Uber Taiwan, Taxis and 55688: What Foreigners Should Use

Last verified 25 Oct 2026

Your options at a glance

Uber’s Taoyuan Airport page lists the ride types: UberX for economy trips, UberXL for groups of up to 6 people or extra luggage, and Comfort for newer, roomier cars. Uber Taxi is listed separately, with the fare “according to meter in taxi, pay in cash or credit card”.

Which one to use

Uber is the simplest start if you already have the app. Your account and payment method carry over, and you enter the destination in the app instead of explaining it to a driver.

Uber Taxi is a regular licensed taxi booked through Uber. Uber says it is available only in cities where Uber Taxi operates. Its Taiwan site lists Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, Tainan, Hsinchu, Yilan, Banqiao, Xitun and Zhongli.

55688 is the Taiwan Taxi fleet’s brand. Its site describes GPS-based dispatch around the clock and offers booking by app or on the web at 55688.me/go. The official homepage is written in Chinese, so confirm the app works in English for you before you rely on it.

Street taxis also exist, and in Taipei they run on the city’s official meter rates below.

Taipei taxi meter rates

The Taipei City Public Transportation Office publishes the meter rates in force since 1 April 2023:

In Taipei, Uber Taxi runs on the same meter. Expressway tolls from the airport are charged on top, as the late-night arrival guide explains. Source: Taipei City Public Transportation Office.

Step by step: your first ride

1. Install the Uber app before you fly. Set up your account and a payment method.
2. Enter pickup and drop-off. Compare the ride options shown, including Uber Taxi if it appears.
3. At the airport, choose your terminal when you request the ride. Uber says you are dropped off at the curb of the terminal you specify, and some airlines use more than one terminal.
4. Check the car and driver details in the app before you get in.
5. Pay with the method you selected. Uber says you can tip your driver in the app.

Airport rides

Public transport is often the simpler way to leave the airport. Compare your choices in Taoyuan Airport to Taipei. If you land late, read Taoyuan Airport late-night arrival first.

Uber’s airport page shows sample estimates only and says they “do not represent fixed or guaranteed prices”. Use the price shown in the app when you book, not a number from a guide.

If you reserve a ride, Uber says “you’ll be shown the price up front and lock in the cost”. Its Reserve information says you can pick a pickup time up to 90 days in advance and cancel at no charge up to 60 minutes in advance. Read the terms linked on the Uber page before you rely on this.

Short trips in the city

In Taipei, the MRT covers most routes visitors take. See Taipei MRT guide and EasyCard. A taxi or Uber is more useful when you have luggage, travel late, or your destination is far from a station.

Common mistakes

• Assuming Uber Taxi works everywhere. It is limited to the cities Uber lists.
• Having no backup payment. Uber says Uber Taxi takes cash or credit card. Keep some cash and check your card is accepted in the app before you land. See cash or card in Taiwan.
• Choosing the wrong terminal. Check your flight details before you request.
• Treating estimates as final. Uber says its sample prices are not guaranteed.

Time-sensitive: check before you fly

Fares, payment options and the cities where Uber Taxi operates can change. Meter rates are set by each local government; the Taipei rates above come from the Taipei City Public Transportation Office. Rates in other cities can differ, so check the meter and the app you book with. Rules change; check Uber Taiwan and Taiwan Taxi 55688 before you fly.

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