Taipei’s public transit is excellent — the MRT, buses, and YouBike cover almost any travel need. But for some trips, a Taipei taxi is the easier choice: after midnight when the MRT closes, in a group with luggage, for door-to-door comfort when you’re tired or short on time, or for the few addresses the MRT doesn’t directly serve. Taipei has one of Asia’s safer, more orderly, more affordable taxi systems — yellow cars, metered fares, no tipping, multiple app options including Uber. Knowing how it works makes occasional taxi use cheap and stress-free.
This guide covers Taipei taxi use in 2026: fare structure, the best apps, when to use taxis vs MRT, safety tips, and how to avoid the few pitfalls that catch tourists off guard.
Taipei Taxi at a Glance
- Color: Bright yellow (instantly recognizable)
- Base fare: NT$85 for the first 1.25 km
- Per km: NT$5 per 0.2 km after base
- Late night surcharge: NT$20 after 11:00 PM, before 6:00 AM
- Typical 15-minute city ride: NT$150–200
- Airport to central Taipei: NT$1,200–1,600
- Tipping: Not expected, not customary
- Payment: Cash, credit card, EasyCard, mobile apps
- Best apps: Uber, 55688, LINE Taxi, FindTaxi
Taipei Taxi Fare Structure
Taipei taxis use a metered fare system that’s identical across the city. No haggling, no surge pricing on street-hailed cabs, no surprises:
Base Fare
NT$85 for the first 1.25 km. The meter starts the moment you enter the car.
Per-Kilometer Rate
NT$5 for every 0.2 km (or each 80 meters) after the initial 1.25 km. Roughly NT$25 per kilometer.
Slow-Motion Fare
When the taxi moves below 5 km/h (slow traffic), a time-based fare of NT$5 per 1 min 20 sec kicks in.
Late-Night Surcharge
NT$20 added to all fares between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Holiday Surcharges
NT$20 added during Lunar New Year holidays.
Highway Tolls
If your trip uses a freeway or toll road, the toll (~NT$30–50) is added to the meter fare. Usually only relevant for airport trips.
Baggage Surcharge
Not standard. Some drivers may request a small tip for help with heavy bags, but it’s not formally required.
App-Based Pricing (Uber, LINE)
App-based ride services often offer upfront fixed pricing. Uber sometimes has slight discounts vs. street-hailed during off-peak, and adds surge pricing during peak demand or bad weather.
Typical Taxi Costs in Taipei
- 5-min ride (1 km): NT$85 (the base fare)
- 15-min city ride (4 km): NT$150–200
- 30-min ride (10 km): NT$300–400
- Taipei 101 to Ximending (~5 km): NT$180–220
- Taipei Main Station to Da’an (~3 km): NT$150–180
- Songshan Airport to Taipei 101 (~7 km): NT$220–280
- Taoyuan Airport to central Taipei (~40 km): NT$1,200–1,600 (highway toll included)
How to Hail a Taipei Taxi
Street Hailing (Easy)
Stand on the sidewalk near a major street and raise your hand. Empty cabs have their lights on. Cabs pull over within 5–10 seconds in most central Taipei areas.
Best places to hail:
- Major intersections
- Hotel entrances
- MRT exits
- Outside major restaurants and bars
Avoid hailing on tight side streets — cabs prefer larger roads.
Taxi Stands
Taipei has formal taxi stands at:
- Taoyuan Airport (T1 and T2)
- Songshan Airport
- Taipei Main Station (multiple stands)
- Major MRT stations
- Major hotels
- Taipei 101 base
- Big shopping malls (Bellavita, Mitsukoshi, Breeze)
By App (Best for Non-Mandarin Speakers)
Apps are the easiest option if you don’t speak Mandarin. They handle:
- Communicating your destination (no need to pronounce Chinese addresses)
- Showing the route on GPS
- Pre-payment via card or in-app wallet
- Driver rating and accountability
- Receipts in your inbox
Best Taxi Apps for Taipei
1. Uber
The most foreigner-friendly app. English interface, your existing Uber account works, upfront pricing, cashless payment.
- Pros: English app, familiar interface, cashless, upfront pricing
- Cons: Surge pricing during peak/rain; often 10–20% more expensive than metered taxis at peak times
- Best for: First-time visitors, English speakers, app-comfortable travelers
In Taiwan, Uber typically dispatches licensed taxi drivers (not private cars), so the cars are regulated yellow taxis with metered fares plus the Uber service fee.
2. 55688 (Taiwan Taxi)
Taiwan’s largest taxi network. The yellow cars you see on the street are mostly 55688 fleet. The app books one of those cars at the metered fare — typically 50–60% cheaper than Uber at peak times.
- Pros: Cheapest option; metered fare; large fleet; quick pickup
- Cons: App interface is mostly Mandarin (basic English available); cash payment most common
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, longer trips
3. LINE Taxi
Integrated with the popular LINE messaging app. Works well if you already use LINE in Taiwan. Earn LINE Points; pay through the app.
- Pros: Convenient if you use LINE; digital rewards; English available
- Cons: Need a LINE account
4. Yoxi
A premium service with stricter vehicle age limits and pristine interiors. More expensive than standard taxis but a guaranteed vehicle standard.
- Pros: Premium feel; cleaner cars; reliable
- Cons: More expensive
5. FindTaxi
A smaller alternative app with strong English support.
6. tripool
Ride-sharing focused; useful for longer pre-booked trips like airport pickups for groups.
Which App Should You Use?
For first-time visitors: Uber. English interface, familiar, transparent pricing.
For budget travelers: 55688. 50–60% cheaper than Uber at peak.
For LINE users: LINE Taxi.
For airport pickup with multiple people: tripool or pre-booked Klook private transfer.
For tipping budget premium: Yoxi.
When to Use a Taxi vs the MRT
Take a Taxi
- After MRT closes (midnight–6 AM)
- Group of 3–4 with shared cost
- Heavy luggage
- Late dinner and you don’t want to walk to MRT
- Specific address not near MRT
- Rain and you don’t want to walk
- Very hot summer afternoon and short trip
Take the MRT
- Anywhere central within 5 minutes of an MRT station
- Single rider
- Rush hour (avoid traffic)
- Budget priority
Take a Bus
- Specific routes (R30 to Maokong, S15 to Yangmingshan, etc.)
- Cheaper than MRT for some neighborhood trips
How to Communicate Your Destination
If You Don’t Speak Mandarin
Best: Show the Chinese address on your phone. Email your hotel for the Chinese name and address before traveling, or use Google Maps to translate. Show the screen to the driver.
OK: Major landmarks. Most drivers know “Taipei 101” (台北101), “Ximending” (西門町), “Taipei Main Station” (台北車站) by name. Saying these works.
OK: Hotel chains. “Marriott Taipei” or “W Taipei” is understood.
Avoid: Speaking English addresses fast. Many drivers don’t speak much English. Slow down or use written Mandarin.
Common Phrases
- “Take me to…” — 到 ___ (dào ___)
- “Taipei 101” — 台北101 (Táiběi yī-líng-yī)
- “Taipei Main Station” — 台北車站 (Táiběi chēzhàn)
- “Airport” — 機場 (jīchǎng)
- “Stop here” — 這裡停 (zhèlǐ tíng)
- “Thank you” — 謝謝 (xièxie)
Safety
Taipei taxis are among Asia’s safest. The fleet is licensed, metered, and regulated. Major safety considerations:
- Wear seatbelts. Required by law. Always click in.
- Note the license plate. Visible on the back. Useful if you need to file a complaint.
- Watch the meter. Should be running and matching displayed rates. If it’s not, ask “meter on?” (跳錶嗎?).
- Late night precaution. Most drivers are fine, but solo travelers (especially women) at late hours: use app rides for GPS tracking and accountability.
- Drunk driver risk. Extremely rare in Taiwan; strict drink-driving laws.
- Don’t share location data with strangers. Use app-based booking for accountability.
Solo women travelers and LGBT+ travelers generally report Taipei taxis as feeling very safe.
Common Taxi Mistakes
Tipping. Not expected; sometimes refused.
Trying to negotiate fares. Taipei taxis are metered; no negotiation on metered cabs.
Showing English-only addresses. Some drivers struggle. Carry Chinese addresses.
Hailing on small side streets. Drivers prefer larger roads. Walk to a major intersection.
Forgetting the late-night surcharge. NT$20 extra after 11 PM. Standard, not a scam.
Worrying about being taken on a long route. Drivers are licensed and tracked. If you suspect a deliberate detour, use the GPS on your phone to verify.
Not asking for a receipt. Useful for expense tracking; just say “fapiao” (發票).
Calling for late-night Lunar New Year ride at standard rates. Surcharges apply during major holidays.
Using an unmarked / non-yellow car. Unlicensed taxis exist (though rare). Stick with marked yellow cars or app-booked rides.
Tipping Culture (Or Lack Thereof)
Tipping is not customary in Taipei. Some travelers initially feel awkward not tipping — but local drivers don’t expect it, and a tip can sometimes feel confusing or even insulting.
The exceptions:
- For exceptional service (driver helps with heavy luggage, runs to your hotel lobby for you), rounding up by NT$20–50 is appreciated but not expected.
- Some app-based rides (Uber, Yoxi) allow optional tipping in the app.
Late-Night Transit
The Taipei MRT closes around midnight (some lines run later Friday/Saturday). After that:
- Taxi: The most reliable late-night option. NT$300–500 for most central trips with late-night surcharge.
- Uber: Available all night. Surge pricing possible.
- Late-night buses: Some routes run until 1–2 AM; coverage is thin.
Late-night clubbing in Xinyi (Wave, OMNI, AI) means a taxi home is essentially mandatory.
Airport Taxi Specifics
See our Taoyuan Airport to Taipei guide for full details. Key facts:
- Use the official taxi stand outside the terminal.
- Do not accept rides from drivers approaching inside the terminal. Unlicensed touts.
- Fare to central Taipei: NT$1,200–1,600 (including highway toll).
- For Songshan Airport: NT$200–300 to central Taipei.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Lost Items
If you forget something in a taxi, contact 55688 (the largest fleet operator) by phone. Note the cab’s license plate and approximate time of trip. Many lost items are returned.
Disputes Over Fares
Disputes are rare. If you suspect overcharging, note the license plate and report to:
- Taipei City Department of Transportation: 1999 (in Taipei) or 02-2725-6789
- Tourist hotline: 0800-011-765 (English support)
Driver Behavior
Taipei drivers are generally professional. If you have a serious concern (reckless driving, refusal to take you), note the license plate and report.
Tips for a Better Taxi Experience
Use an app for first-time rides. Removes ambiguity about destination and fare.
Have your hotel address in Chinese on your phone. Helps for street hailing.
Pay attention to the meter. Standard rates apply.
Don’t worry about tipping. Skip it.
Use late-night taxi for safety on cocktail-bar nights.
Share rides with travelers staying near you. A 4-person taxi splits the cost dramatically.
Watch for “off-duty” lights. Some drivers display “off duty” while still moving; don’t try to flag them.
Don’t tip in cash inside the cab. If you really want to tip, do it via app.
Use the seatbelt. Required by law.
Related Taipei guides
- Taipei Transportation Guide: Getting Around Taipei
- Does Uber Work in Taipei?
- Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei: Booking & Tips
- Taipei Bus System: How to Use It as a Visitor
- Car Rental in Taipei: Do You Actually Need One?
- Day Trips from Taipei: 12 Best Nearby Escapes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi cost in Taipei?
Base fare NT$85 for the first 1.25 km, NT$5 per 0.2 km after. A typical 15-minute city ride is NT$150–200. NT$20 late-night surcharge between 11 PM and 6 AM.
Is Uber available in Taipei?
Yes. Uber operates in Taipei, typically dispatching licensed yellow taxi drivers. The Uber app is in English, with upfront pricing and cashless payment.
Do I need to tip Taipei taxi drivers?
No. Tipping is not customary and sometimes refused. Pay the exact meter or app fare.
Are Taipei taxis safe?
Yes — among Asia’s safest. Yellow taxis are licensed, metered, and regulated. Drink-driving laws are strict. Solo travelers, including women, generally feel safe.
What’s the best taxi app in Taipei?
Uber for first-time English-speaking visitors. 55688 (Taiwan Taxi) for the cheapest fares. LINE Taxi if you already use LINE. Yoxi for premium service.
How do I tell a taxi driver where to go if I don’t speak Mandarin?
Show the Chinese address on your phone. Major landmarks like Taipei 101, Ximending, and Taipei Main Station are widely known by name. Apps (Uber, LINE Taxi) handle the communication automatically.
Do Taipei taxis accept credit cards?
Yes, increasingly. App-based rides accept cards by default. Many street-hailed cabs now have card readers. Cash is still the most universal payment method.
What’s the late-night taxi surcharge in Taipei?
NT$20 between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Added on top of the meter fare.
Are there shared rides or carpools in Taipei?
Limited. UberPool isn’t widely used. Most rides are private. tripool offers shared ride options for longer trips.
Final Take
Taipei taxis are reliable, affordable, and safe — useful for late-night trips, groups with luggage, and door-to-door comfort. Use the MRT for daytime central rides; use taxis for the edge cases. Download Uber for the easy first-time experience, then experiment with 55688 for cheaper fares. Skip the tipping, pay the meter, and trust the system.
