Kaohsiung – known for the Love River, its night markets & 85 Sky Tower.
It is the second-largest city in Taiwan.
Writing a list of all the cool things to do in Kaohsiung would require another blog post (or a dedicated Kaohsiung blog), so I will save you from that because you want to know what SIM card and eSIM options are available at the airport.
So, what SIM cards are available at Kaousiung International Airport?
You can get a Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile & Far EasTone (new) SIM card for between 280 NTD (8.70 USD) to 3200 NTD (95.25 USD) at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).
That is quite a spread – what gives?
It is because mostly tourist SIM cards and plans are available at the airport.
But before you get disappointed thinking you are getting robbed at the airport because most airports sell SIM cards at inflated prices, you actually do want to get a Taiwanese SIM card there because they give you truly unlimited data.
Yes – not kidding. I used a Chunghwa Telecom SIM card for three months and consumed about 200 GB – and I did not experience any speed drop!
And this applies to most SIM cards sold at Kaohsiung International Airport.
But not only that – the majority of Taiwanese mobile operators do not sell (prepaid) SIM cards to tourists outside the airport.
So yeah… getting a SIM card here may be your only straightforward option.
Anyway, let's review all your options at Kaohsiung International Airport.
Original publication: 27th of December 2022. Last updated: 15th of January 2024.
Table of Contents
Mobile Operators in Taiwan
Before I tell you about the SIM card and eSIM options you have at Kaohsiung International Airport, you first need to know about all the mobile operators in Taiwan.
Taiwan has five mobile operators and one Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信)
- Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大)
- Far EasTone (遠傳電信)
- T Star Taiwan (台灣之星)
- GT Mobile Taiwan (亞太電信)
- Ibon Mobile (統一超商電信 – Far EasTone MVNO)
Sure, there are some online-based MVNOs, but they are not available to tourists.
For more information about Taiwanese SIM cards, check out my Taiwan SIM card buying guide.
Alright, back to what Kaohsiung International Airport has to offer to us.
Where to Buy a SIM Card (or eSIM) at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)?
At Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), there are two booth selling two different Taiwanese SIM cards (and eSIMs): Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile & Far EasTone (new).
Coincidentally, those are the three largest mobile operators in Taiwan.
Taiwanese SIM cards are sold in the in the arrivals hall of the international terminal.
As soon as you pass customers, you will see the booths of Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile & Far EasTone (new) – you cannot miss them.
Because of SIM card registration requirements in Taiwan, SIM cards have to be purchased from the official stores of the mobile operators.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
They are unavailable from other resellers, such as 7-Eleven (even though 7-Eleven Taiwan has a mobile brand called Ibon Mobile, but they are not sold at airports).
Let's go through Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile & Far EasTone to see what they have to offer us at the airport.
What SIM Cards & Plans does Chunghwa Telecom Sell at Kaohsiung International Airport (+Prices)?
Chunghwa Telecom only sells its tourist SIM cards at Kaohsiung International Airport, ranging from 280 NTD to 3999 NTD.
I will list all the prices in NTD (New Taiwan Dollar).
To convert NTD to your currency (let's say HKD – Hong Kong Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Chunhgwa Telecom (中華電信 – CHT) is the largest and oldest mobile operator in Taiwan.
At Kaohsiung International Airport, you have a stall for getting a Chunghwa Telecom SIM card in the arrivals of the international terminal.
Chunghwa Telecom has two variants for the tourist SIM cards: 4G Traveler SIM & 5G Traveler SIM.
The following 11 Chunghwa Telecom 4G Traveler SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 NTD | 4G 1.2 GB Pass | 100 NTD | 1.2 GB | 16 days |
| 300 NTD | 4G 3-Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 300 NTD | 4G 5-Day Pass ($300) | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 400 NTD | 4G 2.2 GB Pass | 100 NTD | 2.2 GB | 16 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G 5-Day Pass ($500) | 300 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G 7-Day Pass | 150 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G 10-Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 10 days |
| 699 NTD | 4G 5 GB Pass | N/A | 5 GB | 16 days |
| 700 NTD | 4G 15-Day Pass ($700) | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 15 days |
| 800 NTD | 4G 15-Day Pass ($800) | 250 NTD | Unlimited | 15 days |
| 1000 NTD | 4G 30-Day Pass | 430 NTD | Unlimited | 30 days |
Disclaimer: the SIM card prices mentioned in the guide were current when I was in Taiwan – the offering and prices may have changed since then. To see Chunghwa Telecom's current starter packs, check out my Taiwan SIM card buying guide.
Yes, you get truly unlimited data (except for the ones with a data allowance of course), including unlimited tethering (mobile hotspot).
But… more plans are available, which are not advertised anywhere else, except for at the airport.
If you plan on staying in Taiwan for more than 30 days, these (4G/LTE) plans are also available to you:
| Price | Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2199 NTD | 199 NTD | Unlimited | 90 days |
| 3999 NTD | 399 NTD | Unlimited | 180 days |
That photo above is from a GT Mobile Taiwan reseller at Taipei-Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), but these offers are available at Kaohsiung International Airport too (but you may have to ask for them).
This is also a good moment to inform you that Chunghwa Telecom tourist SIM cards cannot be extended (not even by topping up).
That is why I mentioned that I purchased several Chunghwa Telecom SIM cards (because extension is impossible and the government announced visa extensions every month without any indication if it would be extended the month after).
So if you know you want to explore Taiwan for several months, it is recommended (and cheaper) to go for a multi-month SIM card outright instead of buying multiple short-term ones.
The photo above was from a T Star Taiwan reseller at Taipei-Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport again.
You see that its T Star's prices are lower than Chunghwa Telecom… but I can already tell you that Chunghwa Telecom is worth the few extra 100 NTD (because T Star Taiwan throttles your speed without telling you, AND its coverage is meh).
Okay, back to Chunghwa Telecom – you have the following Chunghwa Telecom 5G Traveler SIM cards:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 NTD | 5G 3-Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 600 NTD | 5G 5-Day Pass | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 800 NTD | 5G 7-Day Pass | 300 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
Just like the 4G SIM cards, you get truly unlimited data with the 5G SIM cards, but tethering (mobile hotspot) is limited (3 GB, 5 GB & 7 GB, respectively).
Lastly, can you get a Chunghwa Telecom eSIM at Kaohsiung International Airport? Yes, you can.
As of October 2022, Chunghwa Telecom offers eSIMs to prepaid customers (previously only to postpaid users).
But you can only get its eSIMs from the Chunghwa Telecom stores at the airports, not from resellers (so the stores with the Chunhgwa Telecom logos – not the ones also selling T Star Taiwan and GT Mobile Taiwan SIM cards).
Getting a Chunghwa Telecom eSIM does not cost anything extra.
However, you do have to comply with Taiwan's SIM card registration requirements.
If you do not want to deal with that, you can learn about all recommended eSIM options for Taiwan, which many Phone Travel Wiz can vouch for too, check out my Taiwan eSIM comparison guide (with one option also offering unlimited data in the country).
Also, be sure to read my Chunghwa Telecom review if you are interested in getting a Chunghwa Telecom SIM card.
What SIM Cards & Plans does Taiwan Mobile Sell at Kaohsiung International Airport (+Prices)?
Taiwan Mobile only sells its tourist SIM cards at Kaohsiung International Airport, ranging from 300 NTD to 3200 NTD.
I will list all the prices in NTD (New Taiwan Dollar).
To convert NTD to your currency (let's say HKD – Hong Kong Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大) is the second-largest mobile operator in Taiwan.
At Kaohsiung International Airport, you have a stall for getting a Taiwan Mobile SIM card in the arrivals of the international terminal.
Disclaimer: the SIM card prices mentioned in the guide were current when I was in Taiwan – the offering and prices may have changed since then. To see Taiwan Mobile's current starter packs, check out my Taiwan SIM card buying guide.
Taiwan Mobile has two variants for the tourist SIM cards: Airport 4G SIM & 5G Airport SIM.
The following nine Taiwan Mobile 4G Traveler SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 NTD | 4G 3-Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 300 NTD | 4G 5-Day Pass ($300) | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 400 NTD | 4G 6 Day Pass | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 6 days |
| 450 NTD | 4G 7-Day Pass | 150 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 450 NTD | 4G 8 Day Pass | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 8 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G 5-Day Pass ($500) | 300 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G 10-Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 10 days |
| 700 NTD | 4G 15-Day Pass ($700) | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 15 days |
| 1000 NTD | 4G 30-Day Pass | 430 NTD | Unlimited | 30 days |
Yes, you get truly unlimited data (except for the ones with a data allowance of course), including unlimited tethering (mobile hotspot).
But… more plans are available, which are not advertised anywhere else, except for at the airport.
If you plan on staying in Taiwan for more than 30 days, these (4G/LTE) plans are also available to you:
This is also a good moment to inform you that Taiwan Mobile tourist SIM cards cannot be extended (not even by topping up).
That is why I mentioned that I purchased several Taiwan Mobile SIM cards (because extension is impossible and the government announced visa extensions every month without any indication if it would be extended the month after).
So if you know you want to explore Taiwan for several months, it is recommended (and cheaper) to go for a multi-month SIM card outright instead of buying multiple short-term ones.
The following three Taiwan Mobile 5G Traveler SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 NTD | 5G 3 Day Pass | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 600 NTD | 5G 5 Day Pass | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 800 NTD | 5G 7 Day Pass | 150 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
Just like the 4G SIM cards, you get truly unlimited data with the 5G SIM cards, but tethering (mobile hotspot) is limited (3 GB, 5 GB & 7 GB, respectively).
Lastly, can you get a Taiwan Mobile eSIM at Kaohsiung International Airport? No, you cannot.
While Taiwan Mobile does have eSIMs, they are (currently) unavailable to prepaid customers.
But if you want to learn about all recommended eSIM options for Taiwan, which many Phone Travel Wiz can vouch for too, check out my Taiwan eSIM comparison guide (with one option also offering unlimited data in the country).
Also, be sure to read my Taiwan Mobile review if you are interested in getting a Taiwan Mobile SIM card.
What SIM Cards & Plans does Far EasTone Sell at Kaohsiung International Airport (+Prices)?
Far EasTone only sells its tourist SIM cards at Kaohsiung International Airport, ranging from 300 NTD to 3200 NTD.
I will list all the prices in NTD (New Taiwan Dollar).
To convert NTD to your currency (let's say HKD – Hong Kong Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Far EasTone (遠傳電信) is the third-largest mobile operator in Taiwan.
As of recently, Far EasTone finally set up a booth at Kaohsiung International Airport, allowing for a third SIM card option at the airport.
The Far EasTone booth is on the right of the Chunghwa Telecom booth, which you will immediately see after leaving the secure area door.
Disclaimer: the SIM card prices mentioned in the guide were current when one of my researchers was in Taiwan – the offering and prices may have changed since then. To see Far EasTone's current starter packs, check out my Taiwan SIM card buying guide.
Far EasTone has two variants for the tourist SIM cards: 4G Tourist SIM & 5G Tourist SIM.
The following eight Far EasTone 4G Tourist SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 NTD | 4G Plan A | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 300 NTD | 4G Plan B | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 400 NTD | 4G Plan D | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 400 NTD | 4G Plan E | 50 NTD | Unlimited | 8 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G Plan C | 300 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 500 NTD | 4G Plan F | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 10 days |
| 700 NTD | 4G Plan G | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 15 days |
| 1000 NTD | 4G Plan H | 430 NTD | Unlimited | 30 days |
The 4G unlimited SIM cards include truly unlimited data, including unlimited tethering (mobile hotspot), making Taiwanese one of my favorite tourist SIM cards worldwide.
But… more plans are available, which are not advertised anywhere else, except for at the airport.
If you plan on staying in Taiwan for more than 30 days, these (4G/LTE) plans are also available to you:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 NTD | Unlimited | 90 days |
| 2800 NTD | Unlimited | 145 days |
| 3200 NTD | Unlimited | 180 days |
This is also a good moment to inform you that Far EasTone tourist SIM cards cannot be extended (not even by topping up).
So if you know you want to explore Taiwan for several months, it is recommended (and cheaper) to go for a multi-month SIM card outright instead of buying multiple short-term ones.
The following three Far EasTone 5G Tourist SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Call Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 NTD | 5G Plan A | 50NTD | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 600 NTD | 5G Plan B | 100 NTD | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 800 NTD | 5G Plan C | 150 NTD | Unlimited | 7 days |
Just like the 4G SIM cards, you get truly unlimited data with the 5G SIM cards, but tethering (mobile hotspot) is limited (3 GB, 5 GB & 7 GB, respectively).
Lastly, can you get a Far EasTone eSIM at Kaohsiung International Airport? No, you cannot.
While Far EasTone does have eSIMs, they are (currently) unavailable to prepaid customers.
But if you want to learn about all recommended eSIM options for Taiwan, which many Phone Travel Wiz can vouch for too, check out my Taiwan eSIM comparison guide (with one option also offering unlimited data in the country).
Also, be sure to read my Far EasTone review if you are interested in getting a Far EasTone SIM card.
Should You Get a SIM Card at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)?
I recommend getting a SIM card at Kaohsiung International Airport because SIM cards sold here are of good value and at regular prices. Moreover, most mobile operators do not sell prepaid SIM cards in their regular stores.
Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile & Far EasTonesell tourist SIM cards with truly unlimited data, even to be used as a mobile hotspot.
Although the 5G NR-enabled SIM card do have a tether data cap, which is 3 GB, 5 GB, or 7 GB, depending on the SIM card you choose.
Chunghwa Telecom SIM cards are valid between three to 180 days, costing between 280 NTD and 3999 NTD – 5G NR SIM cards are available.
You can visit some Chunghwa Telecom stores to get one of its tourist SIM cards, but you may have to visit multiple (and the salesperson may tell you to go to Taiwan Mobile instead).
Taiwan Mobile SIM cards are valid between three to 180 days, costing between 300 NTD and 3200 NTD – 5G NR SIM cards are available.
You can visit most Taiwan Mobile stores to get one of its tourist SIM cards, but they are often at least 10% more expensive than at the airport (but they often have “promotions” and sell them at regular prices if you are friendly to the salesperson… true story!).
Far EasTone SIM cards are valid between three to 180 days, costing between 300 NTD and 3200 NTD – 5G NR SIM cards are available.
Unlike the other two, its tourist SIM cards are not sold in regular Far EasTone stores.
Chunghwa Telecom sells tourist SIM cards with truly unlimited data, even to be used as a mobile hotspot.
Although the 5G NR-enabled SIM card do have a tether data cap, which is 3 GB, 5 GB, or 7 GB, depending on the SIM card you choose.
Chunghwa Telecom SIM cards are valid between three to 180 days, costing between 280 NTD and 3999 NTD – 5G NR SIM cards are available.
You can visit some Chunghwa Telecom stores to get one of its tourist SIM cards, but you may have to visit multiple (and the salesperson may tell you to go to Taiwan Mobile instead).
Overall, Taiwan is one of the few countries where airport SIM cards are of excellent value.
But also one of the few where getting a prepaid SIM card outside the airport can be challenging.
Unless you have time to burn… like being stuck in the country for a year during the pandemic.
But I am sure this guide will save you plenty of time, as you do not have to visit multiple stores to find a prepaid SIM card – I did that for you already 😜.
Buying Taiwanese SIM Cards at Airports
Are you arriving at another Taiwanese airport? SIM cards are probably sold there too.
Read my SIM card buying guides for other Taiwanese airports:
Taiwanese SIM Card Reviews
I tried out all Taiwanese SIM cards that are available to tourists.
You should read those reviews.
>>> Chunghwa Telecom Review | Taiwan Mobile Review | Far EasTone Review | T Star Taiwan Review | GT Mobile Taiwan Review | Ibon Mobile Review <<<
Check out my reviews page if you want to read all the other reviews I have written, including other Asian SIM cards.