Quick Answer
Buy a Taiwan Mobile or Chunghwa Telecom SIM at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) — both have counters in the arrivals hall, passport only required, active immediately. For eSIM before arrival, use Airalo. Monthly unlimited data plans run NTD 299–599/month ($9.80–19.60) — extraordinarily affordable for the quality.
The Three Networks
Taiwan Mobile — best overall for coverage, speed, and value. Strong 4G/5G in all urban areas. Recommended.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) — state-owned, widest rural coverage (useful for hiking in national parks). Slightly more expensive than Taiwan Mobile but worth it if you are leaving the cities.
Far EasTone (FET) — strong third option, competitive pricing. Good urban coverage.
Best Plans for Remote Workers
Taiwan Mobile
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 4G (throttled after 30GB) | Unlimited | NTD 299/month (~$9.80) |
| Unlimited 5G (throttled after 100GB) | Unlimited | NTD 499/month (~$16.30) |
| Annual unlimited | Unlimited 5G | NTD 3,999/year (~$131) |
The NTD 299/month plan is remarkable value for most remote workers — unlimited data with throttling only after 30GB at full speed. The NTD 499/month 5G plan is better for heavy users.
Chunghwa Telecom
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 4G | Unlimited | NTD 399/month (~$13.10) |
| Unlimited 5G | Unlimited | NTD 599/month (~$19.60) |
Slightly pricier than Taiwan Mobile but the best rural coverage if you are trekking.
Getting a SIM at TPE Airport
Both Taiwan Mobile and Chunghwa Telecom have counters in the arrivals hall at Taoyuan (TPE). Process: show passport, choose plan, pay, receive active SIM. Takes 5–10 minutes. No address required. Credit card or cash accepted.
If you land at Songshan Airport (TSA) in central Taipei, SIM counters are also available there, and any convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) sells prepaid SIMs.
eSIM Options
Airalo Taiwan eSIMs: 3GB/30 days ~$8, 10GB/30 days ~$15. Useful for immediate data on arrival before getting a local SIM. Data-only — no local Taiwan number.
Note: Taiwan Mobile and Chunghwa Telecom both offer their own eSIM plans now, available online — check their websites if you prefer a local eSIM with a proper Taiwan number.
Home Internet
Taiwan has world-class home broadband. Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile both offer fibre plans: 300–1,000 Mbps for NTD 600–1,200/month ($20–39). Most furnished apartments include internet — confirm speeds before committing. Coworking spaces in Taipei consistently deliver 300–500+ Mbps.
VPN in Taiwan
Taiwan has no internet restrictions — NordVPN is not required for content access. Useful for public WiFi security but not essential for functionality.
Bottom Line
Taiwan Mobile at the airport, NTD 499/month 5G plan. Airalo if you want data before landing. Home broadband in your apartment will be fast and cheap — virtually guaranteed in a modern Taipei building.
Next steps: Cost of Living in Taipei | Taiwan Gold Card Visa | Coworking in Taipei
*Last updated: May 2026*