Getting around
Moderate
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: eng.taiwan.net.tw, khh.travel
Overall4.7/10Harder to get around than about 60% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- The MRT Red Line connects Kaohsiung International Airport directly to the city center (5 minutes to downtown) — significantly faster and cheaper than taxis or Uber for airport transfers.
- Free first 30 minutes of YouBike use with any valid transit IC card makes it ideal for the last-mile connection from MRT/bus to your destination.
- Uber and taxis are similarly priced in Kaohsiung; Uber avoids the language barrier of hailing street taxis and provides upfront pricing.
- Scooter rental is genuinely popular among nomads but requires an International Driving Permit with 'A' endorsement (or a deposit waiver); helmets and ponchos provided.
- The Circular Light Rail loop (completed January 2024) is scenic and ideal for exploring waterfront, art, and cultural areas without a car.
- Grabbing bus takes practice; use the Kaohsiung iBus app and check schedules in advance rather than relying on frequency estimates.
- Parking (both street and lots) is available but requires paid spots; self-pay street parking invoices must be settled at convenience stores.
- Driving in Kaohsiung during rush hours (especially 6:30–8:30 am and 3–6:30 pm) is stressful due to congestion; avoid unless necessary.
Car Rental
- Requirements
- Valid driver's license, International Driving Permit, passport, and credit card (sufficient balance for deposit).
- Daily Average
- NT$2,280
- Weekday Special
- NT$1,200
- Economy Low Range
- NT$1,680
- Economy Mid Range
- NT$1,920
- Note
- Prices vary by vehicle type, season, and rental duration. Peak rush hours 6:30–8:30 am and 3–6:30 pm; traffic congestion common.
Walkability
- Getting Around Tier
- moderate
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- MRT + Light Rail cover key zones with frequent service, buses extend reach, and Uber is available and reliable, but the city's sprawling geography means many destinations require transit rather than walking alone.
- Description
- Kaohsiung is moderately walkable around central areas like Love River and Pier 2, but sprawls significantly. Most popular attractions are not far from each other, though the city requires supplementary transport for comprehensive exploration.
Public Transit
- Notes
- Smoking, eating, drinking, and chewing gum prohibited in MRT/LRT stations and vehicles.
Buses
- Average Fare
- NT$25
- Note
- Long wait times common; check schedule via Kaohsiung iBus app (English-supported)
- Description
- Extensive network covering areas MRT does not reach. Fares based on distance zones.
MRT Metro
- Lines
- Red Line and Orange Line with 38 stations covering 42.7 km; Circular Light Rail (38 stations, 22.1 km, completed January 2024)
- Payment
- iPass, EasyCard, QR code, or cash at ticket machines (coins only; change available at stations)
- Frequency
- 4–6 minute intervals during peak hours; no more than 8 minutes off-peak
- Operating Hours
- 6:00 to midnight daily
Passes
24-hour or single-day pass
- 24 Hour Or Single Day Pass
- NT$150
48-hour or two-day pass
- 48 Hour Or Two Day Pass
- NT$250
TWD
Fares MRT
Single journey (distance-based)
- Single Journey (Distance Based)
- NT$20
Single journey maximum
- Single Journey Maximum
- NT$60
Fares Light Rail
Light Rail single trip (standard)
- Light Rail Single Trip (Standard)
- NT$30
Light Rail with IC card (EasyCard/iPASS)
- Light Rail With IC Card (EasyCard/IPASS)
- NT$10
Bike And Scooter Rental
Scooter Rental
- Requirements
- Passport, home country driver's license, and valid International Driving Permit (IDP) with 'A' stamp for motorcycles. Some shops accept additional deposit instead if IDP lacking 'A' stamp.
- Monthly Rental
- NT$3,000
- Same Day Return
- NT$300
- Same Day Return High
- NT$500
- Daily Standard Scooter
- NT$400
- Daily Standard Scooter High
- NT$600
- Note
- 555 Scooters near Kaohsiung Main Station is English-friendly. Helmet required; poncho provided in rain.
Public Bikes Youbike
- System
- YouBike 2.0 available throughout city
- Registration
- iPass or EasyCard or credit card on YouBike app/website
- Deposit One Time
- NT$3,000
- First 30 Minutes
- Free (with valid IC card: iPass, EasyCard, or TPASS membership)
- Thereafter Per 30 Min
- NT$10
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.eng.taiwan.net.tw
- 2.khh.travel
- 3.mapa-metro.com
- 4.mykaohsiung.com
- 5.mtbu.kcg.gov.tw
- 6.piliapp.com
- 7.chloestravelogue.com
- 8.namastetonihao.com
- 9.uber.com
- 10.kkday.com
- 11.cycloscope.net
- 12.555scooters.com
- 13.tripadvisor.com
- 14.taiwanobsessed.com
- 15.en.youbike.com.tw
- 16.kayak.com
- 17.skyscanner.net
- 18.momondo.com
- 19.klook.com
More About Kaohsiung
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.