricing. On top of the much lower prices, you also get to enjoy the convenience that comes with the purchase of an eSIM. Skip the queues at the airport counter — simply buy, install, and activate your eSIM online in just a few clicks!

Nomad's eSIMs for Taiwan also offers add-ons. So, if you need to extend the validity of your eSIM, all you need to do is to buy an add-on before your plan expires. That way, you will be able to continue using your eSIM throughout your trip!

The only downside to using a Nomad eSIM as opposed to getting a local SIM card is that you won't have a local phone number. But, for majority of the travelers, chances are that you probably won't need a local number. In the rare case that you need to make any local calls, you can get your hotels to help.