Getting Around the City: Bikes, Buses & Taxis

YouBike is the dominant public bike system in almost every major city (Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung). Note: Keelung City does NOT have YouBike due to its steep, hilly terrain.

🚴‍♂️ Membership vs. Single Rental

• For Residents / Long-term: Download the YouBike 2.0 App. Register with a Taiwan Mobile Number. You can bind an EasyCard, iPASS, or Credit Card for payment.
• For Short-term Tourists (Single Rental): If you don't have a local number, choose 'Single Rental' (單次租車) in the App.
  1. Bind a Credit Card.
  2. A pre-authorization deposit of NT$3,000 will be held (refunded automatically after returning the bike, processing time depends on the bank).
  3. Scan the QR code on the bike to ride.

🟡 Bike Types

• Yellow (2.0): Standard bike. 3-speed gears. Cheap and reliable.
• Orange/White (2.0E): Electric-assist bike. Provides power when you pedal. Great for hills or long distances but costs slightly more.

📍 Finding & Returning

• Find a Station: Use Google Maps (search 'YouBike') or the App map.
• Cross-City Return: You CAN return bikes across neighboring cities (e.g., rent in Taipei, return in New Taipei). *Check the app for fees if crossing distant regions.*
• Cost: Very affordable. Short rides usually cost around NT$30 or less.

In Changhua and Yunlin, you won't see YouBike. Instead, they use Moovo, a dockless electric-assist bike system.

How to use Moovo

• Dockless System: They don't use physical locking poles. Instead, you park them in designated 'virtual zones' painted on the ground.
• Rental: Download the Moovo App to register and scan to ride.
• Features: Most bikes are electric-assist, making them very comfortable.

Buses cover areas the MRT misses. However, there are strict unwritten rules you must follow.

⚠️ Critical Rules

• Wave Your Hand: You MUST wave at the driver as the bus approaches. If you just stand there looking at your phone, the driver will not stop.
• Tap On & Tap Off: Swipe your IC Card (EasyCard/iPASS) when you get on AND when you get off. Failing to do so will lock your card.
• The Bell: Press the red/yellow bell button before your stop. WARNING: Do NOT press the button covered with a plastic cap or labeled 'Sexual Harassment Prevention' (性騷擾防治). This triggers a loud emergency alarm.

📱 Tracking the Bus

Do not rely solely on Google Maps ETA during rush hours; it can be delayed by 5-10 minutes.

• Bus Tracker Apps: Use apps like 'Bus+ (Bus Plus)' or 'Taiwan Bus' for real-time GPS tracking.
• Electronic Signs: Most city bus stops have LED signs showing 'Min to arrival'. These are usually the most accurate.

Taxis are everywhere in Taiwan. You can hail a yellow cab on the street, call by phone, or use an App.

📱 App-based (Recommended)

• Uber: Highly recommended for tourists. You can set the destination in English and pay via credit card in the app, avoiding language barriers and cash handling.
• LINE GO: A service built into the LINE app (Taiwan's main chat app). Often offers coupons and cheaper rates than Uber, utilizing a large fleet of taxis.
• 55688 (Taiwan Taxi): The largest local fleet. Good availability but the app interface varies in English support.

🖐️ Street Hail (Yellow Cabs)

• Available everywhere in cities. Look for the red 'Vacant' (空車) light.
• Payment is mostly Cash. Some accept EasyCard or Credit Card, but don't count on it unless you ask first.

Want to drive yourself? There is a big distinction between 'App Sharing' and 'Traditional Rental'.

📱 Shared Apps (iRent / WeMo / GoShare)

You will see shared scooters (WeMo/GoShare) and cars (iRent) parked on the streets, popular in Taipei and major cities.

• The Catch: These apps typically require an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and a local Taiwan Driving License. Short-term tourists usually cannot register for these services.

🏪 Traditional Rental Shops

For tourists, your best bet is traditional rental shops, usually located near Train Stations (TRA/HSR).

• Requirements: Passport + International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Car Rental: Chains like Car-Plus or IWS are reliable.
• Scooter Rental: Small local shops near stations. Important: Check if your IDP specifically covers 'Motorcycles'. Many shops are strict about this legality.