Taiwan has three competing stored-value cards. The honest answer: since 2018 all three work on every MRT, bus and YouBike across the island. The real differences come down to where you're based, which convenience store you prefer, and whether you want a limited-edition design.
Three cards exist because three separate issuers launched at different times in different cities. Each has a distinct home base and reason for being.
Strengths: Purchased and topped up at every Taipei MRT service counter, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart, and Carrefour — by far the widest purchase network of the three.
Partner discounts: Promotional fares on Taipei MRT (periodic — check current rates) · YouBike first 30 minutes free when registered via app · Taipei city buses
Klook deal: Pre-loaded EasyCard combos — sometimes bundled with Airport MRT Express tickets — available for pick-up at the airport Klook counter, skipping the ticket desk queue.
Strengths: Native card on Kaohsiung MRT · Kaohsiung city buses and surrounding region · Kaohsiung Light Rail (circular coastal line) · Top up at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart across the whole island
Partner discounts: Promotions on Kaohsiung MRT and southern bus networks · Some museums and attractions in Kaohsiung offer iPass holder discounts
Note: If your itinerary spans both Taipei and Kaohsiung, iPass works perfectly in Taipei too — there is no practical reason to carry both cards.
Strengths: Issued by FamilyMart, so every FamilyMart purchase earns Open Point loyalty points and qualifies for in-store exclusive discounts · Seasonal limited-edition designs · Transit performance identical to EasyCard and iPass
Limitations: Can only be purchased and topped up at FamilyMart — not at 7-Eleven or MRT stations · This is a meaningful inconvenience if you run low on balance far from a FamilyMart
Best for: Travellers who shop at FamilyMart daily (most Taiwan visitors do) and want their transit card to double as a rewards card.
MRT, buses, YouBike, convenience stores, purchase points, top-up locations, and partner discounts — all in one table.
| Comparison Point | 🔵 EasyCard | 🟢 iPass | 🟠 iCash 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏙️ Home City | Taipei (2002) | Kaohsiung (2007) | Nationwide / FamilyMart (2014) |
| 🚇 Taipei MRT | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted |
| 🚇 Kaohsiung MRT + Light Rail | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted |
| 🚆 TRA Local Trains | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted | ✔ Accepted |
| 🚌 City Buses (all cities) | ✔ Nationwide | ✔ Nationwide | ✔ Nationwide |
| 🚴 YouBike 2.0 | ✔ All cities | ✔ All cities | ✔ All cities |
| 🏪 7-Eleven | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ⚠ Not accepted |
| 🏪 FamilyMart | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ + Open Point rewards |
| 💳 Where to Buy | Taipei MRT counters · 7-Eleven · FamilyMart · Carrefour · Airport T1/T2 | Kaohsiung MRT counters · 7-Eleven · FamilyMart nationwide | FamilyMart only |
| 💰 Signature Perk | Taipei MRT promotions · YouBike 30 min free (registration required) | Kaohsiung MRT/bus promotions · Southern Taiwan attractions discounts | Open Point loyalty on every FamilyMart purchase |
* Information current as of 2026. Promotion terms change — verify on issuer websites before your trip.
→ EasyCard — Pick it up at the first Taipei MRT counter you reach after landing. Top up anywhere. Covers every activity you'll do in Taipei. The only reason to choose a different card is if your base city is not Taipei.
→ iPass — Buy it at any Kaohsiung MRT station. Works perfectly on the coastal Light Rail line and Kaohsiung city buses. If you travel up to Taipei mid-trip it still works there too — no swap needed.
→ iCash 2.0 — If you hit a FamilyMart once or twice a day (most Taiwan visitors do), the Open Point accumulation adds up meaningfully across a week-long trip. The one inconvenience: only top up at FamilyMart.
→ Either EasyCard or iPass — Both work everywhere. Choose based on whichever city you're flying into, or which design you prefer. There is genuinely no transit advantage to holding one over the other for a multi-city Taiwan itinerary.
→ EasyCard — The easiest card to buy in bulk for the whole family: available at every Taipei MRT station the moment you arrive. Children under 6 ride Taipei MRT free and don't need a card at all.
Hotels we've fully reviewed — compare prices across 3 booking sites, direct booking links.
Full MRT line map, fares, how to buy and top up your EasyCard, tap-in etiquette, and how to use it on buses and YouBike.
Read MRT Guide →MRT vs bus vs YouBike vs taxi vs Uber — full comparison of every transport mode with honest guidance on when to use which.
Transport Guide →Visa, eSIM, money and payments, power sockets, drinking water, and the complete pre-departure checklist for Taiwan.
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