iPASS Card Taiwan: Tap, Pay and Travel with Ease

Getting around Taiwan is easier when you have an iPASS Card. This rechargeable stored-value card can be used on MRT systems, Taiwan Railway services, buses, public bicycles and many everyday shops. Instead of buying a ticket for every journey, simply add money to your card and tap when travelling or making an accepted payment.

This iPASS Card guide explains the price, where to buy one, how to top it up, where you can use it and important tips for travelling around Taiwan.

What Is an iPASS Card?

iPASS, also known as 一卡通, is a rechargeable stored-value card widely used for public transport and small payments in Taiwan.

You can use an iPASS Card for:

• Taipei MRT
• Taoyuan Airport MRT
• Taichung MRT
• Kaohsiung MRT
• Taiwan Railway services that accept electronic stored-value cards
• Local and intercity buses
• YouBike after completing the required registration
• Convenience stores
• Selected supermarkets, restaurants and shops
• Vending machines and electronic lockers

Instead of preparing coins or buying individual transport tickets, you can simply tap the card on the reader.

iPASS Card Price

A standard adult iPASS Card usually costs NT$100 at participating MRT stations. The card normally starts with NT$0 balance, so you need to add money before using it.

Unlike some transport cards that use a refundable deposit system, the iPASS purchase price is not a deposit and cannot normally be refunded.

Special-edition or character iPASS cards can cost more than NT$100 depending on the design and seller.

Where to Buy an iPASS Card

You can buy an iPASS Card at many locations across Taiwan, including:

• Taipei MRT station information counters
• Taoyuan Airport MRT information counters and card vending machines
• Taichung MRT Passenger Agent Offices
• Kaohsiung MRT station information counters
• 7-ELEVEN
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• OK Mart
• Selected airport service counters
• Selected online travel platforms

If you are arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, iPASS cards are available at Electronic Stored Value Card Service Centers in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as well as participating facilities around the Taoyuan Airport MRT. You can buy and top up your card before taking the Airport MRT into Taipei.

Card designs and prices may vary by location. A standard iPASS is usually the easiest choice if you mainly need it for transport and everyday payments.

🚆 Pro Tip: Save the Taipei MRT Map on your phone before your trip to quickly check stations, transfers and the nearest exits.

Where Can You Use iPASS?

One of the biggest advantages of iPASS is that it is accepted on public transport across many parts of Taiwan.

MRT and Metro Systems

You can use iPASS on major urban rail systems including:

• Taipei MRT
• New Taipei Metro services that accept stored-value cards
• Taoyuan Metro, including the Taoyuan Airport MRT
• Taichung MRT
• Kaohsiung MRT

Simply tap the card when entering and leaving the station. The correct fare will be deducted from your stored balance.

Taiwan Railway

iPASS can also be used as an electronic stored-value card on eligible Taiwan Railway services.

Electronic cards including iPASS are accepted across Taiwan Railway's main network and branch lines, but there are important exceptions.

You cannot simply use a standard iPASS as your ticket for certain trains, including:

• Taroko services
• Puyuma services
• EMU3000 Tze-Chiang Limited Express services
• Sightseeing trains
• Group trains
• Special trains
• Business-class or other designated reservation-only services

For these services, purchase the correct Taiwan Railway ticket before boarding.

🚆 Travel Tip: For longer Taiwan Railway journeys, check the train type before travelling. If your train requires a reserved ticket, book the proper train ticket instead of relying only on iPASS.

Taiwan High Speed Rail

A regular iPASS stored-value card should not be treated as a normal Taiwan High Speed Rail ticket.

Taiwan High Speed Rail has separate ticketing rules, while certain specially issued iPASS co-branded credit cards can support THSR services.

For most international travelers, the easiest option is to purchase a separate Taiwan High Speed Rail ticket for trips such as Taipei to Taichung, Tainan or Kaohsiung.

Buses

iPASS is accepted on many local and intercity buses around Taiwan.

Depending on the bus system, you may need to tap when boarding and again when getting off. Always look at the card reader or follow the instructions displayed inside the bus.

Using the same card correctly helps the system calculate the right fare.

YouBike

You can also use iPASS with Taiwan's YouBike public bicycle system.

However, you normally need to register the iPASS card with your YouBike membership before renting a bicycle.

After registration, you can tap the registered card at supported YouBike stations when renting and returning a bicycle.

🚲 Pro Tip: YouBike is useful for short trips around Taipei, Kaohsiung and other cities, but check the registration requirements before depending on it for your first ride.

Where Can You Use iPASS for Shopping?

iPASS is not only a transport card. You can also use your stored balance for small purchases at participating merchants displaying the iPASS logo.

Common places that may accept iPASS include:

• 7-ELEVEN
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• OK Mart
• Selected supermarkets
• Watsons
• McDonald's
• Selected restaurants and cafés
• Vending machines
• Electronic lockers
• Selected shops and attractions

Simply tell the cashier you want to pay with iPASS and tap your card on the payment reader.

How to Use iPASS on Public Transport

Using iPASS on Taiwan’s public transport is simple. Just make sure your card has enough balance and use the same card throughout your journey.

MRT

1. Tap your iPASS at the MRT entrance gate.
2. Take the train to your destination.
3. Tap the same card when leaving the station.
4. The correct fare will be deducted automatically.

Buses

• Tap your iPASS when boarding.
• Keep the same card with you during the journey.
• Tap again when getting off if required by the route.
• Always use the same card for both taps.

Taiwan Railway

For eligible Taiwan Railway services:

1. Check that your train accepts electronic stored-value cards.
2. Tap your iPASS when entering the station.
3. Take your train.
4. Tap the same card when leaving your destination station.
5. The fare will be deducted from your balance.

Some reserved and special trains require a separate ticket, so check the train type before boarding.

🚇 Pro Tip: Check the MRT line, interchange station and nearest exit before travelling. For Taiwan Railway journeys, confirm whether your train accepts iPASS before boarding.

How to Top Up an iPASS Card

You can recharge your iPASS whenever your balance becomes low.

Where to Top Up iPASS

Top-up locations include:

• Taipei MRT stations
• Taoyuan Airport MRT stations
• Taichung MRT stations
• Kaohsiung MRT stations
• Taiwan Railway stations
• 7-ELEVEN
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• OK Mart
• Selected iPASS service centers

The maximum stored value on an iPASS Card is NT$10,000.

How to Top Up at an MRT Station

1. Find a ticket or add-value machine.
2. Place your iPASS on the card reader or follow the machine instructions.
3. Select the top-up option.
4. Choose the amount.
5. Insert the required cash.
6. Confirm the transaction.
7. Check your new balance.

How to Top Up at a Convenience Store

You can also recharge your iPASS at convenience stores.

Simply give the card to the cashier and tell them how much you want to add. Pay the requested amount and wait until the top-up is completed.

Keeping some New Taiwan dollar cash is useful because physical-card top-ups may require cash depending on the location or machine.

How Much Should You Add to iPASS?

The amount you need depends on how often you plan to use public transport and whether you also use iPASS for shopping.

These are only suggested amounts. You can easily add more money later, so there is usually no need to load a large amount immediately.

How to Check Your iPASS Balance

You can check your remaining iPASS balance at participating:

• MRT add-value machines
• 7-ELEVEN stores
• FamilyMart stores
• Hi-Life stores
• OK Mart stores
• Other supported merchants and service points

Your remaining balance may also appear on the screen after you tap your card at some transport gates or payment terminals.

iPASS vs EasyCard: Which Is Better?

iPASS and EasyCard are two of the most common stored-value cards in Taiwan.

For most travelers, both cards can be used on major MRT networks, many buses, Taiwan Railway services and participating shops.

If you already have either card, there is usually no need to buy another one just for travelling between major Taiwanese cities.

For a first trip, simply choose whichever card is easiest to buy when you arrive.

Can You Refund an iPASS Card?

You can request a refund of eligible remaining stored value by closing the card, but the original purchase price of the iPASS Card itself is not refundable.

A handling fee may apply in certain cases, including cards that have been used only a few times within a short period.

Once a card is officially closed, it can no longer be used normally unless it is reopened according to iPASS rules.

If you plan to return to Taiwan, another easy option is to keep the card and use it again during your next trip.

What Happens If You Lose Your iPASS?

An anonymous iPASS Card cannot normally be reported lost and its remaining balance cannot be recovered.

iPASS provides a card registration service. Registered cards may have additional protection, including the ability to report a lost card and recover eligible stored value.

For short-term travelers using a normal anonymous card, keep it somewhere secure just like cash.

Tips for Using iPASS in Taiwan

• Buy your card when you arrive at the airport or an MRT station.
• Top up before starting a long day of sightseeing.
• Keep some New Taiwan dollar cash as a backup.
• Always use the same card when entering and leaving MRT or railway stations.
• Check the train type before using iPASS on Taiwan Railway.
• Buy a separate ticket for Taiwan High Speed Rail unless you have a specifically supported ticket or co-branded card.
• Register your card first if you plan to use YouBike.
• Look for the iPASS logo before trying to pay at a shop.
• Do not load too much money if your Taiwan trip is almost finished.
• Keep the card for your next Taiwan trip if you still have a small balance.

🎉 Pro Tip: If you are planning to explore several cities, check Taiwan Railway and Taiwan High Speed Rail options before travelling. HSR is faster for long-distance journeys, while regular rail and MRT services are useful for local trips.