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[travelight]

Hey all, my parents and I will be going to Taiwan this summer (4-13th June).


Since it will be our first time here, we are pretty confused on whether to:
1) Rent a car and drive it ourselves (only relying on my dad as the driver, not sure if the long hour drives will be too tiring for him)
2) Rent a car and hire a driver (saw a couple of posts showing that prices vary between NT4500-NT6200... )
3) Take the train/cab

My dad usually drives us down to KL from singapore, but since i heard the roads might be complicated, i think its best if i hear some advices from those who have experience.


These are the shortlisted places we plan to go:
Fengjia Market
Sun Moon Lake
Alishan
Cinjing Farm
Taroko Gorge
Taipei


Thanks!

 

[thunderation]

You can most definitely rent and drive if you are good with the GPS (Google maps). However, your dad will need to adapt to the left hand drive method (different from SG).

Your dad alone driving should be enough as I expect you will be stopping at various places to rest and not chiong from Taichung to Hualien in 1 drive.

Otherwise, the places you are intending to go are very accessible by public transport. I would only recommend you to rent a driver (tour) for Taroko Gorge as that area is very volatile. There are rockslides daily and you may not know which road is closed/open for use.

 

[twosix]

cingjing and taroko are mountainous area. How good a driver is your father driving on the left side of the car?

I'd recommend engaging a driver the 1st time to understand taiwan and the driving culture first. dun risks the whole family's lives because of tight budget.

 

[travelight]

You can most definitely rent and drive if you are good with the GPS (Google maps). However, your dad will need to adapt to the left hand drive method (different from SG).

Your dad alone driving should be enough as I expect you will be stopping at various places to rest and not chiong from Taichung to Hualien in 1 drive.

Otherwise, the places you are intending to go are very accessible by public transport. I would only recommend you to rent a driver (tour) for Taroko Gorge as that area is very volatile. There are rockslides daily and you may not know which road is closed/open for use.

Hey thunderation,
I appreciate your suggestions, and we have decided to drive it ourselves. My Dad has driven in America (left-hand drive) for 14 years, so I believe that should not be a problem. As for the rockslides daily at Taroko Gorge, we will definitely take note of that. Thank you very much for sharing!!!!

 

[travelight]

cingjing and taroko are mountainous area. How good a driver is your father driving on the left side of the car?

I'd recommend engaging a driver the 1st time to understand taiwan and the driving culture first. dun risks the whole family's lives because of tight budget.

My father is pretty experienced in the left hand drive. Thanks for the concern of our safety!! Really looking forward to the trip

 

[stream3r]

Hire a cab driver may be better a choice if you are unfamiliar with the road/traffic condition (not just direction).

 

[kevinleong]

Hey... I'm also traveling on the same date on 4th but coming back 1 day earlier than u on 12th. I will be covering taichung too for the 1st 4 days but I'm hiring a driver. To me going overseas is to enjoy, sit back relax n not tiring myself with all the driving. In taipei taking the public transport is better becuz the parking there is not easy. Been there done that. But still comes to ur own choice since u have decided. We only advice. Let's us enjoy ourself there. Cheers

 

[travelight]

Hey... I'm also traveling on the same date on 4th but coming back 1 day earlier than u on 12th. I will be covering taichung too for the 1st 4 days but I'm hiring a driver. To me going overseas is to enjoy, sit back relax n not tiring myself with all the driving. In taipei taking the public transport is better becuz the parking there is not easy. Been there done that. But still comes to ur own choice since u have decided. We only advice. Let's us enjoy ourself there. Cheers

Hey kevin,

Good to hear that a fellow Singaporean will be travelling on the similar date! Took note of your advice, and appreciate your time to comment. Looking forward to a splendid trip to Taiwan for the first time!!!

 

[travelight]

Hire a cab driver may be better a choice if you are unfamiliar with the road/traffic condition (not just direction).

Hey streamer,

Thanks for your advice! We have decided to drive it ourselves and enjoy the long drive, hahaha. Have a good day buddy

 

[Honda91]

Hey all, my parents and I will be going to Taiwan this summer (4-13th June).


Since it will be our first time here, we are pretty confused on whether to:
1) Rent a car and drive it ourselves (only relying on my dad as the driver, not sure if the long hour drives will be too tiring for him)
2) Rent a car and hire a driver (saw a couple of posts showing that prices vary between NT4500-NT6200... )
3) Take the train/cab

My dad usually drives us down to KL from singapore, but since i heard the roads might be complicated, i think its best if i hear some advices from those who have experience.


These are the shortlisted places we plan to go:
Fengjia Market
Sun Moon Lake
Alishan
Cinjing Farm
Taroko Gorge
Taipei


Thanks!

recently i did a 10 days self drive trip with my wife.
rented a car at sgd $500/- for 10days - find it reasonable.
petrol there is about $1sgd/L

driving in the outskirt is easy, alway keep a look out on the sign board and google map,you wouldnt get lose. TW offer unlimited data for like $30sgd for 10days if i rmb it correctly

the tricky part is driving in the city and left hand drive.i got use to it after half a day drive.
there is alot of lane in city driving, 1 wrong turn will end up at the other side of road. not much of a problem once you get used to it

your mention route is totally the same as mine

my route:
taipei - hua lian - taroko - cing jing - taichung - chi yi - alishan - yilan - taipei

i find staying at airbnb or mingsu is better den staying in hotel for self drive.
free/cheaper parking at the door step as compare to hotel

i think in order to see and travel more, the only way is to self drive ...

good luck and fun ...