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As a travel photographer who needs Internet access to run my business, I can’t rely on slow Wifi connections or no signal when traveling round Sun Moon Lake at sunset or during a long day at Taroko Gorge, and that’s where eSIMs come in.

You could use your home SIM card and network and roam internationally of course, but this usually costs an absolute fortune, and I definitely do not like spending more money than I have to!

So when I was last in Taiwan, I scouted out the actual best eSIMs that would be reliable, fast and wouldn’t throttle my data or kick me off if I hit some arbitrary cap.

So that you don’t have to go through these same hours of research, my quick recommendations for eSIMs in Taiwan that you can set up in seconds are below.

The best value for money is the Nomad Taiwan eSIM which offers 4G on Chunghwa, while the AloSIM card offers 5G on the same network for a few dollars more and the Airalo Asialink covers 14 countries including Taiwan for a similar price.

If you want to know why I’ve recommended each eSIM, then full details on each of them are below, as well as info on why I would not recommend a local SIM from one of the Taiwanese national operators.

Quick eSIM Picks for Taiwan

I’ll cover the differences between the performance of each eSIM in detail further on in this article, but if you just want a quick top pick, then choose one of these three depending on the length of your trip and your expected data use.

Any of these can be an excellent choice, but I would personally recommend AloSIM for price and speed. It’s very easy to set up, as well as being only a few dollars more than the absolute cheapest 4G eSIMs.

You don’t need ID or any KYC checks for these eSIMs, so you can use them immediately after purchase if you need to.

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eSIMs for Taiwan Only

There are also a few other options of eSIMs which make sense for Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Taiwan as a whole, which are included in the tables below for completeness.

The main Taiwanese telecoms networks are Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, T Star, FarEasTone and GT, with eSIMs available for the first three.

The only two eSIM providers to offer 5G are:

• AloSIM on their cheapest Taiwan card and regional eSIM
• Airalo on their global Discover cards

5G coverage is excellent in Taiwan (see maps below), and must be at the top of the global coverage charts, so this is highly recommended for Taiwan.

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eSIMs for Asia

If you are traveling to other countries in Asia on your trip, then consider the regional eSIMs like the AsiaLink from Airalo (which is actually cheaper than their Taiwan-only card!), which let you use your eSIM for the duration of your trip, usually for a slightly higher price.

The AloSIM Asia is one of only three eSIMs to offer 5G in Taiwan and is the best value eSIM for Asia by far, so if you value high speed downloads, this is the one you’ll want.

Nomad offer very cheap Asian eSIMs covering a wider range of countries than any other provider, although this is limited to 4G speeds.

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Global eSIMs and Including Calls/Texts

For those on longer multi-country trips, then choose a global eSIM like the Discover from Airalo, which covers 130 countries.

The Discover also offers 5G in Taiwan on Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile and T Star.

Nomad also offer global plans, but these tend to be very bad value for money compared with the ones below, so I won’t cover them here.

Should You Get Calls/Texts eSIMs?

In general, eSIMs only offer data and not calls and texts.

In practise this is not a problem, as you can still use WhatsApp with an eSIM. You may need to receive a code by text to your existing number to confirm your identity with your new eSIM, but either way you will be using WhatsApp within seconds without any problems.

You should also be able to keep using Uber and the like, as you keep your existing physical SIM card active, meaning that you keep your current phone number and can still receive texts to it for ID confirmation.

Even if you do need to call a business, most now offer WhatsApp calling, and of course you can still use it to connect with friends and family.

If you do have a definite need for calls and texts, then you should look at the Discover+ from Airalo which you can set up prior to leaving for your trip, or a local SIM card when you get to your destination, but the latter adds a lot more hassle.

How Easy Is It To Use An eSIM?

First, you will need to make sure your phone is not locked to a carrier. If you got your phone at a reduced price under a monthly contract, then your phone may well be locked. You can usually request a code to unlock it from your carrier at the end of your contract.

If you bought your phone without a SIM or use a pre-paid card, then it is almost certainly already unlocked.

Most phones and iPads made in the last few years will support eSIMs, but you should double-check your model to make sure. There’s a comprehensive list here.

You can also check if your phone is compatible from Settings on Android or iOS.

Once you know that your phone is compatible, it’s as simple as scanning a QR code from your eSIM operator, or do it all through the app for providers like Airalo.

You will then be able to set your eSIM up in seconds once you have made your purchase.

Local SIMs from Taiwanese Operators

eSIM companies do not own their mobile networks – they instead piggyback on local providers.

The potential problem with this is that some local providers will prioritize their customers in times of high traffic load, meaning that eSIM customers (and anyone internationally roaming) could suffer from slower speeds.

But there’s another variable to take into account – local provider’s pre-paid customers.

Because the local providers will make more money from contract customers than from pre-paid, pre-paid customers get pushed to the bottom of the pile, and it’s them that get deprioritized first during high network traffic.

This means that an eSIM from someone like Airalo can actually offer faster data speeds than pre-paid SIMs from local operators.

The other advantage of eSIMs is that you can set them up in seconds, usually using the provider’s app, and you don’t need to wait until you are in the country in question to do this.

Buying a local SIM often has you jumping through bureaucratic hoops, queueing in shops and getting worse deals than locals purely because you are buying the SIM in the airport.

Personally, after a long flight that’s the last thing I want to do.

And in Taiwan, the tourist SIM cards that you’ll have to buy are limited to 4G, unlike the AloSIM eSIMs.

Now, let’s get into it and see exactly why I recommend these particular eSIMS.

AloSIM eSIMs for Taiwan (5G + Cheap!)

AloSIM usually offers very similar prices to Airalo, but in Taiwan they are substantially below Airalo’s prices, and offer 5G to Airalo’s 4G.

They are a little more fiddly to set up because you have to change your APN (Access Point Name) for the eSIM, otherwise it won’t work, but this is simple to do.

AloSIM use Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile at 5G, with the former coming out top in both 5G speeds and coverage, and the latter covering 81.7% of the population with a 5G signal at the end of 2022. See recent coverage maps here.

Not only are AloSIM offering the fastest 5G speeds, they are also very nearly the cheapest eSIM provider in Taiwan, so they are without doubt my number 1 pick.

AloSIM packages are:

1. AloSIM Taiwan eSIM 1 GB in 7 days – 5G
2. AloSIM Taiwan eSIM 3 GB in 30 days – 5G
3. AloSIM Taiwan eSIM 5 GB in 30 days – 5G
4. AloSIM Taiwan eSIM 10 GB in 30 days – 5G

They also offer regional eSIMs for 5 countries in Asia, again offering 5G on Chunghwa in Taiwan.

1. AloSIM Asia eSIM 1 GB for 7 days
2. AloSIM Asia eSIM 3 GB for 30 days
3. AloSIM Asia eSIM 5 GB for 30 days
4. AloSIM Asia eSIM 10 GB for 30 days

These are slightly better prices than Airalo, but offer fewer countries (5 vs 14). The countries that AloSIM (in bold) and Airalo offer are:

But you should note that Airalo’s eSIM is entirely on 4G/LTE, while AloSIM has several 5G networks included for Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, so the AloSIM is better value for money if you value speed and low prices, while Airalo suits those traveling more widely.

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Nomad eSIMs for Taiwan (Cheapest eSIMs)

Nomad targets those travelers who want long validity on their eSIMs but are willing to take a smaller data cap for a lower price.

As the name might suggest, they’re aimed more at longer term travelers than those only away from home for a week, but if you do have a longer trip lasting up to 30 days in Asia, then Nomad are the best value for money, as they are for trips to Taiwan.

Nomad uses Truphone, who offer very poor value for money and so I will ignore these below, and Chunghwa eSIMs, which are the cheapest for Taiwan and have 100% coverage across the country.

Nomad Chunghwa eSIMs (all 4G/LTE) include:

1. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 1 GB in 7 days
2. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 3 GB in 30 days
3. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 5 GB in 30 days
4. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 10 GB in 30 days
5. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 15 GB in 30 days
6. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 20 GB in 30 days
7. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 30 GB in 30 days
8. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 40 GB in 30 days
9. Nomad Taiwan eSIM 50 GB in 30 days

You should note that Nomad eSIMs must be activated within 30 days of purchase. If they are not activated by the 30 day mark, then their validity will start to count down even if you haven’t activated it yet.

So, as long as you don’t buy it more than 4 weeks ahead of your trip, you’re fine.

If you are only looking for the cheapest eSIM for Taiwan, then it’s the 1GB Nomad, but this is only a 4G/LTE connection.

The real value for Nomad eSIMs comes from their Asian/Pacific plan though.

They have a 12 country plan on 4G/LTE, which also includes Australia and New Zealand, or a 20 country plan also on 4G/LTE.

Nomad’s 12 country plan includes Taiwan, but sales on their 20 country plan make this much better value for money, and potentially the cheapest Asian eSIM.

The 12 country (in bold) and 20 country Nomad Asia/Pacific plan includes:

Nomad’s 5GB and 20GB, 20 country Asian plans are the best value Asia-wide eSIMs out there.

The 20 country plan includes:

1. Nomad APAC eSIM 1 GB in 7 days
2. Nomad APAC eSIM 3 GB in 30 days
3. Nomad APAC eSIM 5 GB in 30 days – best value Asian eSIM.
4. Nomad APAC eSIM 10 GB in 30 days
5. Nomad APAC eSIM 20 GB in 45 days – best value Asian eSIM.
6. Nomad APAC eSIM 30 GB in 60 days

This 20 country plan is the same as the 14 country plan from Airalo, except Nomad also has:

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• India
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

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Holafly eSIMs for Taiwan (Unlimited Data)

Holafly are my go-to operator if you use a ton of data, as they offer unlimited data on all eSIMs (with some caveats).

Some users have reported throttling of connection speed after using a few GB of data in a short space of time, and it is likely that there is some upper limit given the relatively low cost, but there is no official word on this, other than “the carrier may reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy” in their terms and conditions.

For normal usage (if you’re not streaming 4K movies all day), then you are unlikely to be throttled.

As Holafly are the only operator with unlimited data, they are my first choice for longer trips or where I know that I will need lots of data.

They use Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile in 4G/LTE mode in Taiwan.

Holafly offer:

1. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 5 days
2. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 7 days
3. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 10 days
4. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 15 days
5. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 20 days
6. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 30 days
7. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 60 days
8. Holafly Taiwan eSIM unlimited GB in 90 days

Holafly also offer an Asia-wide eSIM that is the same price as their Taiwan-only eSIM for 15 – 30 days, making this the best eSIM for unlimited data in Asia.

The plans are:

1. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 5 day
2. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 7 days
3. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 10 days
4. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 15 days
5. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 20 days
6. Holafly Asia eSIM unlimited GB in 30 days

The 11 countries included with this plan are:

Remember that you can’t extend your Holafly eSIM, so you’re better to buy a plan that offers longer coverage than you need rather than less, as otherwise you will have to buy another eSIM from them to cover your trip.

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Airalo eSIMs for Taiwan

Airalo are one of the most highly regarded global eSIM operators, as not only are they often the cheapest and best value for money for short trips, but they also almost always offer 5G network speeds if they are available in the country in question.

They use local provider networks, but unlike other similarly priced subscribers, Airalo seems to choose the fastest of these networks.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in Taiwan, where their country-specific plan, the Xie Xie, is on LTE using Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile, and is more expensive than their AsiaLink eSIM which covers an additional 13 countries.

Airalo has four plans depending on your trip length and data usage:

1. Airalo Xie Xie eSIM 1 GB in 7 days – 4G
2. Airalo Xie Xie eSIM 3 GB in 30 days – 4G
3. Airalo Xie Xie eSIM 5 GB in 30 days – 4G
4. Airalo Xie Xie eSIM 10 GB in 30 days – 4G

You can buy the plan now and set it up using the Airalo app in seconds without affecting the validity. The timer only starts when your eSIM connects to any one of the supported networks, meaning that it will start as soon as you get in-country.

You can also easily top-up your data if it’s running out from the Airalo dashboard, so you can buy a lower capacity card then upgrade if you’re not too sure how much data you’ll be using.

Because the prices are so high for the Taiwan eSIMs, I would highly recommend looking at the Asialink eSIMs, even if you aren’t traveling to another country, as they also offer 4G/LTE in Taiwan for a lower price!

Asialink offers are:

1. Airalo Asialink eSIM 1 GB in 7 days – 4G/LTE
2. Airalo Asialink eSIM 3 GB in 30 days – 4G/LTE
3. Airalo Asialink eSIM 5 GB in 30 days – 4G/LTE
4. Airalo Asialink eSIM 10 GB in 30 days – 4G/LTE
5. Airalo Asialink eSIM 50 GB in 90 days – 4G/LTE
6. Airalo Asialink eSIM 100 GB in 180 days – 4G/LTE

As with the single country eSIMs, the validity period starts when you first connect to one of the supported networks.

Airalo Asialink eSIMs cover:

• Cambodia
• China
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Laos
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Given that these are actually cheaper than the Taiwan eSIMs, it’s a no-brainer to get this if you want an Airalo card.

For completeness, there’s also Airalo Discover and Discover+ cards that offer global coverage (130 countries) with much longer validity periods. These are the best global eSIMs out there if you want long validity and don’t use too much data.

The Discover eSIM offers only data, while the Discover+ adds calls and texts into the mix, using a +43 (Austrian) phone number (which can be used to call any other country code).

Both cards have 5G in Taiwan on Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile and T Star networks, with excellent coverage for each.

The Airalo Discover and Discover+ offers are:

1. Airalo Discover eSIM 1 GB in 7 days and Discover+ adding 10 mins + texts.
2. Airalo Discover eSIM 2 GB in 15 days and Discover+ adding 20 mins + texts.
3. Airalo Discover eSIM 3 GB in 30 days and Discover+ adding 30 mins + texts.
4. Airalo Discover eSIM 5 GB in 60 days and Discover+ adding 50 mins + texts.
5. Airalo Discover eSIM 10 GB in 180 days and Discover+ adding 100 mins + texts.
6. Airalo Discover eSIM 20 GB in 365 days and Discover+ adding 200 mins + texts.

I’m not sure how useful a global eSIM lasting 7 days is, but if you have access to a private jet then you might find it useful!

There’s a variety of 5G and 4G/LTE networks used by the Discover eSIMS. You can check which networks each country uses by following this link, then clicking the Buy Now button for one of the eSIMs and then Check Available Networks as in the screenshot below.

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AIS Asia eSIM (Great for 1-Week Trips)

Although an Asia-specific eSIM rather than a specific location eSIM, AIS offers the best value for money option for medium data use over one week for their Asia card and over two weeks for their global eSIM.

They have two eSIMs suitable for Taiwan, which ar:

• 6GB for 8 days Asia eSIM
• 6GB for 15 days global eSIM

I only include them here because AIS offers the most 5G networks of any global or Asia-wide eSIM, so if you are on a one/two week trip to even a couple of different countries, the extra 5G capabilities of the AIS card can make it worthwhile.

The Best eSIM for Taiwan: Conclusion

In my opinion, the best eSIMs for Taiwan are those from AloSIM, as they give you the cheapest 5G, which is unbeatable in the current climate.

Nomad have the cheapest 4G eSIMs, and are fantastic value for money on their 30 day / 20 GB Asia/Pacific eSIM.

Airalo Asialink offer great 4G coverage across the area, with this eSIM being cheaper than their Taiwan-only version.

Holafly are my next choice if you want unlimited data, plus they are fantastic for Asia-wide trips.

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