💰 Quick Context: The New Taiwan Dollar
Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$). A coffee costs NT$60–150, a restaurant meal NT$200–600, and a hotel night NT$2,000–8,000. Quick math: divide by 30 for a rough USD estimate (NT$300 ≈ $10). Taiwan is a mix of card-friendly modern shops and cash-only night markets and local eateries. You will need both, and the good news is that ATMs are everywhere.
🎧 Order New Taiwan Dollar Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order TWD → CEI Currency Exchange🎇 Night Markets = Cash Only
Taiwan's famous night markets (Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Fengjia, and dozens more) are almost entirely cash-only. This is one of the top things to do in Taiwan, so make sure you withdraw NT$500–1,000 before heading out for the evening. Stall prices are small (NT$30–150 per item), so you will go through lots of small bills.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in Taiwan
Taiwan has excellent infrastructure for both cash and cards, but the two worlds don't fully overlap. Department stores and chain restaurants take cards. Night markets and local shops want cash.
Cards accepted: Department stores, hotels, chain restaurants, convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life), modern cafes, and larger shops in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung
Cash-preferred situations: Night markets, street food stalls, local noodle shops, traditional restaurants, temples (donations), taxis (though Uber works with cards), bus fares outside Taipei, and smaller shops
Convenience stores are your friend: Taiwan has the highest density of convenience stores in the world (over 12,000). They accept cards, have ATMs, and are open 24/7
How much to carry: NT$2,000–3,000 daily is comfortable. More if you plan to spend an evening at night markets
How to Get Taiwan Dollars for Your Taiwan Trip
Taiwan runs a hybrid economy. The metro and most public transport take EasyCard contactless, the convenience-store density is the highest on earth (more than 12,000 7-Elevens, FamilyMarts, Hi-Lifes, and OK Marts, all of which take cards and most of which have ATMs in the back), and chain restaurants and Taipei 101's stores all take Visa and Mastercard. Cash still owns the night markets (Shilin, Raohe, Tonghua, Liuhe), most local noodle shops and beef-noodle joints, temple donation boxes, taxis (though Uber takes cards), most bus fares outside Taipei, and the smaller traditional eateries that make Taiwan worth visiting in the first place. Plan to carry NT$2,000–3,000 daily, with a comfortable buffer for night-market dinners.
Order Taiwan dollars before you fly
For pre-arrival TWD, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical New Taiwan dollars to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate. Useful for landing-day taxi cash, the EasyCard top-up at Taipei MRT, and a first-night Shilin Night Market run. Your home bank can also order TWD (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi may stock it depending on the branch), free for many premium accounts and a modest fee otherwise. Allow 5–10 business days because TWD isn't a flagship currency for most US banks. Taiwan does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so BoA debit users will pay BoA's standard 3% non-network fee on Taiwanese ATM withdrawals. The cleanest setup for most Taiwan trips: a Wise or Charles Schwab card for restaurant and convenience-store spending, plus a starter envelope of TWD for the night-market food run on day one.
Withdraw from a Taiwanese bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of TWD is a major Taiwanese bank ATM. Bank of Taiwan (the largest network, including the airport ATM in TPE arrivals), CTBC Bank, Mega International Commercial Bank, Taishin International Bank, and E.Sun Bank all give the actual interbank rate with no markup, and most don't add an operator fee for foreign cards. The ATMs inside the country's massive convenience-store network (every 7-Eleven and FamilyMart has one, usually a CTBC or E.Sun unit) accept foreign cards reliably and are open 24/7, which makes Taiwan one of the most ATM-friendly countries in Asia. Withdrawal limits run roughly NT$20,000–30,000 per transaction. Two procedural rules: stick to bank-branded ATMs and the convenience-store ATMs from major banks; avoid the rare standalone independent ATMs in some hotel lobbies, which add operator fees. And decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup, or our Taipei money guide for neighborhood-level locations. Want to know what a CTBC withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Three traps to walk past in Taiwan. The Bank of Taiwan currency-exchange counter inside TPE arrivals is actually surprisingly competitive (one of the better-rate airport counters in Asia), but the smaller Travelex and ChangeGroup counters at TPE and TSA (Taipei Songshan) advertise rates that look reasonable while routinely running 5–10% off the interbank rate. The exchange windows around Ximending and inside hotel lobbies near Taipei 101 use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup straight into the displayed rate. And the standalone unbranded ATMs you'll see inside some night-market entrances and tourist hubs layer DCC pitches on top of operator fees. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Bank of Taiwan, CTBC, Mega, Taishin, or E.Sun (including the convenience-store ones), decline DCC, and the in-airport Bank of Taiwan counter is the one acceptable airport-cash option if you really want exchange rather than withdrawal. Heading to Taipei? Our Taipei money guide walks the cleanest cash strategy.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-TWD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Taiwan
Taiwan has excellent ATM coverage. Major banks operate ATMs throughout the island, and convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) have ATMs that accept international cards. Most bank ATMs do not charge an operator fee for foreign withdrawals.
CTBC Bank
One of Taiwan's largest private banks with ATMs across the island. English-language interfaces and reliable international card acceptance. Found in MRT stations, shopping districts, and commercial areas.
Recommended
E.Sun Bank
A well-regarded Taiwanese bank with modern ATMs and strong English-language support. Good coverage in Taipei and major cities. Known for smooth international card transactions.
Recommended
Cathay United Bank
Part of Taiwan's largest financial group. Extensive ATM network with machines in department stores, MRT stations, and commercial districts. Multilingual interfaces available.
Recommended
Bank of Taiwan
The government-owned bank with ATMs at both Taoyuan (TPE) and Songshan (TSA) airports. Also found at train stations and throughout the country. A good first stop when you land.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
DCC is less common in Taiwan than in Europe, but it can appear at upscale hotels and some tourist shops. If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of TWD, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup. Always select "TWD" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Taiwan
Taiwan has very few predatory ATMs compared to other countries, but a couple of things to watch for.
Airport Exchange Counters
Currency exchange counters at Taoyuan Airport offer worse rates than the Bank of Taiwan ATMs located in the same arrivals hall. Use the ATM instead.
AvoidConvenience Store ATMs (for large amounts)
7-Eleven and FamilyMart ATMs are fine for quick withdrawals, but some charge a small operator fee (NT$100–150) for international cards. For larger amounts, use a bank ATM to avoid the fee.
Use with CautionPaying by Card in Taiwan
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at department stores, hotels, chain restaurants, and modern shops
JCB has surprisingly good acceptance in Taiwan due to strong Japanese tourism ties. A solid backup if you carry one
American Express is accepted at some hotels and department stores, but coverage is limited compared to Visa/MC
Discover has limited acceptance in Taiwan
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless is growing: Tap-to-pay works at convenience stores, MRT stations, and modern retailers. Coverage is good in Taipei, less consistent elsewhere
Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many modern terminals, especially convenience stores and chain restaurants
EasyCard and iPASS: These are Taiwan's transit IC cards and are far more useful than contactless for daily spending (see section below)
Where Cards May Not Work
Night markets: Almost entirely cash-only. This is non-negotiable
Street food stalls and local noodle shops: Cash only
Traditional restaurants: Many smaller, family-run restaurants are cash-only
Temples: Donations and offerings are cash
Taxis: Many taxis are cash-only, though Uber works with international cards in Taipei
Local buses outside Taipei: Cash or EasyCard/iPASS, no credit cards
Tipping in Taiwan
Tipping Guide
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan. It can even cause confusion. Do not leave tips at regular restaurants or for taxi drivers
Restaurants: No tip expected. Some upscale international restaurants may add a 10% service charge to the bill
Hotels: Porters at luxury hotels may appreciate NT$50–100, but it is not expected
Taxis: No tip. Pay the meter amount
Tour guides: If you take a private tour, NT$200–500 per day is a nice gesture but not required
Spas and salons: No tip expected
EasyCard, Night Markets & Practical Money Tips
For Taipei-specific tips (MRT payments, night market cash rules, EasyCard setup, and district-by-district card acceptance), see our Taipei Money Guide.
Get an EasyCard (or iPASS) Immediately
What it is: A rechargeable IC card used for Taipei MRT, buses, trains, convenience stores, some restaurants, parking, bike sharing (YouBike), and even some vending machines. Think of it as Taiwan's Oyster Card or Suica
Where to get one: Buy at any MRT station, convenience store, or Taoyuan Airport upon arrival. Costs NT$100 (non-refundable card fee) plus whatever you load onto it
How much to load: Start with NT$500. You can reload at any convenience store or MRT station. A single MRT ride in Taipei costs NT$20–65
Why it matters: You will use this card constantly. MRT fares, bus fares, 7-Eleven purchases, FamilyMart, supermarkets, even some night market stalls now accept EasyCard. It replaces the need for small change in many situations
iPASS: An alternative IC card that works the same way. Either one is fine
Night Market Money Strategy
Budget NT$500–1,000 per night market visit. Stall items cost NT$30–150 each, and you will want to try many things
Bring small bills: NT$100 notes are ideal. Stalls can make change, but having smaller bills speeds things up
Top night markets: Shilin and Raohe (Taipei), Fengjia (Taichung), Liuhe and Ruifeng (Kaohsiung), Dongdamen (Hualien). All are cash-only
Withdraw cash beforehand: Night market areas may not have bank ATMs nearby. Use a convenience store ATM or bank ATM before you go
Other Practical Tips
Taiwan is extremely safe: Violent crime is rare. Lost wallets are frequently returned. ATMs in convenience stores are safe to use at any hour
Convenience stores are everywhere: Over 12,000 across the island. They have ATMs, sell EasyCards, accept card payments, and are open 24/7. They are your backup for almost everything
Train tickets: Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) accepts credit cards online and at station kiosks. Local trains accept EasyCard or cash
Tax refunds: Foreign tourists can claim a 5% VAT refund on purchases over NT$2,000 at TRS-participating stores. Keep receipts and process at the airport
Money Safety in Taiwan
Staying Safe
Taiwan is one of the safest countries in Asia for tourists. Petty crime is low, and ATM skimming is very rare
Convenience store ATMs are perfectly safe to use at any time, day or night
Night markets are safe but crowded: Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket in busy night markets like Shilin, simply to avoid accidental loss in the crowd
Bring a backup card on a different network. While rare, some ATMs occasionally reject certain foreign cards
Notify your bank: Let your bank know you are traveling to Taiwan to avoid fraud holds on your card
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Taiwan night markets cash-only?
Yes, almost entirely. Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Fengjia, and dozens of other night markets operate on cash. Some stalls now accept EasyCard, but don't count on it. Withdraw NT$500–1,000 before heading out for the evening. Stall prices are small (NT$30–150 per item).
What is EasyCard and do I need one?
EasyCard is a rechargeable IC card for Taipei MRT, buses, trains, convenience stores, YouBike, and even some restaurants. Buy one at any MRT station or convenience store for NT$100 plus whatever you load. Start with NT$500. You will use it constantly. It is the single most useful thing to get on arrival.
Is tipping expected in Taiwan?
No. Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. Do not tip at restaurants, in taxis, or at salons. Some upscale international restaurants add a 10% service charge. Hotel porters at luxury properties may appreciate NT$50–100, but it is not expected.
Do I need cash in Taiwan?
Yes, more than you might expect. Night markets, street food, local noodle shops, traditional restaurants, taxis, temples, and buses outside Taipei all require cash or EasyCard. Department stores, hotels, and convenience stores accept cards. Carry NT$2,000–3,000 daily.
Where can I exchange money at Taoyuan Airport?
Bank of Taiwan counters in arrivals offer competitive rates, better than most airport exchanges worldwide. There are also ATMs from major banks. Buy an EasyCard and withdraw NT dollars on arrival. The airport bank counters are a reliable first stop.
Is Taiwan expensive?
Very affordable. Night market food costs NT$30–150 ($1–5) per dish. A local noodle shop meal is NT$60–120 ($2–4). Restaurant meals run NT$200–500 ($6–16). Hotels range from NT$1,500–5,000 ($47–156). Public transport is cheap (MRT rides NT$20–65).
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend New Taiwan dollars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card (contactless) | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★☆ | Hotels, department stores, chain restaurants |
| EasyCard (loaded with cash) | Best (no conversion, uses TWD) | ★★★★★ | MRT, buses, convenience stores, daily transit |
| Taiwanese bank ATMs | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Cash for night markets and local eateries |
| Airport exchange counters | Medium (3–5% markup) | ★★★☆☆ | Only if ATMs are unavailable |
Taiwan Quick Facts
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$). Roughly 30–32 per USD |
| Cash vs. Card | Cards at modern stores. Cash essential for night markets and local eateries |
| Best ATMs | CTBC, E.Sun, Cathay United, Bank of Taiwan, convenience store ATMs |
| EasyCard | Essential. Buy at MRT station or convenience store. Use for transit, shops, and more |
| Card Acceptance | Good at hotels, department stores, chains. JCB has strong acceptance |
| Tipping | Not customary. Do not tip at restaurants, taxis, or most services |
| DCC Risk | Low. Watch for it at upscale hotels. Always choose TWD |
| Best Strategy | EasyCard for transit and convenience stores. Bank ATM cash for night markets. No-FX-fee card for hotels |
Taiwan City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Taiwan's biggest cities. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.