Taiwan is one of Asia's easiest countries to travel in, and the right apps make it even smoother. With a few downloads, you can book high-speed train seats, call a taxi without speaking Mandarin, track buses in real time, rent a bike, order food, and check typhoon warnings. Here are the best Taiwan travel apps for messaging, taxis, trains, buses, food delivery, tours, weather, hiking, maps, and translation.
Messaging: LINE
LINE is Taiwan's main messaging app. Hotels, homestays, tour operators, and even massage shops often ask for your LINE ID rather than your email, and many businesses take bookings through official LINE accounts. You can sign up with an email or social account, though some verification steps work best with a phone number. Most business accounts are in Chinese, so keep a translation app handy.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing Apps
55688 (Taiwan Taxi)
Taiwan Taxi, the country's largest taxi fleet, runs the 55688 app. You can book a licensed yellow taxi, see the driver and car details, and pay by card in the app. It works across major cities, and the English interface makes it easy to use for visitors.
Uber
Uber is widely used in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and other cities, and also books taxis through Uber Taxi. It is handy for late nights, trailheads, ferry piers, or out-of-the-way homestays. Check the plate number before you get in, and move the pickup pin to the exact entrance, as GPS can jump to the wrong side of large buildings.
yoxi
yoxi is a local ride-hailing app with fixed upfront fares and a modern fleet, available in northern Taiwan and other urban areas.
Tripool
Tripool offers private transfers and shared rides with fixed prices, useful for airport runs at odd hours, long journeys between cities, and day trips where public transportation is limited. Check the cancellation policy and add your luggage and child seat needs when booking.
Tip: Save the Chinese name and address of your destination so you can paste it into an app or show it to a driver.
Train Apps
T Express (Taiwan High Speed Rail)
The official THSR app lets you check timetables, book reserved seats, choose a window or aisle seat, and store your ticket on your phone. Trains between Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung fill up on weekends and holidays, so book ahead. Read our guide on how to book Taiwan train tickets for step-by-step instructions.
Taiwan Railway e-Booking App
For conventional Taiwan Railway (TRA) trains, including scenic routes down the east coast to Hualien and Taitung, the official booking app lets you reserve seats on express trains. Popular services sell out, so book as soon as tickets open. Take a screenshot of your booking in case the app is slow when the conductor checks tickets.
Taipei Metro Go
Taipei Metro's official app shows MRT routes, first and last train times, station exits, elevators, and nearby buses and YouBike stations. Choosing the right exit can save a long walk with luggage.
Bus and Bike Apps
Bus+
Bus+ shows real-time arrivals and routes for city and intercity buses across Taiwan. Match the Chinese characters on the app with the stop sign, as many stops have similar names, and wave to signal the driver as the bus approaches.
YouBike
YouBike is the public bike-sharing system in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and other cities, perfect for short rides and the riverside paths. Register in the app and link your EasyCard or a credit card. Check that there are bikes at the start and free docks at your destination.
Tip: Buy an EasyCard or iPASS stored-value card at a convenience store or MRT station. You can use it on the MRT, buses, YouBike, TRA trains, and even to pay at convenience stores.
Food Delivery Apps
- Uber Eats: Good coverage in cities and many smaller towns. The interface is in English, but many restaurant and dish names are not translated, so use your phone's translation tools.
- foodpanda: Available in English, with a wide choice of local restaurants and groceries through its pandamart stores.
Tours and Activity Apps
- Klook: Attraction tickets, transportation passes, airport transfers, and day tours, often with discounts. Always check the exact meeting point, as tours are often listed by county rather than town.
- KKday: A Taiwan-founded platform with many local experiences, including Indigenous cultural tours, night cruises, and seasonal events.
- GuruWalk: Free walking tours in Taipei and other cities, where you tip the guide what you think the tour is worth.
Weather App
The Central Weather Administration's official app gives district-level forecasts, rain radar, and alerts for heavy rain, heat, earthquakes, and typhoons. It is essential from about June to October, during typhoon season, and for planning trips to the mountains or islands.
Hiking Apps
- AllTrails: Popular routes such as Elephant Mountain and the trails of Yangmingshan, with recent reviews on trail conditions. Some trails in Taroko National Park have been closed since the 2024 earthquake, so check official notices.
- Hiking Biji: A large Taiwanese hiking community app with routes, GPX tracks, and elevation profiles for more serious hikes. It is mostly in Chinese.
Download offline maps before heading into the mountains, where signal can disappear.
Maps and Translation Apps
- Google Maps: Works well in Taiwan for walking, MRT, and bus directions. Save your hotels and must-visit places to a list before you go, and download offline maps for rural areas.
- Google Translate: Download the Chinese (Traditional) language pack and use the camera mode for menus and signs.
- Papago: Often more natural for conversational phrases. Use it as a second opinion when messaging hosts.
Stay Connected in Taiwan
Almost every app in this guide needs mobile data. An egoViet Taiwan eSIM installs before you fly and connects as soon as you land at Taoyuan, and our Taiwan eSIM guide compares your options. Visiting several countries? An Asia eSIM covers them with one plan. In Taipei, don't miss the best photo spots in Taipei.
FAQs: Taiwan Travel Apps
Does Google Maps work in Taiwan?
Yes. Google Maps works well in Taiwan for walking, driving, and public transportation directions.
What is the best taxi app in Taiwan?
55688, from Taiwan Taxi, and Uber are the most popular taxi apps for visitors. yoxi is another good option in cities.
Which messaging app is used in Taiwan?
LINE is the main messaging app in Taiwan, used by locals and many businesses.
How do I book high-speed rail tickets in Taiwan?
Use the official T Express app or THSR website, a station ticket machine, or a convenience store kiosk. Book ahead for weekends and holidays.