# Taiwan eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi? Prices, battery, returns

Taiwan has three ways online: a rented router from about $3.50 a day, a tourist SIM paid in cash at the airport, or an eSIM installed before you fly.

Published 2026-10-23, updated 2026-10-23. Page: https://inboxesim.com/guides/taiwan-esim-vs-pocket-wifi

## Pocket Wi-Fi and tourist SIM prices in Taiwan

| Option | Price | Data | How you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| iVideo pocket Wi-Fi | US$3.50 a day | Unlimited 4G under fair use; weak on offshore islands and in the mountains | Taoyuan T1 and T2 counters, convenience stores or hotel delivery |
| Chunghwa 5G Traveller SIM | NT$600 for 5 days (about $18.40) | Unlimited data, 5 GB for tethering, NT$50 of calls | Chunghwa counters at four major airports, NT$ cash only |

iVideo's router runs 6 to 8 hours per battery and comes with a spare; it suggests two or three devices at once for a good connection. Returns go in boxes at Taoyuan or Kaohsiung airport or any 7-Eleven, and a lost router is charged unless it turns up within 14 days.

## The same trip on an eSIM

**Asia 14 regional** (https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional)

| Data | Validity | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=hook |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $5.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=light |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $8.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=mid |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $14.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=fat |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $28.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=big |

Day Pass (3 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps):

| Days | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $17.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=5 |
| 7 | $23.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=7 |
| 10 | $31.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=10 |

We sell no Taiwan-only pack; Taiwan is on our [Asia 14 regional pack](https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional), with Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and ten more. It is installed at home on Wi-Fi: no passport upload, no cash counter and nothing to return.

## When a router or SIM is the better pick

- A family sharing one connection all day, with a spare battery in the bag.
- You need a Taiwanese number for calls: the Chunghwa tourist SIM includes some.
- Your phone is carrier-locked or has no eSIM.

## Sources

- iVideo: Taiwan WiFi: https://www.ivideo.com.tw/english/wifi/50365 (read 2026-10-23)
- Chunghwa Telecom: prepaid tourist SIM: https://www.cht.com.tw/home/campaign/prepaidtour/index_en.html (read 2026-10-23)