Understand how to get around Taiwan by train, bus, air, HSR, scooter, car!
Traveling around Taiwan can either be a breeze or a real pain in the neck.
Public transport between the big cities that dot the west and east coasts (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taidong, Hualien) is cheap, comfortable, organized and punctual. It’s actually more comfortable, economical, and faster than traveling around Canada, the States, or Europe.
Getting to places deep in the Central Mountain Range or to villages outside big cities is a different story. It can be quite troublesome depending on how much time you’ve got for your trip, the weather, your resourcefulness, and the time of the year.
Table of Contents
Trains in Taiwan / Rail Travel (TRA)
Traveling in Taiwan by normal train (TRA) is both affordable and enjoyable. A train ride from Taipei (northern Taiwan) to Kaohsiung (southern Taiwan) only costs around 845NT$.
- Find more information about train travel in Taiwan.
- Check train SCHEDULES and FARES on theTRA website.
Taiwan High Speed Train (HSR)
Waste no time with transportation in Taiwan! Travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in as little as 90 minutes on one of the world’s fastest trains. Riding Taiwan’s High Speed Rail is an experience in itself!
Travel by Bus in Taiwan
One of the first things you’ll realize when you get to Taiwan is the incredible amount of buses on the roads. They are ideal if you’re looking for a cheap (the cheapest) way to travel in Taiwan. It’s also one of the only ways to reach some of the small villages and mountain resorts in the mountains or along the east coast.
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle
You will surely be using the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus system at one point or another. This amazing service offers 42 bus routes to more than 100 tourist destinations around the island where trains don’t go such as Sun Moon Lake, Lukang, Alishan, Taroko Gorge and other remote areas hidden deep in the Central Mountain Range. Check schedules and bus routes for the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses here on their colorful website. Make sure to also download their app for your smartphone.
Click here for more info about buses in Taiwan.
Travel by Scooter / Motorbike
Traveling in Taiwan on two wheels is pure heaven. Sure, it comes with some dangers, but the rewards are worth it! In the cities, you can visit more attractions in less time and in remote areas you can get to places not covered by public transport. Click here for more info about riding a scooter in Taiwan.
Check out my favorite motorcycle rides and road trips in Taiwan.
Rent a Car in Taiwan
It is very easy to rent a car in Taiwan and the best places to do so are Taoyuan International Airport and HSR stations. You will need an International Driver’s License and your normal provincial or state license as well to legally drive a car in Taiwan.
Driving around the busy west coast can be a little challenging if you’re not used to driving in Asia or don’t have a good sense of orientation. Driving in the countryside or along the East Coast is much easier! Having a co-pilot who has access to a GPS or Google Map is really helpful!
Useful links about Travel in Taiwan
Book your hotel room now!
Don’t waste time looking for accommodation in Taiwan. There’s no reason not to make a reservation in advance.
Travel to Taipei
This guide tells you how to travel to Taipei by plane, bus, and train. Understand where the two main airports in Taipei are, and figure out how to get to the city center. See transportation fares from Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien.
Transport in Taipei City
Understand how to get around Taipei by metro (MRT), bus, and taxi. Read about fares / schedules. Should you rent a car or scooter? How complicated / safe is it? Get answers about Taipei transportation now!
Taichung to Kaohsiung
Travel between Taichung and Kaohsiung by HSR high-speed train, train, bus or car.
Taitung to Kenting
One of the biggest mystery about transportation in Taiwan – how do you get from Taitung to Kenting by public transportation? Simple, find all the answers here!
Hualien to Kenting
Thinking of traveling to Kenting from Hualien City? Hop on! Few options exist, find out how to get to the southern tip of Taiwan by train and bus.
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