Let’s face it: driving a car or a scooter is the best way to travel around Taiwan. Sure, the public transport system is good, especially within cities — but having your own vehicle allows you to explore other areas with greater convenience, and at your own pace!
If you’ll be traveling a lot during your stay in Taiwan, buying your own vehicle could be a wise decision. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget and you need a vehicle for just a day, a week, or even a month — a better option would be to rent a car or a scooter.
Guide to Renting a Vehicle in Taiwan
Renting a vehicle in Taiwan is easy, with many brands and models to choose from, depending on your budget and preference. Of course, you’ll need to have some essential documents, and to do some research before deciding which car or scooter to rent.
Requirements
The requirements for renting a car or a scooter are quite similar, though it would depend on whether you’re a resident or a non-resident (tourist), and also your location since the requirements may vary across different cities and localities in Taiwan.
For Renting Cars
Before renting a car, be sure to ask the rental agency about their requirements. Nonetheless, the usual documents required are:
- For residents — Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and local (Taiwanese) driver’s license.
- For non-residents (tourists) — International Driving Permit (IDP) and passport (for identification purposes).
NOTE: A Taiwanese driver’s license is issued in Taiwan, allowing motorists to drive within the country. Prior to getting this license, you’ll need to have your Philippine driver’s license verified by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
Meanwhile, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued in the home country (i.e. Philippines). So if you plan to drive abroad as a tourist, don’t forget to apply for an IDP beforehand.
For Renting Scooters
To rent a scooter, the requirements are pretty much the same as renting a car: ARC and Taiwanese driver’s license for residents; IDP and passport for non-residents or tourists.
That being said, requirements may also vary depending on your location in Taiwan. For instance, places like Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, and Taitung accept IDPs for renting scooters. In contrast, some cities such as Taipei and Taichung require a Taiwanese driver’s license.
Procedure
There are two ways to rent a vehicle in Taiwan: going directly to the rental company, or booking online in advance.
Car rental companies can be found near airports and major train stations across the country. Likewise, scooter rental shops are located in most train stations; some repair shops also provide scooters for rent. Just go to any of these places with your documents, choose a vehicle, make your payment… and that’s it!
As for online booking, this can be done through the rental company’s website. There, you can compare brands, models, and prices before booking. When you pick up your vehicle, don’t forget to check its condition first. Furthermore, make sure that that you understand the rental contract, including terms and conditions on fuel, mileage, insurance, and other concerns.
Where to Rent Vehicles in Taiwan
At this point, we’ll be sharing some of the more well-known companies that rent cars and scooters in Taiwan:
Car Rental Companies
Car rental companies include local agencies such as GoodCars and CarPlus, as well as international agencies like Budget, Klook, and Qeeq. Here is a list of websites where you can browse rental cars in Taiwan, including their locations and standard rental costs:
- KKday. This company has locations in several cities across Taiwan. Vehicle pickup at airports and High Speed Rail (HSR) stations is also possible. Rental price starts at around TWD 800 a day.
- Gogoout. This website coordinates with several companies to help you find the best deals. It operates in several cities across the country. Rental price starts at about TWD 1,000 per day.
- Qeeq. Also working with several companies to help renters find good deals, this website operates nationwide. Rental price starts at TWD 1,240 a day, and airport/HSR station pick up is possible.
- Klook. This website operates in Taipei, New Taipei City, and a few other cities only. Rental price starts at TWD 1,380 per day.
- GoodCars. This company operates in New Taipei City and Taoyuan; its services include airport pick up. Rental price starts at around TWD 1,440 a day.
- Trip.com. Similar to Klook, this website works with several companies in Taiwan to help find the best deals. It operates in several cities, with rental price starting at TWD 1,500 per day.
- Kayak. Also working with several companies to help people find the best deals, this website operates in multiple cities across the country. Rental price starts at around TWD 2,200 a day.
- Budget. With rental prices starting at TWD 2,500 per day, this company has four locations in Taiwan: Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
- Expedia. Offering a similar price range as Budget (i.e. starting at TWD 2,500 a day), this website operates in several cities across the country. It also coordinates with multiple car companies to help renters find good deals.
Scooter Rental Companies
Scoonter rental companies can be found near major train stations, and also in popular tourist spots such as Kenting and Sun Moon Lake. Many of these companies provide gas-powered scooters, along with electric-powered ones.
To rent a scooter, you can go straight to these companies, or book a scooter in advance. Some of the more popular websites where you can book to rent a scooter include the following:
- KKday. Operating in Hsinchu, Hualien, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taipei, and Taitung — this company rents scooters starting at TWD 400 per day. Both gas- and electric-powered scooters are available.
- Klook. This website covers most major cities and outer islands of Taiwan. Rental price starts at TWD 400 a day, depending on the brand and model.
- BikesBooking.com. This website is available in Taichung only. Rental price starts at TWD 1,000 per day.
Cost of Renting Cars or Scooters
As you can can see, the cost of renting a car or scooter varies widely, depending on the brand, model, and features. For cars, rental price could be as low as TWD 800 per day for a standard vehicle, and as much as TWD 3,000 per day for an expensive brand. Meanwhile, for scooters, the rental price could range from TWD 400 to TWD 1,000 per day, depending on the brand and model.
Important Reminders
Before you decide to rent a car or a scooter in Taiwan, please take note of the following tips and reminders:
- Consider various factors. Your budget, location, and travel needs can help you decide the type of vehicle that you should rent.
- Know the fuel policy. Some companies provide vehicles that are filled with fuel once you get them; this usually means that you should also fill the vehicle up before returning it. In any case, don’t hesitate to ask the company about their policies.
- Wear safety gear. For scooters, you should always wear your helmet and have rain gear with you. Fortunately, rental companies usually provide helmets and rain gear for vehicle users.
- Follow the rules. Traffic rules and regulations are implemented for everyone’s safety. Be sure to be aware and to follow these rules at all times. Always drive carefully!
Now that you have a better idea of how to rent a car or a scooter in Taiwan, you can start planning your trips around this beautiful country! If you are going to Taichung, for example, check out this list of the must-see attractions in this city!