Where to Go on Taiwan's 2026–2027 Long Weekends? 13 Long Weekends of Self-Drive Route Ideas | Matched by Days × Vehicle Type - 固得租車台灣租車首選 Taiwan Car Rental

Holiday Road Trips · Route Ideas

Where to Go on Taiwan's 2026–2027 Long Weekends? 13 Long Weekends of Self-Drive Route Ideas | Matched by Days × Vehicle Type

The hardest part of a long weekend isn't choosing where to go — it's matching the length of the break to the distance of the trip. This guide takes the 9 long weekends of 2027 plus the 4 still left in 2026 and matches each one to a route, driving times, a vehicle type and a pickup location, so you can simply follow it and go.

13long-weekend route ideas

3ways to match trip length

45pickup & return locations in Taiwan

30-Second Summary

3-day weekends: one county or two neighboring ones, with one-way drives kept under 2 hours for comfort (Yilan, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Kenting).
4-day breaks: you can reach the east or the south — the East Rift Valley, the Southern Cross-Island Highway and the Hengchun Peninsula all fit.
7+ days (Lunar New Year): the only time to circle the island or explore the east coast in depth — and the trip that most needs an early booking.
Next opportunity: in 2026, Mid-Autumn Festival runs into Teachers' Day, Sep 25 – Sep 28, for 4 days off.
Beating the traffic: head out the evening before the long weekend, and on the way back avoid the 14:00–20:00 freeway peak on the last day.
Choosing a vehicle: people pack more for holidays, so if your group fills every seat, go one size up — for 5 adults, go straight for a 7-seater.

You can plan the route at your leisure, but holiday cars are first-come, first-served.

Check Holiday Availability & Prices First

Match the Days First: How Far Should You Go?

The most common mistake on a holiday road trip is squeezing a 5-day itinerary into a 3-day break — and spending the whole time on the road. Use this table to match the length of your break to the radius of your trip first, and choosing sights becomes much easier.

Length of break	One-way drive	Suitable range	Where to stay
1 day (single day off)	Within 1 hour	Outskirts of your home city	No overnight stay
3-day weekend	Within 2 hours	One county or two neighboring counties in depth	1–2 nights at one base
4-day break	3–4 hours	Out to the east or south, one direction there and back	2–3 nights, one change of base
7+ days (Lunar New Year)	No limit	Round the island; the full East Rift Valley + coastal route	Changing base every night works too

Add 30–50% to every driving time on a long weekend. Taipei to Hualien normally takes about 3 hours, but on the first day of a long weekend it can take 4 hours or more. Pad every leg when you plan, so you're not chasing the clock all day.

Leaving Soon: Routes for the 4 Long Weekends Left in 2026

SEP254 days

Mid-Autumn + Teachers' Day | A Slow East Rift Valley Trip

Sep 25 (Fri) – Sep 28 (Mon) · the only 4-day break in the second half of 2026

Route: pick up in Taipei → Suhua Highway Improvement route to Hualien (about 3 hours) → Qixingtan and Taroko → south along the Rift Valley (Chishang, Mr. Brown Avenue) → Taitung → head back. 4 days is just enough to cover the whole valley without rushing.

Time-saver: take a TRA train to Hualien or Taitung and pick up your car there — let the railway handle the most tiring stretch, and drive only the most scenic part.

Recommended: a 5-seat sedan or SUV. Roads in the valley are good, but you'll stop often and hop in and out a lot, so you don't need a big car.

OCT93 days

National Day | Yilan and the Northeast Coast

Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 (Sun) · Oct 10 falls on a Saturday, so Oct 9 is the make-up day off

Route: pick up in Taipei → Hsuehshan Tunnel to Yilan (about 1 hour) → hot springs in Jiaoxi → sea views at Toucheng and Wai'ao → day 2 up to Taipingshan or along the Northeast Coast Scenic Highway → head back on day 3.

Beat the traffic: the Hsuehshan Tunnel is notorious for holiday jams, so leave on the evening of Oct 8, or set off before 7 a.m. on Oct 9.

Recommended: a 5-seat sedan. Both the mountain roads and the coastal highway are easy drives, and parking is easy to find.

OCT243 days

Retrocession Day | Autumn in Central Taiwan's Mountains

Oct 24 (Sat) – Oct 26 (Mon) · Oct 25 falls on a Sunday, so Oct 26 is the make-up day off

Route: pick up in Taichung → Sun Moon Lake (about 1.5 hours) → day 2 up to Cingjing and Hehuanshan for the sea of clouds (about 2 hours) → day 3 back to Taichung via Puli and Zhongxing New Village. Late October brings big day-night temperature swings in the mountains — the most comfortable time of year for central Taiwan's high country.

Recommended: an SUV. Provincial Highway 14A from Cingjing to Hehuanshan is full of curves and steep grades, and a higher ride feels steadier.

DEC253 days

Constitution Day + Christmas | Escape the Cold in the South

Dec 25 (Fri) – Dec 27 (Sun) · followed straight after by the 2027 New Year's Day long weekend

Route: pick up at HSR Kaohsiung (Zuoying) → Hengchun Peninsula (about 2 hours) → Kenting and the Guanshan sunset → day 2 along County Road 199 or to Jialeshui → head back on day 3. December in the south is dry and pleasant — one of the best seasons of the year for Kenting.

Another option: stay in the city for the Christmas lights. Downtown events in Taichung, Taipei and Kaohsiung are busiest these few days, and a rental car makes getting around much easier.

Recommended: a 5-seat sedan or SUV, depending on group size and luggage.

Only these few long weekends are left in 2026, and availability will only get tighter.

Check Remaining Cars for 2026 Holidays

2027's Nine Long Weekends: A Route for Each

2027 has 9 holiday breaks of 3 days or longer and no make-up workdays all year. Below, in date order, each long weekend is matched with a route idea. For the full list of dates and leave plans, see our separate 2027 long-weekend calendar guide.

1. New Year's Day | Jan 1 (Fri) – Jan 3 (Sun) · 3 days

Theme: the first sunrise. New Year's Day is all about the first morning — there's no public transport at that hour, so driving is pretty much the only way to get there. In the north, try the North Coast or Taipingshan; in central Taiwan, head up Alishan; in the south, go to Sanxiantai or Longpan Park in Kenting.

How to plan it: pick up your car during the day on Dec 31 and load your luggage, drive to a stay near your sunrise spot that evening, then head straight up before dawn — no fighting for shuttle buses.

Recommended vehicle: an SUV (mountain roads plus early-morning cold).

2. Lunar New Year | Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 10 (Wed) · 7 days (11 with 2 days' leave)

Theme: round the island, or the east coast in depth. 7 days is the only break of the year that lets you properly circle the island; take Feb 11 and Feb 12 off as well and it becomes 11 days — enough for both the East Rift Valley and the coast.

How to plan it (7 days, clockwise): Taipei → Yilan → Hualien (2 nights) → Taitung → South Link Highway to Pingtung → Kaohsiung and Tainan → Taichung → back to Taipei. Keep driving to about 2–3 hours a day on average and leave the rest for sightseeing.

Recommended vehicle: a 7-seater or a mid-to-large SUV. Long distances plus holiday luggage and gifts mean you'll definitely use the space.

Book your Lunar New Year car 2–3 months ahead. It's the tightest period of the year for cars — the later you book, the less choice you have, and 7/9-seaters are usually the first to go.

3. Peace Memorial Day (228) | Feb 27 (Sat) – Mar 1 (Mon) · 3 days

Theme: early-spring blossoms. Late February is when the cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan, Wuling and the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village start to bloom. In the north, go for the Yangmingshan Flower Festival; in central Taiwan, head to Wuling Farm and Fushoushan Farm.

How to plan it: parking at blossom spots is very limited, so set off early, or park at the foot of the mountain and take the shuttle.

Recommended vehicle: a 5-seat sedan; if you're heading up to Wuling or Fushoushan, choose an SUV.

4. Children's Day + Tomb Sweeping Day | Apr 3 (Sat) – Apr 6 (Tue) · 4 days (9 with 3 days' leave)

Theme: family trips and fresh spring greenery in the hills. 4 days is just right for "one main trip + one buffer day". With kids, central Taiwan's farms, factory tours and family attractions link up nicely; to avoid the crowds, head for Alishan and Fenqihu.

How to plan it: pick up in Taichung → Wuling or Cingjing for 2 nights → Puli and Sun Moon Lake → head back. Leave day 4 for traffic and rest.

Recommended vehicle: a 7-seater (traveling with grandparents and kids) or an SUV.

Southbound freeway traffic is heavy around Tomb Sweeping Day, when trips home and holiday travel overlap. Consider alternative roads or travel outside the peak hours.

5. Labor Day | Apr 30 (Fri) – May 2 (Sun) · 3 days

Theme: a quick coastal getaway before summer. Early May has settled weather before the heat of midsummer — great for the North Coast, the Northeast Coast, the west coast highway or the southern coastline.

How to plan it: pick up in Taipei and drive the North Coast (Jinshan, Yehliu, Shimen) → day 2 over Yangmingshan or along the Taoyuan–Hsinchu coast → head back on day 3; in the south, go from Kaohsiung to Cijin, Mituo and Qieding.

Recommended vehicle: a 5-seat sedan — nimble and easy to park.

6. Dragon Boat Festival | Jun 9 (Wed) · single day

No long weekend. In 2027, Dragon Boat Festival falls on a Wednesday, with workdays on both sides. It suits a day trip within an hour of your home city — for example Wulai or Shiding from Taipei, Xinshe or Dakeng from Taichung, or Qishan and Meinong from Kaohsiung.

Recommended vehicle: a 5-seat sedan; a short-term rental is all you need.

7. Mid-Autumn Festival | Sep 15 (Wed) · single day | Teachers' Day | Sep 28 (Tue) · take 1 day, get 4 off

In 2027, Mid-Autumn Festival falls on a Wednesday and is just one day off. But two weeks later, Teachers' Day, Sep 28 (Tue), becomes a 4-day break if you take just Sep 27 (Mon) off — the best-value leave of the second half of 2027.

How to plan 4 days: head south on the Southern Cross-Island Highway (in and out via Kaohsiung or Taitung), or north on the Yilan branch of the Central Cross-Island Highway — highway journeys like these need an unbroken block of time, and 4 days is just right.

Recommended vehicle: an SUV. Cross-island highways are long and winding, so you want some reserve in both power and handling.

8. National Day | Oct 9 (Sat) – Oct 11 (Mon) · 3 days

Theme: the Northeast Coast and Yilan. In early October the northeast monsoon hasn't fully set in yet, making it the most pleasant time for the Northeast Coast.

How to plan it: pick up in Taipei or Keelung → the Northeast Coast Scenic Highway (Nanya, Bitou Cape, Sandiao Cape) → overnight in Toucheng, Yilan → day 2 to Taipingshan or Jiaoxi → head back on day 3.

Recommended vehicle: a 5-seat sedan or SUV.

9. Retrocession Day | Oct 23 (Sat) – Oct 25 (Mon) · 3 days

Theme: autumn colors in the high mountains. In late October the mid- and high-altitude forests start to change color — Alishan, Fenqihu, Taipingshan and Dasyueshan are at their most beautiful.

How to plan it: pick up in Chiayi and drive up to Alishan (about 2 hours) → Fenqihu Old Street → day 2 to Tefuye or Tanayiku → come down the mountain and head back on day 3.

Recommended vehicle: an SUV (long climbs on mountain roads).

Advanced: the National Day and Retrocession Day long weekends are only two weeks apart. Take Oct 12 (Tue) – Oct 15 (Fri) and Oct 18 (Mon) – Oct 22 (Fri) off — 9 days in total — and you're off from Oct 9 all the way to Oct 25, 17 days in a row. A break this long suits a round-the-island trip or a long highway journey.

10. Constitution Day | Dec 24 (Fri) – Dec 26 (Sun) · 3 days | Linked to New Year 2028 · take 4 days, get 10 off

Theme: year-end lights and the countdown. Dec 24 – Dec 26 is Christmas, and Dec 31 – Jan 2 is the New Year's Day long weekend, with only four workdays in between. Take Dec 27 – Dec 30 off and you get 10 days in a row — the most overlooked long break at the end of the year.

How to plan 10 days: spend the first part at Christmas events in the city, head east or south in the middle, and finish at your countdown spot or up a mountain to see the first sunrise of 2028.

Recommended vehicle: a 7-seater or SUV (long trip, lots of luggage).

Taipei Main Station branch — for trips starting in the north; the start of Northeast Coast and Yilan routes: Book pickup online
Taichung Railway Station branch — the best starting point for Cingjing, Hehuanshan, Sun Moon Lake and Wuling: Book pickup online
Chiayi HSR Station — for Alishan and Fenqihu routes; HSR then drive is the biggest time-saver: Book pickup online
HSR Kaohsiung (Zuoying) Station — Kenting, the Southern Cross-Island Highway and the Hengchun Peninsula: Book pickup online
Hualien branch — the East Rift Valley and the coast; we suggest taking the train to Hualien and picking up there: Book pickup online
Taitung Station branch — the southern Rift Valley, the South Link Highway and the Sanxiantai sunrise: Book pickup online

How to Avoid Getting Stuck on the Freeway Over a Long Weekend

Holiday traffic is predictable, and avoiding the peaks works much better than hunting for shortcuts:

Heading out: the first morning of a long weekend is the biggest wave. If you can leave the evening before, or set off before 6 a.m. on day one, you can easily save two hours or more.
Heading back: afternoon into evening on the last day is peak return time. Driving back in the morning — or simply later at night — is far smoother.
Hsuehshan Tunnel and National Freeway 5: HOV restrictions or ramp closures may be in force over long weekends, so always check the latest announcements before you set off.
Leave room at return: add 1–2 hours of buffer to your estimated arrival rather than driving right up against your return time.
Mountain roads: on routes such as Cingjing, Alishan and Taipingshan, holiday afternoons often bring backups and a shortage of parking, so head up in the morning.

Which Car Should You Rent for a Long Weekend?

Holiday driving is different from everyday driving: usually more people, more luggage and longer distances. Just check this table:

Situation	Recommended vehicle	Why
2–4 people · city and regular roads	5-seat sedan	Easy to park; low fuel use and fuel-charge costs
4–5 people · lots of luggage or mountain roads	SUV	Big trunk, higher ride, steady on mountain climbs
5+ people · three generations traveling together	7/9-seater	The first type to be booked out on holidays — book early
Long trips (Lunar New Year, year-end breaks)	7-seater or mid-to-large SUV	Far more comfortable over long distances, with room to spare
Cargo, moving, club outings	Truck / van	Choose by load; fuel charge rates differ from cars

How costs work: rent + fuel charge + dedicated fuel card. At pickup, GoodCars gives you a dedicated fuel card. Pay with it whenever you fill up on the road — you don't pay for fuel yourself, and there's no need to stop for gas before returning the car. What you actually pay is the fuel charge = (odometer at return − odometer at pickup) × the published per-km rate for that model; each model's rate is listed on the official fuel charge page. So when budgeting for a long weekend, don't count fuel as an expense — estimate your total driving distance instead.

Holiday Road Trip FAQ

How far can I go on a 3-day long weekend?

Keep one-way drives under 2 hours — one county or two neighboring ones. Starting from Taipei, Yilan, Hsinchu and Miaoli are all ideal; if you head to Hualien or Kenting, you'll spend half of your 3 days on the road.

What's the next long weekend in 2026?

Sep 25 (Fri) to Sep 28 (Mon) — Mid-Autumn Festival linked with Teachers' Day, 4 days in total, and the only 4-day break in the second half of 2026. After that come the National Day long weekend (Oct 9 – Oct 11), the Retrocession Day long weekend (Oct 24 – Oct 26) and Constitution Day (Dec 25 – Dec 27).

Do I need an SUV for mountain roads on a long weekend?

Not necessarily. Taiwan's main scenic mountain roads (Provincial Highway 14A to Cingjing, the Alishan Highway, Taipingshan) can all be driven in a regular sedan. The reasons to choose an SUV are mainly luggage space and comfort on long climbs, not off-road capability.

Can I pick up the car in one place and return it in another?

Yes. GoodCars offers one-way rentals, ideal for one-way trips (for example, pick up in Taipei and return in Hualien), saving you the drive back to your starting point. Vehicle repositioning is tighter over long weekends, so book these early.

Do I pay for fuel myself on a holiday rental?

No. You receive a dedicated fuel card at pickup — pay with it whenever you fill up, and there's no need to stop for gas before you return the car. What you pay is the fuel charge (actual km driven × the model's published per-km rate); see the official fuel charge page for detailed rates.

How far ahead should I book a car for a long weekend?

For Lunar New Year, 2–3 months ahead; for 4-day breaks, 4–6 weeks; for 3-day weekends, 3–4 weeks. 7/9-seaters and SUVs usually go first, so for larger groups it's safer to book another 2 weeks earlier.

Plan the Route Later — Lock In the Car First

Every location across Taiwan can be booked online, and one-way rentals between cities are available. Holiday cars are first-come, first-served — the earlier you look, the more choice you have.

Book Your Holiday Car Now

Where to Go on Taiwan's 2026–2027 Long Weekends? 13 Long Weekends of Self-Drive Route Ideas | Matched by Days × Vehicle Type

Where to Go on Taiwan's 2026–2027 Long Weekends? 13 Long Weekends of Self-Drive Route Ideas | Matched by Days × Vehicle Type

30-Second Summary

Match the Days First: How Far Should You Go?

Leaving Soon: Routes for the 4 Long Weekends Left in 2026

Mid-Autumn + Teachers' Day | A Slow East Rift Valley Trip

National Day | Yilan and the Northeast Coast

Retrocession Day | Autumn in Central Taiwan's Mountains

Constitution Day + Christmas | Escape the Cold in the South

2027's Nine Long Weekends: A Route for Each

1. New Year's Day | Jan 1 (Fri) – Jan 3 (Sun) · 3 days

2. Lunar New Year | Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 10 (Wed) · 7 days (11 with 2 days' leave)

3. Peace Memorial Day (228) | Feb 27 (Sat) – Mar 1 (Mon) · 3 days

4. Children's Day + Tomb Sweeping Day | Apr 3 (Sat) – Apr 6 (Tue) · 4 days (9 with 3 days' leave)

5. Labor Day | Apr 30 (Fri) – May 2 (Sun) · 3 days

6. Dragon Boat Festival | Jun 9 (Wed) · single day

7. Mid-Autumn Festival | Sep 15 (Wed) · single day | Teachers' Day | Sep 28 (Tue) · take 1 day, get 4 off

8. National Day | Oct 9 (Sat) – Oct 11 (Mon) · 3 days

9. Retrocession Day | Oct 23 (Sat) – Oct 25 (Mon) · 3 days

10. Constitution Day | Dec 24 (Fri) – Dec 26 (Sun) · 3 days | Linked to New Year 2028 · take 4 days, get 10 off

How to Avoid Getting Stuck on the Freeway Over a Long Weekend

Which Car Should You Rent for a Long Weekend?

Holiday Road Trip FAQ

How far can I go on a 3-day long weekend?

What's the next long weekend in 2026?

Do I need an SUV for mountain roads on a long weekend?

Can I pick up the car in one place and return it in another?

Do I pay for fuel myself on a holiday rental?

How far ahead should I book a car for a long weekend?

Plan the Route Later — Lock In the Car First

Related Suggestions

Popular Articles