E-sim vs physical sim as tourist

https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/1j7l4wz/esim_vs_physical_sim_as_tourist/

created by pomegranate444 on 09/03/2025 at 23:42 UTC

1 upvotes, 10 top-level comments (showing 10)

Coming for a week as a tourist (3 people). Any experiences re physical short term sim vs e-sim in terms of convenience etc?

Thank you.

Comments

Comment by Few_Echidna4204 at 09/03/2025 at 23:56 UTC

7 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Can get both of them easily at the airport arrivals hall. Many options.

Comment by Ultra101 at 10/03/2025 at 00:46 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Going back again myself in a couple of weeks. I’ve had good experience using Chunghwa within the airport terminals inside arrivals and outside customs in airport. You can typically get a few day up to a month of service. Pretty cheap and has worked from northern Taiwan to very Southern for decently long trips. Super easy to use. The workers are very very helpful.

Also you can get an easycard from Klook website that you can also pick up at the airport terminal with some money pre-loaded which can be used on many things. Specifically trains (not hsr), busses, taxis that way you aren’t fumbling for cash or coins. Very handy the minute you get on the train to Taipei.

All places open up in airport really early too.

Cheers

Comment by binime at 10/03/2025 at 01:45 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

If you have an iPhone having an eSIM allows you to have more than one sim in your phone at a time which is fantastic. I use esims all the time when traveling and love that I never have to change SIM cards and 5g runs great. You can get an unlimited data eSIM at the airport and it’s reasonably priced.

Comment by Probably_daydreaming at 10/03/2025 at 03:13 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I personally prefer physical sim. You can buy a sim at the airport, unlimited data, uses the local telco network. Chunghwa telecom has quite good coverage and stable even in the mountains, the process at the airport is fast and cheap.

Comment by HighPeakLight at 10/03/2025 at 01:12 UTC

2 upvotes, 1 direct replies

esim is the most convenient choice (unless of course your phone can’t take an esim). i’ve only used Airalo esims in taiwan (data only), and they’ve been fine—not the fastest but 5G and good enough. Plus no need to queue up at a counter at the airport.

Comment by LegendaryTanuki at 10/03/2025 at 05:35 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Physical short-term SIM always beats my eSIM in terms of signal strength, speed, and reliability. You also get a local Taiwan phone number.
eSIM is definitely cheaper, but you *might* get outages of several hours at a time in places that shouldn't have a reception problem. Otherwise, it's definitely more convenient, since you can just download an app.
There shouldn't be lines at the airport to get a physical SIM. Also, you don't have to buy from Klook. You'll spend more time figuring out where to pick up your Klook SIM than going to a booth.

Comment by Extension-Dare7375 at 10/03/2025 at 00:32 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I use Nomad. Cheap and easy

Comment by whatdafuhk at 10/03/2025 at 03:02 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

both are acceptable options but if you go the esim route, you don't need to buy at the airport and can get it off kkday or klook or wherever you find a good deal

Comment by NINJATONYSOPRANO at 10/03/2025 at 03:05 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I used nomad esim the past 2 weeks, I stacked some discount codes and ended up paying 8,74€ for a 5G 20gb pack.

Usually I get the SIM at the airport but this was way easier and was cheaper for my use!

Comment by kitty1220 at 10/03/2025 at 08:01 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I always go for physical SIM. There's counter right in the arrivals area near the baggage claim and it's easy to buy a physical SIM, ask the staff to help you install and check the connection (usually Chunghwa, which is pretty reliable). Sometimes you get a nice offer of the first day being free of charge.