Navigating Taiwan: Your Guide

All cities and most tourist attractions in Taiwan are linked by a network of safe, efficient, and budget-friendly transport options.

However, there are significantly more ways to travel vertically across the island than horizontally, thanks to the Central Mountain Range that runs down the center. If you're planning to explore Taiwan extensively, expect to use a combination of trains, high-speed rail, ferries, and buses.

Efforts are underway to boost the number of electric vehicles on Taiwan's roads, primarily through the Blueprint for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. Currently, just 8% of city and intercity buses are electric, but the government plans to introduce 1,000 electric buses each year starting in 2023 and eliminate up to 11,000 diesel vehicles by 2030, aiming for all buses to be electric by that time. Most taxis remain non-electric, but incentives are being provided for operators to adopt greener options.

Take the traditional train to the eastern coast

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) features an extensive system that connects all major cities along both coasts. There are no services that penetrate the Central Mountains, apart from tourism-specific lines. The trains are comfortable, safe, and reliable, with minimal delays.

TRA offers various train types. The Zìqiáng 自強 (Tze-chiang) express trains are both fast and more costly. All classes of Ziqiang trains have the same pricing for the same route, even if one, like the Puyuma, is faster. The Taroko Express 太魯閣 (Tàilǔgé) is a special tilting train within the Ziqiang class, taking passengers from Taipei to Hualien in just two hours. Another tilting train in this category, the Puyuma Express 普悠瑪, is TRA's fastest, reaching speeds of 150 km/h (93 mph) and is named after Taiwan’s Puyuma people.

Tickets can be booked online up to 28 days in advance (30 days if you book on a Friday) or at an ibon kiosk (Chinese only), which are located in convenience stores and train stations. A passport is required. Early bookings are highly recommended for fast trains, especially during weekends or holidays. The most popular tickets are often sold out within minutes after they become available for booking at midnight.

Most fares, however, fall under the Jǔguāng 莒光 (also known as Chu-kuang) and Fùxīng 復興 (also Fu-hsing) classes. These options are comfortable and provide a speed that's slower than Ziqiang but faster than local trains, with fares approximately 20% to 40% cheaper than Ziqiang. The economical and slower Local Train (區間車; Qūjiānchē) is designed for short to medium distances, stopping at every station and offering no reserved seating.

Utilize high-speed rail to cut down on travel time between the north and south

Traveling between Taipei and Kaohsiung (Zuoying station) can take as little as 90 minutes on the bullet service provided by Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), which operates a single line along the western corridor, stopping at 12 stations including all major cities. Tickets are nearly double the price of standard trains, yet the journey time is less than half. Business class fares are about 50% higher.

Generally, there are at least three trains running each hour. All stations are equipped with visitor information centers staffed by English speakers, ready to assist with bus transfers, hotel reservations, and car rentals.

High-speed rail tickets can be purchased up to 29 days in advance. It’s advisable to book ahead for weekend or holiday travel. Early bird discounts of 10% to 35% are available when booking non-peak trains five to 29 days in advance. Minor discounts are also offered for non-reserved tickets, which can only be bought on the day of travel.

Reservations can be made through the bilingual TEXpress app, allowing for electronic or in-person payment at convenience stores or HSR stations. You can also book via the HSR website and pay at any HSR station or convenience store before the payment deadline. Alternatively, reservations can be made directly at a convenience store or at an HSR station, but you'll need your passport number for the booking process.

Experience the views on a sightseeing train

In addition to TRA and HSR services, several small-gauge branch lines are preserved for tourism. Most of these routes are historic logging lines built during the Japanese colonial period, featuring vintage trains and restored stations from that era.

The well-loved Alishan Forest Railway connects Chiayi to the Alishan mountain resort, although the last segment is currently under repair due to damage from a typhoon. Day-trippers from Taipei often enjoy hopping between towns along the Pingxi Line, while the Jiji Line takes you past a former logging village that includes a wood museum and a large kiln.

Maximize your budget by opting for intercity buses

A vast network of intercity buses connects Taipei to Kenting National Park and stretches northward to Yilan. However, services running from the west coast to the east coast are limited to just a few daily buses, primarily between Taichung and Hualien, as well as Kaohsiung to Taitung. East coast service (Hualien to Taitung) is also infrequent. On the west coast, bus departures are very frequent, with some operations available around the clock, offering discounts during midweek and late-night hours. Major transit hubs include Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Long-distance buses in Taiwan are dependable, comfortable, and affordable. Some companies provide spacious, reclining seats, and the buses are heavily air-conditioned, so it's a good idea to bring a blanket or dress warmly. It's recommended to book in advance during weekends and holidays. Tickets can easily be purchased at bus stations or convenience stores, with most companies maintaining ticket offices near main train stations. Two prominent operators are Kuo Kuang and UBus.

Taiwan features an extensive network of rural buses, but service is limited with few daily departures, except to key tourist spots. Often, taking tourist shuttle buses is the more convenient option.

Take a tourist shuttle to Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan boasts a fantastic network of small shuttle buses that link major and minor tourist sites to TRA and HSR stations across 20 cities and counties, including three offshore islands. Buses typically depart every hour on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. Although services are currently less frequent than usual, an increase is anticipated as tourism rebounds.

Explore Taroko Gorge on a bicycle

Cycling for long distances and leisure is immensely popular in Taiwan, with many routes, particularly in scenic tourist spots, featuring dedicated bike lanes. The east coast is especially stunning for cycling, and you'll find numerous bike rental shops. You can also take your bicycle on public transport, including foldable bikes (as long as they're in a bag or case) on the HSR. Conventional TRA trains offer multiple options for boarding with a bike. Bringing bikes into the country is hassle-free.

The primary challenges for cyclists are bus drivers and motorcyclists. Be aware that some sections of the east coast highway can be hazardous. Additionally, cyclists are not allowed on national highways (國道) and expressways (快速道路) but can ride on provincial highways (省道), as well as county and city highways (縣道/市道).

Opt for a car rental and chauffeur to maximize your time

Having a personal vehicle, whether a car or scooter, is particularly beneficial on the east coast, offshore islands, and in mountainous regions. An International Driver's Permit is required to drive in Taiwan. Additionally, if you don't have a Taiwanese scooter license, rental agencies often insist that your international driver's license includes a motorcycle or scooter endorsement.

Driving in Taiwan can seem chaotic and dangerous compared to many countries. It’s advisable to avoid driving in cities or medium-sized towns until you're accustomed to the local conditions. Parking can be a challenge in large cities, particularly in Taipei. Road signs are available in both Chinese and English.

Chartering a car for sightseeing is a great option. The driver can stop at key attractions, allowing you to take photos and explore, or you can plan a custom itinerary together.

Be sure to check the weather before scheduling a trip to Lanyu Island.

Regular ferry services are available to Penghu, Lanyu, and Green Island during summer, as well as to Little Liuqiu year-round. However, sailings to Green Island, Lanyu, and Matsu depend on weather conditions, so expect possible cancellations during poor weather and frequent changes to winter schedules. There is no ferry to Kinmen, but flights are available from Taipei or Kaohsiung.

Reserve air travel for journeys to the outer islands.

With an excellent train network in place, domestic air travel within Taiwan is generally unnecessary, except for trips to the outer islands. Domestic flights from Taipei operate out of Songshan Airport rather than Taoyuan, and flights to remote islands frequently face cancellations due to poor weather, particularly in the eastern region.

Transportation accessibility

Taiwan’s train systems have made progress in recent years to improve accessibility. Nearly all metro stations are equipped with elevators featuring braille buttons, speakers, intercoms, and handrails. Waiting areas are available for wheelchair users, and tactile tiles have been placed on platforms and near stairs. Both HSR and TRA offer elevators and designated barrier-free seating in specific carriages. Staff members are on hand to assist disabled passengers when needed.

Buses are somewhat less accommodating. Only a small number of intercity buses are designed for accessibility, but in larger cities like Kaohsiung and Taipei, bus drivers will lower a ramp for elderly passengers or those in wheelchairs. Once aboard, there are priority seats and designated spaces for wheelchair users. For assistance, you can reach out to the Taiwan Access for All Association.

Service dogs are permitted throughout the transport system. For more online resources about accessible travel, check out Dinogo Planet's Accessible Travel Portal.

Use an EasyCard for public transit payments

The EasyCard is Taiwan’s contactless smart card, allowing you to conveniently pay for rides on the metro and city buses. It costs NT$100 and can be recharged at any metro station or convenience store.

You can also use the EasyCard on select intercity buses and taxis, as well as most TRA trains. Notably, it’s not accepted on the Puyuma Express, the Taroko Express, or tourism trains. Passengers using the EasyCard receive a 10% discount on train fares for trips under 70km (43 miles).