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Bicycles in Taiwan

Good secondhand bicycles can be purchased for as little as NT$1,500. For those of you who are bike lovers, most quality bike parts are manufactured in Taiwan. You can get some GREAT deals on these pieces or you can make your own or get a great bike in Taiwan. Though bikes are a great way to exercise, they are not a very convenient way to get to work--especially if one wants to start work without a sweaty shirt.

Getting a Car in Taiwan

New cars in Taiwan are generally more expensive than in the West. Used cars can, however, be purchased for as little as NT$70,000 to NT$140,000. Those who buy cars must have auto insurance, which runs NT$7,500 to NT$14,000 per year. Registration and fuel taxes run another NT$17,500.

The advantage of cars is that they are safer than motorbikes--especially if one commutes long distances or takes long trips on the weekends. (For safety reasons, teachers with children should seriously consider a car.) Make sure, however, that your apartment comes with a parking space because parking illegally can be expensive. If your car is towed, you must pay NT$1800 to get it back.

Taxis in Taiwan

Taxi fares run NT$85 for the first 1.5 kilometers, and NT$5 more for every 300 meters after that. (An added charge of NT$50 to NT$100 may be added for transport from airports, train stations and during national holidays.) Taxis are rarely used by teachers as a long term mode of transportation option, however, as over the course of the year a bike or a scooter is much cheaper, and over the course of two years, a used car is.

City Buses in Taiwan

Depending on the distance to one's destination, intracity bus fares run from NT$15 to NT$25. Though buses run within all cities where our teaching opportunities are located, their routes are not so extensive or frequent as they are in Taipei where, owing to traffic congestion, buses are necessary. In southern and central Taiwan buses are rarely used by teachers for intracity travel, but they are okay for inter-city travel. Note that those in areas outside Taipei might want to consider getting a scooter.

Cross Country Buses and Trains

Travelling around Taiwan by bus or train is pretty easy and it can be "super" fast. The high speed trains hit speeds of 300 Km/h making the trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung (top to bottom) in about 80 minutes.

Railways are the main arteries of land transportation in Taiwan. Railway transportation on the island is highly convenient, as all lines of the island-wide railway network. The Express Trains’ fare, from Taipei to Kaohsiung is NT845, to Taichung is 375, to Keelung is 66.

For more Info, please check out this website: http://www.railway.gov.tw/e_index.htm

The train system travels the country via a western line, eastern line, north line, south line, and cross route which links the West and East Coasts. Taking a train from Taipei to Kaohsiung will cost roughly NT$600. The Taiwan Railway has an online English ticketing system. You can either book online or find out train timetables in advance.

Note: Train tickets are often completely booked out six days in advance, so it’s sometimes a good idea to start planning your tickets in advance.

Taking the train is one of the best ways to get around in Taiwan. It is safe, trains run frequently and on time, and ticket prices are reasonable. The extensive conventional railway system in taiwan , which has major lines running throuh the flat coastal plains and inland foothills, combine to make a full circle of the island (along with four branches that allow access to the mountainous areas of Taiwan), transports travelers to - or close to - most of Taiwan's major scenic and cultural attractions.

Buses in Taiwan

Taiwan’s bus system can often be a cheaper travel option. Buses leave major cities regular including buses leaving from Taipei to Taichung and Kaoshiung every half hour. It takes a bit of effort to figure out routes and departure times but they are as reliable as Greyhound.

Did you know that the 5th largest road tunnel in the world is on Taiwan's National Freeway No. 5?

A trip by bus from Taipei to the beaches of Kending is less than 6 hours. Nothing when one considers the vast travel times in Australia or Canada or the USA.

Planes in Taiwan

Planes are a convenient way to get to Taipei or to some islands. A one-way plane ticket from Kaohsiung to Taipei takes 50 minutes and costs approximately NT$2000.

Teaching Jobs in Taiwan

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We also offer jobs in Taiwan private language schools every month. Check out our Taiwan teaching jobs for all teaching jobs in Taiwan that we currently offer.

Find out more about teaching English in Taiwan in our Taiwan Country Info section

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Transportation in Taiwan

Getting a Scooter in Taiwan