Best Apps to Use When Traveling in Taiwan 📱🇹🇼

Punta ka na ng Taiwan — pero ready na ba yung phone mo? The right apps can make the difference between a smooth, stress-free trip and one where you're standing at a bus stop with no idea what's happening. Here are the six apps that never leave the home screen on every Taiwan trip. Ganito lang 'yan! 😉

Why Apps Matter in Taiwan 🤔

Taiwan's transport system is excellent, its food scene is world-class, and most major tourist areas are foreigner-friendly — but it's still a foreign country where Mandarin is the primary language. Having the right apps loaded and ready before you land means you can navigate, pay, book, and communicate without any of the usual friction.

One non-negotiable before anything else: you need internet access for all of these to work. Sort out your data connection before your trip — the three options are:

• 📶 Data eSIM — no physical pickup needed, activate before your flight. Best for eSIM-compatible unlocked phones.
• 📶 Physical SIM Card — pick up at the airport. Requires an unlocked phone.
• 📶 Pocket WiFi — shareable across up to 5 devices. Pick up at the airport, return on departure.

All three available on Klook. Use promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off.

The 6 Essential Apps for Taiwan Travel 📲

1. Banking Apps 💳

What it's for: Real-time spending monitoring and ATM withdrawals abroad.

Three Philippine e-wallet and banking apps worth having active before you fly:

• 🏦 MariBank — the standout option for Taiwan specifically. MariBank offers 0% foreign exchange markup and zero ATM withdrawal fees abroad, meaning the rate you get is essentially the published Google rate with nothing added on top. If you're only setting up one card for this trip, this is the one.
• 🏦 GoTyme Visa Card — solid alternative with competitive forex rates and widely accepted at Taiwanese ATMs.
• 🏦 GCash Visa Card — the most commonly used option among Filipino travelers. Works at most ATMs in Taiwan including Taoyuan Airport and 7-Eleven locations.

Keep whichever app you use open during your trip for real-time peso conversion monitoring — you can see exactly how much you're spending without doing mental math on every transaction.

ATMs are easy to find in Taiwan — at Taoyuan Airport arrivals, Bank of Taiwan branches, and inside 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

⚠️ Critical tip: Whether paying by card or withdrawing from an ATM, always choose to be charged in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) — never Philippine Peso. Choosing peso conversion activates a worse exchange rate set by the ATM operator, not your bank. Always decline the conversion offer.

For the full breakdown on getting the best exchange rate and avoiding money changers, read: 8 Taiwan Travel Budget Hacks Every First-Timer Should Know →

2. Translate App 🌐

What it's for: Reading menus, signage, and communicating in less touristy areas.

The built-in iPhone Translate app works well for Taiwan. Google Translate is equally solid and has a camera mode that translates text in real time — point your phone at a menu and it overlays the English translation on screen.

In Taipei's main tourist areas — Ximending, Taipei Main Station, major night markets — English is fairly common. Shop and restaurant owners can usually manage basic English, and many places have English menus available. The app becomes more essential the further you get from the tourist trail: smaller towns, rural day trips, and local eateries where menus are Mandarin-only.

Good to have ready. You may not use it constantly, but when you need it, you really need it.

3. Klook 🎟️

What it's for: Booking tickets, tours, transport passes, and SIM cards — all in one place.

Klook is the primary booking platform for Taiwan travel. Everything from Taiwan HSR tickets and Airport MRT passes to North Coast day tours, EasyCards, Fun Passes, and eSIMs are all bookable here.

Once booked, all your confirmations live inside the Klook app — no printing needed. Show your booking confirmation on the app when claiming tickets, boarding tours, or picking up your transport card.

Use promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off on any Klook booking worldwide — not just Taiwan.

4. Agoda 🏨

What it's for: Hotel bookings and pre-arrival communication with your hotel.

All hotel bookings are managed through the Agoda app — no need to print confirmations. When checking in, simply show your booking confirmation on the app along with your passport.

The standout feature for Taiwan travelers is the in-app chat function — you can message your hotel directly before arrival to ask about early check-in, late check-out, room preferences, or any specific needs. Particularly useful if you're arriving on a red eye or have luggage storage requests.

Use promo code HEYIANCHOTEL for up to 10% off hotel bookings — usable up to 5 times per account.

💡 Pro Tip: Taiwan's Taiwan Online Arrival Card (TWAC) requires your hotel address before you fly. Book your accommodation in advance so you have this ready when you fill out the form. The TWAC is free at twac.immigration.gov.tw — beware of fake sites charging $20–25 for this free service. Read the full scam warning: Fake Taiwan Arrival Card Websites Are Scamming Travelers →

5. Uber 🚗

What it's for: Point-to-point rides when commuting isn't practical.

Uber operates in Taipei and is a reliable fallback for situations where public transport is inconvenient — late night arrivals, days when you're exhausted, or routes that involve too many transfers. It's also the most practical option for destinations slightly outside the MRT network, like Rainbow Village in Taichung or leg-stretches between Keelung day trip stops.

Price-wise, it's more expensive than the MRT or bus — but fairly reasonable, especially when split across a group or when traveling with seniors or young children.

⚠️ Important: Set up your Uber account and link your payment card before you leave the Philippines. The app may require a one-time PIN during account setup that needs a working phone number — easier to sort at home than at the airport.

Bolt is an alternative ride-hailing app also available in Taiwan — good to have as a backup if Uber is surging.

❌ Grab is not available in Taiwan. Don't rely on it.

6. Google Maps 🗺️

What it's for: Everything navigation — MRT routes, bus numbers, walking directions, travel time estimates.

This is the most important app on this entire list. Google Maps works exceptionally well across Taiwan — it handles MRT routes, bus lines, walking paths, and even shuttle bus connections with accurate travel time estimates.

The workflow for every destination is simple: type in where you're going, select public transit, and Google Maps will lay out the exact MRT lines, bus numbers, and walking legs to get there from your current location. No guesswork, no printing maps, no getting lost.

For day trips where you're navigating between multiple stops — like the Keelung Day Trip or the Tamsui route — keeping Google Maps open throughout the day is what makes the whole DIY approach work.

💡 Pro Tip: Download the offline map for Taiwan before you fly, in case you hit a dead zone or want to save data. In Google Maps: search Taiwan → tap the three dots → Download offline map.

Quick Reference: Apps and What They Do 📋

Before You Fly: Full Pre-Trip Checklist 🛫

Apps are only one part of pre-trip prep. For everything else — from transport cards and arrival cards to budget templates and itinerary planning — read the complete guide:

• Taiwan First Timer Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Trip →
• 8 Taiwan Travel Budget Hacks Every First-Timer Should Know →
• How to Get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: Late Night and Early Morning Guide →
• Download the Free All-in-One Travel Budget and Itinerary Planner →

All-in-One Travel Budget & Itinerary Planner

Free, plug-and-play Google Sheets/Excel template with budget trackers, itinerary planners, and country-specific cheatsheets

Access for Free

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

What apps do I need for Taiwan travel? The six essential apps are: GCash/GoTyme (spending and ATM), Translate app, Klook (bookings), Agoda (hotels), Uber (rides), and Google Maps (navigation). Google Maps is the most important of all.

Is Grab available in Taiwan? No. Grab does not operate in Taiwan. Use Uber or Bolt instead.

Do I need internet for these apps to work? Yes — all six apps require an active data connection. Sort out your eSIM, physical SIM, or Pocket WiFi before your trip via Klook using promo code HEYIANCKLOOK.

Can I use GCash to withdraw NTD in Taiwan? Yes — GCash Visa Card works at most Taiwanese ATMs including those at Taoyuan Airport and 7-Eleven locations. Always choose to be charged in NTD, not Philippine Peso, to get the best rate.

Do I need to print my Klook or Agoda bookings? No. Show your confirmation on the Klook or Agoda app along with your passport. No printing needed.

What is the best navigation app for Taiwan? Google Maps. It handles MRT routes, bus numbers, walking directions, and travel time estimates across all of Taiwan — including less touristy areas outside Taipei.

🏷️ Travel Discount Codes

Planning to book hotels or activities for your Taiwan trip? Use these exclusive discount codes before you check out — tap the buttons below to open the app directly and save the code to your account automatically.

⚠️ Codes are limited use only. Tap the buttons above to open the app and save your code before booking.

Hope this helps! More travels soon!