Quick answer. At Taiwan Taoyuan International (TPE), use a Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, or other bank ATM in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2; they dispense New Taiwan dollars at the Visa/Mastercard interbank rate and most add no operator surcharge on foreign cards. Unusually, the Bank of Taiwan exchange counter inside TPE arrivals is one of Asia's fairer airport counters if you prefer to change cash. Withdraw a starter NT$3,000–5,000 for night-market food and an EasyCard top-up; the EasyCard taps you onto the MRT, buses, and the country's vast convenience-store network. Taiwan has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a no-FX-fee card (Wise, Schwab) is the cleaner tool, and decline DCC every time. To Taipei Main Station (about 40 km): the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express runs in ~35 minutes for NT$160, serving both terminals (A12 and A13).
Where to get New Taiwan Dollars at TPE
The key Taoyuan airport fact is that Taiwan is genuinely easy for cash: surcharge-free bank ATMs are everywhere (including the convenience stores), and even the in-terminal Bank of Taiwan exchange counter is fair. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of Taiwan / CTBC ATM (TPE arrivals, no surcharge) | Arrivals, both terminals | Interbank rate, no operator fee on most | ~$100 + home-bank fee only |
| EasyCard + no-FX-fee card (little cash needed) | Transit, convenience stores, chains | Interbank rate on a no-FX-fee card | ~$100 |
| Bank of Taiwan exchange counter (in-terminal) | TPE arrivals | Fair for an airport counter | ~$96-98 |
| Travelex / ChangeGroup airport counter | TPE / TSA | A wide spread plus fees | ~$88-93 |
| Accepting DCC at any machine | Anywhere | +4-12% if you choose 'charge in USD' | ~$88-96 |
Where to find the bank ATMs at Taoyuan International (TPE)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 40 km west of Taipei, is the island's main gateway, with two terminals: Terminal 1 and the larger Terminal 2 (with a third under construction). The first thing to know is that Taiwan is one of the easiest countries in Asia for cash, because bank ATMs are everywhere, including inside the country's dense convenience-store network. In the TPE arrivals hall of either terminal, look for a Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, or other bank ATM; they dispense New Taiwan dollars at the interbank rate and most add no operator surcharge on foreign cards, so you pay only your home-bank fees. TPE is also one of the rare airports where the in-terminal exchange counter is worth knowing about: the Bank of Taiwan currency counter posts unusually fair rates for an airport. Taiwan has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card pays its standard 3% non-network fee here. Withdraw a modest float, pick up and load an EasyCard for transit, decline dynamic currency conversion, and choose New Taiwan dollars.
Terminal 1
A mix of full-service and low-cost carriers, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar, and several US and Southeast Asian carriers. The Taoyuan Airport MRT station for Terminal 1 is A12, reached from the B1 level
In the arrivals hall, look for a Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, or Mega bank ATM; they dispense New Taiwan dollars at the interbank rate with no operator surcharge on most foreign cards. The Bank of Taiwan exchange counter here is unusually fair if you prefer to change cash. Withdraw a starter NT$3,000-5,000, pick up an EasyCard, decline DCC, then follow signs to the A12 Airport MRT station
Terminal 2
The larger terminal, home to China Airlines and EVA Air (Taiwan's two main carriers and Star Alliance/SkyTeam members), plus many international full-service carriers including United, Singapore Airlines, and the major European connections. The Taoyuan Airport MRT station for Terminal 2 is A13
In the arrivals hall, the same bank ATMs (Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, Mega) dispense New Taiwan dollars at the interbank rate with no operator surcharge on most foreign cards, and the Bank of Taiwan exchange counter is here too. Withdraw a modest float, grab and load an EasyCard, decline DCC and choose New Taiwan dollars, then head to the A13 Airport MRT station
Do you actually need cash at Taoyuan International (TPE)?
Mostly no. The Taoyuan Airport MRT, the airport buses, and taxis are easy to pay, and the EasyCard covers transit and convenience stores. Here is what works, and where TWD cash still helps:
Taoyuan Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station) (NT$160 one way): Fastest option, ~35 min from Terminal 1 (A12) and ~38 min from Terminal 2 (A13), running every few minutes. Tap an EasyCard or buy a token; connect to the Taipei city MRT at Taipei Main Station.
Airport bus (Kuo-Kuang, others to Taipei) (~NT$90-140 one way): Cheaper, slower coaches to Taipei Main Station and other hubs, roughly an hour depending on traffic. Pay with an EasyCard or cash.
Taxi (~NT$1,000-1,200 to central Taipei): Metered taxis from the rank; carry New Taiwan dollars, as many drivers prefer cash. Uber also operates and takes cards.
EasyCard (buy at the airport) (NT$100 card + stored value): Not a route but the key tool: taps you onto the MRT, buses, and the country's convenience stores. Top up with cash or a card.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Taoyuan International (TPE) to Taipei?
No. Taoyuan Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order New Taiwan Dollars before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical New Taiwan Dollars to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 New Taiwan Dollars for taxis and tips on day one.
Which ATM at Taoyuan airport is best?
Use a Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, Mega, or other bank ATM in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2; they dispense New Taiwan dollars at the Visa or Mastercard interbank rate, and most add no operator surcharge on foreign cards. The machines have an English option and support 4-digit PINs. Withdraw a starter NT$3,000-5,000 for night-market food and an EasyCard top-up. The only thing to decline is dynamic currency conversion, the 'charge in your home currency' offer; choose New Taiwan dollars. Withdrawal limits run roughly NT$20,000-30,000 per transaction.
Is the Taoyuan airport currency-exchange counter a rip-off?
Less than most. Taiwan is the exception to the usual airport-counter warning: the Bank of Taiwan currency-exchange counter inside TPE arrivals posts unusually fair rates for an airport, much closer to the interbank rate than typical airport Travelex or ChangeGroup desks. So if you want to change physical USD rather than withdraw, the in-terminal Bank of Taiwan counter is a reasonable option. That said, a surcharge-free bank-ATM withdrawal is still usually the simplest and cheapest way to get New Taiwan dollars, and you can do it 24/7 across the country at convenience-store ATMs.
Do I need much cash arriving in Taiwan?
A moderate amount. Taiwan runs heavily on the EasyCard for transit and convenience stores, and cards work at chain restaurants, hotels, and Taipei 101's shops, but the night markets, traditional eateries, temples, and many local noodle shops are cash. A starter NT$3,000-5,000 from a TPE bank ATM covers your first night-market dinner, taxi, and EasyCard load; you can top up from the country's ubiquitous convenience-store ATMs as you go. Taiwan is one of the most ATM-friendly countries in Asia, so you never need to carry large amounts.
Is there a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Taiwan?
No. None of the Taiwanese banks (Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, Cathay United, Mega, E.Sun, Taishin) belong to the Bank of America Global ATM Alliance, so a BoA debit card pays BoA's standard 3% non-network fee at any Taiwanese ATM. There is no fee-free option for BoA cards in Taiwan. A no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab is cleaner, and in Schwab's case refunds any ATM operator fees worldwide.
How do I get from Taoyuan airport to Taipei?
The Taoyuan Airport MRT is the fastest and cheapest option: the Express train reaches Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes from Terminal 1 (station A12) and 38 minutes from Terminal 2 (A13), for NT$160 one way. Trains run every few minutes, and you can pay with an EasyCard or a single-journey token. From Taipei Main Station the city MRT and a short taxi reach the hotel districts. Airport buses (about NT$90-140) and a taxi (roughly NT$1,000-1,200) are the alternatives. The MRT and buses take the EasyCard, so you need little cash to leave the airport.
Can I order New Taiwan dollars before flying?
You can, though TWD is not a flagship currency for US banks, so lead times run 5-10 business days. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical New Taiwan dollars to your US address in 2-5 days, handy for landing with a float for a taxi and the first Shilin Night Market run. That said, Taiwan's ATMs are so plentiful and surcharge-free that most travelers simply withdraw on arrival. Either way, pair it with a no-FX-fee card (Wise or Schwab) for restaurants and convenience stores, and load an EasyCard for transit.