Taiwan

travel to taiwan - where to get cash from ATM and power outlet configuration?

i am traveling to tw. would like to know in taipei where is the spot to get cash from ATM. also would like to know if the power outlet configuration in taiwan is the same as that in the US. thank you.

Public Comments

1. 1st~ The power outlets in Taiwan are the same as in the US, the same 110 sockets and the same shape plugs. The only difference is that some of them don't have the 3rd prong for grounding a plug. Most of the newer places have them, so don't worry. 2nd~ Where to get cash from an ATM in Taipei? You can go to Bank of Taiwan, and China Trust banks these are the ones that I know work with most American bank accounts. You can also try Mega International Commercial Bank (兆豐國際商業銀行), I have never actually used this bank before but I have been told by others that it is compatible with the US. The best locations to use ATMs are obviously at the banks, but most banks have ATMs in 7-elevens, Family Mart, and OK convince marts so if you find one you can one of these you can take money out there. If your card doesn't work at one place you can try again or go to another place Taiwanese ATMs are tricky that way, some times they work some times they don't. Edit> I found this by chance while searching for something else. Its from a general guide on Taiwan written by expats and Taiwanese. This about the ATMs: ATMs are ubiquitous throughout Taiwan. Every bank, convenience store, McDonald's and MRT station will have one. Credit cards haven't caught on much, and checks are almost nonexistant, so this cash-based society needs ready access to cash, everywhere. Most ATMs allow ATMs release money in $1,000 notes, though some will allow increments of $100. If you need to withdraw a lot of money at once (for rent, tuition, etc.), you can often just pop out your card and perform a second withdrawal right there on the same machine, same day. Local ATM fees are $0 through your own bank, and a standard low, low rate of just $7NTD for withdrawing from competitors' ATMs. That says nothing about what your home bank will charge you though, and you should definitely check with them, or you may discover later on that you racked up charges of US$5 for each withdrawal or a usurious percentage in fees. ( http://taipeipedia.org/index.php?title=ATMs )
2. Yeah, the power outlets are the same as the US, so you dont really need to worry about that. The 2 plug type is more common, so you might need to bring a converter for the 3 prong type. Citibank has branches through out Taiwan, so if you find some Taiwan banks' atm not working, you can probably go to a Citi atm. Just be aware that you might encounter some fees from either the bank atm you are using and/or your bank.