Getting New Taiwan Dollars for Your Trip
Taiwan is a wonderful mix of ultra-modern infrastructure and traditional cash-based commerce. While Taipei's MRT is world-class and convenience stores are on every corner, cash remains king for much of what makes Taiwan special - night markets, local restaurants, temples, and small shops.
The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD, symbol NT$) comes in banknotes of NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1,000, and NT$2,000. The NT$2,000 note is rarely seen and often not accepted at small vendors. Coins include NT$1, NT$5, NT$10, and NT$50. Keep NT$10 coins for buses and parking meters.
Key insight for 2026: Taiwan is catching up on digital payments with LINE Pay and JKoPay growing rapidly, but foreign cards often don't link to these apps. For tourists, the simplest combination is a contactless bank card or phone wallet on Taipei Metro, which charges the normal single fare and adds no fee, or an EasyCard for transport and convenience stores, plus cash for markets and small shops.
Best Ways to Get TWD Before You Travel
Taiwan makes it extremely easy to access money upon arrival. Banks have counters at the airport, and ATMs are abundant throughout the country.
- Multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) - Best option. Withdraw from 7-Eleven or bank ATMs; look for any operator fee on screen before you accept.
- Exchange at Taiwan airport on arrival - Banks have counters at Taoyuan Airport; check the opening hours and the rate before changing a large sum.
- Withdraw from ATMs upon arrival - ATMs in the airport arrivals hall accept international cards. Quick and convenient option.
- Order TWD before travelling - Available from UK bureaux but rates are typically worse than Taiwan. Only useful if you want cash in hand.
Using Cards in Taiwan
Card acceptance in Taiwan is improving but remains limited compared to Japan or Korea. Here's what to expect:
Where cards generally work:
- Hotels and international hostels
- Department stores (Sogo, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Breeze)
- Chain restaurants and cafes (Starbucks, McDonald's, Din Tai Fung)
- Larger supermarkets (Carrefour, RT-Mart, PX Mart for some)
- Train tickets (THSR, TRA) at station machines and online
- Major tourist attractions with ticket offices
Where you'll need cash:
- Night markets - Taiwan's highlight and 100% cash-only
- Local restaurants, noodle shops, breakfast shops
- Street food vendors and drink stands
- Small shops, traditional markets, temple area shops
- Most taxis (some now accept LINE Pay)
- Hot springs, smaller attractions, temple donations
- Some bus routes (unless using EasyCard)
Pro tip: If a place accepts cards, Visa and Mastercard work best. JCB is also widely accepted. Amex is less common.
EasyCard - Useful for Taiwan Travel
The EasyCard (悠遊卡, Yōuyóu Kǎ) is a contactless stored-value card. Think of it as Taiwan's Oyster or Suica card. On Taipei Metro you can instead tap a bank card on the Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, Diners Club and Discover networks, or Apple, Google or Samsung Pay, at the gate and pay the normal single-journey fare; only the EasyCard earns the NT$8 metro-bus transfer discount for adults.
Where to get an EasyCard:
- Any Taipei MRT station (customer service window or machines)
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart convenience stores
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (arrivals hall)
Cost:
NT$100 or NT$120 for an adult card on the metro's price list, plus whatever you want to top up. Cards can be topped up at MRT stations, convenience stores, and some buses.
Where EasyCard works:
- All Taipei MRT lines (20% discount vs single tickets)
- Buses throughout Taiwan
- Taiwan Railways (TRA) trains
- YouBike bicycle rentals
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and most convenience stores
- Many supermarkets and chain stores
- Some taxis, parking meters, and vending machines
Alternative: iPASS (一卡通) works similarly and is more common in southern Taiwan (Kaohsiung). Either card works on most transport nationwide.
Withdrawing Cash from ATMs in Taiwan
Taiwan has excellent ATM infrastructure. Finding an ATM is never a problem, even in smaller towns.
Best ATMs to use:
- 7-Eleven ATMs (CTBC or Cathay Bank) - Everywhere, 24/7. English available.
- FamilyMart ATMs - Also widespread with English interface.
- Bank of Taiwan - Reliable, English interface.
- First Bank, E.Sun Bank, CTBC - All work well with international cards.
ATM tips:
- We found no official figure for what Taiwanese ATMs charge foreign cards, so look for an operator fee on screen before you accept; your own bank may charge too
- Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) - choose TWD, not your home currency
- English language option is always available
- Post office ATMs (Chunghwa Post) also accept international cards
Taiwan is ATM-friendly: Unlike some Asian countries, Taiwan bank ATMs work reliably with foreign cards. You won't struggle to find working ATMs.
Exchanging Money in Taiwan
If you prefer cash exchange over ATMs, Taiwan has good options:
At Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE):
Banks have exchange counters at the airport. Check the opening hours and the rate before you change a large sum, and keep the receipt: you need it to change unspent NT dollars back.
In Taipei and other cities:
- Bank of Taiwan branches - Best rates, found throughout the country. Bring passport.
- Other banks - First Bank, Mega Bank, and others also exchange currency
- Post offices (Chunghwa Post) - Exchange available at larger branches
- Designated hotel desks - Handy at weekends, when banks are shut; ask the rate first and keep the receipt
Note: Independent money changers are rare in Taiwan. Banks are the standard for currency exchange. Hours are typically 9am-3:30pm weekdays.
What currency to bring:
USD gets the best rates, followed by EUR, JPY, and GBP. All major currencies are accepted at airport and bank counters.
Best Exchange Options for TWD
Top providers by category:
Bank of Taiwan
Government bank with best official rates. Branches nationwide.
Mega Bank
Good forex service, competitive rates.
CTBC Bank ATM
Widely accepts foreign cards. Good coverage.
Taoyuan Airport
Bank counters on site; check their hours and keep the receipt.
Night Market Changers
Unlicensed, poor rates. Use banks only.
Compare TWD Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Taiwan makes getting money easy after you land: cash machines in the airport arrivals hall take foreign cards, bank counters at Taoyuan Airport change cash, and ATMs are abundant elsewhere. The guide's pick is a Wise or Revolut card at a 7-Eleven or bank machine, checking the screen for any operator fee; TWD bought in the UK usually comes at a worse rate.
Yes. Cards are fine in hotels, department stores, chain restaurants, larger supermarkets and for train tickets, but night markets are entirely cash-only, and you will also need cash for local restaurants, street food and drink stands, small and traditional shops, temple donations, hot springs and most taxis. Where cards are taken, Visa and Mastercard work best and JCB is widely accepted.
Finding one is never a problem. The 7-Eleven machines (CTBC or Cathay Bank) run 24 hours with English menus, FamilyMart ATMs are also widespread, and Bank of Taiwan, First Bank, E.Sun, CTBC and Chunghwa Post machines all take international cards. We could not find an official figure for what foreign cards are charged, so look for any fee on screen before accepting, and always decline DCC in favour of TWD.
There is little need. UK bureaux do sell TWD but the rate is usually worse than you will get in Taiwan. On arrival, bank counters at Taoyuan Airport change money (check the counter hours and compare the rate before changing much), and in the cities Bank of Taiwan branches give the best rates; bring your passport and keep the receipt, which you need to change leftover NT dollars back.
Yes, for transport and small purchases. This contactless stored-value card costs NT$100 or NT$120 plus top-up at Taipei MRT stations, convenience stores and Taoyuan Airport, gives 20% off Taipei MRT fares against single tickets, and works on buses, TRA trains, YouBike and in convenience stores. At the Taipei Metro gates a phone wallet or contactless bank card also works, charged at the normal single fare.
The best rates go to USD, then EUR, JPY and GBP, and all the major currencies are taken at airport and bank counters. Independent money changers are rare, so banks are the normal place to change notes, typically open 9am to 3:30pm on weekdays; a designated hotel desk can fill in at weekends, provided you check its rate and keep the receipt. Avoid the unlicensed night market changers.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Japan
Philippines
Hong Kong
China