The Best SIM Card for Taiwan Travel: Why I Always Choose Chunghwa Telecom

Planning a Taiwan trip? The one thing I would tell every traveller before they fly: buy your Taiwan SIM card before you board your plane.

Which SIM card do you use in Taiwan? This is the question I receive regularly from my friends and readers. I visit Taiwan at least once a year and I have used Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) for every trip. Not because it is the only option, but because after years of travel, it has consistently proven itself to be the best.

I research, plan and create travel content on the road, which means I need a connection that works well, not just in city centres but all over Taiwan. Thanks to Chunghwa Telecom’s comprehensive coverage, I have had full signal in the mountain towns of Alishan, travelled through the East Coast area from Hualien to Taitung, stayed connected on the outer islands of Penghu and Orchid Island and even live-streamed from Lishan, deep in Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range.

The good news, especially if you are travelling from Singapore, is that setting up a prepaid Taiwan travel SIM and eSIM has never been easier. I used to collect and activate my SIM at Taoyuan Airport after landing. Now I can pre-order online and pick it up at Changi Airport’s Changi Recommends counters before my flight. By the time I land in Taiwan, I am already connected and ready to go!

If you are wondering which Taiwan tourist SIM or eSIM is actually worth it, this is everything you need to know about Chunghwa Telecom, my recommendation for anyone travelling to Taiwan.

Chunghwa Telecom: Strongest Coverage and Network in Taiwan

Chunghwa Telecom is officially ranked as the number one telecom service provider in Taiwan as it is recognised for having the widest mobile coverage, fastest 4G and 5G speeds and most reliable connectivity nationwide. I have enjoyed their comprehensive coverage so far when I travel all over Taiwan.

• Unlimited 4G and 5G data, no speed throttling: Your connection and speed stay fast from day one to your last day.
• Nationwide coverage including mountains and islands:  Chunghwa Telecom covers the places roaming SIMs frequently have weaker connection. I have used Chunghwa Telecom from the mountains in Alishan to the outer islands Penghu (see the photo above).
• Hotspot sharing: Tether your laptop or tablet without needing a separate plan.
• Local Taiwan number with SMS: Useful for local services including registration for public-sharing YouBike, Uber bookings, restaurant reservations and more.

Set up before you fly: The easiest way to stay connected in Taiwan

One of the biggest advantages of Chunghwa Telecom’s tourist SIM and eSIM is how convenient the setup is, especially if you are departing from Singapore.

Instead of arriving at Taoyuan Airport and scrambling to find a telecom counter and connect to airport WIFI, you can pre-order online and collect and activate everything at Changi Airport before your flight. By the time you land in Taiwan, you are already connected.

Chunghwa Telecom has a special arrangement with Changi Recommends, Singapore’s one-stop-shop for travel essentials, to handle everything smoothly.

Here is how it works:

• Pre-order online in minutes: Visit Changi Recommends website (SIM and eSIM), choose your plan and place your order at any time.
• Collect at Changi Airport: Changi Recommends counters are open 24/7 across all terminals. You can collect your SIM/eSIM at your convenience even if you have an early or red-eye flight. Find your nearest Changi Recommends counters here.
• Arrive in Taiwan, already connected: Your SIM/eSIM is activated and ready to use the moment you arrive. No need to search for airport WiFi or visit a telecom shop during your trip.

For me, this is the setup I wish I had known about sooner. When I step off the plane in Taiwan, my maps are already loading, my ride is already booked and I am on my way!

Legal and Secure: Instant connection upon arrival

Before you collect your Taiwan SIM/eSIM, there is one quick but important step: KYC, Know Your Customer. In Taiwan, all local SIM/eSIM cards must be registered under your name by law. This is what ensures your SIM is legal, secure and compliant. It is also what guarantees you a local Taiwan phone number with full SMS functionality.

Data-only third-party eSIMs skip this process entirely because they are sold through overseas platforms and do not issue a local Taiwan number.

Think of KYC as a quick identity check, no different from verifying your details when booking a flight or hotel. It must be completed before your SIM or eSIM can be activated. The whole process takes just a few minutes online. Changi Recommends walks you through it clearly, step by step.

Just a few things to note:

• Collection must be done in person by the registered user, proxy collection is not allowed.
• Each person may register only one SIM or eSIM and you must be at least 18 years old.
• Your data is protected. Chunghwa Telecom uses encryption and strict privacy safeguards. Your information is used solely for SIM registration and service activation, never for marketing or shared with third parties without your consent.  

Travel like a local with a Taiwan phone number

Having a local Taiwan number and SMS functionality make a real difference when you are travelling in Taiwan. Most roaming SIM/eSIMs only give you data, but Chunghwa Telecom provides a phone number so you can access local services.

Many everyday services and bookings in Taiwan require SMS verification or a local contact number. With Chunghwa Telecom’s tourist SIM/eSIM, you can travel like a local and use these services conveniently.

• YouBike: Taiwan’s beloved public bike-sharing system requires SMS verification to register. Without a local number, you would not be able to register and unlock a bike to use.
• Ride-hailing apps including Uber: These apps send SMS codes to confirm your account so that you can book rides. Foreign roaming numbers are frequently not accepted. Travel tip: Try popular local apps like Find Taxi or 55688.
• Restaurant reservations: Some popular local restaurants require a Taiwan contact number to confirm bookings so you can make reservations with a simple phone call.
• Minsu and guesthouses: Taiwan’s family-run guesthouses and boutique stays often prefer to coordinate check-in times or share directions via SMS or a local call. A Taiwan phone number makes this smooth and straightforward.
• Emergency and local services: Having a local number ensures you can receive important notifications, call local hotlines and access services that do not recognise foreign numbers.

Every Chunghwa Telecom prepaid SIM/eSIM comes with bonus call credit included, which covers local calls, international calls and SMS. For example: a 5-day prepaid SIM/eSIM includes NT$100 bonus call credit.

If you need to top up your call credit, you can do so at any convenience stalls across Taiwan, with a minimum top-up of NT$300. Just note that any unused balance will not be refunded after expiry, and once activated, the SIM cannot be extended or reused.

Unlimited data, no speed limits

One thing I cannot travel without is reliable, unlimited data. As a travel content creator, I need unlimited data and reliable connectivity whether I am researching destinations on the go, planning itineraries in real time, or uploading videos and posts to share with my audience.

Chunghwa Telecom connectivity has consistently proven reliable, even in remote areas, making it the perfect choice for travellers who want to stay connected.

Chunghwa Telecom prepaid SIM/eSIM comes with unlimited 4G and 5G data. There are no daily caps and speed slowdowns, no matter how much data you use.

I enjoy the convenience of having strong and fast data from the moment I land to the last day of my trip, whether I am streaming, navigating, uploading or running a hotspot for my laptop.

What sets it apart is not just the speed but the consistency and stability. Most SIMs are reliable enough in Taipei. Chunghwa Telecom delivers everywhere: along the East Coast, deep in the mountains, and out on the outer islands. I have live-streamed from Lishan, sitting at around 2,000 metres in Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. If it works up there, it works everywhere!

I was surprised when I had signal during the New Year’s Eve countdown at Taipei 101, surrounded by crowds of people all on their phones at the same time. That kind of network stability in a crowd that size was really impressive!

Transparent Pricing: Fixed cost and great value

Chunghwa Telecom prepaid tourist SIM/eSIM is genuinely good value. Reliable nationwide coverage, unlimited data and a local Taiwan number, all at a fixed price.

As someone who travels to Taiwan regularly, knowing exactly what I am spending before I fly makes the whole trip easier to plan. No hidden fees, no additional roaming charges and no monitoring my data usage nervously during my trip.

*Check Changi Recommends website (SIM and eSIM) for the most updated prices and packages.

As an extra bonus, Chunghwa Telecom provides free data on the day of activation. This is an amazing perk, especially if you arrive in Taiwan later in the day because you can still enjoy the full package without losing the first day. This means: a 5-day plan gives you a total of 6 days of connectivity: your activation day at no extra charge, followed by your full 5 days. It is a thoughtful touch that I appreciate every time.

Flexible options: SIM or eSIM

Chunghwa Telecom prepaid travel plan is available as either a physical SIM card or an eSIM. Both options come with the same benefits: quick activation, unlimited data, hotspot sharing, local Taiwan number and bonus call credit (with easy top-ups available).

SIM card or eSIM: Which should you choose?

The right choice simply comes down to your device and your preference. I have used both with my iPhone over the years and honestly either works well. Check your phone’s eSIM compatibility before you order. Chunghwa Telecom and Changi Recommends provide full compatibility details to help you decide.

Looking for more Taiwan travel information? Check out my free Taiwan travel articles and tips here.