Klook's Guide to Bike and Car Rentals in Taiwan

One of the first things you’ll notice in Taiwan is the ample amount of scooters on the road. Owning a motorcycle in the country is common, certainly more so than many of its regional neighbors, such as Singapore and Japan. According to official government statistics, there are over 15 million motorcycles in Taiwan — around 67 for every 100 people on the island!

Aside from the day-to-day 125cc scooters you’ll see everywhere in Taiwan, it’s also quite common to see more classic ones like the Harley Davidson bikes roaming the city streets. And with parking space in Taiwan’s main cities often being unaffordable, it’s normal to see families using just one scooter to get around town. Seeing four to five people squeezed onto one tiny scooter is truly a Taiwanese sight, and one that never fails to amaze!

With scooters being one of Taiwan's main modes of transportation, renting and riding one is definitely something to try during your trip! All you need to do to be able to get riding in the country is present an International Driving Permit, which is valid for the first 30 days upon arrival in Taiwan. Scooter and bike rentals are easy enough to find in most of the main tourist hotspots in Taiwan — lucky enough for you, Klook offers a good amount of scooter rentals in different cities like Taichung, Tainan, Kenting, and Kaohsiung!

Taiwan is a predominantly mountainous country and is perfect for travelers looking to explore the country's mountains on two wheels! If you're an experienced rider and are down for something challenging, then you should head east from Xindian in Taipei along Route 9 to Toucheng in Yilan County, or down the east coast from Hualien to Taitung (Route 11). The Cross-Island Highway is perhaps one of Taiwan’s most challenging roads, and the path can rise to almost 2600 m above sea level!

The south of Taiwan also has its fair share of amazing roads to choose from. We suggest you rent modern scooters in Kenting during the peak summer months to explore Kenting and its surrounding areas which offer much more than just the beach! The short 25 km ride to Jialeshui is not covered by public transportation and makes for a great day trip to do some surfing in one of Taiwan’s best surf spots!

With Taiwan’s often unpredictable weather, there are occasions when renting a car might be the more suitable option, both in the rainy season and also in the summer months when air-conditioning is absolutely essential. The island’s lesser-traversed roads are often free of heavy goods vehicles which tend to stick to highways and main roads, so you’ll be enjoying some of Taiwan’s most scenic drives! Great day trips by car from some of Taiwan’s bigger cities include Sun Moon Lake, which is easily accessible from Taichung, and Alishan National Scenic Area, which is only a short drive from Chiayi.

For private chartered trips around Taipei to take in the sites, consider hiring a car and driver for the day. Klook’s Taipei Private Car Charter is a great option, providing you with a private driver who can either show you around some of Taipei’s better-known sights or follow your own custom-made itinerary! Alternatively, you can also book your car rental with Klook if you prefer to drive 'round the city on your own.

Now that you have an idea or two about how you can explore the best of Taiwan's sights and attractions without the hassle of going from one public transportation to another, you can finally book that flight and pre-book your scooter rental, private car charter, and car rental with Klook before arriving in Taiwan!