Embedded Files
ICash 2.0 Card
Taipei MRT Map
EasyCards/Yoyo Cards
EasyCards/Yoyo Cards
In Taiwan, the citizens mostly rely on public transport and mopeds (scooters) to get around. And while I did go on my fair share of scooter rides, the brunt of my transportation was on the public bus and MRT. To use these services I had to get what tourists know as an EasyCard, but most locals know them as Yoyo cards. These cute cards come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have more than one use, EasyCards can also be used at restaurants, convenience stores, bike rentals (YouBike), and more.
If you can get your hands on a student card then you'll enjoy a 3NTD discount, but regular cards tend to be more customizable.
If the regular options don't satisfy many places that accept EasyCards also accept ICash cards which virtually do the same thing.
It's common for high traffic MRT stations to employ safety doors like these ones
add tpmainstation, and mrt pics
Public Transit Manners
Public Transit Manners
People in Taiwan take manners on public transport very seriously, especially on the MRT. You're at risk for being fined, or maybe just a dirty look, if you drink, eat, or chew gum on the bus or MRT.
I've even seen one of my friends get scolded for drinking water in the MRT station!
Just like in many other Asian countries it's also very respectful to wear a mask on public transport when you're feeling under the weather.
Queuing is also very important in Taiwan, all bus stops have signage to point you to where you should wait and MRT stations draw clear lines on the floor to help you queue successfully.
Queuing is so common in Taiwan that my Chinese friends made sure to teach me 你有在排隊嗎？ (Are you in line?)
Money
Money
I'd be remiss not to mention money when talking about Taiwan. Compared to America their currency is so different and so much cheaper! The example I always use is the price of 珍珠奶 (boba tea). In America you can usually find it for about $7 or about $230 NTD. In Taiwan on the other hand 珍珠奶茶 is commonly $60 NTD or about $1.82 USD. Such a big difference!
Taiwan is also a lot more reliant on coins than America, while here we rarely use them, in Taiwan they're actually useful! Instead of having smaller bills like we do in America, Taiwanese bills start at 100NTD and anything smaller is a coin (1, 5, 10 & 50 NTD). They also don't have any money to represent less than a dollar (while in the US we of course have 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.25).
As I mentioned on another page, they also commonly give money as gifts in what's called 紅包 or Red Envelopes. Commonly 紅包 is given to children during Lunar New Years, but I found myself giving 紅包 to my friends, host family, and even receiving some from a raffle at school!
紅包 I gave to my host family!
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