Question 1

Is taking the HSR from Kaohsiung to W Taipei a good idea?

Accepted Answer

To take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from downtown Kaohsiung to W Taipei, HSR is comfortable and quick but pricey. From the earliest departure at 05:50 to the latest at 22:10, there are up to 89 high-speed rail from Zuoying to Taipei each day. Assuming you depart from Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, you may walk or take a bus—if available—to Zuoying HSR station. Including walking to the platform, buying a ticket, and waiting for the train, it takes at least 20 minutes. Then, take a 94-134-minute (114 min on average) HSR ride from Zuoying Station to Taipei HSR Station. The ticket price is NT$1,490 per person, followed by a 15-minute walk to exit the station, wait for a ride at the taxi stand, and after a trip of about 30 minutes with a fare of NT$300, you will arrive at your destination at W Taipei (Xinyi District, Taipei City). The entire journey, including transfers, takes a total of 2 hours and 59 minutes. Assuming 4 people traveling together, the average cost per person for the HSR and transfers is NT$1,570. In contrast, if you use Tripool for a door-to-door private car service, the average cost per person is about NT$1,460, and the journey takes 4 hours and 46 minutes. For long-distance travel, the HSR is indeed faster, but it comes with an extra transportation cost of about NT$440. Therefore, for those who are not in a major hurry, you may consider a cheaper and door-to-door private transfer option, like Tripool. If you are traveling in a group of three or less, you can also consider Tripool's carpooling service to save up to an additional 50% on transportation costs.

Question 2

Is it advisable to rent a car and drive from Kaohsiung to W Taipei?

Accepted Answer

If you have a driver's license, do not mind driving yourself, and you do not need to use the travel time to rest in the car, there are about 15 rental car companies, such as 永翊租賃, 賽維斯, 仕儐小客車, available in the Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City area. Typically, car rentals are billed by the day. A small sedan like a Toyota Corolla or Ford Fiesta costs around NT$1500 per day, while a 9-seater van like a Hyundai Staria or Volkswagen Caravelle starts at NT$4500 per day. Extra costs such as fuel (approx. NT$3/km), eTag tolls (approx. NT$1/km), roadside parking (approx. NT$40/hour), insurance, and potential fines are not included. Most rental agreements specify a daily mileage limit of 200-400 km, with surcharges ranging from NT$100 to NT$2,000 for exceeding it. Since the vast majority of rental companies do not offer one-way rentals, assuming you make a same-day round trip between Kaohsiung (Zuoying District) and W Taipei, the estimated cost for a sedan is NT$4700 or NT$7700 for a 9-seater van. This is, of course, cheaper than taking a taxi. However, if W Taipei has extensive indoor facilities or the attractions you want to visit are nearby, renting a car for the entire day seems wasteful. Moreover, the rental location may be some distance from your home/office/starting point, and you must adhere to their business hours for pickup and return. The rental process itself is tedious, often taking an extra 30 minutes for contracts and vehicle inspection. You may even need to refuel the car yourself before returning. If you encounter a dishonest operator, you risk being hit with various unjustified charges upon return.

Question 3

Would it be economical to take a taxi from Kaohsiung to W Taipei?

Accepted Answer

If you choose to take a taxi directly, in the Kaohsiung City area, you can use apps to hail a cab from 55688 Taiwan Taxi, Uber, Line Go, Yoxi, etc., and if you cannot hail a cab on the street, you can also consider calling 中華正大車隊 to try to book a ride. Based on the meter, the estimated fare is between NT$7,295 and 8,800, but you could save up to NT$2,900 by booking with Tripool instead. Considering all factors, Tripool is your best choice for traveling from Kaohsiung to W Taipei in terms of both price and service quality.

Question 4

Will tripool provide a receipt for my booking? Can I use it for employee expense reimbursement?

Accepted Answer

Tripool will send a receipt through the third-party system one week after the ride. If passengers need to claim reimbursement for travel expenses, there is a blank to fill with the company's title and tax ID. It's legal, and there is no extra 5% for the receipt. Once the receipt is received via email, it can be printed out for reimbursement or saved as a PDF.

Question 5

Do tripool and the drivers provide legal car-hiring services in Kaohsiung City and Taipei City?

Accepted Answer

There are many gypsy cabs or illegal taxis in Line and Facebook groups. Their fares are cheap but with many risks. If the cabs are pulled over by polices, passengers cannot continue the trip. If there is an accident, none of the insurance companies will settle a claim. Worst of all, illegal drivers may conduct crimes without any trace. Don't put your life at risk for just saving a few bucks. On the other hand, tripool contracts with legal drivers without any criminal record. All vehicles provide up to $5 million in insurance. The easiest way to distinguish a legal vehicle is the car plate number. Unless the initial character of the car plate number is either T or R, the car is 100% illegal for taxi service.

Question 6

How can I make sure the driver will pick me up? What if the driver doesn't show up?

Accepted Answer

Once the booking process is completed and getting an order ID, the reservation is confirmed. Tripool promises a private car will pick passengers up on time. All the essential information, such as the driver's name, mobile number, car model, and car plate number, will be sent via SMS and email. If the driver is not at the pick-up location, passengers can contact the driver via mobile phone. The driver may be away due to a lack of parking space and waiting nearby. Suppose there is some serious emergency or traffic jam to delay the trip. In that case, tripool will rearrange a driver to reduce passengers' waiting time.

Question 7

Does tripool offer private car or ride-sharing taxi service from Kaohsiung to W Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Tripool only offers private car service, and there is no ride-sharing or carpooling service for now. Except for our driver, there will be no other stranger in the vehicle with you. During the pandemic, our drivers put extra effort into clearing and disinfection.

Question 8

What type of vehicle should I book for a group of more than 9?

Accepted Answer

Some drivers in Line and Facebook groups claim that they can offer private transportation services with a group of more than 8 in a single van, but their services are illegal. According to Taiwan traffic laws, a van can only accommodate nine people maximum, including a driver. Excluding a driver, the maximum number of passengers is 8. If your group is 9 or more and you prefer to travel together in one vehicle, a bus is the only legal option. Some 9-seater van drivers modify their cars and add one or two extra chairs. If these modified vans are detected by the polices on the street, your trip will be terminated immediately. Worst of all, there are additional risks for accidents. And insurance is definitely not covering it. Don't risk your family's and friends' life for a lower price. If your group is no more than 10, we recommend hiring a 9-seater van and a 5-seater sedan. It is cheaper than booking a bus on most occasions. But if your group is more than 12, hiring a bus may be ideal. However, there are few exceptions, such as traveling to mountain areas or narrow lanes. It is better to consult our online service before booking.

Item	tripool	HSR	Car Rental	Taxi
Travel Time	285 mins	180 mins	315-345 mins	290-300 mins
Price per Person	NT$1,460/person	NT$1,570/person	NT$1,180/person	NT$1,830-2,200/person
Pros	1–8 passengers Truly pickup anywhere Ride guaranteed No hidden fees	Comfortable seating No time wasted	Low-cost Flexible schedule	Meets urgent needs No upfront payment
Cons	Pre-booking only No cash	Tickets often sold out in peak season Multiple transfers needed Higher fare	Extra commute to car pick-up Time restrictions for pick-up and return Additional risk involved Requires same-day return or a multi-day rental	Inconsistent quality Usually limited to 4 passengers Higher price

Kaohsiung→W Taipei: car rental is the most affordable option

Unlock the freedom to explore Taiwan your way

About tripool

Our vehicles

5-Seater Sedan

7-Seater MPV

9-Seater Van

Trusted by industry leaders

W Taipei private Transfer FAQs

Besides from Kaohsiung to W Taipei , there are other popular routes, such as…

Download the tripool App Now

From your doorstep to anywhere

Download the tripool App Now

More popular routes from Kaohsiung

Besides from Kaohsiung to W Taipei , there are other popular routes, such as…