EasyCard (悠遊卡)
Your essential travel companion - one card for almost everything
Price
~€3 for card + top-up
Where to Get
- MRT stations
- Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart)
- Airport arrival hall
Use For
MRT/MetroCity busesLocal TRA trainsYouBikeConvenience storesSome restaurants & shops
Get your EasyCard immediately at the airport - you'll use it constantly!
Transportation Options
Rental car
(租車)Delivered to the Shangri-La Far Eastern hotel Sep 30, returned at Taoyuan Airport Oct 6. Used for all driving from Hualien to Taitung to Sun Moon Lake to the airport.
Taipei → Hualien → Taitung → Sun Moon Lake → Taoyuan Airport
Tips
- Delivered to Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei on Sep 30; returned at Taoyuan Airport on Oct 6 — confirm delivery time and return point with the rental company
- Documents needed: passport, Estonian driving licence, International Driving Permit, credit card
- Check fuel/mileage and toll billing (eTag) in the rental contract
- Tolls on the freeway sections total about €10, settled via eTag
- Parking slips left on the windshield are paid at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart or other convenience stores
- Drive on the right
- Check live road status before Taroko and Suhua Highway drives
Sample Routes
Shangri-La Taipei→Chongde
3 h129 km
Chongde→Hualien
40 min28 km
Hualien→Chishang
2 h 45119 km
Chishang→Taitung
1 h 1554 km
Taitung→Kaohsiung Lotus Pond
3 h 30173 km
Lotus Pond→Sun Moon Lake
3 h196 km
Sun Moon Lake→Taoyuan Airport
3-3.5 h210 km
Metro/MRT
(捷運)Clean, efficient metro system, used on the Taipei days
Taipei, Taoyuan Airport
Tips
- Use EasyCard for discounted fares
- No eating or drinking on MRT
- Priority seats are strictly enforced
- Airport MRT connects TPE to Taipei (40 min)
Sample Routes
Taoyuan Airport→Taipei Main
40 min€4.50
Taipei 101→Shilin Night Market
20 min€1
Taxi / Uber
(計程車)Convenient for short trips in Taipei
Taipei
Tips
- Yellow taxis are metered and safe
- Show destination in Chinese characters
- Uber available in Taipei
Sample Routes
Taipei Station→Taipei 101
15 min€5-8
Shifen→Jiufen
25 min€15
YouBike
(YouBike)Bike-sharing system, great for city exploration
Taipei, Sun Moon Lake
Tips
- Register with EasyCard or credit card
- First 30 minutes: ~€0.15
- Stations near all MRT exits
- Great for riverside cycling paths
Sample Routes
Taipei riverside→cycling path
Varies~€1/hour
Sun Moon Lake→cycling loop
3 hours€10 rental
Driving Legs
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shangri-La Taipei → Chongde | 129 km | 3 h |
| Chongde → Hualien | 28 km | 40 min |
| Hualien → Taroko entrance | 26 km | 35 min |
| Taroko entrance → Tianxiang | 18 km | 30 min (only within Hwy 8 release windows) |
| Hualien → Chishang | 119 km | 2 h 45 |
| Chishang → Taitung | 54 km | 1 h 15 |
| Taitung → Kaohsiung Lotus Pond | 173 km | 3 h 30 |
| Lotus Pond → Sun Moon Lake | 196 km | 3 h |
| Sun Moon Lake → Taoyuan Airport | 210 km | 3-3.5 h |
| Total (main legs): | ~953 km | With local driving, expect 1,250-1,350 km total |
Pro Tips
Taroko Release Windows
Highway 8 between the Taroko entrance and Tianxiang only opens in five daily windows.
- • 06:30-08:00
- • 10:00-10:05
- • 12:00-13:00
- • 15:00-15:05
- • 17:00-18:00
Suhua Highway & East Coast Driving
The Suhua Highway (Taipei to Hualien) and Highway 9 through the East Rift Valley carry the bulk of the driving days.
- • Check 168.thb.gov.tw for closures before setting off
- • Tunnels and mountain sections have lower speed limits
- • Chongde and Chishang are good rest stops
Book Ahead
- • Confirm the rental car delivery time and return point
- • Get the International Driving Permit before departure
- • Taroko release windows: 06:30-08:00, 10:00-10:05, 12:00-13:00, 15:00-15:05, 17:00-18:00
- • Check 168.thb.gov.tw the day before each driving leg
Apps to Download
- • Google Maps - works great in Taiwan
- • 幸福公路 (road status app)
- • YouBike (for bike sharing)