Most people use EasyCards because they work in more places. But I want to see if other cards are special. Let’s compare them.
I have all 3 popular smart cards in Taiwan. I’ll help you choose which to get, when, and why.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Tourists should get an EasyCard. It works in most stores.
- Get other cards for cute designs as souvenirs.
- iPASS and EasyCard will work with almost all public transportation.
- I suggest the iPASS as the LuckyLand prize.
- iCash 2.0 doesn’t work with YouBike.
- Expats should get all 3 cards for maximum coverage.
What is a Taiwan IC Card System?
An IC card (嗶卡; bī kǎ) in Taiwan is a contactless smart card used for transportation, payments, and services. Cards like the EasyCard and iPASS allow users to pay for public transit, make purchases at stores, and access public facilities. The card stores balance and usage data electronically.
An IC card system in general uses integrated circuit (IC) cards for electronic payments and access.
These cards store and process data. Allowing users to make secure transactions or gain entry to restricted areas. IC card systems are widely used in public transport, banking, and access control.
Here are the options you’ll have:
Other names for these cards include:
- Contactless smart card
- Stored value cards
- RFID cards
- Smart payment cards
Most readers probably know to get an EasyCard.
But I wanted to compare it to other cards. Just in case.
Let’s jump in.
Which Card to Choose as a LuckyLand Prize
Let’s look at your LuckyLand prize options:
- iCash 2.0: Least supported stores, but has a higher one-time spending limit.
- EasyCard: Most supported stores.
- iPASS: You also get x2 Hi-Life vouchers (NT$100 total), which could buy you a coffee or 2.
- Accommodation vouchers: You’ll use them for sure, but they don’t work everywhere.
- But it doesn’t support all hotels, hostels, etc.
What would I choose?
The iPASS.
Here’s why:
- I could use it for the same public transportation as the EasyCard.
- Usable at convenience stores.
- Extra NT$100 vouchers for Hi-Life.
- I could buy grocery store souvenirs at PX Mart with it.
- It works at many tourist spots.
- Works at popular department stores.
- Also works at hotels.
This is me. What I’d do during a trip to Taiwan will differ.
Check which stores accept each card to decide:
The iPASS doesn’t work with Carrefour, though. If, for some reason, you want to buy a lot of stuff there, go with the EasyCard or iCash 2.0. Though, the iCash is the only option that’ll allow you to blow the card’s entire balance in a single trip.
Let’s say you didn’t win the LuckyLand drawing. You now need to pick a card.
Here are your options.
Taiwan Smart Cards Compared
Here’s a breakdown of all 3 cards:
| Card | Number of Partnered Brands | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| EasyCard | 350,000 stores; and | 78 – 80% |
| 2,300 brands | ||
| iPASS | 20,000+ stores | 27% |
| iCash 2.0 | * More than 6,000 | 50% |
Notes:
- I couldn’t find a recent source saying how many stores iCash partnered with (even in Chinese). The 6,000 estimate is from 2014 [1].
- Market share reflects overlapping usage — for instance, someone could have more than 1 type of card.
- Source for market share information [2].
- HappyCash has a 15% market share.
The EasyCard is the most-used card in Taiwan. I’ll use it to gauge the usefulness of other smart cards.
If you live in Taiwan and want maximum coverage, get all 3 cards.
Tourists only need all 3 for cool-looking souvenirs.
Let’s begin this comparison with iPASS.
1. EasyCard vs. iPASS
Best for:
- Tourists: As a souvenir
- Expats: More payment options and access to some TPASS types
Get an iPASS if:
- You want designs that EasyCard or iCash 2.0 don’t have
- They’re the only ones that worked with Hololive
- It’s more useful in southern Taiwan
- You can pay at places that don’t take EasyCard
- Some TPASS types only work with iPASS
Downsides of iPASS:
- Another card to carry
- Very hard to close the card
EasyCard works in more places than iPASS. Get iPASS for full coverage. Otherwise, get EasyCard.
TPASS only lets you use certain cards in some areas. For example, in southern Taiwan, you can only use iPASS for TPASS.
This might change. Double-check to be sure.
iPASS works like EasyCard. It started in Kaohsiung and now works across Taiwan.
In southern Taiwan, you might find more places that take iPASS.
EasyCard is used 90% in the north but only 60% in the south.
iPASS is used 53% in the south and 15% in the north.
What kind of designs can you get?
It depends when you visit. They’re limited edition.
If you’re shopping from resellers, iPASS has the cooler designs, though I’m biased.
They’re the only ones with Star Wars and Hololive cards.
Look how detailed this is:
EasyCard does have Poké Ball and PlayStation controllers:
Look through the iPASS gallery. Decide for yourself.
Here’s a link to the EasyCard museum.
Get an iPASS hereLet’s move onto the next card.
2. iCash 2.0 vs. EasyCard
Best for:
- Tourists: As a souvenir
- Expats: Works well with Open Point
Get iCash if:
- You want a souvenir.
- They have cool limited edition cards.
- You have an Open Point membership.
Downsides of iCash:
- Not accepted as widely as EasyCard.
- You have to carry an extra card.
- You can only spend up to NT$1,000 at once.
Purchases with an iCash smart card generate points through 7-Eleven’s (Taiwan) parent company, Uni President. The points will go through the Open Point app and eventually provide discounts and freebies.
After getting enough points.
iCash gets you cash back from Taipei Metro. But it works in fewer places than EasyCard and iPASS in Taipei.
It doesn’t work with YouBikes.
I only suggest getting iCash if you’ll live in Taiwan.
How about designs?
iCash doesn’t have the greatest-looking designs. Here’s a gallery to prove my point.
I had a 3D card of a coffee from 7-Eleven and loved it.
After about a year, all of the paint came off and it now looks like an ugly hunk of plastic.
But you know what?
I still had to carry an EasyCard because iCash didn’t work everywhere.
That’s all for the main smart cards.
There are other cards to review.
Other Cards You Might Be Curious About
You might hear other names of cards in Taiwan.
Let’s see whether they’re worth using.
1. Difference Between EasyCard & HappyCash
HappyCash is a rewards program for cashless payments at places like:
- SOGO malls
- BigCity shopping centers
- Far Eastern Telecom
- a.mart supermarket
You can earn rewards points. But you can’t use it for public transport.
You can use this next card to get around, though.
2. TPASS
A TPASS is a public transport pass for different Taiwan cities and areas.
Usually, you add TPASS to your EasyCard.
They’re technically the same, most of the time.
If you buy a TPASS card, that’s separate.
In some areas, like southern Taiwan, you can only use iPASS as a TPASS.
I discuss more details on the TPASS in a separate piece.
You can sometimes use this next pass on public transportation also.
3. EasyCard vs. FunPASS
Opt for an EasyCard if:
- Paying for parking.
- Want a cashless experience.
- Only take the MRT or city bus.
- Travel outside northern Taiwan.
- Want more flexibility over where you travel.
Opt for the Transportation FunPASS if:
- You will frequently use shuttle or city buses.
The FunPASS targets tourists looking for a deal rather than an explorer. You can purchase the FunPASS in one-, two-, or three-day passes.
These passes save money on tickets for 16+ tourist spots. Some also give you unlimited Taipei bus and metro rides.
Learn more about this pass here.
Sources
- iCash announces deal. Taipei Times. 12/16/2014.
- Survey. QuickPoll. Source is in Chinese.
