The main method of travel within cities is by scooter.

Seemingly EVERYONE has a scooter! Motorscooters and motorcycles are the most common modes of transportation for teachers. BE CAREFUL! Driving in Taiwan is fast and furious and can result in serious injury! Drivers are aggressive. Accidents are about as common as sunburn in Australia.

Traveling 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.

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.

 

When you arrive in Taiwan from an international destination there are two main airports, Taipei's airport - Taoyuan Airport - and Kaohsiung International Airport.  There is also a domestic airport in Taipei (Songshan Airport) but who knows how long this will exist given the high speed train.  Planes are often the most convenient way to get to and from some islands. 

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.

 

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.

 

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.