Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Taipei

Taipei rewards riders who ignore the schedule and just go. Wind up into Yangmingshan National Park in the morning for sulfur vents and cool mountain air, then drop back down before lunch to chase the sunset over the strait from Tamsui. On a scooter, this is a single day, not a logistical project.

The city itself all but demands it. Taipei's grid is dense, its lanes are narrow, and its scooter traffic is heavy enough that a car often loses to a bike at every light. A standard 125cc scooter clears nearly the whole city and still has the legs for day trips into the hills and along the north coast, terrain that's slow and awkward to reach by bus or taxi. If you want to rent a scooter in Taipei, this is the vehicle the city was built around.

Top 10 things to see in Taipei by scooter

1. Yangmingshan National Park — winding mountain roads just north of the city, with sulfur vents, seasonal flowers and cool air.
2. Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) — a short ride to the trailhead for Taipei's best skyline view, Taipei 101 included.
3. Beitou Thermal Valley — a hot-spring district about 30 minutes away, with steaming pools and old Japanese-era bathhouses.
4. Jiufen Old Street — lantern-lit hillside alleys above the coast, a favourite day trip from the city.
5. Yehliu Geopark — coastal rock formations, including the famous Queen's Head, along a scenic north-coast route.
6. Tamsui Old Street & Fisherman's Wharf — a riverside town at the river mouth, best at sunset over the strait.
7. Bitan (Xindian) — a suspension bridge over a scenic river, a quick escape south of the city.
8. Wulai — a mountain town with hot springs and a waterfall, reached along a winding forested road.
9. Maokong — tea-plantation hills above the city, with switchback roads and wide viewpoints.
10. Shifen Waterfall / Pingxi — an old railway town famous for sky lanterns, on a scenic valley route east of Taipei.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Taipei?

You'll need a motorcycle-class licence — a car licence isn't enough. As a foreign visitor, carry an International Driving Permit endorsed for motorcycles, along with the home licence it was issued against. Taiwan splits scooters into a light class (up to around 50cc) and a standard heavy class (roughly 50–250cc), each needing its own endorsement, so check that your IDP covers the size you want. The general minimum driving age in Taiwan is 18, though individual shops may set a higher bar. Expect to leave a deposit, either cash or a card hold, and agree the amount and return terms before you pay.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Taipei?

A standard 125cc scooter runs roughly 800–900 TWD per day in low season and 1,200–1,800 TWD per day in high season. Larger or newer models can reach 2,000–3,500+ TWD per day.

• Prices peak around July and August, and again over the Lunar New Year holiday.
• They ease off in November and December, and through other quiet winter weeks outside the holiday.

When to book a rental scooter in Taipei?

July, August and the Lunar New Year period are Taipei's high season, with prices climbing as demand does — book ahead if you're travelling then. November and December sit at the low end of the year, alongside other off-peak winter weeks, and are the easiest time to find a good rate without booking far in advance. If you want good weather rather than just a good price, October, November, March and April tend to be mild and dry.

Local traffic rules in Taipei

Taiwan drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for the rider and every passenger, and this is enforced with on-the-spot fines. Scooters must run with headlights on at all times, day and night, and generally stay in the outer lane, using the marked waiting boxes at major intersections for the two-stage left turn instead of cutting across traffic directly. Speed limits vary by road type — roughly 40–50 km/h in town, higher on rural highways — so follow the posted signs rather than assume a number. The drink-driving limit is strict, and freeways are off-limits to scooters entirely, so stick to the ordinary provincial and county roads that most of these routes already follow.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!