Question 1

Is taking the HSR from Taipei to Zhonghe a good idea?

Accepted Answer

To take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from downtown Taipei to Zhonghe, HSR is affordable but time-consuming and involves transfer hassles. From the earliest departure at 06:26 to the latest at 23:00, there are up to 91 high-speed rail from Taipei to Banqiao each day. 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 7-9-minute (7 min on average) HSR ride from Taipei Station to Banqiao HSR Station. The ticket price is NT$40 per person, followed by a 10-minute walk to exit the station, wait for a ride at the taxi stand, and after a trip of about 25 minutes with a fare of NT$200, you will arrive at your destination in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City. The entire journey, including transfers, takes a total of 1 hour and 4 minutes. Assuming 3 people traveling together, the average cost per person for the HSR and transfers is NT$110. In contrast, if you use Tripool for a door-to-door private car service, the average cost per person is about NT$250, and the journey takes 23 minutes. Although taking the HSR saves money compared to a private car, it requires an additional 41 minutes of travel time. So, if you are on a business trip and your time runs like a stock ticker, or a traveler wanting to get home quickly late at night, spending a little extra money can make your journey much more comfortable. Furthermore, if you have more people in your group, the average cost per person drops significantly when you book with Tripool. If you are traveling with just one other person, 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 Zhonghe?

Accepted Answer

If you have a Taiwanese driver's license, are confident in your driving skills, and you need absolute flexibility in your schedule, then iRent, which offers one-way rentals in the Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu areas, should be a good fit for you. After registering on the iRent app, you can rent a small car for NT$115-205 per hour (rates vary by weekday/weekend and car model) with an additional charge of NT$3.2 per kilometer. The estimated cost from Taipei (Zhongzheng District) to Zhonghe is between NT$150 and NT$250. Although the estimate already includes potential eTag tolls and a roadside parking fee of NT$40 per hour, you are responsible for any additional car insurance and potential traffic fines. Furthermore, iRent by Hotai only offers basic models like the Toyota Yaris, Prius C, and Vios—functional, yes, but far from the comfort you'd expect for anything beyond a grocery run. If your group has more than four people, larger 7-seater or 9-seater vehicles are not available. Moreover, the most common complaint about self-service car-sharing services is the vehicle's condition; you might open the door to find trash left by the previous user or unrepaired dents. Every rental feels like opening a blind box—sometimes fine, sometimes frustrating. Additionally, you might occasionally face issues like the previous user not returning the car on time for your reservation, or being unable to find a parking spot when you need to return it. This poses a significant risk for those in a hurry or traveling with other passengers. Finally, while picking up and dropping off the car on the street seems convenient, it is restricted to specific operational zones. The available parking spots may still be some distance away from your actual departure or arrival point, making it very inconvenient in rainy weather or when carrying luggage.

Question 3

Would it be economical to take a taxi from Taipei to Zhonghe?

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 永達交通, 新風交通, 聖惠衛星車隊 to try to book a ride. Based on the meter, the estimated fare is between NT$215 and 260. Although a metered taxi from central Taipei to central Zhonghe might be cheaper, you still face the risk of not being able to find a cab—or ending up with a driver who refuses to use the meter. If your group has more than four people, splitting into two taxis is inconvenient. In this case, Tripool, which offers pre-booking and reliable quality, might be a more suitable option for you. Considering all factors, Tripool is your best choice for traveling from Taipei to Zhonghe in terms of both price and service quality.

Question 4

Which is the best taxi app in Taiwan? Uber? Grab? Didi? Bolt? Lyft?

Accepted Answer

Among these options, Uber is the only one with broad and reliable coverage in Taiwan, available in major cities such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Grab does not operate in Taiwan. Didi previously entered the market but has since exited. Bolt has just launched in Taiwan and is currently limited to Taipei. Lyft is not available in Taiwan. If you are choosing among these five, Uber is by far the most practical and widely used option in Taiwan. However, for longer intercity transfers, airport rides, or day trips, tripool is often a better choice—offering transparent pricing, professional drivers, and coverage across Taiwan.

Question 5

Does tripool provide child car seats for private transportation service between Taipei to Zhonghe?

Accepted Answer

According to the law in Taiwan, all passengers have to fasten seat belts, no matter what ages they are. For a baby below 4-year-old or a young child who cannot comfortably be on the seat with a seat belt, it is necessary to use a car seat or a safety booster. There is a check box for renting a baby car seat or a child safety booster on the check-out page. Each rental fee is NT$300. If you need multiple car seats/boosters or you need an infant car seat, please check with our online customer service first. Tripool encourages parents to bring their car seats and boosters, and, of course, it is free of charge.

Question 6

Do tripool and the drivers provide legal car-hiring services in Taipei City and New 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 7

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 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	25 mins	65 mins	30-55 mins	30-40 mins
Price per Person	NT$250/person	NT$110/person	NT$50-80/person	NT$70-90/person
Pros	1–8 passengers Truly pickup anywhere Ride guaranteed No hidden fees	Comfortable seating Cheap	Cheap Schedule freedom One-way rental	Meets urgent needs No upfront payment Cheap for short trips
Cons	Pre-booking only No cash	Tickets often sold out in peak season Multiple transfers needed Longer total travel time	Extra commute to car pick-up Time restrictions for pick-up and return Additional risk involved	Inconsistent quality Usually limited to 4 passengers

Taipei→Zhonghe: hire a driver is the fastest, and iRent is the cheapest

The preferred choice for business and leisure travel

About tripool

Our vehicles

5-Seater Sedan

7-Seater MPV

9-Seater Van

Trusted by industry leaders

Zhonghe private Transfer FAQs

Besides from Taipei to Zhonghe , 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 Taipei

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