Road Trips in Taiwan: Car Rental, Driving, Rest Stops
If you’re in Taiwan and to rent a car for a road trip, this is the guide you have to read! I’ve taken so many road trips in Taiwan as a kid and an adult. It’s my favorite way to explore Taiwan, because it gives you so much flexibility with schedules! But, as a tourist, driving in Taiwan can be a little tricky. Here’s the complete beginner’s guide, from renting a car to road safety, that helped us navigate road trips while visiting Taiwan!
Road Tripping in Taiwan
One of my favorite ways to see Taiwan is taking a road trip. It’s how my dad used to show our family all the different parts of Taiwan. From Sun Moon Lake to Tainan, he’s introduced us to some of our favorite spots on these drives. This time, we’re taking our rental car on a road trip to Kaohsiung with my family, so I figured I’d share some road trips tips.
Driving in Taiwan can have a little bit of a learning curve. So, I’ve gathered all the things we’re learned from our many trips. If you are thinking about renting a car and exploring Taiwan by road, here are some quick tips that can make your experience smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
Renting A Car at Taoyuan Airport
We always rent from Chailease 中租租車 in Taoyuan, and after many trips we can say the experience has consistently been smooth from start to finish. We’ve rarely waited long with their services! Here’s why they’re our favorite:
– Book with your Hertz profile and they’ll prep the paperwork ahead of time
– FREE shuttle pick up from Taoyuan Airport during business hours
– Coordinates with your flight time
– Familiar with international traveler needs
– Easy car return process with shuttle to the airport (during business hours)
One thing you need to know is that Taiwan is strict about car rental documentation. Make sure you bring:
1, Your passport
2. Your local driver’s license
3. Your International Driving Permit (if your country requires one)
For Canadians, the IDP is required. We always get ours at our local BCAA office. Bring two passport sized photos, or just get them taken there for a small fee. BCAA handles the whole process quickly. Make sure you check the requirements of what documentation you need based on the location you’re travelling from!
Driving In Taiwan
Driving in Taiwan can take some getting used to. Cities are busy, and there are a lot of mopeds on the road. They often weave between lanes, pass on either side, and move quickly from behind. Just give yourself extra time to adjust and stay very aware of your surroundings.
Roads and Intersections in Taiwan
- Scooters are everywhere.
There are A LOT of scooters/mopeds on the road. They often weave between lanes, pass on either side, and move quickly from behind. Just give yourself extra time to adjust and stay very aware of your surroundings. - Lanes are flexible, not sacred.
Lane lines exist, but some drivers treat them more like suggestions. The trick is simple: leave a bit more space in front of your car so you have time to react without stress. - Scooters/Mopeds rule intersections.
If you see scooter-only boxes at the very front of intersections, Scooters gathering, weaving, and surrounding cars at red lights is completely normal. It looks chaotic, but it’s predictable and you’ll adjust fast. - Left turns aren’t always direct.
Some intersections use a two-stage left turn system, but if you follow the signs, you should be ok. Instead of turning left right away, you:- Go straight
- Wait in a marked box
- Turn when the light changes
- Trust signs over GPS in cities.
In big cities like Taipei, roads stack vertically with elevated lanes and underground roads. GPS can occasionally get confused about which level you’re on. Road signs are clear, often in English, and way more reliable in these moments. Follow the signs and road markings and you’re good. - Terrain and weather
Taiwan’s geography changes quickly, so be ready for shifting conditions.- Mountain roads have sharp turns and narrow sections
- Rain can appear suddenly and reduce visibility very quickly
- Coastal drives can have strong crosswinds
- Avoid mountain routes right after heavy rainfall because of landslide risk
- Headlights are useful even in bright tunnels, since many drivers use them for visibility.
Navigation apps
Google Maps is our main navigation tool in Taiwan. It works well overall. Downloading offline maps helps if you plan to drive along coastal or mountain routes where reception drops. Some helpful apps on the road include:
- Google Maps: for navigation
- LINE: many local shops communicate through it
- Google Translate: camera mode for some road signs
- Convenience store apps (7-11, Family Mart, Etc): for locating nearby branches. Some also allow order ahead for pickup.
- Parking apps: for easy parking when spending more time in larger cities
Highways
Taiwan’s highways are modern, clean, and easy to drive. Signage is available in English and very clear. Most rental cars come with an ETC tag for highway tolls, which automatically charges. You’ll be able to settle them when you return the car.
Driving on Shoulders
One interesting thing we learned is that some highways open the shoulder during specific times when traffic is heavy. It helps keep things moving and can save you a lot of time. The first time we experienced this was while driving toward Hsinchu. Traffic was building up, we saw cars on the shoulder, and once we confirmed it was open, we joined in and cut about twenty minutes off the drive. It felt like using a fast pass lane.
semi trucks
One thing we learned quickly on Taiwan’s highways is to be extremely aware of semi trucks. They drive far more aggressively than what most visitors are used to and often weave through traffic as if they are much smaller vehicles. They are involved in a significant number of major accidents across the country.
- Always give them extra space.
- Avoid driving alongside them for long stretches
- stay out of their blind spots
- let them pass whenever possible.
- If you notice a cluster of semis ahead or behind, create distance before changing lanes or speeding up.
Parking
In Taiwan, parking availability and payment method can depend on where you are!
– White curb lines mark legal parking spots along roads.
– Parking is enforced by attendants, not meters.
– A paper ticket is placed on your windshield.
– Pay the ticket at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or on certain parking apps before the due date.
– I recommend always saving your parking location on Google Maps every time you park in a city. Streets can look similar and scooters sometimes block signage.
– Common at shopping centers and newer buildings.
– Many city garages display remaining space counts at the entrance.
– Spaces can be tight, so be careful in larger cars.
– Many garages use license plate recognition. Enter the garage without a ticket.
– Before exiting, enter your license plate number at the payment machine.
– Parking is usually in open lots.
– Some locations accept cash only, so always have some cash.
Gas Stations, Rest Stops, and Convenience Stores
Most gas stations are full service:
1. Tell the attendant how much gasoline you want
2. They handle fueling for you
3. Pay at the pump or inside depending on the station.
Some gas stations are standalone, especially off highways. However, highway gas stations are often part of or next to large rest areas. These rest stops are great places for drivers to recharge and stretch. They commonly include:
– Convenience stores
– Food Courts
– Clean washrooms
– Seating areas or scenic viewpoints
Qingshui Rest Stop 清水服務站
Taiwan has the most luxurious rest stations. Today, we’re stopping at Qingshui Rest Stop 清水服務站 to grab dinner before we head home. a favorite stop on road trips along the west coast. Located near Taichung, it’s known for the modern design, large layout, and sweeping ocean views. This massive rest stop has EVERYTHING you might need for a road trip and more.
The building has THREE FLOORS of amenities, from information booths to 7-11 and souvenir shops. The bathrooms here are HUGE and extra clean! But, the best part about thIs rest stop is the restaurants here. They have every cuisine! Every time my family comes here, we just all get different things from beef noodle soup to McDonald’s. You can also get some shopping in because some of Taiwan’s most famous snacks and gifts are all right here at this rest stop. They even have 7-11 vending machines and claw machines!
Daily Opening Hours:
Convenience Store: 24 Hours
Restaurants: 9 AM – 9 PM
Information Booth: 7 AM – 10 PM
7-11 Roadtrip Snacks
One of the best parts of a road trip in Taiwan is honestly the convenience store snack stops. There’s convenient stores everywhere in Taiwan, from gas station rest stops to just around the city. Every break is a choice between shelves packed full of onigiri, tea eggs, packaged noodles, ice creams, chips, and seasonal drinks you won’t see anywhere else. Check out my top 7-11 road trip snacks by clicking the button below!
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