7 Practical Tips About Private Car Tour Costs in Taiwan | How Much Do 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Tours Cost?

7 Practical Tips About Private Car Tour Costs in Taiwan | How Much Do 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Tours Cost?

Private car tours have become a popular way to travel in recent years. The cost varies depending on the duration of the trip, itinerary, and number of participants. Follow James to learn more about the costs of private car tours in Taiwan!

Private car tour costs are usually calculated on a daily basis and paid as a lump sum, but there are several important items included that you should be aware of!

The cost of private car tours typically covers the following items:

1. Driver and Vehicle Fees

The cost of private car tours is mainly attributed to the driver and vehicle fees. The driver’s portion is based on the driving fee, while the vehicle fee is equivalent to the rental cost. The vehicle fee is calculated based on the vehicle type and the number of passengers, with larger vehicles naturally being more expensive.

For example, with James’ private car service, a one-day tour in Taipei with a 4-passenger Toyota Wish is 1,500 TWD cheaper than a 9-passenger Benz business van (both include passenger insurance, fuel, and toll fees).

2. Mileage and Fuel Costs

Although it’s the same type of private car tour, the mileage (fuel) costs will vary depending on the location.

For example, a one-day tour within Taipei city will have lower mileage costs compared to a round-trip tour from Taipei to Yilan, as the latter involves a longer distance. Therefore, private car tours with longer distances from the starting point will naturally have higher costs.

3. Vehicle and Passenger Insurance

Having a fun and enjoyable trip is important, but basic insurance coverage is also necessary. The cost of insurance is not high, but it is included in the private car tour fees.

4. Taiwan Highway Toll Fees (ETAG)

If the route includes highways, the toll fees will be calculated based on the distance traveled. These fees are included in the private car tour cost, so travelers don’t need to pay them separately.

5. Extended Time

Sometimes, the trip may need to be extended due to various factors, such as bad weather affecting road conditions, or if the travelers are enjoying themselves too much and exceed the planned time. In such cases, an additional fee for extended time will be charged, similar to overtime fees.

6. Other Hidden Fees

If you’ve ever driven or rented a car, you know how difficult it can be to find parking at popular attractions, often resulting in less time for sightseeing. Additionally, if there’s an accident or traffic violation, the responsibility falls on you, and dealing with it can be time-consuming and troublesome.

Conclusion

Therefore, aside from the aforementioned "predictable" costs, the biggest advantage of private car tours is the "hidden fee" that comes with the responsibility of the vehicle resting solely on the driver. Travelers can fully enjoy the trip without worrying about transportation responsibilities, as all traffic-related concerns are handled by the private car driver.

2. How Much Does a One-Day Private Car Tour Cost?

The cost of a one-day private car tour will vary depending on the travel destinations, vehicle type, and number of travel days. If the day’s itinerary includes more destinations, longer distances, or larger vehicles, the price will naturally be higher!

For reference, here is a table showing the one-day private car tour prices in 2025!

Vehicle Type for 1-4 Passengers
(Comparable to Toyota - Wish)
Travel Area One-Day Cost
Taipei City NT$4,500
(10 hours)
Taipei - Yilan NT$5,000
(10 hours)
Taipei - Yilan Taipingshan NT$6,000
(10 hours)
Taipei - Hualien Taroko Gorge NT$7,000
(12 hours)
Taipei - Sun Moon Lake NT$7,000
(12 hours)
*Overtime Fee: NT$400 / per hour

Multi-Day Private Car Tours (2 Days or More)

For multi-day tours that require overnight stays in other cities, the current market price is approximately NT$6,000 per day for a small car (5-passenger vehicle) and NT$7,500 per day for a large car (9-passenger vehicle).

When comparing prices, if you have ever rented a car through a self-service rental service (such as iRent), the rental cost for a holiday can be around NT$2,000 for a 10-hour day. If you add insurance and highway tolls, the cost will increase.

With private car tours, you don’t have to worry about driving or parking; you only need to focus on enjoying the trip. The itinerary is also pre-arranged, and the private car driver handles the return of the car and any accidents or issues. Experienced drivers can even provide access to special local attractions, advantages that you can’t enjoy when driving (or renting) a car on your own!

3. Important Considerations for the Private Car Tour Price Table

Finally, when the whole family is out for a trip, the goal is to have fun! When choosing a private car, don’t just focus on the cost—it’s also important to consider the itinerary planning and the reputation of the car service provider.

The best private car tour and itinerary are those that balance the travel schedule appropriately, maximizing the value of travel time and the number of attractions visited. Opting for the cheapest private car price without considering the journey or the vehicle type can often lead to dissatisfaction.

Transparency in pricing is crucial when choosing a private car service! Only by finding a service provider who offers a complete and publicly available price list can you enjoy a worry-free trip.

Here, we use the “Private Car Price List” for the Taipei – Sun Moon Lake tour published on James’ official website as an example to remind everyone of key considerations: Taipei – Sun Moon Lake

1. Private Car Tour Itinerary

A private car tour itinerary that’s too long or too short isn’t ideal. If there are too many activities, you won’t have enough time to fully enjoy each one. If there are too few, the private car tour won’t be cost-effective! Planning the most balanced itinerary for travelers is no easy task.

For example, James’ Taipei – Sun Moon Lake tour is a 12-hour day trip. It starts in Taipei, heads to Sun Moon Lake (including a boat ride and cable car), visits the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, and then returns to Taipei. The itinerary strikes the perfect balance between sightseeing and travel time.

2. Vehicle Type

Couples, families, and groups have different numbers of people traveling. Based on the number of travelers, you can choose the vehicle type that suits your needs from the private car tour price list.

3. Duration

Provide specific private car tour durations to ensure that customers’ travel experiences are well-protected.

4. Pricing

Distinguishing between regular charges and overtime fees is important. It’s better to confirm these details in advance rather than facing unexpected additional charges later.

4. Taiwan James Private Car Tour Price List

Here is the James Private Car Tour one-day tour price list for Northern Taiwan, which is popular among both domestic and international travelers, for your reference.

2025 Taipei Private Car One-Day Tour Costs
Number of People/Vehicle Type Hours Price
1-4 People
Toyota Wish or Equivalent SUV
8 NT$4,000
10 NT$4,500
5-8 People
Benz Vito 9-Passenger Premium Van
8 NT$5,500
10 NT$6,000
2025 Taipei - Yilan Private Car One-Day Tour Costs
Number of People/Vehicle Type Hours Price
1-4 People
Toyota Wish or Equivalent SUV
10 NT$5,000
5-8 People
Benz Vito 9-Passenger Premium Van
10 NT$6,500
Yilan Taipingshan Private Car Tour - Round Trip from Taipei One-Day Tour Costs
Number of People/Vehicle Type Hours Price
1-4 People
Toyota Wish or Equivalent SUV
12 NT$6,000
5-8 People
Benz Vito 9-Passenger Premium Van
12 NT$7,500
Taipei - Hualien Taroko Gorge One-Day Tour (Round Trip from Taipei) Costs
Number of People/Vehicle Type Hours Price
1-4 People
Toyota Wish or Equivalent SUV
12 NT$7,000
5-8 People
Benz Vito 9-Passenger Premium Van
12 NT$8,500
Taipei - Nantou Sun Moon Lake One-Day Tour (Round Trip from Taipei) Costs
Number of People/Vehicle Type Hours Price
1-4 People
Toyota Wish or Equivalent SUV
12 NT$7,000
5-8 People
Benz Vito 9-Passenger Premium Van
12 NT$8,500

5. Can Taxis and Uber in Taiwan Be Used for Private Car Tours?

Taxis and Uber can indeed be used for private car tours if arrangements are made, but there are still some details to discuss.

As mentioned earlier, when choosing a private car tour, it’s not just about the cost; it’s also important to consider the driver’s familiarity with the travel itinerary. In the Taiwan market, self-employed taxi drivers and Uber drivers mostly operate within their own cities, making them more familiar with local attractions. Many new Uber or taxi drivers even rely on Google Maps for navigation.

In the past, taxi private car fees were sometimes negotiated, and often involved fixed-point pick-ups, which could lead to fluctuating, non-transparent, and inconsistent pricing.

If you have cross-county or multi-day travel needs, it’s recommended to choose a larger taxi fleet or a specialized private car service. These options offer better pricing, itinerary planning, and greater familiarity compared to individual local taxis or Uber drivers.

6. Taxi Private Car Tour Pricing

City tours using taxis are certainly possible. When taking a taxi, the fare is typically calculated using the meter. After reaching a destination, you can usually call for the next taxi. The taxi’s private car tour price is based on the meter fare in different cities of Taiwan to calculate. Compared to private car tours, it may not be as easy to find a taxi on the spot for certain attractions or times, and quality can also be a concern. There is no denying that the quality of taxis can vary greatly. Some passengers may have high expectations (e.g., non-smoking vehicles), but not every taxi (or Uber) will provide a satisfactory experience. For long-distance, cross-county, or multi-day trips, it’s recommended to choose a well-established taxi fleet or private car service for a better experience.

7. Other Common Private Car Tour Cost FAQs

All of the vehicles are legally rented cars, and there are also various types of legal taxis available, all of which can be used for private car tours.

As long as the passenger is on board, they are covered by passenger insurance.

If you spill a drink, a cleaning fee may be charged. However, if the mess doesn’t affect the next group of passengers, there’s no issue.

Each vehicle is covered by passenger insurance, and compensation will be based on the terms of the insurance.

Yes, the price will be lower. The tour itinerary can be adjusted according to the passenger’s needs, and a fair price will be provided.

In Taiwan, there is no culture of tipping private car drivers, and it is not included in the private car tour contract. Tips are actually a way to show appreciation. If you feel that the driver provided excellent service, you are welcome to give a tip separately.

For remote or multi-day tours, early booking is required to reserve the vehicle and driver’s availability, and a 10% deposit is needed.

For one-day tours or airport transfers, no deposit is required.

For multi-day tours, a child safety seat can be provided for free! For airport transfers or one-day tours, there is an additional charge of NT$100 per seat.

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