East Asia
Money, cards and tipping in Taiwan
TWDDollar
Money in Taiwan
Mixed: cards and cash Cards work at chains, hotels and malls; night markets, small eateries, some taxis and temples are cash-only. EasyCard pays at convenience stores. US$1 ≈ NT$31.86 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Not expected; restaurants and hotels often add a 10% service charge.
- ATMs: Post office, bank and convenience-store ATMs take most foreign cards; some add a small local fee.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay with foreign cards work on contactless readers; EasyCard or iPASS for transit and convenience stores.
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards and contactless in malls, chains and hotels; cash for night markets, small eateries and temples. EasyCard pays in convenience stores. |
| Tainan | Mixed: cards and cash | Many street-food stalls, temples and small eateries are cash-only. Cards work in hotels, chains and department stores. |
| Kaohsiung | Mixed: cards and cash | Night markets, small restaurants and some taxis are cash-only. Cards work in malls, hotels and chains. |
| Taichung | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards in malls and chains; night markets, small stalls and some taxis are cash-only. |
| Hualien | Mixed: cards and cash | Cash is needed for night markets, small shops and taxi tours. Cards work in hotels and chains. |
| Jiufen | Mostly cash | Cash is common at stalls, teahouses and small shops; some bigger teahouses accept cards. |
| Sun Moon Lake | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards at hotels and larger restaurants; cash for stalls, ferries and small shops. |
| Kenting | Mixed: cards and cash | Cash is common at night-market stalls, small shops and surf schools; hotels and some restaurants take cards. |
| Alishan | Mostly cash | Cash is needed for many stalls, small shops and some lodgings; bring enough from Chiayi. |
| Taitung | Mixed: cards and cash | Cash for night markets, small cafés and surf rentals. Cards work in hotels and chains. |
| Hsinchu | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work in malls, chains and hotels; night markets, small eateries and temples are cash-only. EasyCard pays at convenience stores. |
| Penghu | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work at hotels, chains and bigger restaurants; night markets, small eateries and scooter rentals often want cash. EasyCard works in convenience stores. |
| Xiaoliuqiu | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work at some hotels and restaurants; small eateries, stalls and scooter rentals prefer cash. Bring enough from Donggang. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Taiwan?
Not expected; restaurants and hotels often add a 10% service charge.
Is Taiwan cashless?
Mixed: cards and cash. Cards work at chains, hotels and malls; night markets, small eateries, some taxis and temples are cash-only. EasyCard pays at convenience stores.
What currency does Taiwan use?
The Dollar (TWD). US$1 ≈ NT$31.86 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- Taiwan Arrival Card (National Immigration Agency)
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Taiwan Tourism Administration
- Speedtest Global Index: Taiwan
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.