Taiwan by Train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Taiwan.
Here you will find information for Taiwan about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 23.78 million
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar
Language: Hakka, Mandarin
Capital: Taipei
Country Code: +886
Time Zone: China Standard Time (CST)
Train Companies
The rail network in Taiwan is operated by two companies. Taiwan Railways operates the freight and passenger railway. The high-speed trains are operated by Taiwan High-Speed Rail.
Copyright: RAILWAYHERO
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Taiwan on the Taiwan High-Speed Rail official homepage.
Buy your cheap train tickets for Indonesia online at 12Go.
Rail Passes
Taiwan Highspeed Rail Pass
Take the train across the Taiwanese island. The THRS Pass allows you unlimited riding with the High-Speed Rails in Taiwan.
TrAIN tYPES
Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRT) operate in Taipei and Kaohsiung
Chu-kuang (莒光; Jǔguāng) & Fu-hsing (復興; Fùxīng) are operated by TRA
- No reservations required
- Mos common train in the country
- Cheaper than express trains, quite comfortable
Local Train (區間車; Qūjiānchē) serves the country like commuter trains and is operated by TRA
- Cheap and stops frequently
- No reservations required, nor possible
Tze-chiang (自強; Zìqiáng) are express trains operated by TRA
- More expensive than Chu-kuang, Fu-hsing, and local trains
- No reservations required but recommended on weekends and holidays
- At-seat refreshment service is available
Taroko Express (太魯閣; Tàilǔgé) is a Tze-chiang tilting train connecting Taipei to Hualien in two hours.
- No reservations required but recommended on weekends and holidays
- No standing-room tickets available
Puyuma Express (普悠瑪; Pǔyōumǎ) is a Tze-chiang, fast tilting train reaching up to 150 km/h.
- No reservations required but recommended on weekends and holidays
- No standing-room tickets available
Hint for TRA trains:
1. Tickets go on sale online 14 days in advance.
2. After booking your ticket online, take your booking number to any station or a kiosk inside a 7-Eleven (Chinese only) to pay within two days of booking.
3. Don’t throw away or lose your ticket, it is necessary to be able to exit the platform at your final destination.
High-Speed Rail (HSR) links Taipei to Kaohsiung in under two hours, half the amount of time compared to a slower TRA train.
- 3 Classes offered
- Unreserved economy: Rows of five seats (3+2)
- Reserved economy: Rows of five seats (3+2)
- Business: Rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required but recommended on weekends and holidays*
- Food and snacks are also available on-board
* = if your desired train is full, HSR runs 3 trains per hour, so you can check the schedule for an alternative time to travel
Hint for HSR trains:
1. Tickets go on sale online 28 days in advance.
2. After booking your ticket online, take your booking number to any station or a kiosk inside a 7-Eleven (Chinese only) to pay within two days of booking.
3. Don’t throw away or lose your ticket, it is necessary to be able to exit the platform at your final destination.
There are no international trains in Taiwan. You can take a plane or a ferry to visit other countries.
There are no night trains in Taiwan.
Alishan Tourist Train
Jiji Tourist Train
Pingxi Tourist Train
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In Taiwan
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Taipei to Kaohsiung | 2:14 | 0 | High-Speed Train |
| Taipei to Sankeng | 0:40 | Direct | Train |
| Taipei to Taitung | 3:48-5:45 | Direct | Train |
| Taitung to Tainan | 2:31 | Direct | Train |
TIP: Taiwan has high-speed trains and slow trains. They also depart from different stations: THSR (high-speed) and TRA (slow). Be aware that high-speed rail stations (THSR) are often located in the outskirts of the city with regular bus connections to the TRA stations. The slow train stations are located often in the heart of the city.
International
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Keelung to Xiamen, China | 14:00 | Direct | Ferry |
| Taichung to Fuzhou, China | 4:23 | 3 | Ferry & Train |
Taiwan travel routes
Taiwan West Coast Trip
Main Train Stations
- Taipei Main Station
- Taichung Station
- Hsinchu
- Tainan
- Zuoying
TIP: Taiwan has high-speed trains and slow trains. They also depart from different stations: THSR (high-speed) and TRA (slow). Be aware that high-speed rail stations (THSR) are often located in the outskirts of the city with regular bus connections to the TRA stations. The slow train stations are located often in the heart of the city.
Train Tours in Taiwan
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Taiwan
We recommend traveling to Taiwan anytime from the end of September to December. Once the rainy season is over the humidity drops off and the country is full of sunshine, events, and festivals to enjoy! Noteworthy festivals include New Year’s Eve, Double Ten Day, Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, Lunar New Year, and the Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival. Take a ride up the fastest elevator in the world at Taipei 101 for a 360-degree view of the capital, hike in the Central Mountains, peak around the Royal Palace Museum, or eat your way through one of the many night markets … don’t forget the stinky tofu!
Bathe in one of the many natural hot springs, spend a night on a tea farm, visit one of the many religious temples or take a trip to the salt fields. You will be spoilt for choice whether you’re in Taiwan for an adventure holiday, a relaxation trip, or an educational experience, and the best thing being that it’s all connected by train!
- High Season: February and October due to many holidays
- Low Season: The rest of the year not during the rainy season, or during February and October
- Rainy Season: June to September
Accommodation In Taiwan
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Taiwan
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
