Taiwan’s mobile networks rank among the world’s fastest—81 Mbps median speeds, seventh globally—yet most travelers overpay for connectivity the moment they land. The airport SIM counter at Taoyuan charges $22-25 USD for a 10-day unlimited 5G plan. The same card, from the same operator, at the same counter costs $16-18 USD if you pre-order through Klook or KKday before your flight.
The savings math is straightforward: 20-30% off for 60 seconds of advance planning. That’s $6-8 back in your pocket per trip—enough for three bowls of beef noodle soup at Yongkang Street or a second bubble tea run at Shilin Night Market.
Why the price gap exists
Airport telecom counters operate on tourist convenience pricing. Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone know that travelers emerging from a 12-hour flight will pay a premium for instant connectivity. Walk-up customers face no competitive pressure—you’re tired, you need data, and the counter is right there.
Pre-order platforms like Klook and KKday flip this dynamic. They negotiate bulk rates with operators and pass partial savings to customers while taking a commission. The operator still profits (volume over margin), and you still pick up at the exact same airport counter. Everyone wins except travelers who didn’t book ahead.
The Klook credit stack
New Klook users receive $3-5 USD in signup credits that stack on top of pre-order discounts. Combined with occasional 10% promo codes, total savings can reach 35-40% versus airport walk-up prices. Refer a friend for additional credits on future bookings.
The gap widens further on 5G plans. Taiwan’s operators added 5G tourist SIMs in 2024 with a roughly 60% premium over 4G. Pre-order platforms absorbed less of this markup, meaning the absolute dollar savings increased even as percentage savings held steady.
The numbers across operators
Taiwan has four major carriers serving tourists at Taoyuan Airport. Pricing has largely standardized in 2025, but pre-order discounts vary by platform and plan length.
| Operator | Airport Price | Klook Pre-Order | Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chunghwa Telecom 5G | $25 (NT$800) | $18 (NT$580) | 28% | Best island-wide coverage (95% 5G) |
| Taiwan Mobile 5G | $25 (NT$800) | $19 (NT$600) | 24% | Strong urban speeds |
| FarEasTone 5G | $24 (NT$770) | $20 (NT$640) | 18% | Good Taipei metro coverage |
| T-Star 5G | $23 (NT$740) | $19 (NT$610) | 17% | Budget option, weaker rural |
Chunghwa Telecom delivers the best combination of savings and coverage. Their 95% island-wide 5G network outperforms Taiwan Mobile’s 92%—a difference that matters if you’re heading to Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, or anywhere outside Taipei’s metro area.
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Pickup logistics at Taoyuan
Pre-ordering doesn’t mean waiting in a different line. You collect your SIM at the same Chunghwa Telecom or Taiwan Mobile counters in the arrivals hall—typically within 5 minutes. The difference is you’ve already paid, so the transaction is faster.
Taoyuan Airport’s telecom counters operate 24 hours for Klook pre-order pickups in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. This matters for red-eye arrivals. Walk-up customers may find limited staff or longer waits after midnight, but pre-order holders get priority processing.
What you need at the counter
Bring your passport (mandatory for all Taiwan tourist SIM registrations), your Klook confirmation email or QR code, and an unlocked phone. Staff will insert the SIM, verify activation, and hand you a receipt showing your plan details and expiration date. The entire process takes under 10 minutes.
US, European, Australian, and New Zealand travelers should confirm their phone supports Taiwan’s 5G bands—primarily B1, B3, and B28. Most phones sold after 2020 are compatible, but older devices or region-locked handsets may default to 4G speeds.
The eSIM alternative
Physical SIM cards aren’t the only option. KKday and providers like OHAYU sell Taiwan eSIMs that activate instantly via QR code—no counter pickup required. Prices run $14-16 USD for 10-day unlimited 5G, representing 30-35% savings versus airport walk-up.
The trade-off is compatibility. Your phone must support eSIM (iPhone XS and later, most flagship Androids since 2020), and you’ll need to scan the QR code on Taoyuan’s free airport WiFi after landing. For travelers with compatible devices who want to skip lines entirely, eSIM is the faster path to connectivity.
Physical SIMs remain the safer choice for older phones, dual-SIM setups where you want to keep your home number active, or travelers uncomfortable with digital-only activation.
When pre-ordering doesn’t pay off
The savings math weakens for very short stays. A 3-day plan costs around NT$300 at the airport versus NT$280 pre-order—just 7% savings, or roughly $0.60 USD. The effort of booking ahead barely justifies the return.
Travelers arriving at Songshan Airport (Taipei’s domestic/regional hub) face limited options. Only Chunghwa Telecom operates there, with no Klook pickup booth. You’ll pay airport prices regardless of pre-order status.
Kaohsiung arrivals have it worse—no dedicated tourist SIM kiosks at all. Your best option is buying from a 7-Eleven or FamilyMart in the city, which actually runs 10-20% cheaper than Taoyuan Airport but requires navigating without data until you reach a convenience store.
Tethering limits and heavy users
Taiwan’s “unlimited” tourist plans come with asterisks. Standard 4G plans cap high-speed tethering at 3-7 GB before throttling kicks in. If you’re planning to hotspot a laptop for remote work or share data with travel companions, you’ll hit that ceiling quickly.
5G plans typically double the tethering allowance to 6-14 GB—another reason the 60% premium may be worth it for digital nomads or families sharing a single SIM. Check the specific plan terms on Klook before booking, as limits vary by operator.
Questions? Answers.
Which Taiwan airport has 24-hour SIM counters?
Taoyuan (TPE) Terminals 1 and 2 have Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone counters operating 24 hours for Klook pre-order pickups. Songshan (TSA) has limited service after midnight with only Chunghwa available.
Chunghwa vs Taiwan Mobile—which has better coverage for rural trips?
Chunghwa Telecom edges ahead with 95% island-wide 5G coverage compared to Taiwan Mobile’s 92%. The difference becomes noticeable in mountainous areas like Taroko Gorge or the east coast. For Taipei-only trips, both perform identically.
Can I pay with a US credit card at airport counters?
Yes, international Visa and Mastercard are accepted at all telecom counters. Cash in New Taiwan Dollars is preferred and may speed up transactions, but USD is not accepted directly.
What if I don’t have my passport at the counter?
You cannot register a Taiwan tourist SIM without a passport—this is a government requirement. If you’ve somehow cleared immigration without your passport accessible, your only option is an eSIM purchased online, which doesn’t require in-person registration.
Do these tourist SIM plans work for voice calls?
Most tourist data SIMs include limited local calling minutes (typically 50-100 minutes) but no international calling. For voice, use WhatsApp, LINE, or other VoIP apps over your unlimited data connection.
Can I extend my SIM if I stay longer than planned?
Tourist SIMs expire on their stated date with no automatic rollover. If you extend your trip, you’ll need to purchase a new SIM at any telecom shop or 7-Eleven. Some operators offer top-up options, but buying fresh is usually simpler.
