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Taiwan Travel Information

Transportation
Because Taiwan is located at the crossroads of some of Asia's busiest air routes, travel to and from the island is easy and convenient. Taiwan is served by airlines from Asia, Europe, South Africa, and North America. The island has two international airports, at Kaohsiung in the south and at Taoyuan in the north. Chiang Kai-shek International Airport at Taoyuan is 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) southwest of Taipei. Each outbound passenger must pay an airport departure tax of NT$300.

Domestic travel is also easy and convenient. Inexpensive air-conditioned limousine buses depart the airport at Taoyuan every 15 minutes for both Taipei's Sungshan Domestic Airport and the main railway station. Major hotels provide transportation to and from the airport for their guests.

Seven domestic airlines currently provide daily flights between Taipei and other major cities, as well as to nearby Green and Orchid islands and the Penghu Archipelago.

Taiwan has modern freeway and railway systems which make travel between major cities easy and convenient. Reliable express buses connect Taipei with all major cities and most major scenic spots, and reserved-seat, air-conditioned express trains provide fast, comfortable service around the island. Fares for buses and trains are quite reasonable.
For railway information call: (02) 371-3558.
For bus information call: (02) 321-2000,(02) 381-0731.

Travel time from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south takes five to six hours by train, four hours by bus, and 40 to 50 minutes by air. Hualien, on the east coast, is 30 minutes by air from Taipei and three to four hours by train.

Taiwan has a number of international and domestic car rental companies. Credit cards or sizable deposits are required, as well as an international or Taiwan driver's license. Chauffeur-driven cars can also be rented, and international tourist hotels will generally make such arrangements for guests. The following Taipei companies offer rental cars:

CKS International Airport
Limousing Service Center
Tel: (03) 383-4530/1
Fax: (03) 3834540
Central Auto Rental
Tel: (02) 882-1000 Fax: (02) 881-6534
Payless Car Rental
Tel: (02) 567-2453 Fax: (02) 567-3744
Prestige Limousing Service Co.
Tel: (02) 783-6691 Fax: (02) 783-2167
VIP Car Rental Co.
Tel: (02) 713-1111 Fax: (02) 713-0000

Major cities have an abundance of taxis. Charges are NT$ 65 for the first 1.65 km and NT$ 5 for each additional 350 meters. An additional NT$5 is charged for every four minutes of waiting, and a 20% surcharge is added to fares between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., the price of radio cars, and carrying luggage in the boot adds NT$10. Most drivers do not speak English, so it is a good idea to have hotel personnel write both your destination and your hotel's name and address in Chinese, along with the projected cost of each one-way trip.