How and Where to Buy SIM Card in Taiwan Airport: A Guide for Mobile Connection

Taiwan, despite its small size, contains 15 airports with more than 10 working airline carriers. A famous place for business visitors and tourists, the country provides foreign visitors with convenient airport facilities, shops, waiting halls, and duty-free areas. Coming to the country, you may also wonder where how to buy SIM card in Taiwan airport​. The mobile connection allows you to use maps, send messages, make hotel and taxi books, etc. 

Don’t search any further. Here, you’ll find SIM stores in the most popular Taiwan airport and learn how to use eSIM in Taiwan airport​ – a convenient alternative to standard SIM cards. 

Where Can You Buy eSIM or SIM in Taiwan Airport?

Remember to buy cards in reputable stores, supermarkets, and tourist stands. This is a safety measure to prevent fraud and data breaches. As the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport remains the main destination for international travelers, let’s see where to buy Taipei airport eSIM:

• Cellular Services in the Terminal 2, 1F;
• Tasameng-i-travel in the Terminal 2, 3F;
• Chunghwa Telecom (07:00~24:00), Taiwan Mobile (08:30~20:00), Far EasTone 08:00~21:00), and Unite Traveler in the Terminal 1, 1F.

For convenience, use the official map of Taoyuan Airport with stores, dining options, and lounges in both terminals. You can explore each part of the airport and see the shop’s working hours, services, etc. 

You can buy both a physical SIM card in Taiwan airport​ and eSIM plans. The listed cellular stores offer you assistance in choosing and buying the card. For instance, you can use the QR codes of the offered eSIM providers to install the virtual data plan. 

How Do You Purcahse a SIM/eSIM card in Taiwan Airport?

As a foreigner, you will need a passport or ID card to buy local data plans. In case you buy an eSIM plan, documents are rarely needed. The activation process depends on a chosen technology. The assistant will help:

SIM card activation	Embedded SIM installation
Buy a physical SIM card;Adjust the card’s size to your device’s slot;Put the card in a free slot;Receive activation codes and details from your cell data provider.	Open the website or application of the eSIM carrier. Choose a location and a desired plan (the number of GB, duration, mobile calls, etc.)Buy and receive activation codes by email. Scan the eSIM’s QR code to automatically install the plan via the device’s settings. Turn the roaming on.

Mobile Data Options in Taiwan

Among physical SIM providers, consider Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile. These are the fastest and most widespread providers in the country. Their official stores are available in the airport, but you can also find their cards in supermarkets and cellular service stands. 

As for eSIMs, the choice is wider. Companies such as Yesim, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad eSIM, and others, use cell towers by Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile – this way, you use mobile Internet from both providers. You can find QR codes of available embedded SIM companies in cellular stores. 

The Most Popular Data Plans for Taiwan Tourists

Tourist eSIM Taiwan usually implies a short duration and a few GB of data. Yet, you may have other requirements – for this, visit the official websites of each provider and find a suited tariff. 

Yesim Taiwan

This eSIM company is highly adjustable, which is good for tourists:

1. Choose unlimited or pre-paid plans. The choice depends on how much data you need. Select unlimited connection if you’re constantly online.
2. Select the number of days or gigabytes. The choice varies from a 500 MB trial to a monthly 20 GB plan. 
3. Consider a phone call purchase. You don’t have to pay for a phone number if you don’t need it. Phone calls come as a separate service – decide whether you need it or not. 

The activation is available via the app or a QR code. The cellular shops’ managers will help you.

Airalo eSIM

Another provider, Airalo is known for pre-paid Internet options. Its Xie-Xie plan is presented in 6 opinions – from 1 GB to 20 GB. This is a nice variant if you’re going to stay for more than two weeks. While short-term plans are overpriced, the 10 and 20-gigabytes options are quite cost-effective. 

Taiwan Mobile Physical SIM Card

Taiwan Mobile offers 15 (!) unlimited data options for tourists. The plans start from 3 days, which is good for short-term visitors. You can also choose from 5G and 4G – select the second option to pay less. Yet, the plans are quite expensive compared to their eSIM alternative. Choose them if your device is not virtual SIM-compatible.

Which is Better: SM Cards or Virtual SIMs?

While most travelers still use outdated SIM cards, digital nomads and tech specialists understand the advantages of eSIM plans. Convenience, flexibility, and price are certainly on their side. 

eSIM in Taiwan	SIM cards
activate online;use your original phone number, as you don’t need to put the SIM card out;use flexible data plans from 1 day to the whole year;top up if needed;but regional options to be connected in several Asian countries.	activate by putting another plastic card in your SIM slot;you may need to put an original SIM card out;most data plans are limited to 30 days, not more or less.

SIM cards, however, have 2 advantages. First, they are compatible with all the devices, while the number of eSIM-friendly smartphones and laptops is still limited. Secondly, many users still choose them because of a familiar installation process. You only need to put the card in, while eSIM requires installation via settings.

Yet, if you’re a lucky owner of an embedded SIM-compatible phone, the choice is obvious. 

Useful Tips for Mobile Connection in Taiwan

Cell connection abroad requires attention to detail. See the practices to protect yourself from data branches and sudden loss of connection; 

1. Buy plans in reputable stores. Use shops of cell data providers or tourist shops in airport terminals. Never purchase SIM cards from private persons, as it may be malware or an outdated tariff. 
2. Track the balance. eSIM and SIM carriers show your current balance in applications. Regularly check how much Internet and calls are left. Top up on time to avoid sudden connection loss. 
3. Prioritize eSIM with several cell data providers. These companies use cell towers of different carriers. This way, you’re always connected to the best possible tower and use the fastest possible Internet. 

Once you’re in the airport, use free Wi-Fi sports to find and activate your SIM card. The whole airport of Taiwan is covered with free Internet. 

Conclusion

In terms of convenience, eSIM is the best option for global traveling. First, you can buy and install the plan online without searching for stores in an airport. Secondly, they are much more versatile, with multiple plans being adapted to short-term stays. Check if your device is eSIM-compatible and decide on this option for your Taiwan traveling connection.