Getting around in Taiwan is easy and convenient due to the country’s well-developed, modern and clean public transportation systems.
All population centers of Taiwan are serviced by the Taiwanese Rail “TRA” which consists of one main line that circles the island. Furthermore, the urban centers of the west coast are all linked via an ultra-high speed High Speed Rail “HSR” system that traverses the island in less than 2 hours.
When it comes to traveling around urban areas, taxis (or Uber), bus, mass rapid transit “MRT”, and the national bicycle sharing system “YouBike” will be your best options.
If you want to travel into rural areas, between cities, or explore the mountains, a variety of public and private transport options are available. Read on to learn about the best and most efficient ways to travel around Taiwan.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at the airport from a number of telecom providers. Taiwan’s two most popular mobile companies are Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile, with Chunghwa Telecom generally offering the best mobile connection around the island and especially when in remote areas. While the price of unlimited data is generally around 30 USD for 30 days of service, airport kiosks might offer special promotions or alternative packages. It is always possible to get a prepaid sim card at a retail location of a telecom company or a cell phone store in town if needed.
4G Pocket Wifi devices with unlimited data can be rented at the airport for around 3 USD / day. However, per most of the device specifications that we can see, their battery doesn’t last nearly half as long as a cell phone. Therefore, if there are no other considerations, we recommend sticking with Prepaid SIMs and using your phone’s hotspot for your other devices.
YouBike is a public bicycle sharing service that leverages the strength of Taiwan’s bike industry (global pioneers such as Giant and Merida are both Taiwanese brands, and many other renowned companies, including Fuji, Cannondale, and Specialized, manufacture their bikes in Taiwan). As of February 2023, there are more than 6,700 YouBike rental stations across Taiwan’s urban west coast. Bicycles can be rented with Taiwan’s multi-use EasyCard or with a cell phone and begin at 10 NTD (0.32 USD) / hour. There’s also a cell-phone APP which displays the current bike stock at every location so you can conveniently choose where to rent and where to return.
YouBike is perhaps one of the world’s most advanced, convenient and comfortable shared bike systems, and we can’t recommend it enough when exploring urban areas.
24-hour YouBike self-service rental is available in New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung.
For more information, visit YouBike Taiwan’s official website.
With 6 lines and 131 stations, the system links transportation hubs like Taoyuan Airport and Taipei Main Station, provides easy access to important landmarks like Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, and delivers passengers as far as Maokong Gondola in the east,, Xindian in the south, and Danshui in the north. Train intervals can be as brief as 90 seconds or as sparse as 15 minutes, depending on the time of day.
For more information, visit Taipei Metro’s official website.
While Taichung’s subway system, the “Taichung MRT” or TMRT, is still in its early stages of construction, one line is already in operation. The TMRT Green Line links Taichung’s High Speed Rail Station with the northwest neighborhoods of the city as well as Beitun Main Station.
Taichung also offers a city bus system, although there is no easily accessible map readily available for foreigners. The city does have 2 special Tourist Bus Routes which conveniently service popular attractions.
The Taichung Midtown Bus Loop links the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Shen Ji New Village Cultural and Creative Area, the National Museum of Natural Science Museum of Art and other attractions in downtown Taichung with Taichung Main Station.
The Fengyuan-Houli Route travels to Fengyuan northeast of Taichung and passes by Chung-she Flower Garden.
For more information on these bus routes, visit the Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau official website.
Kaohsiung’s subway and light rail system is closer to Taipei in terms of its development. Two subway lines, the Red Line and the Orange Line form a cross shape, and link downtown Kaohsiung with the High Speed Rail Station in Zuoying, the Kaohsiung International Airport, and the beaches and cultural districts of Sihziwan and Cijin and notable attractions like Weiwuying and Forumosa Boulevard. The Circular Light Rail Line provides additional stops and services neighborhoods and points of interest in Eastern Kaohsiung including the Pier 2 Art Center and the Kaohsiung Dream Mall.
For more information, visit the Kaohsiung Metro official website.
Taxis can be found nearly everywhere in Taiwan, even in rural areas and “remote” tourist spots like coastal towns of mountain villages. Hailing a cab is easy and drivers are generally friendly and talkative (especially if they know a bit of English). Hotels and restaurants will be happy to arrange taxis for you, and it is also possible to ask clerks at convenience stores to use their built-in kiosks to call taxis if needed. Expect to pay around (100-200 NTD) 3-6 USD for a 5 minute cab ride, (200-300 NTD) 6-9 USD for a 10-15 minute cab ride, and so on.
The Uber app works very well here as long as service is available: currently in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua and Kaohsiung. In most cases, the cost of an Uber will be comparable with that of a Taxi.
🚕 Planning a day trip outside Taipei?
A standard taxi or Uber is great for short city hops, but for full-day excursions to Yilan or the Northern Coast, costs can add up quickly. A Private Car Charter provides a dedicated vehicle and driver for 8 to 10 hours at a fixed rate, offering a more cost-effective and reliable solution for groups and families.
The Taiwan Rail Association, also known as the “TRA”, connects nearly all major cities and urban areas around the island, and has auxiliary lines that service popular areas such as Pingxi, Neiwan and Alishan. The only major town without a train station is Puli, due to its location in Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range.
Tourism-oriented lines include the Pingxi Rail Line which runs local service to touristy towns in the Pingxi Valley, and the Alishan Forest Railway, which connects Chiayi City with Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.
Train ticket prices are relatively inexpensive (between 1-40 USD depending on distance traveled) but more popular routes (e.g. Taipei to Hualien) might sell out on weekends.
It is possible to reserve TRA tickets online or by using the one-stop kiosks at any of the following convenience stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, OK Mart or Hi-Life, using your passport number. Reserved tickets can be picked up at any TRA ticket counter or any of the above-mentioned convenience store counters.
🧳 The Luggage Factor:
While the TRA is great for solo travelers, navigating stations with heavy suitcases can be a struggle—especially when heading to the Northern Coast or Yilan. If you are traveling with a family, a Private Car Charter provides door-to-door service from your hotel, allowing you to reach Yilan or Taichung without worrying about station stairs or crowded platforms.
The Taiwan High-Speed Rail, also known as the “HSR”, is perfect for enabling day trips or overnight trips to Taiwan’s west coast cities from Taipei, and vice versa.
The HSR offers high speed service between city centers for a price more or less to twice that of regular TRA trains. Considering the time saved: 1 hour and 34 minutes for the fastest HSR train from Taipei to Kaohsiung compared to more than three hours for a TRA train, we recommend utilizing the HSR whenever it is practical. As an added bonus, the HSR travels along an elevated path, offering superior views of the countryside (sunset viewing is usually spectacular).
It is possible to reserve HSR tickets online or by using the one-stop kiosks at any of the following convenience stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, OK Mart or Hi-Life, using your passport number. Reserved tickets can be picked up at any HSR ticket counter or any of the above-mentioned convenience store counters.
💡 Pro-Tip for Yilan & Jiufen:
While buses to Jiufen or Yilan are affordable, they often involve long queues, especially on weekends. If you’re planning a day trip to Yilan or the Northern Coast (Jiufen/Shifen), our Private Car Charter Tour allows you to visit three or four scenic spots in one day that would be impossible to coordinate via public bus schedules.
Bicycle rental is common in Taiwan, though options available will vary depending on your location. More touristy destinations may offer primarily electric or carriage style bicycles, or lower-quality old-fashioned bicycles. If you’re planning on doing any long-distance trips, mountain-climbing, or considering an around-the-island trip Giant and Mathew Bike both offer professional models and options for booking in advance. Giant offers many stations around Taiwan which allow for renting in one city and returning in another—one popular route of this type that we highly recommend is cycling from Hualien to Taitung (or vice-versa). On the other hand Mathew Bike offers advanced models suitable for racing and bikepacking.
Scooters may be rented around the island by visiting a scooter rental shop. Be sure to bring your International Driving Permit (IDP) as most shops will ask to see it before agreeing to rent you a vehicle. Rental shops are generally located near other transportation hubs like train stations and ferry terminals. Prices for scooters range from 200 NTD (6 USD) per day for 50-100cc scooters, to 600-800 NTD (18-24 USD) per day for more powerful 150cc scooters. It is possible to get better prices if renting for a longer period of time such as a week. While larger locations may not be open to bartering, it’s acceptable to try and ask for a “better deal” at smaller privately owned shops.
Insider’s Tip: We recommend asking for the best helmet possible—ideally at least one that covers the ears. Motorcycle accidents are common in Taiwan and while usually not serious, it’s always best to be as safe and prepared as possible. If your budget allows, consider buying a new full-face helmet for around 100 USD.
✨ Prefer a bit more comfort?
While scooters are iconic to Taiwan, the heat, sudden rain, and city traffic can be draining—especially with luggage. If you want the “open-road” freedom without the physical exhaustion, a Private Car Charter offers an air-conditioned alternative that gets you to the same hidden spots safely.
🛡️ Expert Tip: Leave the driving to a local
Navigating Taiwan’s narrow mountain switchbacks or busy urban intersections can be stressful for first-time visitors. If you want a 100% customizable itinerary without the pressure of driving in a foreign country, our Private Car Charter is our most popular “upgrade.” You get the car, the route, and a local expert, all in one.
