After careful weighing of all the pros and cons of doing a self-drive, we decided that we should just head out and do it. After all, taking public transport for big families is already a hassle. So, as usual, I took our travel planning template, booked a round trip arriving at Taipei, and depart from Kaohsiung by SCOOT. Turned out to be cheaper as well. As we always seek to experience the local tastes and sights, the theme for this trip (with full consensus from all kids) was food and nature. To drive was to have complete freedom to where to go and how we want the day to be like. So I would cover the aspects of driving in this post.
Left-Hand drive
First thing first. You need to know that cars on Taiwan roads drive on the RIGHT side (Singaporean drive on the left side), car steering wheels are on the left side hence “Left-hand” drive. It perplexed me for a while 10 years ago when I did my postgrad in the US. I had wondered how the world ended like this with differing standards. With the 5G war that is currently going on, I am not surprised the world may have yet another differing standard. So here is the brief story after some research:
It turns out that the Right-hand drivers were only about 35% of the world’s population, in countries which were mostly British colonies. So in olden times when swords were common accessories, people (mostly right-handers) prefer to travel on the left side of the road to keep their right hand ready to defend or strike, from oncoming “traffic”. At the same time keep their scabbards away from the oncoming people and avoid hitting each other. Some long history later, countries decided on driving on the right side of the road with left-hand drive vehicles due to technological and political reasons. while British retained the long historical practise on the left side of the road.
No problems for me as I only need to refresh myself since I have driven Left-hand cars in the US for 2 years. For those first time, I would suggest planning to arrive in the day, choose to pick up the car from airport carpark instead of off-site, and test drive within the carpark for a while until your comfort level before hitting the road.
Car Rental
Car rental was as easy as ABC. Find one online car rental provider, book and arrange for pick up. I could have gotten an international rental company at the airport, but at a higher price, or went for a local rental company. I did the latter because of the type of car I needed essentially a 7 seater people carrier. I booked from Hotai Leasing through SCOOT. For the 8 days, slightly more than S$900 with basic insurance and 400km/day mileage requirement. We thought it was reasonable.
Fuel was much cheaper than in Singapore, with two full pumps from slightly below a quarter tank costing not more than S$50 each. And that is effectively one round trip around Taiwan plus up the mountainous Highway 14A and 8. English speaking counter staffs, but with the ability to speak Chinese and the local Hokkien, things were a lot easier.
Don’t bother to ask for GPS units, it was free but in Chinese and not updated. Your Google Maps is probably much better. So make sure you have some local data plans and have an offline map of Taiwan download.
Heading out into the Chaos
Due to the 3 hours flight delay (kind of expected it by SCOOT – but for good safety reasons), we arrived after sunset. Not only that, it was raining. And I have to be picked up by the car rental staff, go to the office some kilometres away for administrations, drive back to the complicated Taoyuan Airport roads to pick up my family. Well, in such a risky situation, being heightened and being alert was natural. This was also where I derived challenge and excitement from my travels. As long as we hit the highway, I was more confident and relieved. Nice long, wide roads. Everyone kept to their speed limits.
As with all road trips, I always look up Google maps, satellite and street view prior to the arrival. So there was already a mental picture of the place. So from the highway exit into Taipei City, and arrival at our 民宿 (minsu, the Taiwanese version of Airbnb) all is not so difficult. As though I had been there before. I only need to concentrate on reading the traffic signs and watch out for the many scooters zooming past. It’s like the Chaos theory – traffic situations were seemingly chaotic, but there is some other, to be observed after much later with experience. But hey, if you have driven in Johor Bahru or KL, this one will be chicken feet.
Check road conditions
As it was raining non-stop for a week before we arrive, and the exaggerating Taiwanese news about road closures due to landslide hazards. I worry our “nature-themed” self-driving holiday plans would really be spoilt. I resort to using all available means to find out the road conditions to Eastcoast and Central cross-country roads which we planned. So there were a couple of days monitoring with the contingencies to change plans. The most effective way is the Government’s Transport Department mobile App. It was like a Google map overlay to detail the road closures, conditions and CCTV videos, especially along the mountain roads.
Fortunately, the weather turned good over the rainy weekend. We had a clear path through the central country roads. I was surprised to learn that the dangerousroad.org website listed 3 Taiwanese dangerous roads and I have driven through all 3 during this trip. They are also the most scenic ones.
Parking
Public parking in the city was easy. I did not encounter problems finding one. Twice, I was disappointed with the accommodation I booked (in the city) which were said to have parking on-premise, but was told upon arrival that I have to park in the public car park a couple of blocks away. Paying about NT$20-30 per hour and to park overnights incur more charges. This was not a big deal, but I just don’t like the wrong expectation given. Parking along the street in designated white spots was cheaper, but hard to get one empty. But if you do, you just have to leave the car there, the stealthy attendant will issue “ticket” on the windscreen, and you pay at any convenient stores. NEVER ever park on unmarked roadsides, outside other’s houses or business, they will not be friendly to you and your car. Or you can choose to pay zero excess premiums for car insurance.
Tolls
Highway tolls were all automatic and the rental company will present you the bill later. It was calculated by distance using multiple gantries along the highway. For a trip from North to East, then cross the central mountain range and finally head south, not more than $50 in tolls.
Just do it
So with the advance planning, the safety measures and a sense of adventure, we made our trip non-tourist typical. We thoroughly enjoy our pace of sights and foods. I wondered why I would have the initial hesitation. Another “just do it” moment. Indeed, many locals we met were surprised we chose self-drive. We will do this again, with a definite assurance.
gobassky.