)}
Chiayi is the starting point for Alishan: the mountain road climbs from the plain to cypress forests at over 2,000 metres in about 2.5 hours. On the way are tea fields, the Taiping Suspension Bridge and the railway village of Fenqihu.
Car hire prices in Chiayi
From, total for 7 days
Select a price to see the cars for the week that price was found.
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
What's included in the price
Zero excess
In Chiayi, cars come with zero excess.
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
Not included: Freeway tolls (charged electronically and settled when you return the car); fuel; child seats and other extras you add at the desk; traffic fines and parking.
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence, plus an International Driving Permit and your passport. An International Driving Permit is valid for your first 30 days in Taiwan.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name, required at the desk. Sunny Cars gives no deposit amount in advance.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Available at the desk for a daily fee.
Picking up your car in Chiayi
Car hire in Chiayi
You collect the car in Chiayi city. Freeway 1 and Freeway 3 run just west and east of the city, and Highway 18 leads straight into the mountains towards Alishan. Chiayi is also a stop on the high-speed rail, about 1.5 hours from Taipei.
Driving around Chiayi
The rules for all of Taiwan, from the licence you need to tolls and speed limits, are under Driving in Taiwan. Around Chiayi, these are the things to know.
The road to Alishan
Highway 18 climbs some 2,000 metres in about 75 km of bends. Allow 2.5 hours, fill up before you leave the plain, and take breaks if anyone feels carsick. In the afternoon the mountains are often in cloud, so set off early.
Parking at Alishan
At the Alishan Forest Recreation Area you pay an entrance fee and park in the car park inside. On weekends and in the cherry blossom season in March and April it is busy; stay a night or go on a weekday.
Day trips from Chiayi by car
From Chiayi, Hinoki Village and the Tropic of Cancer are in or next to the city, the Palace Museum is 25 minutes west, and the mountains of Fenqihu and Alishan 1 to 2.5 hours east. The map shows the trips and the main roads from the city.
1. Hinoki Village
Wooden houses from the timber era, in the city. Chiayi grew rich on the cypress wood brought down from Alishan. The restored Japanese-era wooden houses of Hinoki Village now hold shops and cafés, a short walk from the old lumber yards and the depot of the Alishan Forest Railway.
2. Tropic of Cancer Monument
The line of the tropics, about 10 minutes east. A park marks the Tropic of Cancer, which passes just south of Chiayi, with a monument and a small museum of astronomy.
3. National Palace Museum Southern Branch
Asian art and culture, about 25 minutes west. The southern branch of Taiwan's National Palace Museum stands in a park with a lake, and shows treasures from the Taipei collection alongside exhibitions on the art of Asia.
4. Taiping Suspension Bridge
A long footbridge in the hills, about an hour east. At around 1,000 metres, the bridge crosses a valley among the tea fields, with views over the plain to the sea on a clear day. The road there winds through the hills of Meishan.
5. Fenqihu
An old railway village, about an hour east. A stop on the Alishan Forest Railway, with a market street, a small engine shed and the famous railway lunch box. It is at about 1,400 metres, cooler than the plain.
6. Alishan
Forests, tea and the sea of clouds, about 2.5 hours east. Highway 18 climbs to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area at around 2,200 metres, with trails among giant cypress trees and the forest railway. Stay a night to take the early train to Zhushan for the sunrise over the sea of clouds.
Best time to visit Chiayi
October to April is the driest time, with the best chance of a sea of clouds at Alishan. The cherry blossom at Alishan peaks in March and early April. Summer is hot on the plain and wet in the mountains, with typhoons possible from July to September. Pack a warm layer: Alishan is often below 10 °C at dawn.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Chiayi cost?
A week of car hire in Chiayi starts at €529 for a small car, €529 for a mid-size car and €543 for a large car or SUV. That is the total for seven days, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026.
Is there an excess when I hire a car in Chiayi?
No. In Chiayi, cars come with zero excess. Updated 12 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Chiayi for free?
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts, during Sunny Cars’ opening hours. After that, the full price of the booking applies. Sunny Cars is based in Germany, several hours behind most of Asia. To be safe, cancel the day before your pick-up.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Chiayi?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required at the desk. Sunny Cars gives no deposit amount in advance.
How long does it take to drive from Chiayi to Alishan?
About 2.5 hours for some 80 km on Highway 18, a winding mountain road that climbs to around 2,200 metres.
Do I need to stay overnight at Alishan?
It is not needed, but it is worth it. The sunrise at Zhushan, reached by an early train from Alishan station, is the highlight, and the trails are quietest in the early morning.