Essential for Traveling in Taiwan: Complete Guide to Using the EasyCard
Auto-TranslationWant to make your trip to Taiwan more convenient and enjoyable? You absolutely need to get to know Taiwan's transportation card, the EasyCard!
You can use it for the MRT, buses, and even for shopping at convenience stores, saving you a lot of time on finding change and queuing for tickets.
Benefits of Having an EasyCard
The EasyCard has a wide range of applications and can be easily used almost everywhere in Taiwan.
・Transportation: Applicable to the MRT systems in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Kaohsiung, all city buses across Taiwan, YouBike public bicycles, as well as certain taxis and Taiwan Railways trains.
・Shopping: You can use the EasyCard for payments at convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart), numerous tourist attractions, and some shops.
How to Obtain and Recharge Your EasyCard?
You can purchase an EasyCard at the following locations:
・Airport: When you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport or Songshan Airport, you can purchase an EasyCard at the tourist information center or at convenience stores located within the terminals.
・MRT Stations: EasyCards are available for purchase at the service counters and ticket vending machines in MRT stations across various locations.
・Convenience Stores: EasyCards can be purchased at convenience stores throughout Taiwan, such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart.
Amount and Recharge Methods
The cost of a basic card is NT$100, and you will need to add a balance to it after purchasing the card in order to use it.
When the balance on your card runs out or is insufficient, you can recharge it through the following methods:
・MRT Stations: You can recharge at the automatic top-up machines within the station using cash. However, the automatic machines only accept coins and NT$100 bills for recharging. If you want to use NT$1,000 or NT$500 bills or require change, you will need to go to the customer service center at the MRT station for assistance.
・Convenience Stores: You can directly ask the cashier at the checkout counter to recharge your EasyCard.
・EasyCard Customer Service Centers: Some major stations have service centers that also provide manual top-up services.
Helpful Tips for Using the EasyCard
・Keep an Eye on Your Balance: When using the EasyCard, the remaining balance will be displayed on the screen of the gate or cash register. If you notice that your balance is low, be sure to recharge it before continuing to use the card.
・Recharge Limit: The maximum balance for each EasyCard is NT$10,000.
・Loss Risk: The EasyCard purchased by regular travelers is classified as an "anonymous" EasyCard. This means that if you lose the card, the balance on it is treated like lost cash and cannot be refunded or reported as lost.
Differences Between "EasyCard" and "EasyWallet"
You may also hear about "EasyWallet" (悠遊付). Please note that it is a different product from the EasyCard:
・EasyCard (悠遊卡): It is a physical prepaid card that you need to carry with you and use via card sensing to make payments. For international travelers visiting occasionally, this is the quickest and most convenient option.
・EasyWallet (悠遊付): It is an electronic wallet app installed on your smartphone. It offers features such as QR code payments and fund transfers between accounts. However, this service must be linked to a Taiwanese bank account and a mobile phone number, making it more suitable for local residents or long-term residents with a Taiwanese bank account, mobile number, and residency certificate.
