“I want to drive along the east coast from Taitung to Taipei.”
This was the first plan that came to mind when planning my trip to eastern Taiwan. However, in Taiwan’s eastern region, trains and buses are limited, making it difficult to sightsee effectively using public transportation alone. That’s why renting a car became an option.
Although there are international car rental companies like Hertz and Avis that are familiar in many countries, I chose Taiwan’s local service “Ho Ing” (和運租車). This choice would later prove to be an excellent decision.
Why I Chose Ho Ing Car Rental
https://www.easyrent.com.tw/
Ho Ing is operated by Taiwan’s company, Hotai Leasing. I learned about it through a friend living in Taiwan. While I briefly wondered if renting from a local company might be risky, my friend assured me it was “a well-established company that every Taiwanese knows.” Indeed, when I researched, I found they have locations throughout Taiwan, with an especially extensive network in provincial cities.
What first caught my eye was the affordability. When comparing the same class of vehicle with international companies, Ho Ing’s prices were about half! For us, planning a rental of several days, this price difference was very attractive.
However, what sealed the deal more than the price was their “one-way rental” option. For our journey traversing eastern Taiwan from Taitung to Taipei, this was essential. In fact, one-way rental services are very limited in Taiwan. Ho Ing accommodated this at a reasonable price.
With branches throughout Taiwan, you can feel secure knowing there’s support if needed
Another factor that pushed me toward this choice was information from a friend familiar with Taiwan’s road conditions. In Taiwan, major roads can be closed due to typhoons or heavy rain quite often. In such situations, having Ho Ing’s extensive network across Taiwan provides peace of mind. The safety net of being able to return the car at a nearby branch in case of emergency was significant.
In Taiwan, which is susceptible to typhoons and earthquakes, roads are frequently closed due to disasters or have time-based restrictions.
Online Reservation Process
I made the actual reservation through Klook. I specified the car type, rental period, pickup at Taitung Airport, and return at Taipei Station. One thing I noticed at this point was that unlike international car rental companies, their cancellation policy was quite strict. It seems that fees still apply even for last-minute cancellations.
https://www.klook.com/car-rentals/supplier/1184-ho-ing-car-rentals/
During the reservation process, I made an important discovery: GPS navigation systems are not standard equipment, nor are they available as an option. While international companies often provide English navigation, with Ho Ing, you need to use navigation on your own smartphone.
Also, I noticed a note in the confirmation email stating “a translated version of your driver’s license is required.” I immediately arranged to get one through JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). This is actually a common rule among all car rental companies in Taiwan, but I was glad I noticed it beforehand.
Another concern was that optional insurance (collision damage waiver) couldn’t be selected during web reservation. I decided to discuss this at the counter when picking up the car and confirmed the reservation with just the basic fee.
Pickup Day Procedures
To the Ho Ing branch right next to Taitung Station
After arriving at Taitung Station, I walked to the nearby Ho Ing branch. When I presented my passport, driver’s license, and the prepared license translation, the staff began explaining the contract details carefully.
First, they suggested adding “Excess insurance,” which reduces the deductible for vehicle insurance. Considering we were driving in unfamiliar Taiwan territory, and on a long drive exceeding 400km, I decided to add this coverage for peace of mind.
Afterward, they explained their unique payment system. Ho Ing’s approach to gasoline payments differs significantly from typical rental car companies in many countries. “You don’t need to refill the tank yourself,” the staff informed me. Instead, you use a dedicated card provided with the car for refueling, and pay for the fuel based on distance traveled when returning the car.
Highway tolls are also paid afterward. The usage recorded by the onboard device is calculated at the time of return. Indeed, for travelers, this is convenient as it eliminates the need for payments each time.
They also offer extensive motorcycle rental services.
However, they emphasized the importance of avoiding traffic violations. I was informed that if any violations occur, charges would be billed through Ho Ing later and deducted from the pre-registered credit card. While signing the agreement, I renewed my commitment to safe driving.
The 400km Drive
Finally, the drive from Taitung to Taipei along the east coast began. Using Google Maps on my smartphone, we headed first toward Hualien. Taiwan’s roads follow a left-hand drive, right-side traffic system, which is the opposite of Japan. Although I was anxious at first, I gradually became accustomed to it while driving.
Highway 9 north of Hualien is a world-famous scenic drive! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we rented a car just to drive this stretch.
When the car began behaving oddly during the trip, I decided to call Ho Ing’s support line as a precaution. Although the communication was in Chinese and broken English, they provided accurate advice. While it turned out not to be a major issue, their prompt response was reassuring.
During the drive, refueling with the dedicated card went smoothly (there was a moment when the gas station attendant asked about the type of gasoline, but they seemed to understand by checking the number written on the fuel lid), and we passed through highway toll booths seamlessly with the onboard device. I genuinely felt that Ho Ing’s system was convenient for tourists. Thanks to this, we could enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the east coast in a stress-free drive.
The Unexpected Challenge: Returning the Car at Taipei Station
After completing the 400-kilometer drive, it was time to return the car at Taipei Station. Here, I experienced an unexpected struggle.
The return process at Taipei Station wasn’t directly to a branch office but involved parking the car in a designated underground parking lot. The instructions provided in advance included the parking lot’s address, but Google Maps information was inaccurate, making it difficult to find the entrance. I ended up circling for about 20 minutes, struggling with the complex one-way streets around Taipei Station…
Eventually, I managed to find the parking lot entrance on my own and safely arrived at the designated space. When I called the Taipei Station branch, a staff member promptly came to check. After inspecting the car’s condition, we proceeded to the Ho Ing counter inside the station for final payment. I paid for the fuel based on distance traveled and the highway tolls, completing all procedures.
In retrospect, it would have been more helpful if the return location information had included a more detailed map or landmarks. Nevertheless, this challenge was likely specific to Taipei Station’s unique location. At other branches, the return process might be much simpler.
Overall Impression: Why I Would Use Them Again
After driving more than 400km in total, I’m truly glad I chose Ho Ing. Beyond the affordability, their extensive network across Taiwan was particularly appealing. Especially valuable was their accommodation of one-way rental needs like ours. Additionally, the system of paying for gasoline and highway tolls afterward seemed designed with tourists in mind.
Certainly, there’s room for improvement in areas like the lack of GPS navigation and the return procedure at Taipei Station. However, overall, it was a user-friendly service.
When I visit Taiwan again, I’ll choose Ho Ing without hesitation. It’s worth noting that there are several unique considerations when renting a car in Taiwan that differ from other countries. I plan to cover these in detail in my next article.
Next article here
Note that business hours vary by location. Please check each store’s operating hours when planning your pickup and return schedule.
