Is there 5G on the Taipei MRT?

Yes. Taiwan's operators cover the underground platforms and the tunnels between them, and we held 120–210 Mbps while moving.

Does mobile data work in Taroko Gorge?

It depends where you stand. Around the visitor centre and main car parks we had usable 4G, but inside the narrow gorge sections and tunnels the signal drops to nothing. Download offline maps before entering.

Is a travel eSIM as fast as a local Taiwanese SIM?

Yes. The eSIM roams on Chunghwa or Taiwan Mobile, the same radio networks a local prepaid SIM uses, so speeds match within normal test variation.

Taiwan eSIM speed test: Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge and the HSR

Taipei 101 and the Taipei skyline at dusk seen from Elephant Mountain — Taipei holds 5G almost everywhere, including the MRT and Elephant Mountain trail.

Short answer · ≈118 Mbps national median

Taiwan is one of the most consistent countries we have tested. Taipei holds 5G above ground and inside the MRT at 150–300 Mbps, and even mountain spots such as Jiufen and Sun Moon Lake stay on 5G. Only Taroko Gorge and the long rail tunnels drop to weak 4G.

How we tested: Speedtest by Ookla on a phone using a traverrsim eSIM, three runs per location, median reported, outdoors unless stated. Your own numbers vary with crowds, weather and handset — run the same test on arrival and compare.

Results by location

Mobile data speed test results at Taiwan tourist locations
Location	Network	Download	Upload	Ping
Taipei 101 / XinyiCity centreFastest readings of the trip.	5G	220–320 Mbps	40–65 Mbps	18 ms
XimendingShopping districtHolds up on weekend evenings.	5G	160–260 Mbps	30–50 Mbps	20 ms
Taipei MRTUnderground platforms and tunnelsCoverage continues between stations.	5G	120–210 Mbps	25–40 Mbps	24 ms
Elephant MountainViewpoint trailFine for live streaming the skyline at sunset.	5G	110–180 Mbps	22–38 Mbps	25 ms
Jiufen Old StreetRuifang hillsideCrowded lanes slow it a little, never unusable.	5G	70–140 Mbps	18–30 Mbps	28 ms
Shifen / PingxiLantern village4G in the valley, stable along the tracks.	4G	30–65 Mbps	10–20 Mbps	35 ms
Sun Moon LakeShuishe pierGood on the ferries too.	5G	80–150 Mbps	20–32 Mbps	27 ms
Taroko GorgeSwallow GrottoWeakest place we tested — cliff walls block signal.	4G	8–30 Mbps	4–12 Mbps	50 ms
High-speed railTaipei to Kaohsiung at 300 km/hHandover gaps in tunnels; recovers within seconds.	5G/4G	40–120 Mbps	12–28 Mbps	34 ms
Taoyuan AirportTerminal 2 arrivalseSIM attaches before baggage claim.	5G	180–270 Mbps	35–55 Mbps	19 ms

Frequently asked questions

Is there 5G on the Taipei MRT?: YesTaiwan's operators cover the underground platforms and the tunnels between them, and we held 120–210 Mbps while moving.
Does mobile data work in Taroko Gorge?: It dependswhere you stand. Around the visitor centre and main car parks we had usable 4G, but inside the narrow gorge sections and tunnels the signal drops to nothing. Download offline maps before entering.
Is a travel eSIM as fast as a local Taiwanese SIM?: YesThe eSIM roams on Chunghwa or Taiwan Mobile, the same radio networks a local prepaid SIM uses, so speeds match within normal test variation.

Other speed tests

Last updated 2026-08-19