Magazine

Nigel Seah is a guest blogger for Airalo and an avid traveler with extensive experience across Asia and South America, sharing his adventures and insider tips below.

Taiwan makes getting around feel refreshingly low drama… once you know which apps to use.

One minute you’re in Taipei with transit everywhere, and the next you’re in a quieter town where buses are infrequent and English signage is hit-or-miss.

That’s when taxi and ride-hailing apps start being your travel safety net.

In this guide, I’ll break down the top taxi and ride-hailing apps in Taiwan, what each one is best for, how language-friendly it is, and what to expect for payment. I’ll also share a few quick tips to help you avoid awkward miscommunication.

And because I’ve learned this in rural places like Toucheng (頭城鎮) in Yilan (宜蘭), we’ll cover the quiet hero behind it all: reliable connectivity.

With Airalo’s Taiwan and Asia eSIMs, I could load Maps, paste the exact Chinese address, and book a ride without hunting for a SIM shop or gambling on public Wi-Fi.

But first, a Quick Comparison

Best Taxi & Ride-Hailing Apps in Taiwan

1. FindTaxi – Taiwan Taxi Finder

FindTaxi was the first app I downloaded, mainly because it felt built for how Taiwan actually works. Instead of reinventing the wheel, it connects you directly to nearby licensed taxi drivers and shows estimated fares before you commit.

I liked being able to see driver details and reviews, especially late at night when I just wanted a smooth ride back home without having to guess.

For visitors, this app matters because it removes language friction. The interface is available in English, and I could paste addresses directly from Google Maps without worrying about pronunciation.

It felt practical rather than flashy, which matched Taiwan’s taxi culture perfectly.

Good to know before you use it:

• Works best in major cities and urban areas
• Supports English interface throughout
• Drivers are licensed taxis, not private cars
• Cash is widely accepted, with card options available in-app for some rides

2. Taiwan Taxi (55688)

Taiwan Taxi, often called 55688, feels like the backbone of the country’s taxi system. It’s the official app tied to one of the largest taxi fleets, and locals use it constantly.

When I needed a quick metered ride during rush hour, this app rarely let me down.

That said, it clearly prioritizes local users. Parts of the app lean heavily on Chinese, and while it does offer app payments, cash is still the most reliable option.

If you’re staying longer or traveling outside tourist-heavy areas, it’s a solid app to have installed even if you don’t use it every day.

What to expect:

• Extremely reliable during peak hours
• Strong coverage beyond tourist zones
• Interface is mainly in Chinese
• Best paired with basic Mandarin address copy-paste

3. Uber in Taiwan

Uber in Taiwan works a little differently than people expect. Instead of competing head-to-head with taxis, it often partners with licensed drivers, which keeps things regulated and predictable.

For me, the biggest appeal was familiarity. I already knew the interface, the payment flow, and what to expect when the car arrived.

I used Uber a lot while I was in the countryside towns of Taiwan like Toucheng and Jiaoxi.

And if there’s one thing a traveller without a motorbike and car license can appreciate, it’s that Uber is available even in the more rural areas of Taiwan.

I based myself in Toucheng Township while I was in Yilan, Uber was my go-to mode of transportation as buses were infrequent and there isn’t a well-connected metro system in those parts of the island.

The best part? The food delivery feature is also accessible in the countryside. I’ve never had to worry about food whenever I needed to stay in to focus on work.

Worth keeping in mind:

• Best coverage in Taipei and major cities
• Available in much of the countryside
• Card payments only, no cash option
• Prices can run slightly higher than metered taxis
• Great fallback when you don’t want to think
• Uber Eats feature is also available in the countryside

4. LINE Taxi

If you’re already using LINE in Taiwan, which most people are, LINE Taxi feels almost too easy.

It’s built directly into the messaging app, so there’s no separate account or learning curve. I could book a ride in the same place I was chatting with friends or messaging a coworker.

The convenience factor is real, especially for longer stays. Since LINE is so deeply embedded in daily life, LINE Taxi felt less like a foreign app and more like a natural extension of how people get around.

Why it works so well locally:

• No separate app download if you already use LINE
• Strong local driver network
• Familiar to Taiwanese drivers
• Best for longer stays rather than short visits

5. Yoxi

Yoxi deserves its own mention because it’s increasingly popular with locals and feels more modern than some legacy taxi apps.

It operates as a smart taxi-hailing service, focusing on smoother matching and cleaner vehicles, and I found it especially reliable during busy city hours.

It felt like a middle ground between traditional taxi apps and ride-hailing platforms. When other apps struggled with availability, Yoxi often came through faster than expected.

Helpful details:

• Operates with licensed taxi drivers
• App interface is more modern and intuitive
• Availability is strongest in Taipei
• Payment options may vary by driver

6. Tripool (Point-to-Point and Private Transfers)

Tripool isn’t something I used for short hops around the city.

I turned to it when I needed guaranteed, door-to-door rides, especially for airport transfers and cross-city trips. Booking ahead felt reassuring, particularly with early flights or when I had luggage that wouldn’t fit comfortably in a standard taxi.

It shines for groups and longer routes where regular taxi apps feel hit or miss.

Instead of replacing taxis, Tripool fills the gaps. I’d use taxi apps for everyday movement and Tripool when timing, space, or distance made reliability non-negotiable.

Best use cases:

• Airport transfers with luggage
• Cross-city or regional travel
• Groups or families
• Pre-booked, fixed-price rides

7. TADA

TADA surprised me in a good way.

It works like a ride-hailing app but focuses heavily on smart matching, which helps during peak hours when taxis seem to vanish all at once.

When rain hit or events wrapped up, TADA often connected me faster than expected.

I didn’t use it daily, but I kept it installed for those high-demand moments.

As a backup option, it added peace of mind.

What sets it apart:

• Smart call system improves matching speed
• Useful during rush hour and bad weather
• Functions as a strong backup option
• Coverage varies by city

8. Bolt

Bolt isn’t as deeply integrated into Taiwan as it is in Europe, but it’s worth mentioning if you already use it elsewhere.

In areas where it’s available, the app feels familiar and easy, especially for travelers who prefer sticking to tools they already know.

I didn’t rely on Bolt heavily, but having it installed didn’t hurt.

When it works, it works smoothly. When it doesn’t, Taiwan’s local taxi apps pick up the slack quickly.

What to expect:

• Limited availability compared to local apps
• Familiar interface for international travelers
• Best treated as an optional extra, not a primary app

Quick Tips for Using Taiwan Taxi & Ride-Hailing Apps

Copy and paste addresses in Mandarin

One small habit saved me a surprising amount of time in Taiwan: always copy and paste addresses in Mandarin.

Even if an app supports English, drivers usually see the destination in Chinese on their end. I’d drop a pin in Google Maps, copy the Chinese address, and paste it straight into the taxi app.

This helps you avoid awkward explanations, wrong turns, and circling the block as both of you politely pretend you understand each other.

Use fare estimates to avoid surprises

Estimating fares is refreshingly low drama here. Most apps show a rough price range upfront, and because taxis are metered, the final cost rarely feels wildly off.

Know what to expect for payment

Cash still works everywhere, and plenty of drivers expect it. Some apps let you pay by card inside the app, which is convenient, but I always carried cash just in case.

EasyCard is great for transit, but don’t assume every taxi will accept it. When in doubt, cash keeps things smooth.

Your Rides, Sorted. Now Travel Smarter.

After months of getting around Taiwan, here’s the truth: taxis and ride-hailing are easy once you know which apps to lean on.

The real travel hack, though, is staying connected while you do it.

I’ve activated rides on the side of roads with zero Wi-Fi more times than I can count, and that’s exactly when things either feel effortless or fall apart fast.

With Airalo’s Taiwan and Asia eSIMs, I could load Maps, copy and paste Mandarin addresses, and book a ride in most situations, especially out in Taiwan’s rural countryside, where public Wi-Fi isn’t a thing.

When your connection doesn’t drop at the worst moment, your driver finds you faster, your pickup pin is accurate, and you’re free to focus on the good stuff: exploring more, worrying less, and actually enjoying the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Taxi App Should You Use in Taiwan?

It depends on what you value most. When I wanted something simple with an English interface and reliable local drivers, I leaned on FindTaxi.

If I didn’t want to think about payment and already had my card saved, Uber felt easiest. For planned trips like airport runs or cross-city rides, Tripool was the calm, organized choice. Most travelers end up using two apps side by side, and that flexibility is the real win.

Does Taipei Use Grab or Uber?

Taipei doesn’t use Grab at all. Uber, however, is very much active and widely used. The key difference is that Uber in Taiwan often works with licensed taxi drivers rather than private cars, which keeps things regulated and predictable. Once you know that, it feels less confusing and a lot more trustworthy.

Can I Use Uber in Taiwan?

Yes, and it works well, especially in Taipei and other major cities. I used Uber regularly when I wanted a familiar interface and automatic card payments. Availability can dip in quieter areas or late at night, so I never relied on it alone, but as part of a mix, it earned its spot on my phone.

What Is the Most Used App in Taiwan?

Among locals, Taiwan Taxi, often called 55688, is one of the most widely used options. It’s deeply tied into the local taxi network and shows up everywhere.

Travelers, on the other hand, tend to gravitate toward FindTaxi or Uber because they’re easier to navigate in English. What surprised me most was how normal it is in Taiwan to switch between apps depending on the situation.

How to Call a Taxi in Taiwan With an App?

Calling a taxi is as simple as opening an app, entering your destination, and confirming the pickup point. Apps like FindTaxi, Taiwan Taxi, or Uber handle the rest by matching you with a nearby driver.

If you’ve copied the address in Mandarin and have internet access, the process feels almost effortless, even on your first day in the country.