Nigel Seah has extensive experience travelling through Taiwan and shares his adventures and insider tips with us below.
Taiwan is one of those places where being connected quietly makes everything smoother, whether you’re navigating Taipei (臺北), planning an island escape to Xiaoliuqiu (小琉球), heading south to Kenting National Park (墾丁國家公園), or figuring out transport to Yilan (宜蘭) and Alishan (阿里山).
In this guide, I break down how to choose the right eSIM based on your trip length, destinations, data habits, and budget.
From unlimited data plans suited for long-term travelers like digital nomads to flexible data options perfect for typical vacations, I’ll share why Airalo’s Taiwan eSIM works well for different travel styles.
I also walk through how Airalo’s Asia eSIM and Global eSIM support longer, multi-country journeys. And finally, I explain why having the right connectivity setup matters just as much as any travel app when you’re moving fast and making plans on the fly.
In this article:
- How to Choose an eSIM for Taiwan
- The Best Taiwan eSIM Options
- Key Benefits of Airalo for Your Taiwan Travels
- Stay Connected and Travel Taiwan with Confidence
- FAQs about eSIMs for Taiwan
Stay connected on your adventures with 15% off your first eSIM. Use the promo code TAIWANESIM15 at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.
How to Choose an eSIM for Taiwan
Length of Travel
How long you stay in Taiwan sets the baseline for everything else. If you’re visiting for a week or less, such as during Taipei Pride week, a smaller data plan usually covers the essentials. Most of your usage goes toward maps, messaging, and quick searches for cafés or night markets.
Stay longer, and your needs will change.
I spent almost two months in Taiwan moving between cities. My phone slowly but surely became my planner, translator, transit guide, and backup brain.
Longer stays naturally mean heavier daily usage, and reliable data starts saving you time and mental energy rather than just helping you get around.
Travel Destinations
Where you’re going matters just as much as how long you’re staying. If Taiwan is your only stop, a Taiwan-specific eSIM keeps things straightforward and efficient.
But if your itinerary looks more fluid, with Taiwan as one stop among others in Asia, an Asia eSIM makes more sense. It removes the hassle of switching plans every time you cross a border.
For longer journeys beyond the region, a global eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected without constantly reconfiguring your setup.
Data Needs
Backpackers
Backpackers can usually get by with 1 to 3 GB per week in Taiwan. If you’re mostly navigating, messaging, and doing quick searches while hopping between hostels and coffee shops, light data usage goes a long way.
Typical Vacationers
Vacationers tend to land in the middle. If you’re navigating cities, posting photos, streaming a few videos on the MRT, and staying in touch with family back home, 5 to 10 GB for a week feels comfortable without having to constantly monitor usage.
Digital Nomads
A good eSIM is necessary when working on the go, as public Wi-Fi is not always stable.
Digital nomads and remote workers are a different case entirely. When your phone acts as a hotspot, backup connection, and work tool, data disappears quickly.
Video calls, cloud platforms, uploads, and avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks can easily push usage into the 15 to 30 GB range or even the unlimited option Airalo offers.
From my experience of working on Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR), I always plan for more than I think I’ll need. Running out of data mid-journey is not a lesson I’m keen to relearn.
Budget
Budget influences decisions more than most people admit. Backpackers often stretch every dollar and stay offline unless it’s necessary.
As a digital nomad, I see connectivity as part of the cost of travel. I’m happy to spend a little more if it means I can respond to a client quickly, navigate home after a long day, or adjust plans on the fly without hunting for secure Wi-Fi.
The Best Taiwan eSIM Options
Taiwan Country eSIMs
Taiwan eSIM – 1 - 10 GB
Beef noodles (牛肉麵) from Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles were amazing!
This is usually a good pick if Taiwan is a quick stop rather than a long stay. This 1 to 10 GB range covers short trips perfectly. They work best for light users who mainly need Google Maps, WhatsApp, and the occasional café search when hunting down a good bowl of beef noodle soup.
When I landed in Taipei or headed out to explore the nearby Jiufen (九份) for a day-trip, the smaller data plans were more than enough to get me through my first few days.
Price per data plan:
- 1 GB (3 days): $4.00 USD
- 3 GB (3 days): $8.50 USD
- 3 GB (7 days): $9.00 USD
- 5 GB (7 days): $11.00 USD
- 10 GB (7 days): $17.50 USD
Taiwan eSIM – 20 - 50 GB
I’d highly recommend checking Kaohsiung out if you’ll be in Taiwan for over a week
If you’re going to stay longer and bounce between Taipei, Taichung (台中), and Kaohsiung (高雄), the 20 to 50 GB plans make your life noticeably easier.
These options are designed for travelers who rely on mobile data for work, uploads, and constant navigation, not just the occasional message.
With validity periods stretching from around two weeks to a full month, I could settle into a routine without worrying about running out of data halfway through. If you’re working remotely, hotspotting occasionally, or treating your phone as your main connection, this range hits a sweet spot.
Price per data plan:
- 20 GB (15 days): $28.00 USD
- 20 GB (30 days): $28.00 USD
- 50 GB (30 days): $49.00 USD
Taiwan eSIM – Unlimited Data
Unlimited data plans are what I reach for when I want zero friction, especially during work-heavy weeks or slow travel days. These plans are built for travelers who stream, video call, and upload content regularly without wanting to track usage.
Whether I’m on a long train ride, working from a café, or navigating late at night, having unlimited data removes all mental overhead. While fair usage policies may apply in the background, the overall experience feels carefree and dependable for extended stays.
Price per data plan:
- Unlimited (3 days): $12.50 USD
- Unlimited (5 days): $20.50 USD
- Unlimited (7 days): $29.50 USD
- Unlimited (10 days): $35.00 USD
- Unlimited (15 days): $49.00 USD
- Unlimited (30 days): $72.50 USD
Asia Regional eSIMs
Asia eSIM – 1 - 10 GB
If Taiwan is just one stop on a broader Asia itinerary, the lower-data Asia eSIM plans are an easy win. I like these when I’m moving between places like Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia and want one plan that works the moment I land.
The smaller data allowances are well-suited for light to moderate users who rely on maps, transport apps, messaging, and quick searches while crossing borders. Instead of juggling local SIMs, this keeps everything simple across countries.
Price per data plan:
- 1 GB (7 days): $5.00 USD
- 2 GB (15 days): $9.50 USD
- 3 GB (30 days): $13.00 USD
- 5 GB (30 days): $20.00 USD
- 10 GB (30 days): $37.00 USD
Asia eSIM – 20 - 50 GB
Once the trip slows down or stretches across multiple countries, the higher-data Asia plans start to make more sense. These are better suited for travelers who stream occasionally, work online, or spend long days navigating new cities.
I usually lean toward this range when I know I’ll be staying connected daily while bouncing between destinations in the region. It gives breathing room without constantly watching usage.
Price per data plan:
- 20 GB (30 days): $49.00 USD
- 50 GB (90 days): $100.00 USD
Asia eSIM – 100 GB
The 100 GB Asia plan is designed for long, multi-country journeys where frequent renewals become a hassle.
This is the kind of plan I’d choose for extended travel, where my phone becomes my go-to for everything from remote work to navigation and uploads. With a long validity period, it supports heavy usage across Asia and keeps things running smoothly for months at a time.
Price per data plan:
- 100 GB (180 days): $185.00 USD
Global eSIMs
Global eSIM – 1 - 5 GB (Data Only)
These smaller global plans work well if Taiwan is just one leg of a much bigger international route. I usually recommend this range to light users who mainly need directions, messaging, and quick lookups while moving between countries.
For airport days, short stays, or navigating unfamiliar cities without relying on public Wi-Fi, 1 to 5 GB is often enough to stay comfortable.
Price per data plan:
- 1 GB (7 days): $8.50 USD
- 2 GB (15 days): $16.50 USD
- 3 GB (30 days): $24.00 USD
- 5 GB (60 days): $35.00 USD
Global eSIM – 10 - 20 GB (Data Only)
At 10 to 20 GB, global eSIMs feel far less restrictive. This range suits travelers who stay online every day, upload photos, stream occasionally, and want a dependable backup connection across continents. I’ve relied on plans like these when my phone doubled as my planner and safety net while moving between regions.
Price per data plan:
- 10 GB (180 days): $57.00 USD
- 20 GB (365 days): $66.00 USD
Global eSIM – 1 - 10 GB (Data, Calls & SMS)
Adding calls and texts changes how these plans work in real life. These options are useful if you want a single number that works internationally for confirming bookings, coordinating plans, or staying reachable while traveling.
I find this range suits moderate users who value flexibility and communication more than heavy streaming, especially when juggling time zones.
Price per data plan:
- 1 GB with calls and SMS (7 days): $15.00 USD
- 2 GB with calls and SMS (15 days): $27.00 USD
- 3 GB with calls and SMS (30 days): $36.00 USD
Global eSIM – 10 - 20 GB (Data, Calls & SMS)
The higher-tier global plans with calls and texts are built for longer trips and more demanding communication needs. They’re a good fit for remote work, frequent calls, and staying in touch with people back home while traveling internationally. With long validity periods, these plans reduce renewal stress and let you focus more on the journey itself.
Price per data plan:
- 10 GB with calls and SMS (180 days): $79.00 USD
- 20 GB with calls and SMS (365 days): $89.00 USD
Key Benefits of Airalo for Your Taiwan Travels
Convenience
- Instant setup: I usually download and activate the eSIM in minutes, either before I fly or right after landing in Taiwan. The app is straightforward, so there’s no fumbling around at the airport.
- No physical SIM: Everything is digital. I skip the queues, don’t swap SIM cards, and just turn it on when I’m ready to go.
- Keep your number: I keep my main number active for calls and texts while using Airalo for data, which makes staying reachable effortless.
Cost-Effective
- Cheaper than roaming: Airalo is noticeably more affordable than international roaming from home carriers, especially for short trips or stopovers.
- Flexible data sizes: I can choose smaller packages, like 1 to 10 GB, that match my trip length instead of paying for data I won’t use.
Reliable Connectivity
- Strong local networks: In Taiwan, Airalo connects through major local carriers, which means stable LTE speeds in daily use.
- Solid coverage: From big cities to popular tourist areas, I’ve had reliable data for maps, browsing, ride-hailing, and streaming without surprises.
Flexibility
- Easy top-ups: If I underestimate my data needs, I just add more through the app in a few taps.
- Works beyond Taiwan: It’s especially handy if Taiwan is part of a larger Asia or global trip, since Airalo covers hundreds of destinations worldwide.
Stay Connected and Travel Taiwan with Confidence
Taiwan rewards curiosity, and having the right connection lets you lean into it without friction.
After weighing trip length, data needs, and travel style, the best eSIM is the one that fits how you actually move.
A Taiwan eSIM keeps things simple for focused trips, an Asia eSIM makes sense if Taiwan is part of a wider regional route, and a Global eSIM offers peace of mind for longer journeys beyond Asia.
Whichever path you choose, Airalo’s plans give you reliable data from the moment you land, so your phone works as your map, planner, and safety net without the stress of roaming or SIM swaps. Remember, get 15% off your first eSIM with code TAIWANESIM15. Terms and conditions apply.
FAQs about eSIMs for Taiwan
Where to Buy eSIMs in Taiwan?
The easiest and most reliable way to buy an eSIM for Taiwan is online before you travel, and Airalo makes that process painless. I usually purchase and install my eSIM through the Airalo app before my flight, so I land already connected. That means no airport counters, no SIM swaps, and no waiting around just to get online.
What is the best eSIM to use in Taiwan?
For most travellers, Airalo’s Taiwan eSIM is the best option. It’s straightforward, affordable, and connects to strong local networks, which is exactly what you want when using maps, booking transport, or navigating night markets. If Taiwan is part of a wider trip, Airalo’s Asia eSIM or Global eSIM gives you the same ease of use across borders without needing to change plans.
Can I get an eSIM upon arrival in Taiwan?
Yes, you can install an eSIM after arriving in Taiwan, as long as you have Wi-Fi, but I strongly prefer activating an Airalo eSIM beforehand. Landing with data already working makes everything smoother, from ordering a ride to finding your accommodation. It’s one less thing to think about after a long flight, and that convenience alone makes early setup worth it.
