Most trips to Taiwan start in Taipei, and many continue by high-speed rail down the west coast to Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, or east to Hualien for Taroko Gorge. Mobile coverage is excellent in the cities, on the trains and along the main roads. Taiwan is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European plans usually charge roaming by the day.
Key facts for Taiwan
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 110; fire and ambulance 119
- Embassies: most countries are represented by trade or representative offices in Taipei
Taipei and getting around
The Taoyuan Airport MRT links the main airport with Taipei Main Station in under 40 minutes and accepts contactless bank cards. In the city, an EasyCard, sold in metro stations and convenience stores, works on the MRT and buses and in many shops. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart are on almost every corner and are the easiest place to top up your card or buy a snack late at night.
The high-speed rail and the west coast
The high-speed rail runs from Taipei to Kaohsiung in about 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the stops. Trains fill up at weekends and on public holidays, so book ahead. Coverage holds up well in the cities along the line, where the old streets of Tainan and the harbour of Kaohsiung are easy to explore with a map on your phone.
Taroko, the mountains and the east coast
Parts of Taroko Gorge have stayed closed since the April 2024 earthquake, and the road through the gorge opens to vehicles only at set times, so check the national park's website before you go. In the mountains around Alishan and Hehuanshan, the signal can drop in deep valleys, and afternoon fog and rain are common, so download maps and check the forecast before setting off.
Earthquakes and typhoons
Taiwan feels frequent earthquakes, and its buildings are designed for them. Phones connected to Taiwanese networks can receive official alerts for strong earthquakes and severe weather. The typhoon season runs from about June to October, when flights, ferries and mountain roads can close at short notice, so follow the warnings of the Central Weather Administration.
Paying
Cards are accepted in hotels, department stores and chain restaurants, but night markets, small eateries and many taxis take cash only, so carry some New Taiwan dollars.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM is added before departure and starts on its first connection in Taiwan, so you have maps and messages as soon as you land. Your own number stays reachable for texts and bank codes.
Taiwanese prepaid SIMs for visitors are sold at counters in Taoyuan airport. You need your passport and, in some shops, a second document such as a driving licence.
Consular protection: who to call in Taiwan
- 110 for the police and 119 for the fire service or an ambulance; from a mobile, 112 also works.
- The travel information hotline for foreign visitors, 0800-011-765, answers 24 hours a day.
- Most countries are represented in Taipei by trade or representative offices rather than embassies, and these offices help their nationals. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no office in Taiwan, contact the office of another EU country in Taipei: under Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, EU countries help unrepresented EU citizens abroad.
- The app has emergency phrases in Chinese, ready to show on screen.
Questions travellers ask about Taiwan
Does my EU plan work in Taiwan?
Not under Roam Like at Home; most operators charge a daily rate.
Is Taroko Gorge open?
Partly. Check the national park's website for open trails and the times the road opens to traffic.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Taiwan?
Chunghwa Telecom on most plans, and Taiwan Mobile on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
What is the emergency number?
110 for the police, 119 for fire or an ambulance; 112 also works from a mobile.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, get an EasyCard, carry cash for the night markets, check Taroko's status before you go, and save 110 and 119.
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