Taiwan has a lot going for it —cool cities, stunning natural landscapes, interesting history, and a fabulous food scene. However, traveling to a new place can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the language and customs. Luckily, there are a couple of travel apps for Taiwan that can help make your journey smoother and so much more enjoyable.
In this blog post, I’ll share my favorite travel apps for Taiwan! Since I live here, I use these apps every day, and I know they’ll make your adventure so much easier and more fun!
I’ll cover all the essential apps you’ll need, like navigation and translation tools, but I’ve also got some cool picks for local transport, taxis, messaging, and even which food app to use if you’re not up for an adventure! These apps will help you hit the ground running and elevate your trip to the next level!
Let’s dive right in!
Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
My 12 Best Travel Apps for Taiwan
Google Maps
I’m generally quite good with directions, but I’ve gotten lost in Taiwan more times than I care to admit!
As a South African, I’m used to cities being well-laid out logically, with streets running parallel to one another. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case in Taiwan—there are so many hidden alleys and winding streets! I’ve had countless experiences of seemingly straightforward routes ending up in dead ends, so I’ve definitely had my fair share of feeling directionally challenged.
So, how can you avoid all my mistakes?
Use Google Maps!
It’s one of the most handy (and popular) apps for getting around Taiwan, and it provides up-to-date information on public transportation (buses, trains, and subways). It also gives great walking and driving directions for cars and scooters, making your travels super easy.
I always suggest getting a local SIM or eSIM for your Taiwan trip, but if that’s not for you, don’t worry! One fantastic feature of Google Maps is that you can download maps to use offline, so you won’t need any data while exploring.
Just a quick insider tip, though: While Google Maps tends to be pretty accurate in major cities, there can be the occasional detour, especially in more off-beat places in Taiwan where public transport is a bit more limited. I’ve experienced this waiting for a bus in Yilan and Donggao Bay! Hopefully, you won’t face this hiccup, but if you do, remember it is all part of the adventure, and sometimes getting lost turns out to be some of the best (and funniest) memories!
Google Translate
Chinese is the official language of Taiwan, and while most locals can speak some basic English, you’re going to run into instances where sign language and nonverbal cues just won’t cut it!
I’ve gathered some super useful phrases for you in my Chinese language cheat sheet guide, but I also have some cool ones here focusing on ordering drinks in Taiwan. While these will come in handy, the easiest way to really avoid getting lost in translation is to download Google Translate to your phone.
The app has a text function, allowing you to type your message in English (or any other language) and almost instantly get the translation. It also has a scanning feature (which I love!) that uses your phone’s camera to quickly translate product labels, menus, instructions, and more.
Just make sure you set the translation to traditional Chinese and not simplified Chinese (used in China). Also, if you’re not going to grab a local SIM card, make sure to download Chinese beforehand on the app so that you can translate without an internet connection.
Taiwan Railway
Taiwan has the BEST public transport! One of the highlights is its fantastic railway network that can take you practically anywhere on the island.
Although navigating the trains here might seem a bit daunting, especially as a first-time visitor, I’ve got a great tip for you!
Download the Taiwan Railway app!
It’s one of my go-to apps, and I can’t recommend it enough! It’s great for checking timetables, train numbers, delays, travel times, and ticket prices. But that’s not all! What I love most about it is that it is user-friendly and has a simple design that won’t make you feel even more overwhelmed!
You’ll need to know the exact name of the station for your starting point and destination to use it successfully.
My little secret?
Use Google Maps to determine which stations you’ll access during your trip.
Once you’ve got those, simply select your departure and arrival stations on the app along with your travel date, and voila! All the trains running that day will show up, complete with their train numbers, duration, and costs.
Unfortunately, you can’t book tickets on the app, which is a bummer. But even so, it’s still a great tool and will come in handy if you run into a hiccup, like missing your train.
T-Express
I already mentioned how great the public transport is in Taiwan, so it only makes sense to also tell you about the high-speed rail.
The high-speed rail (or bullet train) is the most convenient (and fastest) way to travel between the north and south of the island’s western coastline. While you can book tickets directly at any station or on their website, having the T-Express app on your phone will make your travels so much easier. Not only will you be able to book tickets anywhere, anytime, but you’ll never have to stand in long lines again!
Some of the app’s main perks include easy-to-understand timetables & fares, instant payments, cancellations, and even modifications. However, the best feature in my opinion is that you can purchase tickets up to 5 minutes before a train departs.
Another awesome feature is that you can opt to get a mobile ticket, which you simply scan at the gates. That way, you’ll save even more time and do your bit to help minimize paper usage!
Uber
I’m sure you’re already familiar with Uber, so I won’t get into too much detail. But essentially, Uber is a ride-sharing app that allows you to book a taxi right on your phone with a few simple clicks.
Whether you’re going from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei or just need a quick ride around town, Uber makes getting from point A to B super easy. I use Uber all the time, not just in Taiwan, because it’s usually more affordable than regular taxis. I also know exactly what the fare will be upfront, and it’s just super convenient.
Another perk is that you can link your bank card, so you won’t need to worry about carrying cash around with you.
While Uber generally tends to be a bit cheaper than the standard yellow taxis in Taiwan, there might be times —especially for longer trips or less touristy spots—where it’s worth comparing prices on other apps like FindTaxi or 55688.
Klook
If you’re looking for a great travel app that allows you to book sightseeing tours and must-do activities while in Taiwan, you’ll want to download Klook.
The app offers a variety of tours and experiences —from food tours and cultural activities to day trip excursions and even multi-day trips!
The best part? The app also provides instant confirmation on selected bookings, and you can easily cancel or amend your booking if your plans change. Just remember to read the fine print carefully, as some excursions require a minimum number of participants to proceed.
Agoda
You probably already have a hotel booking app on your phone, but if you’re traveling in Taiwan, Agoda is the go-to app for the best accommodation deals.
Their prices are generally lower than other platforms like Booking.com and Hotels Combined, and the app even features better deals than their actual website. Also, you won’t need to worry about hidden costs as the quoted price usually includes taxes.
Like other booking platforms, you can manage bookings right in the app and communicate with your hotel.
Go! Taipei Metro
If you’re going to spend a few days in Taipei, you’re definitely going to need the Go! Taipei Metro app.
It provides the entire route map of the Taipei metro system, but it also has a bunch of added features to help you travel more easily. These include station exit information, schedules for the next train, transfer information for buses, parking, and even nearby YouBike stations. Another great feature is the journey planner, which helps you calculate the fastest route to your destination.
Line
You probably already know about WhatsApp, but in Taiwan, Line is the go-to app for messaging. It has all the classic features you’d expect, like voice and video calls, voice notes, and text messages, but it also has some really fun extras!
What makes Line super special are its amazing features! You can choose from oodles of expressive icons and animated stickers with sound! Plus, you can personalize your app with customizable templates for the background and display. (I have the Miffy one, and it’s so cute!)
While it makes chatting with friends and family much more fun, you’ll also need it for touristy things like communicating with your private driver, tour guide or even your minsu (B&B).
Uber Eats & Food Panda
Taiwan is a mecca for foodies, and there’s a lot of GOOD food going around! The island has an array of famous night markets, and you should definitely make an effort to check out a couple of local restaurants and cafes during your trip.
However, there may be days you don’t feel like going out or translating menus —especially if you’re planning a Taiwan travel itinerary for 2 weeks or more. I get it!
If you find yourself in this situation, there is a quick fix: Uber Eats and Food Panda.
Both are super popular apps that allow you to order food from countless restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores with just a few clicks. You can also link your card to the app, so you never have to worry about having the exact amount of money on you.
Oh, and if you plan to use these apps quite often, both offer monthly passes, which can help you save money on delivery fees.
Xe Currency Converter
Having a currency converter on your phone is a useful tool for figuring out what things really cost while traveling. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen an item that seemed really cheap (especially in Europe), only to realize, after converting the price, that it would totally ruin my budget.
While things are undoubtedly a lot cheaper in Taiwan than in Europe, it’s still a good idea to have a currency converter, like XE, on your phone. It’s easy to use and takes all the guesswork (and math!) out of figuring out how much you’re really spending. Plus, it covers 130 different currencies!
PS: If you’re an iPhone user, you don’t even need to download an extra app! Simply open your calculator, tap the small calculator icon in the bottom left corner, and enable the conversion feature.
YouBike 2.0
The YouBike 2.0 app is another useful app for Taiwan. Basically, YouBike is Taiwan’s official bike-sharing system, and you’ll find dozens of stations in all major cities like Taipei, Taichung, Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Pingtung, and Miaoli.
The app has an interactive map making it easy to locate bike stations near you and see how many bikes are available at each station. The app will even show you if any electric bicycles (the orange and white bikes) are available and how fully charged they are.
Another perk about the YouBike 2.0 app is that it is available in English, making it super easy to use. The app also lets you view rental info, rates, and much more in just a few clicks.
You don’t necessarily need to register for the app to use it, but you will need to register at the docking station to rent a bike. Make sure you have an Easy Card and a local number to do this. Otherwise, you’ll need a credit card to sign the bike out. The holding fee is TWD 2000 for YouBike 1.0 and TWD 3000 for YouBike 2.0.
Taiwan Travel Apps in Conclusion
Taiwan is an amazing destination, and with a little help from the travel apps mentioned above, you’ll easily navigate the cities, communicate with locals, find the best tours and get the best deals on places to stay!
Well, that wraps up my quick guide to the best travel apps in Taiwan! If you have any other suggestions for must-have apps for Taiwan, let me know in the comments below!
If you found this guide useful, don’t forget to save it for your future trip!
Greetings from Singapore! When making payments on the KLOOK website from your home country, do you opt to pay in your home currency or the destination currency? How about when you are at your destination country? I am using a credit card that does not charge any foreign transaction fees. Thank you!
Hey Al, I usually just do it in my home currency as the prices on my app are set up like that. If your credit card doesn’t charge you any foreign transaction fees, then I guess you can use either way.
Hi,
even if your card doesnt charge FX fees, the merchant might. So always seek to use the local currency as your credit card charge. Many merchants markup 5-8% when they convert to your home currency, i.e. they give a far worse rate than the rates applied by Mastercard, Visa, etc.
Thanks Roshan, this is a great tip!
Although we came from Taiwan, but that was for a long time ago. We plan to travel there in April, your write-up will certainly be useful. My question is that do you down load some of the Taiwan specific apps here or do so after you get there? The Taiwan specific apps are sych as Taiwan Railway, T-Express, Go! Taipei Metro, etc.
Thanks,
Hi Chaw-Bing, I’m not sure if some of them have access limitations outside of Taiwan, but try to download them beforehand. That way, you won’t have to worry about cutting into your data usage while here.
Great picks! Another one worth adding is ATM Fee Saver. It finds no-fee ATMs worldwide, and since withdrawal fees can stack up quickly, it’s a lifesaver. Plus, it includes limits and a fee calculator—super useful!
That’s a great add-on, Charlie! Thanks! I’ll check it out.