In Focus: Contactless Smart Cards

These type of smart cards are normally of credit card size and need only to be tapped to readers for transactions. They are now proving to be convenient to carry and are easy to use.  They are often considered as electronic wallets as they can be loaded with funds which can be spent, usually, for transportation.


In Japan, ICOCA (イコカ, Ikoka) is what me and my sister  mostly used  as payment for mass transit around Osaka while PASMO (パスモ, Pasumo) around Tokyo. (top two cards from image above).

EasyCard (悠遊卡) is for Taiwan, EZ-Link is for Singapore, and Octopus (八達通) is for Hong Kong.

Among the last three cards mentioned, the Octopus card is the most versatile as it can be used not just in public transportation (i.e. buses and trains) but also in convenience stores, supermarkets, and in fast food chains.

Tips of the Trade: Getting To Ximending From Taoyuan Airport

Here's an inexpensive way to get to Ximending from Taiwan Airport:

1. As soon as you get to the main hall of the airport, head to the left side where bus ticket counters are.


2. Look for bus ticket counter 6 which is Kuo Kuang's.


3. Inform the staff that you want to buy ticket/s to Taipei Main Station. (Ticket price as of February 2011: NT$125).

4. It takes almost an hour to get to Taipei Main Station. Inside, look for the MRT area and get on the platform of Bannan Line (Blue Line) going to Yongning.


5. A station after Taipei Main Station will be your stop: Ximen.