Money & Payments in Kaohsiung (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Get an iPass (Kaohsiung's IC metro card) on day one for seamless transit, convenience store payments, and small purchases.
Most Taiwan ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard. Choose Cathay United Bank ATMs (common in 7-Eleven) for no-fee withdrawals.
When an ATM asks if you want to pay in your home currency or TWD, always choose TWD to avoid poor Dynamic Currency Conversion rates.
Credit card withdrawals are discouraged—they trigger interest immediately and come with high fees.
For Kaohsiung specifically, chain stores and restaurants (especially in malls and main districts) accept cards; street vendors and family-run shops are cash-only.
Tipping is genuinely not part of Taiwan culture and can be perceived as awkward or even offensive. Prices are final; sales tax is included.
If you come from a high-tipping culture, remember that Taiwanese wages and prices already account for worker compensation—tipping is not needed to ensure good service.

ATM Fees

Home Bank Fees: Most US/European cards charge 1–3% foreign transaction fee plus a flat ATM fee ($3–$5). This is your home bank's charge, separate from Taiwan's ATM fee.
Machine Operator Fee: NT$100
Typical ATM operator charge per withdrawal from most Taiwan bank ATMs. Some charge up to NT$150 (~$5). Cathay United Bank ATMs in 7-Eleven are often fee-free.

Ways To Minimize

Use a zero-foreign-transaction-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut, Fidelity) for near-interbank rates
Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce operator fee hits
Use Cathay United Bank ATMs (often in 7-Eleven, open 24/7) or Bank of Taiwan branches
Avoid 7-Eleven/FamilyMart ATMs unless they are Cathay United Bank machines; some charge extra
Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) when prompted — choose to be charged in TWD, not your home currency

Withdrawal Limits

Daily: Depends on your home bank; check before traveling
Per Transaction: NT$20,000

Tipping Norms

Bars: No tip expected; tip jar may appear in upscale bars catering to Westerners, but it is not obligatory.
General Rule: Taiwan is a non-tipping culture. You almost never need to tip.
Spas And Massage: No tip expected.
Tours And Guides: If hiring a private tour guide or charter driver for a full day, tipping around 10% of the tour cost is considered thoughtful but not obligatory.

Hotels

Concierge: Not expected for routine services
Housekeeping: Not expected. If you tip, place cash on the pillow or use a tip envelope to avoid confusion.
Bellhops Porters: NT$50
Per bag; optional, not expected

Restaurants

Night Markets: No tip expected or common.
High End Restaurants: A 10% service charge is often automatically included in the bill. Do not tip again unless service was exceptional.
Local And Casual Eateries: No tip expected. Price shown = price paid (no sales tax added).

Transportation

Uber: Tipping is more common via the app (optional)
Taxis: No tip expected. Rounding up is entirely optional and appreciated.

Cash Necessity

Summary: Carry cash for daily use. Most everyday transactions (taxis, street food, night markets, independent shops) require cash.
Recommended Working Amount: NT$5,000
Note: Safe to carry NT$5,000–10,000 in Kaohsiung; petty crime is very low.

Card Acceptance

General: Taiwan is cash-heavy but increasingly card-friendly. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; American Express has limited acceptance.

Where Accepted

Mobile Payment Note: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at any contactless terminal that accepts Visa/Mastercard/AmEx, especially in major cities like Kaohsiung. Coverage thins outside urban areas.

Reliably Accept Cards

Hotels and upscale restaurants
Chain restaurants and department stores (Taipei, Kaohsiung, and major cities)
Modern shopping malls and chain convenience stores
Carrefour and Jason's Marketplace supermarkets

Cash Preferred Or Only

Night markets and street food stalls
Family-run restaurants and local eateries
Taxis (traditional street taxis; Uber accepts card on app)
Small shops and wet markets

Ic Transit Cards

Cost: NT$100
Name: iPass (Kaohsiung) or EasyCard (nationwide)
Accepted At: MRT/metro, buses, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, convenience stores, some chain restaurants and coffee shops
Note: Buy on day one; can load cash at convenience stores and metro stations

Banking

Initial Deposit: NT$1,000
Setup Requirements: Foreigners can open bank accounts in Taiwan, but the process requires in-person application at a branch. Key requirements include: valid passport, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or proof of legal residency, proof of residential address in Taiwan (utility bill or rental agreement), local phone number for OTPs, and typically an initial deposit.
Account Opening Timeline: The approval process typically takes a few hours to 3 days for personal accounts, though it may extend to a few weeks for business accounts.
Account Seal Requirement: Most banks require a personal seal/stamp with your name (available at locksmiths for ~NT$100); some accept a signature instead.
Notes: Joint accounts are not permitted in Taiwan. Foreigners without an ARC may face significant restrictions on account types and transaction limits. Online application is not available; all applications must be completed in person at a branch.

Banks With English Support

E.SUN Commercial Bank
Cathay United Bank
CTBC Bank
HSBC
Mega International Commercial Bank

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Kaohsiung

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Kaohsiung