Question 1

Is taking the HSR from Taipei to Dongpu Lodge a good idea?

Accepted Answer

To take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from downtown Taipei to Dongpu Lodge, HSR is quick but pricey. However, from the first train at 06:26 to the last train at 21:56, there are only up to 26 HSR trains from Taipei to Changhua a day. If your schedule is tight or you might miss the last train, you should consider booking a private transfer. Assuming you depart from Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, you may walk or take a bus—if available—to Taipei HSR station. Including walking to the platform, buying a ticket, and waiting for the train, it takes at least 25 minutes. Then, take a 64-76-minute (71 min on average) HSR ride from Taipei Station to Changhua HSR Station. The ticket price is NT$820 per person, followed by a 5-minute walk to exit the station, wait for a ride at the taxi stand, and after a trip of about 77 minutes with a fare of NT$1,900, you will arrive at your destination at Dongpu Lodge (Xinyi Township, Nantou County). The entire journey, including transfers, takes a total of 2 hours and 58 minutes. Assuming 6 people traveling together (and have to split into two taxis), the average cost per person for the HSR and transfers is NT$1,450. In contrast, if you use Tripool for a door-to-door private car service, the average cost per person is about NT$1,440, and the journey takes 5 hours and 14 minutes. For long-distance travel, the HSR is indeed faster, but it comes with an extra transportation cost of about NT$60. 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 Taipei to Dongpu Lodge?

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 30 rental car companies, such as 白宮國際, 任我行小客車租賃, 京華小客車租賃, available in the Zhongzheng District, Taipei 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 Taipei (Zhongzheng District) and Dongpu Lodge, the estimated cost for a sedan is NT$4200 or NT$7200 for a 9-seater van. This is, of course, cheaper than taking a taxi.  If you plan to sightsee along the way to Dongpu Lodge, renting a car for the day is certainly convenient and affordable, but it means the driver will not get to relax or fully enjoy the trip. 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 Taipei to Dongpu Lodge?

Accepted Answer

If you choose to take a taxi directly, in the Taipei 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 taxi fleets, such as 多元化計程車, 優質計程車, 聖雄衛星車隊 to try to book a ride. Based on the meter, the estimated fare is between NT$7,665 and 9,200, but you could save up to NT$2,600 by booking with Tripool instead. However, when considering the return trip, in Nantou County there are only about 340 licensed taxis. This is about 1% of the number of taxis in Taipei City, and its density is just 0.2% of the Taipei/New Taipei metro area, making it 490 times more difficult to hail a cab there. Considering all factors, Tripool is your best choice for traveling from Taipei to Dongpu Lodge in terms of both price and service quality.

Question 4

Does tripool offer private car or ride-sharing taxi service from Taipei to Dongpu Lodge?

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 5

Does tripool provide charter tour services? Is there a price list that I can check first?

Accepted Answer

Tripool provides private day tours and charter services all around the island, including Dongpu Lodge and Taipei. Tourists are welcome to choose from point-to-point transportation service to 2~12 hours private trip service. The price is 100% transparent without any hidden fee. What you see on the website/app is the actual price. There is no need to email us or even make a phone call to verify. The full-day service price may not be lower than other providers. But if you only need a few hours or just a one-way transfer service, we can guarantee that our price is the most competitive in the market and tripool is the best choice. We offer 5-seater sedans, SUVs, and 9-seater vans. If your group is more than 9, we can arrange a bigger bus for you.

Question 6

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.

Question 7

Is there any regulation or purpose limit for hiring a driver and a car?

Accepted Answer

Whether going from Taipei to Dongpu Lodge or to anywhere in Taiwan, tripool can be your driver for long-distance traveling. You can reserve a ride online for all kinds of purposes, such as a private day trip, attending a wedding, checking out from a hospital, going hiking/camping, moving, a business trip, picking up your pet, or airport transfer. As long as your reservation is made one day before by 6 pm, tripool guarantees a car for you tomorrow. If you need a receipt for a business trip, you can provide your company's title and tax ID on the checkout page. We will send the receipt which is accepted by the government via email within a week.

Question 8

Is tripool available at midnight between Taipei and Dongpu Lodge?

Accepted Answer

Passengers can hire a driver on tripool website and app from your doorstep to anywhere accessible by a vehicle. Whether daytime, nighttime, or even midnight, we guarantee there will be a car waiting for you at the pickup location as making a reservation one day before by 6 pm.

Item	tripool	HSR	Car Rental	Taxi
Travel Time	315 mins	180 mins	345-375 mins	320-330 mins
Price per Person	NT$1,440/person	NT$1,450/person	NT$1,200/person	NT$2,560-3,070/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

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