Taiwan Taxis & Rideshare: Hailing, Apps, and How the Meter Works
Taiwan's taxis (計程車, nicknamed 小黃 "little yellow") are metered, inexpensive by regional standards, and easy to find in every city. You can flag one down on the street, or use an app for a fare estimate and a digital trail. This guide covers how the meter works, which app to use when, and the small etiquette points that keep rides smooth.
Street hailing vs apps
Street hailing works well in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and other cities — just raise your hand at the curb. At airports, train stations, and night markets there are organized taxi queues; join the line rather than grabbing a cab from touts.
Apps are better when you want a fare estimate upfront, a receipt in the app, or a ride late at night:
- 55688 (台灣大車隊) — Taiwan's largest taxi fleet app; dispatch by GPS, metered fares, cash or card. Website: taiwantaxi.com.tw.
- Uber — operates legally in Taiwan with licensed drivers; prices are usually close to metered taxis and can surge at peak times.
- LINE TAXI / LINE GO — book inside the LINE app most Taiwanese already use; supports card payment and fixed-price "diversified taxi" (多元計程車) options.
- yoxi — another major fleet app with similar metered pricing.
Tip: if you don't speak Chinese, apps win — the destination is transmitted in text and you can follow the route on the map.
How the meter works (Taipei / New Taipei / Keelung)
Fares are set by each city/county government. For the Greater Taipei area (北北基):
- Flagfall: NT$85 for the first 1.25 km
- Distance/time: NT$5 per 200 meters, or NT$5 per 60 seconds of waiting (when speed is under 5 km/h — traffic jams cost you)
- Night surcharge: 23:00–06:00 adds NT$20 per trip, judged by boarding time
- A 10 km daytime ride works out to roughly NT$300
Other cities differ, so don't assume Taipei rates travel with you:
- Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung: also NT$85 flagfall; Tainan/Kaohsiung add 20% at night instead of a flat NT$20
- Hsinchu, Miaoli, Nantou: NT$100 flagfall
- Yilan, Taitung: NT$120 flagfall
- Taoyuan: NT$90 flagfall, no night surcharge
Highway tolls are paid by the passenger on top of the meter — the driver will tell you, or it appears on the receipt.
When each option wins
- Short city hops: street hail — fastest, no waiting for dispatch.
- Airport trips or fixed budgets: use an app's fare estimate, or choose a 多元計程車 (diversified taxi) with an agreed price before departure.
- Late night / unfamiliar areas: app — the trip is GPS-tracked and the driver is identified.
- Rush hour across town: consider the MRT instead; a taxi stuck in traffic meters by the minute.
Receipts and practical tips
- Ask for a receipt: 「請給我收據」 (qǐng gěi wǒ shōujù). The meter prints one — useful for expense claims.
- Drivers are generally honest, but on very short trips some may "forget" to start the meter. A polite 「請跳表」 (please run the meter) fixes it.
- Seatbelts: buckle up in the back seat; it's the law and drivers can be fined for your lapse.
- Tipping is not expected. Rounding up to the nearest NT$10 is a friendly gesture, not an obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Do Taiwan taxis take credit cards?
Some do, especially app-dispatched cars. For street hails, assume cash unless you see a card sticker — ask 「可以刷卡嗎？」 (can I pay by card?) before you get in.
Is Uber legal in Taiwan?
Yes. Uber operates with licensed rental-car drivers under local regulations. Prices are usually comparable to metered taxis.
What if I leave something in the taxi?
Call the fleet (the receipt shows the company and car number) or use the app's trip history. For street hails without a receipt, the police lost-and-found system can help if you remember roughly where and when.
Sources
- https://www.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0027021
- https://www.taiwantaxi.com.tw/Article?fid=5&sid=62&tid=1221
- https://www.linego.me/news/426