Computex in Taipei: planning a trade-show trip from Thailand
How to organise registration, hotels, MRT travel, sourcing meetings, money and phone data for Taiwan's big computing and technology show.
Kort antwoord
- Computex is a large computing and technology trade show in Taipei, organised by TAITRA, so register through the official channel and read the current rules on who may attend.
- Taipei's MRT, buses and taxis make the city easy to move through, but plan travel to the exhibition halls and the time buffer for peak show hours.
- Install a travel eSIM before you fly if your phone supports it, keep your Thai SIM for SMS and bank codes, and save tickets, maps and meeting details offline.
What Computex is and why people go
Computex is an annual technology exhibition in Taipei with a long focus on computers, components, networking, embedded systems and increasingly on topics such as artificial intelligence and start-ups. Taiwan is home to a dense supply chain for electronics, so the show attracts buyers, distributors, engineers, investors and journalists from many countries. The organiser is TAITRA, Taiwan's trade promotion body.
For Thai visitors the practical reasons are things like meeting a manufacturer you already email, comparing several suppliers in one week, finding a distributor for a product line in Thailand, or learning where a component category is heading. Write your goal in one sentence before you book anything, because it decides how many days you need and which meetings come first.
Registration, schedule and what to prepare
Register through the organiser, not through a third party, and keep the confirmation where you can find it offline. Read the terms about badges, age limits, photography and exhibitor areas. Business cards are still common in Taiwan, so bring more than you think you need, ideally with English and, if you have it, Chinese text on one side.
If you are meeting suppliers, send a short agenda by email in advance: product category, quantity range you are thinking about, and the questions you want answered. This respects their time and gives a clearer yes or no. Check public holidays and the supplier's own schedule around the show dates.
Where to stay and getting around Taipei
Taipei is compact and has an MRT network, many bus lines, taxis and ride-hailing apps. The show uses large exhibition halls, so the key question for your hotel is not the distance on a map but the number of transfers and the walk at each end. Choose a hotel near an MRT line that connects well to the halls and to your meeting locations, and check the current transit map and route planner before booking.
| Optie | Goed voor | Let op |
|---|---|---|
| MRT | Predictable travel time on most days | Crowding at peak hours and last-train times |
| Bus | Routes that fill gaps between MRT lines | Needs a live map and the right stop name |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Late nights, heavy bags, urgent changes | Traffic near the halls at opening and closing |
| Walking | Short links between hotel, station and food | Summer heat and sudden rain |
Most visitors use a rechargeable transit card for the MRT and buses. Check the official transport operator's guidance on which cards are accepted and how to top up, because the options change.
Money, payments and everyday practicalities
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores and larger shops, but smaller food stalls, night markets and some taxis may prefer cash. Carry a modest amount of New Taiwan dollars and a card for larger payments. Check the current exchange rate with a tool such as our currency rates page, and ask your bank about foreign transaction fees and ATM charges before leaving.
If you plan to pay a supplier a deposit or sample fee, use a method you can document, agree the amount in writing, and keep receipts. Avoid paying large sums to a personal account for a company you met only at the show.
Working with suppliers on site
- Ask for the exact model or part number, not only a product name, and note it on the card you collect
- Photograph the booth sign and the product with permission, so you can match them to your notes later
- Ask about minimum order, lead time, warranty and certification, then verify in writing after the show
- Check whether import rules, safety marks or telecom approval apply to your product in Thailand and ask the relevant authority
Staying connected in Taiwan
Taiwan has widespread mobile networks, and many people use messaging apps such as LINE for both personal and business contact, so you will probably want data from the moment you land. Maps, ride-hailing, translation and e-tickets all depend on it. Public Wi-Fi may require a sign-in and may have limits, so it works as a backup rather than as the plan.
A travel eSIM is one checkable option: you can install it at home, switch it on when you arrive, and keep your Thai SIM for SMS and bank one-time passwords. Coverage depends on the plan and the local networks, so read the plan details and check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. If you will use a laptop for supplier calls, confirm that hotspot sharing is allowed by the plan.
A simple trip plan
- 1Weken ervoorConfirm registration, passport and entry rules, flights and hotel, and send your agenda to suppliers.
- 2A few days beforeInstall your eSIM, download offline maps, save tickets and confirmations, and check your phone's eSIM compatibility.
- 3AankomstdagTurn on data, confirm your transit route to the hotel, and rest before the first show day.
- 4Show daysGo to your priority exhibitors first, keep a notes file per supplier, and leave buffer time for travel.
- 5After the showSend thank-you and follow-up emails within a few days, compare written quotes, and decide next steps.
Veelgestelde vragen
Is Computex open to the general public?+
Computex has traditionally been a trade-focused event, and attendance rules can differ from year to year. Check the organiser's registration page for the current rules before you plan.
Do I need Chinese to do business there?+
Many exhibitors at an international show can work in English, but a translation app and a few polite phrases in Mandarin are helpful in shops and taxis. Prepare key technical terms in writing.
Can I rely on hotel Wi-Fi for supplier video calls?+
Often it works, but speed and sign-in rules vary. Keep a mobile data connection as a backup for important calls and large files.
Should I carry cash?+
A small amount of local cash is useful for markets, small shops and some taxis, while cards cover hotels and larger stores. Check the current rules on carrying foreign currency in and out of Thailand and Taiwan.
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