Taiwan Payment Methods: Cash, Cards, EasyCard, LINE Pay & More

Taiwan offers plenty of ways to pay, from cash and international credit cards to EasyCard, iPASS, and mobile payments such as LINE Pay. Still, not every shop accepts the same methods. For most travelers, carrying some New Taiwan dollars together with a card and stored-value card is the easiest option.

Taiwan Payment Methods at a Glance

The best setup for most travelers is simple: carry some New Taiwan dollars, keep an EasyCard or iPASS for transport, and bring an international credit or debit card as backup.

Taiwan Currency and Cash: Do You Need Cash in Taiwan?

Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD), commonly written as NT$.

Common banknotes:

• NT$100
• NT$200
• NT$500
• NT$1,000
• NT$2,000

Common coins:

• NT$1
• NT$5
• NT$10
• NT$20
• NT$50

Although electronic payments are widely available, cash is still useful in Taiwan, especially at:

• Night markets and food stalls
• Traditional markets
• Small restaurants
• Independent shops
• Places that do not accept international cards

Foreign currency can be exchanged at designated banks and hotels, but it is better to keep some New Taiwan dollars ready for everyday spending.

💡 Travel Tip: Keep some NT$100 and NT$500 notes for smaller purchases. For a smoother trip, use a combination of cash, EasyCard or iPASS, and an international credit or debit card.

Credit Cards in Taiwan: Can Tourists Use Them?

International credit and debit cards are accepted at many businesses in Taiwan, particularly hotels, shopping malls, department stores, larger restaurants and other established merchants.

Taiwan's Tourism Administration specifically lists major cards such as:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Diners Club

Acceptance still depends on the individual merchant, so it is better not to rely entirely on cards.

Before traveling, remember to:

• Enable international transactions
• Check your bank's foreign transaction fees
• Know your card PIN
• Bring a backup card if possible
• Keep some cash available

💡 Payment Tip: If a payment terminal asks whether you want to pay in PHP or TWD, check your bank's conversion rate and fees before choosing.

EasyCard Payment in Taiwan

For many travelers, EasyCard is one of the most useful payment methods in Taiwan.

EasyCard is a rechargeable contactless stored-value card. Taiwan Tourism Administration states that it can be used for MRT services, buses, parking and participating stores.

Where Can You Use EasyCard?

Depending on the service or merchant, EasyCard can be used for:

• MRT
• Buses
• Selected Taiwan Railway services
• Public bicycles
• Parking
• Convenience stores
• Selected supermarkets
• Participating shops and services

EasyCard Corporation provides a full list of participating transport operators and merchants.

How Much Does an EasyCard Cost?

A standard adult EasyCard currently costs NT$100, and this price does not include stored value. You will need to add money before using it.

Where Can You Top Up EasyCard?

EasyCard can be topped up with cash at locations including:

• Taipei Metro stations
• Taoyuan Metro stations
• Taichung Metro stations
• 7-Eleven
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• OK Mart
• Other authorized locations

EasyCard Corporation confirms that cash top-ups are available at MRT stations and major convenience stores.

💡 Payment Tip: Keep some cash available for EasyCard top-ups. Do not assume you will always be able to reload a physical EasyCard using an overseas credit card or mobile wallet.

iPASS Payment in Taiwan

iPASS is another rechargeable stored-value card that travelers can use in Taiwan.

According to the official iPASS website, the card can be used for public transportation as well as payments at participating convenience stores, shops and malls.

It is particularly useful if your itinerary includes cities such as:

• Taipei
• New Taipei
• Taichung
• Tainan
• Kaohsiung

iPASS is accepted across many public transport services, and you can look for the iPASS or Multi-cards logo before tapping.

Where Can You Top Up iPASS?

Cash top-ups are available at locations including:

• iPASS service centers
• Taipei MRT machines
• Kaohsiung MRT machines
• 7-Eleven
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• OK Mart

The official iPASS website confirms these top-up channels.

EasyCard vs iPASS: Which Is Better for Tourists?

Both cards work well for travelers.

If most of your trip is around Taipei, EasyCard is a very straightforward choice. If you already have an iPASS or will travel through several cities, iPASS is also convenient.

There is usually no need for a short-term visitor to carry both. Choose one stored-value card and keep cash or a bank card as backup.

LINE Pay in Taiwan

LINE Pay is another popular mobile payment option in Taiwan. It supports payments at participating physical stores and online merchants.

According to LINE Pay Taiwan, users can pay by:

• Showing their LINE Pay barcode
• Scanning a merchant QR code
• Paying at participating physical stores
• Selecting LINE Pay at supported online stores

LINE Pay Taiwan also states that Visa, Mastercard and JCB cards can be linked to LINE Pay.

Can Tourists Use LINE Pay in Taiwan?

This depends on your account and registration eligibility.

The Taiwan version of LINE Pay includes registration steps such as phone verification, identity verification and financial authentication for its electronic payment account services. LINE Pay also notes that its services and availability can differ by market.

Because of this, travelers should not set up their Taiwan trip around LINE Pay alone.

If LINE Pay already works with your account and linked card, look for the LINE Pay logo at participating merchants. Otherwise, EasyCard, iPASS, cash or an international card will usually be simpler.

💡 LINE Pay Tip: LINE Pay can be convenient if your account is already supported, but first-time visitors should still carry cash and another payment method.

Mobile Payments in Taiwan

Mobile wallets can also be useful when your overseas bank card supports them and the merchant has a compatible contactless terminal.

One major improvement for travelers is that Taipei Metro now accepts contactless bank cards directly at its fare gates.

Supported physical cards include:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• JCB
• UnionPay
• Diners Club
• Discover

Eligible cards linked to the following mobile wallets are also supported:

• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Samsung Pay

Passengers can tap their physical card or supported mobile wallet at the gate to enter the Taipei Metro.

However, this does not mean every public transportation service or shop in Taiwan accepts the same contactless payment methods.

💡 Transport Tip: EasyCard or iPASS remains a convenient option if you plan to use different transport systems during your trip.

Can You Use GCash in Taiwan?

Filipino travelers need to separate GCash QR payments from the GCash Visa Card.

GCash Visa Card

If you have a physical GCash Card, GCash says it can be used for local and international payments anywhere Visa is accepted.

This means it may be useful at Taiwanese merchants that accept Visa.

Before your trip:

• Activate your GCash Card
• Make sure you have enough GCash balance
• Remember your card PIN
• Check current transaction limits and fees

What About GCash QR?

Do not rely on GCash QR as your main payment method in Taiwan.

GCash's current Global Pay information lists several destinations where Alipay+ merchant payments are available, but Taiwan is not currently included in its published Alipay+ destination list.

GCash Overseas itself is available in Taiwan, but this is different from saying GCash QR is accepted by Taiwanese merchants.

So for Taiwan:

• GCash Visa Card: Use where Visa is accepted
• GCash QR via Alipay+: Do not depend on it

💡 Tip for Filipino Travelers: If you normally depend on GCash when traveling, bring your GCash Visa Card instead of expecting GCash QR to work everywhere.

How to Pay for Transportation in Taiwan

Your best payment method depends on the transport service.

Taiwan Tourism Administration confirms that EasyCard can be used on MRT and buses, while EasyCard and iPASS can also be used on eligible Taiwan Railway services.

Where to Exchange Money in Taiwan

Foreign currency can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels, according to Taiwan's Tourism Administration.

Designated banks include:

• Bank of Taiwan
• Land Bank of Taiwan
• Taiwan Cooperative Bank
• First Bank
• Hua Nan Bank
• Cathay United Bank
• Mega International Commercial Bank
• E.SUN Bank
• Other authorized financial institutions

If you exchange foreign currency into New Taiwan dollars, keep your exchange receipt. You may need it if you want to exchange unused New Taiwan dollars before leaving Taiwan.

Best Payment Combination for Taiwan Travelers

You do not need several different payment apps to enjoy a Taiwan trip.

For most Filipino travelers, this combination is enough:

1. EasyCard or iPASS

Use it for MRT, buses and small everyday purchases.

2. New Taiwan Dollar cash

Keep it for night markets, local stalls, smaller businesses and backup.

3. Visa or Mastercard

Use your international bank card for hotels, larger restaurants, shopping and bigger purchases where accepted.

4. Mobile wallet

Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay can be convenient where supported, including eligible bank-card payments on Taipei Metro.

This setup gives you several options without making payment during your Taiwan trip complicated.

Taiwan Payment Tips for Filipino Travelers

• Carry some New Taiwan dollars from the beginning of your trip.
• Buy an EasyCard or iPASS if you plan to use public transport regularly.
• Keep smaller NT$ notes for local food stalls and night markets.
• Enable overseas transactions on your Philippine credit or debit card before departure.
• Do not depend on only one payment method.
• Check for Visa, Mastercard, EasyCard or iPASS logos before paying.
• If using a GCash Visa Card, make sure your wallet has enough balance.
• Do not assume GCash QR via Alipay+ will work in Taiwan based on its current published destination coverage.