Taiwan EasyCard Guide: How to Buy, Top Up & Use in 2026

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If there is one absolute essential you need for your independent trip to Taiwan, it's the iconic

Taiwan EasyCard.

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Usable on the subway, buses, and even taxis,

it works just like London's Oyster card or Japan's Suica.

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Not only that, but you can also use it on the Airport MRT

when heading to and from the airport. Plus, it's accepted at convenience stores, supermarkets, Watsons,

and even Starbucks!

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Let's dive deep into exactly how to buy, top up, get a refund,

and check the balance of your Taiwan EasyCard.

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1. Taiwan EasyCard: Prices & Where to Buy

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📌 Taiwan EasyCard Prices

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❗ You can buy a blank card with zero balance,

or grab one that is already pre-loaded.

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Personally, I wanted to hit the ground running the moment I arrived,

so I opted for the pre-loaded card with 200 TWD.

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❗ You simply show your voucher at the local airport (Taoyuan Airport)

and pick up your physical card.

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> Get Your Taiwan EasyCard on Klook <

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After purchasing on Klook, you'll receive a voucher

containing a QR code just like this.

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🍯 Tip: When traveling from Taoyuan Airport to the city center,

most people take the Airport MRT Express.

You can buy a separate Airport MRT token,

or just tap your EasyCard to ride!

(A one-way trip costs 160 TWD with an EasyCard).

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Buying a separate Airport MRT ticket in advance is actually

a bit cheaper, so I snagged mine separately below.

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> Buy Taoyuan Airport MRT Tickets on Klook <

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2. How to Pick Up Your Card

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📌 Pick-up Location

Unite Traveler Counter

(Operating Hours: 04:30 - 23:00)

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You can redeem your card at these counters

in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. In Terminal 1,

just head slightly left after exiting arrivals,

and in Terminal 2, head to your right!

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The counter looks like the photo above, and since it's right by the exit,

you really can't miss it.

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Just look for the sign that says "Unite Traveler."

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Simply show the staff your QR code voucher,

and they'll instantly swap it for your shiny new Taiwan EasyCard.

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Since I bought the version pre-loaded with 200 TWD,

I was able to tap right into the subway immediately.

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3. How to Top Up Your Taiwan EasyCard

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📌 Where to Top Up

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· Subway station Information Centers

· Subway station ticket/top-up machines

· Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, etc.)

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You can easily add funds to your EasyCard at any of these three spots.

I highly recommend checking your balance whenever you pass a top-up machine

in the subway stations and adding funds if needed.

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If you place your EasyCard on the sensor area of an automated machine like the one above,

it will display your current balance.

Hit the "Top-Up" button to add more funds.

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Keep in mind that topping up at subway machines

requires a minimum of 100 TWD.

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❗ If you want a refund for your remaining EasyCard balance,

you can get one at any subway Information Center.

Just note there's a 20 TWD refund fee, and once refunded,

the card gets locked and cannot be topped up again.

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(If you plan on visiting Taiwan again, I don't recommend getting a refund.

The card doesn't have an expiration date!)

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4. Where to Use Your Taiwan EasyCard

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Naturally, the place I used it the most was the subway.

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I also used it to hop on the bus when heading

to the National Palace Museum.

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It was incredibly convenient to use instead of cash when shopping

for Snuggle fabric softeners or cosmetics at Watsons! 😌😌

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Just like tapping a transit card back home, simply tap your

EasyCard on the IC card reader at the turnstiles and walk right through.

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❗ By the way, kids under 5 can ride the subway for free.

You just need to show a passport or ID to the staff.

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I've heard you can use it in taxis too, but it's a bit

hit or miss depending on the driver—some accept it,

and some don't.

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Personally, I just used the Uber app to hail rides in Taiwan

and linked it to my travel debit card.

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Additionally, you can use your EasyCard to rent

YouBike and T-Bike shared bicycles,

so keep that in mind if you plan on cycling around the city!

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Taiwan is still a very cash-centric country,

and using a transit card is an absolute must

for getting around on public transport.

I highly recommend buying your EasyCard in advance.

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Buying it online and picking it up stress-free

at Taoyuan Airport is definitely the way to go!

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