As a British expat photographer who’s called Taiwan home for several years, I can confidently say that the EasyCard is an absolute essential for anyone visiting this vibrant island.
The EasyCard system revolutionises how you’ll experience city travel, eliminating the hassle of fumbling for loose change or purchasing individual tickets for every journey.
Whether you’re planning a whirlwind weekend in Taipei or an extended exploration of Taiwan, this contactless payment card will quickly become your most valued travel companion.
Key Takeaways
- Convenient travel with a single card
- Easy to purchase and reload
- Wide acceptance across Taipei and Taiwan
- Eliminates the need for loose change
- Enhances your overall travel experience
What is an EasyCard and Why You Need One
Taiwan’s transportation network is efficiently navigable with the EasyCard, a contactless smartcard that simplifies your journey. The EasyCard is designed to make travelling in Taiwan effortless, allowing you to navigate through the city’s various transportation systems with ease.
The Basics of Taiwan’s Most Popular Travel Card
The EasyCard, also known as Yōuyóu kǎ, is Taiwan’s version of London’s Oyster card or Hong Kong’s Octopus card. It’s a contactless payment system that streamlines your travel experience across multiple transportation networks, including the Taipei MRT, Taoyuan Airport MRT, city buses, YouBikes, and the Maokong Gondola. You can top-up the card with money, which can then be used for travel and other purchases.
Benefits for Tourists and Travellers
For tourists, the primary benefit of the EasyCard is its convenience. With the EasyCard, you can travel on buses, trains, and the Maokong Gondola without needing to calculate fares or queue for tickets before each journey. Simply tap and go. The card also offers genuine savings, including discounts on MRT fares ranging from 10-30% depending on usage, transfer discounts between different transport modes, and special rates at certain tourist attractions.
| Transport Mode | Discounts/Savings |
|---|---|
| Taipei MRT | 10-30% off fares |
| Transfer between modes | Discounts available |
| Maokong Gondola | Special rates |
Moreover, the EasyCard can be used beyond transportation. It’s accepted at convenience stores, supermarkets, and over 10,000 retail outlets throughout Taiwan for purchases up to NT$1,000, effectively reducing your need to carry cash for small transactions throughout your trip.
Where to Purchase Your EasyCard Taiwan
For hassle-free travel in Taiwan, obtaining an EasyCard is a must, and it’s simpler than you think. You can purchase an EasyCard at various convenient locations, making it easy to start using it right away.
Airport Options: Taoyuan and Songshan
Upon arrival at Taoyuan Airport, you can buy an EasyCard at the dedicated service booths in both terminals. These booths offer cards with various credit amounts, making it a convenient first stop for your Taiwan adventure. If you’re flying into Songshan Airport, you can purchase an EasyCard from machines located just before the MRT turnstiles.
MRT Stations and Service Windows
Throughout Taiwan, any MRT station offers EasyCard purchase options. You can buy one from automated “EasyCard Sales & Top-up” machines or at staffed service windows. This widespread availability ensures that you can get an EasyCard whenever you need it.
Convenience Stores: 7-Eleven and FamilyMart
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart all sell EasyCards. These locations often offer special edition cards with unique designs, making them a great option for souvenirs. You can easily pick one up while you’re out and about.
Understanding EasyCard Costs and Deposits
To make the most out of your EasyCard experience in Taiwan, understanding the costs and deposits is crucial. When you purchase an EasyCard, you’re not just paying for the card itself, but also loading money onto it for future use.
Standard Pricing and Initial Deposit
A standard adult EasyCard costs TWD500, which includes a non-refundable deposit of TWD100 and an initial credit of TWD400. This means you start with TWD400 to spend on transportation and other purchases. The TWD100 card deposit is now non-refundable, making the EasyCard a keepsake of your trip.
If you buy your EasyCard from a machine at an MRT station, you’ll initially pay just the TWD100 deposit, and then you’ll need to top it up separately before you can use it, ensuring you have a sufficient easycard balance.
Special Edition Cards and Their Costs
For collectors or those seeking a unique touch, special edition EasyCards are available, featuring various designs. These cards may have different deposit amounts, ranging from TWD199 to TWD399. While they offer a more personalized touch, the functionality remains the same as the standard card.
How to Use Your EasyCard on Public Transport
With an EasyCard, you can effortlessly travel on Taipei’s MRT, buses, and other transport options. The card offers a convenient and contactless way to navigate the city.
MRT and Bus Etiquette
Using your EasyCard on the Taipei MRT is simple: tap your card on the sensor pad at the entry gate, walk through when the barriers open, and repeat the process at your destination station’s exit gate. For buses, tap your card on the reader when boarding and again when alighting to avoid being charged the maximum fare. When transferring between the MRT and buses within one hour, you’ll receive an NT$8 discount.
Using EasyCard for YouBike and Maokong Gondola
The EasyCard is not limited to just MRT and buses; it can also be used for other transportation services. For instance, the YouBike public bicycle sharing system accepts EasyCard, although you’ll need a Taiwanese phone number to register. The Maokong Gondola offers a 20% discount on weekdays for EasyCard users, with additional discounts available if you visit Taipei Zoo on the same day.
By following these simple steps and using your EasyCard, you can enjoy a seamless and convenient travel experience throughout Taipei and beyond.
Topping Up Your EasyCard: Step-by-Step Guide
You can easily top up your EasyCard at numerous locations, making travel even more convenient. Whether you’re at an MRT station or a convenience store, adding credit to your card is a straightforward process.
MRT Station Top-Up Machines
At MRT stations, you can use the blue “EasyCard Sales and Top-up” machines to add credit to your card. Simply place your card on the sensor pad, insert cash (both notes and coins are accepted), select your desired amount, and confirm the transaction. These machines are easy to use and provide a quick way to top up your EasyCard.
Convenience Store Recharging
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart also offer EasyCard top-up services. To recharge, hand your card to the cashier along with your payment and indicate how much credit you wish to add. This method is particularly convenient as convenience stores are ubiquitous throughout Taiwan.
It’s worth noting that EasyCard top-ups are generally cash only, so it’s a good idea to keep some local currency on hand. With these easy top-up options, you can ensure that your EasyCard always has sufficient credit for your travels.
Discounts and Savings with EasyCard Taiwan
EasyCard Taiwan is not just a convenient travel card; it also provides numerous savings opportunities. Whether you’re commuting daily or exploring tourist attractions, the EasyCard offers various discounts that can significantly reduce your travel expenses.
Transportation Fare Discounts
One of the primary benefits of using an EasyCard is the discount you receive when transferring between different modes of transportation. For instance, you can enjoy an NT$8 discount when switching between the Taipei MRT and city buses within a one-hour window. Additionally, transferring from the MRT to a YouBike will save you NT$5. Railway enthusiasts will appreciate the 10% discount on train tickets for journeys under 70 kilometers on the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA).
- NT$8 transfer discount between Taipei MRT and city buses within one hour
- NT$5 discount when transferring from MRT to YouBike
- 10% discount on TRA train tickets for journeys under 70 kilometers
Tourist Attractions and Other Perks
EasyCard users can also enjoy significant discounts at popular tourist attractions. For example, visitors to the Maokong Gondola can save NT$20 per ride on weekdays. If you visit both Taipei Zoo and the Maokong Gondola on the same day, you’ll receive an additional NT$20 discount. Furthermore, the Kaohsiung MRT offers a 15% discount to EasyCard users, making it an economical choice for travellers.
- NT$20 discount for Maokong Gondola rides on weekdays
- Additional NT$20 discount for visiting Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola on the same day
- 15% discount on Kaohsiung MRT fares
These discounts not only make your travels more affordable but also enhance your overall experience in Taiwan. By using an EasyCard Taiwan, you can save money and enjoy a more convenient travel experience.
Beyond Transportation: Other EasyCard Uses
The versatility of the EasyCard extends far beyond just transportation. As a convenient cashless payment method, it is accepted at thousands of locations throughout Taiwan, making it an invaluable tool for both locals and tourists.
Shopping at Convenience Stores and Retailers
You can use your EasyCard at all major convenience stores in Taiwan, including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart, for purchases up to NT$1,000. This makes grabbing snacks, drinks, or daily necessities a breeze. Many retailers also accept EasyCard, including some department stores and supermarkets.
Attractions and Services That Accept EasyCard
Many popular tourist attractions accept EasyCard for admission, such as Taipei Zoo, Yehliu Geopark, the National Palace Museum, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. You can simply tap your card at the entrance instead of queuing for tickets. Some street food vendors and night market stalls also accept EasyCard, making it a convenient option for everyday purchases.
| Attraction | Location | Accepts EasyCard |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei Zoo | Taipei | Yes |
| Yehliu Geopark | North Coast, Taiwan | Yes |
| National Palace Museum | Taipei | Yes |
EasyCard vs. Other Taiwan Travel Options
When planning your trip to Taiwan, understanding the various travel card options can significantly enhance your travel experience. Taiwan offers several travel cards, each with its unique benefits and limitations, making it essential to choose the right one for your needs.
EasyCard vs. Taipei Fun Pass
The Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass is often confused with the EasyCard, but they serve different purposes. The Fun Pass is a time-limited tourist card available in 1, 2, or 3-day versions, offering unlimited transportation within Taipei, New Taipei City, and Keelung, plus entry to 25 attractions. Unlike the rechargeable, long-term nature of the EasyCard, the Fun Pass has a fixed duration and doesn’t cover the Airport MRT or certain bus routes (those with 4-digit numbers), making it suitable for short, attraction-heavy visits but less practical for longer stays or wider exploration.
| Features | EasyCard | Taipei Fun Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Rechargeable, long-term | 1, 2, or 3 days |
| Transportation Coverage | Island-wide, including Airport MRT | Limited to Taipei, New Taipei City, and Keelung (excluding Airport MRT and 4-digit bus routes) |
| Attraction Access | No included attraction access | Includes access to 25 attractions |
EasyCard vs. iPass and Other Cards
Another option you might encounter is the iPass, which originated in Kaohsiung but is now accepted throughout most of Taiwan. While functionally similar to the EasyCard, it has slightly less widespread acceptance, particularly at smaller retailers. For most visitors to Taiwan, especially those spending time in Taipei, the EasyCard remains the most versatile and widely accepted option, offering the perfect balance of convenience, flexibility, and acceptance.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Taiwan Journey
Travelling in Taiwan is made effortless with the versatile EasyCard. After years of living in Taiwan and guiding countless friends and family, I can confidently say that this card is the single most useful item you’ll need for navigating your journey with ease and efficiency. It saves you time, money, and the hassle of constantly searching for loose change or calculating fares. To make the most of your trip, consider keeping one card per traveller and taking advantage of the card’s versatility for public transport and other services. Ready to make your Taiwan travels seamless? Order your EasyCard before arrival through Klook and start your adventure with confidence!