Taiwan has some of the best mobile coverage in Asia — on the Taipei MRT, the high-speed rail and even most of the mountain roads to Taroko and Alishan. Travel data is inexpensive, and Google Maps works fully. The main choice is how much data to buy and how long the plan should last.
Short answer: a 5–10GB travel eSIM installed before you fly covers most one- to two-week trips. Check validity: many of the cheapest Taiwan bundles last only three days.
What a Taiwan eSIM costs
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wanderly's Taiwan plans start at $3.99 for 1GB (7 days), and 10GB costs around $7. The median across data-only Taiwan plans is about $0.77 per GB — well under the $1.43 median across 187 countries in the Wanderly eSIM Price Index.
Several of the cheapest per-GB bundles are valid for only three days, which suits a stopover. For a longer trip, pay for validity that covers every day.
Networks and coverage
Taiwan's main networks are Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone. Travel eSIMs connect to a partner network automatically.
- Taipei (including the MRT): excellent 4G and 5G, in stations and tunnels.
- High-speed rail (Taipei–Kaohsiung): good coverage, with brief drops in tunnels.
- Jiufen, Shifen and Pingxi: good coverage.
- Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung: excellent.
- Taroko Gorge: coverage along the main road; gaps in tunnels and on some trails. Check trail status before going — sections have been closed after earthquakes and typhoons.
- Alishan and Sun Moon Lake: good in the villages; patchy on remote trails.
- Green Island and Orchid Island: coverage in the villages.
How much data you need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| Taipei stopover | 1–3 GB |
| One week | 5 GB |
| Two weeks around the island | 10 GB |
| Remote work | 20 GB+ |
Maps, the MRT and rail apps, translation and LINE (widely used in Taiwan) are light. See how much data you need for travel.
Taiwan with Japan, Korea or Hong Kong
A Taiwan plan covers Taiwan only. Combining with other stops? See the best eSIM for Japan, the best eSIM for South Korea and the best eSIM for Hong Kong.
Setting it up
- 1Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility checker.
- 2Install the eSIM over WiFi before you fly — iPhone or Android steps.
- 3At Taoyuan or Songshan, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line.
FAQ
How much does an eSIM for Taiwan cost? Wanderly Taiwan plans start at $3.99 for 1GB, with a median of about $0.77 per GB.
Does Google Maps work in Taiwan? Yes, fully, including transit directions.
Does an eSIM work on the Taipei MRT? Yes. Coverage extends to stations and tunnels.
Is there signal in Taroko Gorge? Along the main road, mostly. Expect gaps in tunnels and on some trails.
Which networks do travel eSIMs use in Taiwan? They connect automatically to a partner network — Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile or FarEasTone.