*1 yuan = approximately 4.9 yen (at the time of publication)
What is Taiwan's "EasyCard"?
The card number and inquiry phone number are printed on the back.
The EasyCard (also known as the Easy Card or EASY CARD) is a prepaid transportation IC card that can be used on public transportation in Taiwan.
In addition to regular cards (regular cards) that can be purchased at stations and convenience stores, there are also student cards for Taiwan residents, cards for seniors over 65 years old, and cards for people with disabilities. They come in a variety of shapes, including limited edition cards (special cards) in collaboration with characters or popular brands, and 3D cards (sculpted cards). Gift shops in tourist spots such as Taipei 101 also sell limited edition cards that can't be bought anywhere else.
Purchase price
A regular EasyCard costs 100 yuan, but special cards and model cards cost more than 100 yuan. Currently, cards are purchased instead of being deposited, so the 100 yuan purchased is not refundable.
The card itself has a recharge function, so you can load the amount you want to use onto it and avoid having to carry cash.
Stores and places where you can use it
The EasyCard can be used primarily on public transportation, at convenience stores, restaurants, shops, vending machines, etc. Depending on how you use it, you may be able to get a discount, so we will also introduce the conditions here.
| Available spots | Available areas and locations | Discount conditions |
|---|---|---|
| MRT | Taipei, Taoyuan, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung | ・Within an hour from Taipei MRT To Taipei City or New Taipei City Bus If you transfer, you can get a discount of 8 RMB on the bus fare. ・Kaohsiung MRT can be used with EasyCard 15% discount |
| City buses, medium and long distance buses (※1) | All over Taiwan | |
| Taiwan Railways | All over Taiwan | ・When using within 70km, 10% discount on local trains (local trains) |
| taxi (Not available in some taxis) | All over Taiwan | |
| convenience store | 7-Eleven, Family Mart, OK MART, Hi-Life | |
| supermarket | Allied Welfare Center (※2) Carrefour | |
| Tourist attractions | Taipei 101, Ningxia Night Market | |
| Department stores | Eslite Bookstore, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi | |
| Drug store | Watsons, COSMED, POYA | |
| Large stationery stores, general merchandise stores | Xiaobei Department Store, Guangnan Dapu, MUJI, 9 times 9 | |
| restaurant | Happounshu, Stone Two Pot, Masatada Pork Ribs Rice, KFC | |
| Drink stand, cafe | 50 Arashi, COMEBUY, Starbucks Coffee | |
| Bicycle sharing (※3) | YouBike |
Please see below for other available spots.
Web: Scope of use (EasyCard official website) (foreign language site)
*1: If you pay with cash on the city bus, no change will be given. For medium- and long-distance buses, you can purchase tickets from the ticket machine or counter, or use your EasyCard on the bus.
*2: Credit cards cannot be used at the National Union Welfare Center.
*3: Membership registration is required to use the service. You can use the service by registering your EasyCard number and a Taiwanese mobile phone number. If you do not have a Taiwanese mobile phone number, you can register with a credit card.
How to purchase an EasyCard
From here, we will introduce five ways to purchase an EasyCard.
① Subway (MRT) station ticket counters, IC card vending machines, and dedicated machines
You can purchase a card at the IC card vending machine (售卡機), EasyCard machine, or at the ticket counter (訽問處) next to the ticket gate in the MRT station. No identification documents are required.
Ticket vending machine for Taoyuan MRT, which is directly connected to Taoyuan International Airport. The one on the far left is an IC card vending machine.
EasyCard machine (inside MRT Zhongshan Station)
EasyCard machine (inside Taipei Bus Station)
②Airport counter
Wi-Fi router and SIM card counter at Taoyuan International Airport
You can purchase, charge, and get refunds at the Taoyuan Airport MRT Service Counter in the arrival lobby of Taoyuan International Airport. You may also be able to purchase cards at Wi-Fi router and SIM card counters at each airport.
③Convenience stores
EasyCards are lined up near the cash registers at Japanese convenience stores 7-Eleven and Family Mart, as well as local convenience stores Hi-Life and OK MART. Incidentally, the "icash" card, which is also lined up in the same place, is an IC card issued by President Company, which operates 7-ELEVEN. "iPASS" is an IC card from the southern region. It is different from the EasyCard and has a different scope of use.
④EasyCard Service Center
You can purchase, recharge, and get refunds at the EasyCard Service Centers located in Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall Station, etc. See below for locations.
Web: Location (EasyCard official website) (foreign language site)
5. Purchase in advance in Japan and pick up in Taiwan
You can purchase and charge your card in advance on online reservation sites for optional tours, and pick it up at the airport counter in Taiwan. The site is also available in Japanese, so it is convenient for those who want to get it as soon as they arrive in Taiwan.
Recharging is not possible in Japan! How to recharge your EasyCard
Let's charge the EasyCard we just purchased right away.
In order to charge your card, unless you purchase it in advance, you will generally need to charge it "locally in Taiwan."
Subway (MRT) and Taiwan Railway ticket vending machines
You can charge your card at the ticket vending machines near the ticket gates of the MRT and Taiwan Railway. Many of the ticket vending machines are also available in Japanese, so you can rest assured. Please note that payment is by cash only, credit cards cannot be used.
<How to charge on the subway (MRT)>
First, head to the ticket machine near the MRT ticket gate.
For sites where language selection is available, you can select "Japanese" and proceed.
Once the language has changed, touch "IC card charge." Depending on the ticket machine, you may be asked to select the charge amount, so select the amount you want to charge.
Place your EasyCard on the sensor to display your remaining balance. After inserting cash (coins or bills), touch "Next."
The charge amount and the remaining balance after charging will be displayed.
Convenience stores with the Easy Card mark
Say "Woyaotyudi yoyoka" and hand over the amount you want to add to your card at the cashier, (convenience stores accept add-ons of 100 yuan or more). Credit cards cannot be used.
How to check your EasyCard balance
You can check your remaining balance by placing your EasyCard on the sensor of MRT or Taiwan Railway ticket vending machines, or if you want to check on the go, you can check it on the multimedia devices at convenience stores (ibon at 7-Eleven).
<How to check on ibon>
① Touch "Life Services" from the home screen
② Touch "icash/EasyCard/iCash Inquiry" in the top center of the screen.
③ Touch "EasyCard"
④ Click on "Six-item trade inquiry (view the history of the last six transactions)" on the left
⑤ Place your EasyCard on the sensor and touch "Next Step."
⑥ Your remaining balance will be displayed in the "Current Card Remaining Amount" field at the top of the screen.
⑦ Touch "Confirm" to finish
[Q&A] Important points to note about the Easy Card
Is there an expiration date?
The validity period is 20 years.
What is the charge limit?
The charge limit is NT$10,000. The single usage limit is NT$1,500, and the daily usage limit is NT$3,000.
How do I get a refund or return it?
You can get a refund at the EasyCard Customer Service Center (EasyCard Customer Service Center) or at any MRT counter. There is a refund fee of NT$20. However, if you have used the card more than five times within three months of purchase, you can get a refund for free.
Can I use it with smartphone payments such as Apple Pay?
Smartphone payments cannot be used with Apple Pay, which is not linked to a Taiwanese bank account.
Can I pay by both cash and card?
You cannot use both cash and your EasyCard. If you don't have enough money on your EasyCard, you can charge it first and then make a payment.
EasyCards come in a wide variety of designs! Keychain designs and more are now available!
Did you know that EasyCards come in a variety of designs, including three-dimensional designs in addition to card shapes?
In particular, since limited-time or limited-quantity Easy Cards often sell out as soon as they go on sale, some collectors living in Japan use shopping proxy services.
For the latest information on card-type collaboration cards (special cards) and three-dimensional collaboration cards (sculpted cards), please see below.
Web: Design Collection (on the EasyCard official website) (foreign language site)
The convenient EasyCard can be used in the same way as Japan's transportation IC cards.
If you are going to travel to Taiwan, try using the EasyCard! Learn how to use it to your advantage and enjoy your trip to Taiwan.
Easy Card
Photos: Chie Onishi and Yili Chen
Related article
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
