The single best NT$100 you’ll spend on a Taipei trip is on an EasyCard. The contactless smart card is the universal payment system for public transport across Taiwan — Taipei MRT, city buses, the Maokong Gondola, intercity buses, the High-Speed Rail, ferries, and the YouBike rental network all accept it. It also works as a stored-value card at almost every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Hi-Life convenience store in the country, plus parking lots, taxis, and many tourist attractions. One card; thousands of payment points; no fumbling for change at any of them.

For tourists, the practical math is even better. EasyCard rides on the MRT and city buses are about 20% cheaper than single-journey tokens, you save the 5–10 minutes per trip you’d lose buying tickets, and the deposit refund process at the end of your trip is simple. Almost every Taipei travel guide will tell you to buy one — the question is just where, when, and how to use it well.

This EasyCard Taipei guide covers all of it for 2026: how to buy one (at the airport, MRT stations, or a 7-Eleven), how the deposit works, how to top up at machines or stores, where to use it beyond the MRT, how to refund unused balance before you leave, and the comparison with iPASS and the new TPASS unlimited monthly pass. By the end you’ll know exactly how to handle the EasyCard side of your Taipei trip.

EasyCard at a Glance

• What it is: A contactless smart card for transit, retail, and small payments across Taiwan
• Card cost: NT$100 (non-refundable)
• Stored value: Top up with any amount (NT$300–500 is enough for most short trips)
• MRT discount: About 20% off vs single-journey tokens
• Where to buy: Taoyuan Airport, every MRT station, every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart
• Where it works: Taipei MRT, buses, Maokong Gondola, ferries, YouBike, intercity buses, HSR, all major convenience stores, many supermarkets and shops
• How to refund: MRT customer service desks or Taoyuan Airport service desk; NT$20 fee, max NT$3,000 cash refund

What Is the EasyCard?

The EasyCard (悠遊卡, yōuyóu kǎ) is a stored-value contactless smart card issued by EasyCard Corporation, the dominant transit payment provider in northern and central Taiwan. The card was first introduced in 2002 for the Taipei MRT and has since expanded to cover almost every form of public transport plus a huge range of retail uses. Over 90% of MRT and bus payments in northern Taiwan are made with EasyCard.

For tourists, it functions like a universal “tap to pay” card. You load it with credit, then tap it at every gate, register, or vending machine that accepts it. The system automatically deducts the correct fare or price.

The closest international equivalents: London’s Oyster Card, Tokyo’s Suica, Hong Kong’s Octopus, Seoul’s T-Money. EasyCard is the same kind of system.

Where to Buy an EasyCard

Multiple options, listed in convenience order:

Option 1: Taoyuan Airport (TPE) — On Arrival

Both terminals at Taoyuan Airport sell EasyCards at:

• The EasyCard customer service counter (T1 and T2 arrivals area)
• Airport MRT service counters at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stations
• 7-Eleven and FamilyMart inside the airport

This is the most convenient option for first-time visitors. You buy the card on arrival, top it up to NT$300–500, and use it immediately on the Airport MRT to Taipei.

Option 2: Any MRT Station

Every Taipei MRT station has an information / customer service desk that sells EasyCards. Just say “EasyCard” — they’ll hand you a blank card, take your NT$100 deposit, and ask how much credit you want loaded on. Most stations also have automated EasyCard vending machines.

Option 3: Convenience Stores

The most ubiquitous option. Every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart in Taiwan sells EasyCards at the cashier — these stores are open 24 hours, scattered across the country at roughly one-per-block density, and the staff will set you up in 60 seconds.

Option 4: Pre-Order Online

Klook and KKday sell EasyCards online with various pre-loaded values, ready to pick up at Taoyuan Airport when you land. Useful if you want to skip the airport queue or grab a special-design card. Cards through these channels are often the same price as standard cards but with the value preloaded.

Special-Design Cards

Limited-edition EasyCards (Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, Taipei 101 themed, etc.) sell at boutique gift shops and on Klook/KKday. Cost is higher (NT$200–500+) but they’re popular souvenirs. The standard plain card works just as well functionally.

How to Top Up Your EasyCard

Multiple ways to load credit onto your card:

At MRT Stations

Every MRT station has automated Add-Value Machines. Insert your EasyCard, insert NT$100, NT$500, or NT$1,000 bills, and the machine adds the credit. Touch-screen interface in English. Coins are not accepted at most add-value machines — bring bills.

You can also top up at MRT customer service desks if you prefer human service.

At Convenience Stores

Hand your EasyCard to the cashier at any 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, or OK Mart, say how much credit you want added (e.g. “jiā zhí wǔ bǎi” — “add 500 value”), pay in cash, and they’ll tap your card on the register. Takes 30 seconds.

Via the EasyCard App

The EasyCard mobile app (iOS and Android) lets you check your balance, view recent rides, and in some cases top up via mobile payment. The mobile top-up function works for some Taiwanese banking customers but is harder for international visitors without a Taiwan-issued credit card. For tourists, the cash top-up at a 7-Eleven is the easier option.

How Much to Load

For a typical 3–5 day Taipei trip, NT$300–500 is enough for most travelers — that covers about 15–25 MRT rides plus a handful of convenience-store purchases. Top up again as needed; you can carry as little or as much credit as you want.

How to Use EasyCard for the Taipei MRT

It’s almost too simple to need explaining, but here’s the standard flow:

1. Walk up to any MRT gate.
2. Tap your EasyCard on the round circle reader at the top of the gate. The display shows your remaining balance.
3. Walk through.
4. At your destination station, tap the card on the exit gate. The fare is automatically deducted; remaining balance shown.

Discount: EasyCard MRT rides are about 20% cheaper than buying single-journey tokens. A NT$25 token ride is about NT$20 with EasyCard.

Bus + MRT transfer discount: If you tap from MRT to bus (or vice versa) within 1 hour, you get an automatic NT$8 transfer discount.

Where Else Does EasyCard Work?

Beyond the MRT, the card works at an impressively broad range of places:

• Taipei City Buses: All buses. Tap on entry; tap on exit (some routes are flat-fare and only require tap on entry).
• Intercity Buses: Most major intercity bus routes accept EasyCard.
• Maokong Gondola: Tap to enter the gondola system at any station.
• YouBike (the city’s bike-share system): Use your EasyCard to unlock bikes at any YouBike station.
• Tamsui-Bali Ferry: Tap on boarding.
• High-Speed Rail (HSR): Most trains accept EasyCard for non-reserved standing-class travel; you’ll need to buy a ticket separately for reserved seats.
• Convenience stores: Every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart in Taiwan accepts EasyCard at checkout.
• Many parking lots: Tap to pay parking fees.
• Some taxis: Look for EasyCard logos on the taxi window.
• Many supermarkets: PX Mart and others.
• Tourist attractions: Taipei 101 observatory, Taipei Zoo, the National Palace Museum — many accept EasyCard for entry.
• Airport MRT: Both express and commuter trains.

Where EasyCard Doesn’t Work

• Most sit-down restaurants (use cash or credit card)
• Most night-market food stalls (cash only)
• Small independent shops (cash)
• Some traditional taxis (look for the logo first)
• Reserved-seat HSR or Taiwan Railway tickets (you can buy with credit on EasyCard at some kiosks but the standard process is a separate ticket)

How to Refund Your EasyCard at the End of Your Trip

The refund process is straightforward but has a few rules:

Where to Refund

• Any MRT station’s customer service desk (during operating hours)
• The Taoyuan Airport MRT service booth (for departing travelers)
• Some EasyCard service centers in Taipei

Refund Process

1. Go to a customer service desk with your EasyCard.
2. Tell the agent you want to refund the card.
3. They check the remaining balance.
4. You get back the stored value, minus a NT$20 processing fee.
5. The original NT$100 card cost is not refunded (this is the new policy as of recent years).

Refund Limits

• Maximum cash refund: NT$3,000 in cash. Higher balances are refunded by bank transfer (which is harder for international tourists without a Taiwan bank account).
• Processing fee: NT$20 (applied to refunds where the card has been used less than 5 times within 3 months of issuance — in practice, almost all tourist refunds qualify for a fee waiver if used regularly during a 3+ day trip)
• The card itself is not returned — it’s destroyed at the time of refund.

Should You Even Refund?

For most tourists, the math doesn’t really make refunding worthwhile if you only have NT$50–100 left on the card. Several alternatives:

• Use up the balance at a 7-Eleven before leaving. Buy water, snacks, or small souvenirs. Easy and zero hassle.
• Keep the card as a souvenir. The card stays valid for many years, so if you return to Taiwan you can use it again.
• Give the card to a friend who’s heading to Taiwan.

EasyCard vs iPASS vs TPASS

Three smart-card options exist in Taiwan; tourists almost always want EasyCard.

EasyCard (Recommended for Tourists)

• Originated in Taipei (north Taiwan)
• Most accepted card nationwide (~90% in north Taiwan, 60% in south)
• Standard tourist choice
• NT$100 card cost

iPASS

• Originated in Kaohsiung (south Taiwan)
• More accepted in Kaohsiung and the south (~53%)
• Less accepted in Taipei (~15%)
• Nearly identical functionality to EasyCard
• NT$100 card cost

For tourists who’ll be mostly in Taipei or the north, EasyCard is the clear pick. For travelers who’ll be mostly in Kaohsiung or the south, iPASS is slightly better. For trips that cross the country, EasyCard wins on broader acceptance.

TPASS (Northern Taiwan Megacity Pass)

Launched in 2023, TPASS is a monthly unlimited-rides pass for transit. The Northern TPASS covers Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan — including the Airport MRT — for NT$1,200/month.

Is TPASS worth it for tourists? Usually not. The math: a NT$1,200 monthly pass requires you to make about 60 NT$20 MRT rides in 30 days for the math to break even (vs an EasyCard). Even an aggressive 3-day Taipei traveler usually does only 15–25 rides, well below break-even. TPASS only makes sense if you’re staying 3+ weeks and using transit constantly. Tourists almost always come out ahead with EasyCard.

EasyCard Tips for Tourists

Buy at the airport, not after you arrive in town. Saves time and lets you use it on the Airport MRT. The line at TPE airport service desks is rarely more than 10 minutes.

Top up NT$300–500 to start. You can always add more. Carrying too much credit means a refund hassle later.

Don’t lose the card. Anonymous EasyCards (the standard tourist version) can’t be replaced — anyone who finds your card can use the remaining balance. Treat it like cash.

Carry it in a pocket. The card works through some clothing and most thin wallets, so you can tap with the card still in your wallet.

Don’t put two transit cards in the same wallet. Two cards (e.g., EasyCard + iPASS) in the same wallet can confuse the gate reader and result in a “card error” or double-charge.

Auto-load is for residents. Auto-recharge from a Taiwanese bank account isn’t really an option for international visitors.

Children’s EasyCards. Special-design “child” EasyCards exist for under-12s with discounted fares — buy at MRT customer service desks if traveling with kids.

Senior cards. If you’re 65+ and a Taiwan resident, special senior EasyCards offer free local rides — but these require Taiwan residency.

Common Questions and Mistakes

Forgetting to tap out at the MRT. The system charges you the maximum possible fare for the line if you don’t tap out. Always remember the exit tap.

Trying to share one card between two people. Each person needs their own card — only one tap per gate.

Putting the card too close to a magnetic strip. Generally fine, but very strong magnets can demagnetize the chip. Most regular phones, keys, and wallets are no problem.

Not topping up before a long trip. If you run out of credit mid-trip, you can’t pass through the exit gate. Top up before you go below NT$30.

Trying to use EasyCard for the HSR reserved seats. EasyCard works for HSR standing-class travel only; reserved seats need a separate ticket.

Buying iPASS in Taipei because it was on sale. Functionally fine, but EasyCard is more widely accepted in Taipei. Stick with EasyCard if you’ll be mostly in the north.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an EasyCard cost?

NT$100 for the card itself (non-refundable), plus whatever stored value you choose to top up. Most tourists start with NT$300–500 of credit.

Where can I buy an EasyCard in Taipei?

At Taoyuan International Airport (both terminals), every Taipei MRT station, and every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart in Taiwan. Convenience stores are open 24 hours, making them the easiest fallback option.

How do I top up my EasyCard?

Use the Add-Value Machines at MRT stations (insert NT$100/500/1,000 bills) or hand the card to a cashier at any 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, or OK Mart. The mobile EasyCard app is also available but more useful for residents than tourists.

Can I get my EasyCard deposit back?

The NT$100 card cost is non-refundable as of current policy. Stored-value credit can be refunded at MRT customer service desks (NT$20 processing fee, max NT$3,000 cash refund) or at the Taoyuan Airport MRT service booth before you depart.

Does EasyCard work outside Taipei?

Yes. EasyCard is accepted across most of Taiwan — Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Kenting, and most major cities. Acceptance is highest in Taipei and northern Taiwan.

What’s the difference between EasyCard and iPASS?

EasyCard originated in Taipei and is more widely accepted in northern Taiwan; iPASS originated in Kaohsiung and is more widely accepted in the south. For tourists who will spend most of their trip in Taipei, EasyCard is the better choice.

Can I use EasyCard at convenience stores?

Yes — every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart in Taiwan accepts EasyCard at the checkout register. You can also top up the card at the same registers.

How much should I load on my EasyCard?

For a 3–5 day Taipei trip, NT$300–500 is usually enough. You can always top up more — there’s no rush to carry a large balance.

Can I use one EasyCard for two people?

No. Each rider needs their own card. The MRT gate only allows one tap per pass-through.

What happens if my EasyCard runs out of credit?

You can’t pass through the exit gate. Top up at the MRT station’s customer service desk or Add-Value Machine. Some stations also have a “Negative Balance Refund” lane for emergencies.

Final Take

The EasyCard is the single most useful purchase any tourist makes in Taipei. Pick one up at Taoyuan Airport on arrival, load NT$500, and you’re set for almost everything: MRT, buses, the Maokong Gondola, the Tamsui ferry, every convenience store snack, and many tourist attractions. At the end of your trip, just spend the last few hundred NT at a 7-Eleven on water and souvenirs and call it done. NT$100 well spent.