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Inside Taipei the metro is quicker than any car, but the hills and coast around the city are made for day trips: the hot springs of Beitou, the volcanic park of Yangmingshan, Jiufen, the north coast and Yilan. Spend your Taipei days by metro, then pick up the car when you head out.
Car hire prices in Taipei
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei Taoyuan Airport | €714 | €714 | €732 |
| Taipei Songshan Airport | €529 | €527 | €543 |
| Taipei city | €529 | €529 | €543 |
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 Taipei, 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 Taipei
You can collect your car at Taoyuan Airport, at Songshan Airport or in Taipei city. If you spend the first days in the city, pick up the car on the day you head out: the metro is quicker, and parking in Taipei is scarce.
Car hire at Taoyuan Airport
The international airport, about 45 minutes to an hour west of the city. Freeway 2 links the airport to Freeway 1 and Freeway 3, the roads south along the west coast, so it is the easiest start for Taichung, Sun Moon Lake and the south, without crossing Taipei.
Car hire at Songshan Airport
The airport in the city, a few minutes from the centre. Songshan handles flights from Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai and domestic flights. From here, the north coast, Jiufen and the Yilan freeway are all within an hour.
Car hire in Taipei city
Handy if you spend a few days in the city first. Collect the car in the morning to be out of the city before the traffic builds up.
Driving in and around Taipei
The rules for all of Taiwan, from the licence you need to tolls and speed limits, are under Driving in Taiwan. Around Taipei, these are the things to know.
Scooters and traffic
Taipei's streets are full of scooters, especially at rush hour. They move off first at the lights and fill every gap; keep your distance and check your mirrors before turning. Outside the rush hours, from about 10:00 to 16:00, driving out of the city is easy.
Parking
In Taipei you park in paid car parks or in marked bays along the street. At a street bay a ticket is left under the wiper; you pay it at a convenience store such as 7-Eleven or FamilyMart. Hotels in the city often charge extra for parking, so ask before you book.
Busy days
The roads to Jiufen, Yangmingshan and Yilan are busiest on weekends and public holidays. On Sunday afternoons the queue back into Taipei on Freeway 5 can be long. On a weekday you have the roads largely to yourself.
Day trips from Taipei by car
From Taipei, Beitou and Yangmingshan are less than half an hour away, the north coast, Jiufen and Shifen 40 to 50 minutes, and Yilan about 50 minutes through the Hsuehshan Tunnel. The map shows the trips and the main roads from the city.
1. Beitou
Hot springs at the edge of the city, about 20 minutes north. Steam rises from the green water of Thermal Valley, and the old public bathhouse is now a free museum. Many hotels in Beitou have private hot-spring baths you can book by the hour.
2. Yangmingshan
A volcanic national park, about 25 minutes north. At Xiaoyoukeng, sulphur vents hiss on the slopes of Mount Qixing, and a trail leads up to the highest peak of the Taipei area. In spring the park is known for its cherry blossom and calla lilies.
3. Yehliu Geopark
Rocks shaped by the sea, about 45 minutes north-east. A cape of sandstone formations carved by wind and waves, the best known being the Queen's Head. Go early, before the tour buses arrive.
4. Jiufen
An old gold-mining town on the hillside, about 45 minutes east. Narrow stepped lanes lined with teahouses and food stalls, and a view over the sea. Weekends are crowded; on a weekday morning or after dusk, when the lanterns are lit, it is quieter. Park at the paid car parks along the road below the old street.
5. Bitou Cape
A walk along the cliffs of the north-east coast, about 50 minutes east. A trail loops over the cape to a small lighthouse, with views along the coast. Continue south on Highway 2 for the coastal road towards Yilan.
6. Shifen
A waterfall and a railway village, about 40 minutes east. Shifen Waterfall is one of the widest in Taiwan. In the village, the train runs right through the main street, where visitors release paper sky lanterns between the trains.
7. Jiaoxi
Hot-spring town in Yilan, about 50 minutes south-east. The Hsuehshan Tunnel, almost 13 km long, takes Freeway 5 under the mountains to the Yilan plain. In Jiaoxi there are free foot baths in the park and hot-spring hotels in town.
8. Wulai
A mountain village of the Atayal people, about 35 minutes south. A hot-spring river runs through the village, and a small tourist train takes you to Wulai Waterfall. In the old street, try the bamboo rice and the grilled wild boar sausages.
Best time to visit Taipei
October to December and March to April are the most pleasant months. May and June bring the plum rains, summer is hot and humid, with typhoons possible from July to September, and winter is cool and often damp.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Taipei cost?
A week of car hire in Taipei 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 Taipei?
No. In Taipei, cars come with zero excess. Updated 12 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Taipei 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 Taipei?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required at the desk. Sunny Cars gives no deposit amount in advance.
Which driving licence do I need to hire a car in Taipei?
Your own licence, an International Driving Permit and your passport. The permit is valid for your first 30 days in Taiwan. Arrange it before you travel; the desk cannot hand over the car without it.
Is it worth hiring a car in Taipei?
For the city itself, the metro is quicker and parking is hard to find. A car is worth it for trips out of Taipei, to Jiufen, the north coast, Yangmingshan and Yilan, and for travelling on to the rest of Taiwan.
Can I drive from Taipei to Jiufen?
Yes, it takes about 45 minutes. Park at the car parks along the road below the old street; on weekends they fill up early, so go in the morning or on a weekday.