Using Uber in Taipei?
Jan 7, 2019, 4:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 26
Using Uber in Taipei?
Hello All,
I am about to visit Taipei and was wondering if anyone had experience using Uber there to take them from the TPE airport into my hotel downtown?
I do not speak any Mandarin, but was hopeful that by inputting my hotel's address, that would be sufficient? Is Uber easy to use there if you don't speak the language?
If using standard taxis there in TPE or from the airport, do you generally pay in cash or do they take credit cards? I am leaning towards Uber as well, since it would just charge my cc directly and I could avoid using up my cash.
Any ideas or tips greatly appreciated!
I am about to visit Taipei and was wondering if anyone had experience using Uber there to take them from the TPE airport into my hotel downtown?
I do not speak any Mandarin, but was hopeful that by inputting my hotel's address, that would be sufficient? Is Uber easy to use there if you don't speak the language?
If using standard taxis there in TPE or from the airport, do you generally pay in cash or do they take credit cards? I am leaning towards Uber as well, since it would just charge my cc directly and I could avoid using up my cash.
Any ideas or tips greatly appreciated!
Jan 7, 2019, 5:49 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,597
Uber is relatively easy to use if you want to pay via credit card. The app will take the location of the hotel, and direct the driver accordingly.
Alternatively, you can use Klook.com to book a ride. That way you can specify the address long before landing at the airport, and the confirmation email will include the hotel address you input.
The vast majority of taxis within the city are going to want cash, so stick to Uber if you want to avoid handling cash.
There aren't that many ATM's in the city, so it's best to have cash before leaving airport.
Alternatively, you can use Klook.com to book a ride. That way you can specify the address long before landing at the airport, and the confirmation email will include the hotel address you input.
The vast majority of taxis within the city are going to want cash, so stick to Uber if you want to avoid handling cash.
There aren't that many ATM's in the city, so it's best to have cash before leaving airport.
Jan 9, 2019, 9:54 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat; *A Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 351
Also will be in Taipei in a few weeks for a short visit. Any tips re picking up Uber at the airport? Arriving at TSA, not TPE. Do they have a designated meet-up location for Uber and other non-licensed drivers or do you have to find them in the scrum at the arrivals doors?
Also, any politics/dangers to be aware of vis a vis taxi drivers vs. Uber drivers? Was in Santiago, Chile last year where taxi drivers had recently surrounded and killed an Uber driver, and Uber drivers were very careful to not stand out - pretending they're you're "friend" or a family member picking you up, asked us to walk to the far side of the parking lot to meet them, etc. Any such concerns in Taipei?
Thanks
Also, any politics/dangers to be aware of vis a vis taxi drivers vs. Uber drivers? Was in Santiago, Chile last year where taxi drivers had recently surrounded and killed an Uber driver, and Uber drivers were very careful to not stand out - pretending they're you're "friend" or a family member picking you up, asked us to walk to the far side of the parking lot to meet them, etc. Any such concerns in Taipei?
Thanks
Jan 13, 2019, 11:12 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,700
There's an ATM in every convenience store, and there's a convenience store on practically every corner in the city. Banks are also easy to find. The only way you'll have trouble finding an ATM is if you're doing the Bird Box Challenge.
Jan 13, 2019, 5:27 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,597
Hmm, can't say that I've ever noticed ATMs in the convenience stores. I've seen those kiosks used to pay bills, etc... Are those also ATM's?
Then again, I stay with family so I don't really stop in convenience stores very often.
I guess I'm just used to seeing street-level ATM's like in US/Europe.
Then again, I stay with family so I don't really stop in convenience stores very often.
I guess I'm just used to seeing street-level ATM's like in US/Europe.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:13 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: KHH, FUK, SNA
Programs: BR, UA 1k, CX
Posts: 1,181
in Taipei City (as well in Kaoshiung City where I have a house) almost all 7-11's/ Famiy Marts have ATMS as well all subway stations, ect. My one only comment about the 7-11 ATMS which are mostly China Trust Bank, charge non account holders a service fee like USA banks (NT$100), but I found no other Bank/ATM's charge in Taiwan for my USA ATM Card so I prefer Family Mart ATMS.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:28 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Metal tube with wings
Programs: KF Gold|VA Gold|HH Diamond|Kimpton IC|Hyatt Gold
Posts: 445
I'd recommend taking the MRT. It's around NT$160 to downtown taking about 35mins, then taking a taxi or Uber from there.
A taxi will be around NT$1300 and takes closer to one hour. Uber is around NT$1000 and same travel time.
A taxi will be around NT$1300 and takes closer to one hour. Uber is around NT$1000 and same travel time.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:49 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,700
Hmm, can't say that I've ever noticed ATMs in the convenience stores. I've seen those kiosks used to pay bills, etc... Are those also ATM's?
Then again, I stay with family so I don't really stop in convenience stores very often.
I guess I'm just used to seeing street-level ATM's like in US/Europe.
Then again, I stay with family so I don't really stop in convenience stores very often.
I guess I'm just used to seeing street-level ATM's like in US/Europe.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:57 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,700
Is that right? I have a China Trust account, so I've never had to pay the fee. But when I use other banks' ATMs, they all charge a small fee for non-account holders. But it usually something silly like NT$6. I wonder if the NT$100 fee is only for foreign bank cards?
Jan 16, 2019, 2:53 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Car travel time is heavily traffic dependent. During rush hour, sure it can take an hour (or more) - but outside of rush hour, it will be much faster. I once made it from Zhongshan area to TPE in under 30 mins on a Saturday morning.
