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Kaohsiung is Taiwan's big southern port, with an international airport on its southern edge. From there, the beaches of Kenting are about 2 hours away, and closer by are Lotus Pond, Fo Guang Shan and the Hakka town of Meinong.
Car hire prices in Kaohsiung
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 Kaohsiung, 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 Kaohsiung
Car hire at Kaohsiung Airport
On the southern edge of the city, about 20 minutes from the centre. The airport is close to Freeway 88, the fastest road out of the city towards Pingtung and Kenting. It is the best start for the south of Taiwan, and Tainan is about 45 minutes to the north.
Driving around Kaohsiung
The rules for all of Taiwan, from the licence you need to tolls and speed limits, are under Driving in Taiwan. Around Kaohsiung, these are the things to know.
The road to Kenting
Freeway 88 and Freeway 3 take you out of the city into Pingtung county, and from there Highway 1 and Highway 26 follow the coast south. The last stretch is a two-lane road through towns and along the sea. On weekends and holidays it is busy; leave early in the morning.
Kenting by car
The sights of Kenting National Park are spread along the coast. With a car you can stop at the beaches, Eluanbi and Longpan Park in one day, and stay somewhere quieter than Kenting Street.
Day trips from Kaohsiung by car
From Kaohsiung Airport, Cijin and Lotus Pond are 20 to 30 minutes away, Fo Guang Shan and Meinong 35 minutes to an hour north-east, and Kenting and Eluanbi about 2 hours south. The map shows the trips and the main roads from the airport.
1. Cijin
An island at the harbour mouth, about 20 minutes west. A long, narrow island with a beach, a lighthouse, an old fort and a street of seafood restaurants. Drive over through the harbour tunnel, or park in Gushan and take the five-minute ferry.
2. Lotus Pond
Temples on a lake, about 30 minutes north. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas stand in the lake on zigzag bridges: enter through the dragon's mouth and leave through the tiger's for good luck. Around the lake are more temples and pavilions.
3. Fo Guang Shan
A Buddhist monastery and museum, about 35 minutes north-east. A great bronze Buddha sits at the end of an avenue of eight pagodas, with the monastery on the hill beside it. Entry to the Buddha Museum is free.
4. Meinong
A Hakka country town, about 1 hour north-east. Meinong is known for its oil-paper umbrellas, its flat rice noodles and its tobacco barns, set among rice fields at the foot of the mountains.
5. Kenting
Beaches at the southern tip of Taiwan, about 2 hours south. Kenting National Park has white beaches, coral reefs and a tropical forest. Kenting Street comes alive in the evening with its night market.
6. Eluanbi
The southern tip of the island, about 2 hours south. A white lighthouse from 1883 stands in a park on the cape. Continue on the coast road to Longpan Park, where the cliffs face the Pacific Ocean.
Best time to visit Kaohsiung
The south is warm all year. October to April is dry and sunny, the best time for Kenting. From May to September it is hot, with afternoon storms and typhoons possible from July to September.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Kaohsiung cost?
A week of car hire in Kaohsiung starts at €529 for a small car, €527 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 Kaohsiung?
No. In Kaohsiung, cars come with zero excess. Updated 12 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Kaohsiung 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 Kaohsiung?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required at the desk. Sunny Cars gives no deposit amount in advance.
How far is Kenting from Kaohsiung by car?
About 100 km, or around 2 hours from Kaohsiung Airport, first on the freeway and then along the coast on Highway 1 and Highway 26.
Can I take the hire car to Cijin?
Yes. Cijin is reached by road through the harbour tunnel. You can also park in Gushan and take the short passenger ferry across.