The One Card to Rule Them All: Mastering the EasyCard and Cash Culture in Taiwan
Welcome to Taiwan! You’re about to enter a food paradise. But before you rush to the nearest Night Market to grab a Bubble Tea or a Bao bun, there’s one crucial thing you need to know: how to pay for it.
Taiwan is a high-tech nation, but when it comes to daily spending, it has a unique mix of "Old School Cash" and "Super Convenient Cards." Here is your essential guide.
1. Cash is King (Especially for Food)
While credit card usage is growing, Cash (New Taiwan Dollar - TWD/NTD) is still the absolute ruler of the streets.
- Night Markets: 99% of stalls only take cash.
- Street Vendors & Local Eateries: If the shop looks traditional, assume it’s cash-only.
- Pro Tip: Always keep some $100 bills and $50 coins. Small vendors may struggle to break a $1,000 bill.
2. The "EasyCard" (悠遊卡): Your Best Travel Companion
If you only buy one thing upon arrival, make it an EasyCard. This rechargeable IC card is your electronic wallet.
- Transportation: MRT, buses, trains (TRA), and YouBike.
- Shopping: Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart), drugstores, and supermarkets.
- Where to buy: Airport MRT counters, MRT stations, or any convenience store.
- How to top up: At MRT machines or ask a clerk at any convenience store ("Top up, please").
3. Credit Cards & ATMs
- Credit Cards: Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted in malls, hotels, and chain restaurants (like Starbucks or Din Tai Fung). Amex is less common.
- ATMs: Taiwan has a huge density of convenience stores, and almost all have ATMs that accept international cards (Look for Plus or Cirrus logos).
4. The Receipt Lottery
Don't throw away your convenience store receipts! They are government lottery tickets. If you don't want to keep them, put them in the transparent Donation Boxes at the counter to help local charities.