One question: “Is Taiwan on your travel bucket list?”
This enchanting island is a treasure trove of experiences, whether you’re interested in cultural tours, family vacations, or solo adventures. To make the most of your trip, planning your Taiwan transportation ahead of time is essential.
Taiwan offers various convenient transportation options, both within cities and for long-distance travel, each with unique benefits to suit various travel styles.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the 10 types of Taiwan transportation and provide insights on how to utilize them effectively. We cover the distances, associated costs, and their pros and cons, helping you to arrange your travel plans seamlessly.
So, don’t forget to keep this guide handy for your future trips to Taiwan!
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Table of Contents
Short Distance Travel – Going Around the City
1. Metro/Subway: The Most Convenient and Cleanest Mode of Taiwan Transportation in the City
Taiwan’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is highly developed and exceptionally clean, making it the most convenient way to travel within the city. Fares are generally distance-based, with typical prices around NTD 30, and the highest fare not exceeding NTD 65. The single fare from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station is NTD 160.
For frequent travellers or those seeking added convenience, consider purchasing a 1-day pass or a 24/48/72-hour pass (the 72-hour pass is available only in Taipei), which allows unlimited rides within the specified period. Alternatively, using an EasyCard for payment is convenient, though it’s important to remember to top up it.
Taipei and New Taipei boast the most extensive and developed MRT networks, including connections to Taoyuan Airport. Other cities with MRT systems include Kaohsiung and Tainan. All MRT systems are equipped with multilingual services to assist foreign visitors, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
For more information, you can refer to their official website.
- Taipei/New Taipei: https://english.metro.taipei/
- Taoyuan: https://www.tymetro.com.tw
- Taichung: https://www.tmrt.com.tw/eng
- Kaohsiung: https://www.krtc.com.tw/eng
Payment Methods:
READ MORE：Ultimate Taiwan EasyCard Guide: Everything You Need for MRT, YouBike, and Bus Travel
| Pros | Cons |
| Clean | Crowded during peak hours |
| Punctual | Available only in major cities |
| Able to transfer to different lines without exiting stations |
2. Public Bicycles: Navigating Through Every Corner of the City
If your destination is close, around 1 to 2 metro stations away, consider using YouBike. YouBike is an affordable and convenient option, with fees of NTD 10 every 30 minutes for YouBike 2.0 and NTD 20 every 30 minutes for YouBike 2.0E. Beyond cost and speed, biking through the streets allows you to soak in Taiwan’s charming atmosphere and embark on an in-depth city tour, enriching your journey.
Many cities have the YouBike system. In major cities like Taipei, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, there are over 1,000 stations. Other cities such as Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, and Tainan also offer the service, though with fewer stations (as of April 2024). Tourists and residents can rent bicycles through a mobile app for convenient short trips or city sightseeing.
For more detailed information, visit the official YouBike website: YouBike Official Website.
Additionally, for those interested in using YouBike, I highly recommend prioritizing safety by thoroughly reading their safety guide.
Payment Method:
| Pros | Cons |
| Enjoy scenic views along the way | Can only ride in good weather conditions, will be challenging during rainy days |
| Able to stop anytime to enjoy your city trip | Some routes may not have designated bike lanes |
| Safety precautions should be taken even though you are an experienced rider |
3. Public Buses: An affordable and widely accessible transportation option
Taiwan’s cities have well-developed public bus networks covering both urban and suburban areas. Bus fares are affordable, typically ranging from NTD 15 to 40. With frequent services, buses are a common mode of Taiwan transportation for both locals and tourists. The public bus systems in cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung are highly convenient, offering multiple routes connecting major attractions and residential areas.
Payment Methods:
- Easycard/Cash
| Pros | Cons |
| Abundant and widespread stations | Susceptible to weather and road conditions |
| Accessible to destinations in both urban and suburban areas | Less punctual compared to MRT |
4. Taiwan Railway/Train: Railways that connect tourist attractions and downtown at medium distances
Taiwan has a well-developed railway system, with the Taiwan Railway connecting cities and scenic areas across the entire island. Unlike the metro, which operates mainly within cities, Taiwan Railway covers a wider distribution, catering to short, medium, and long-distance travel needs.
If you have an intercity travel plan, getting a 2/3/5 day passes is much more cheaper than purchasing individual one-way tickets.
Local trains, which stop at all stations, have extensive coverage and are suitable for short and medium-distance trips, catering to both tourists exploring within the same city and regular commuters.
The Taiwan Railway system offers online ticketing services as well as on-site ticket purchases. With affordable fares, it provides an economical way to experience Taiwan’s landscapes.
Payment Methods:
- Online or on-site ticket purchases
| Pros | Cons |
| Numerous stations | Many stations to stop at, so relatively slow speed and requires longer travel time |
| Suitable for medium-distance travel |
5. Taxi or Uber: A relaxed travel experience without strict schedules
Some people prefer a more spontaneous travel plan and feel bothered to keep checking bus schedules. In such cases, calling a taxi on demand or using Uber would be the better option. After all, travel is meant for relaxation, and the constant worry about missing buses can take away from the enjoyment of the journey.
Taxi stands are usually found near popular attractions, and these taxis operate on a metered fare basis. However, the drivers may not always speak English. Therefore, using a mobile app to call a taxi is also a viable option. This allows you to input your destination in advance, avoiding communication issues. Calling a taxi using a mobile app can also be a lifesaver in areas without taxi stands, especially for travellers who may get lost or find themselves in areas with no nearby stations.
Taiwan has local taxi apps as well, but their English interfaces may need improvement. Therefore, it’s still recommended to use Uber for this purpose, as it provides a more user-friendly experience for English speakers.
Payment methods:
- Cash/Electronic payment
| Pros | Cons |
| More comfortable | More expensive compared to previous transportation methods |
| Available on-demand without waiting | Possible to stuck in traffic during peak hour |
Long Distance Transportation:
6. High-Speed Rail (HSR): Fast transportation traversing Taiwan’s north and south
Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) is a high-speed railway system connecting the northern, central, and southern regions of Taiwan, with a top speed of 300 km/h. The HSR offers a comfortable and efficient travel experience, making it suitable for long-distance journeys. It only takes 2 hours to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung, making it very convenient.
When purchasing tickets, it’s important to note that there are two types: reserved seats and unreserved seats. Unreserved seat tickets are generally cheaper. Tickets purchased in advance are for reserved seats, while unreserved seats are available for passengers who are uncertain about their travel plans and can be purchased on the day of travel at the station.
Therefore, unreserved seat tickets are only available for purchase on the day of travel at the station through the T-EX Mobile Ticketing App, ticket counters, and vending machines, and advance booking or off-site ticket collection services for unreserved seats are not available. On unreserved cars, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When all seats are occupied, passengers may stand in the carriage or entrance area without obstructing other passengers (standing is not allowed in reserved seat carriages).
Besides buying tickets on the official website, there’s also a special deal exclusively for foreign tourists—you can get high-speed rail tickets at a discounted price! Check this out: Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket for non-Taiwanese
Information and ticketing website for HSR: THSR Official Website
Note: *Some stations of Taiwan Railway and High-Speed Rail have the same station name but are not located in the same place. Be sure to double-check to avoid confusion. For example, TR Taichung Station & HSR Taichung Station, Tainan Station & HSR Tainan Station.
Ticketing Methods:
- T-EX Mobile Ticketing App
- Online websites
- On-site ticket purchases (tickets for unreserved seats are only available on the day of travel)
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast and comfortable | Expensive (e.g., the reserved seat fare from Taipei Nangang to Kaohsiung Zuoying is NTD 2500) |
| Many departures |
7. Taiwan Railway/Train: Cost friendly transportation options
The express line of the Taiwan Railway also provides long-distance travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung, but compared to the high-speed rail, it is considerably slower. Depending on the schedule, the journey takes between 5 to 7 hours.
However, the ticket prices for the Taiwan Railway are much cheaper than those for the high-speed rail. For example, travelling from Taipei to Kaohsiung on the express line costs only NTD 845.
For more information and ticketing, please visit their website: https://tip.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip?lang=EN_US
Ticketing Methods:
- Online or on-site ticket purchases
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper than HSR | Slower speed |
8. Long-Distance Bus: Transportation methods reaching every corner of Taiwan
Taiwan boasts a well-developed long-distance bus network, offering inter-county and inter-city bus services, even to rural areas. Therefore, when planning long-distance travel, opting for a long-distance bus from the train station to rural areas after arrival is an economical and convenient option.
For popular routes, there are often numerous departures, sometimes even without the need for advance ticket purchases.
Long-distance bus terminals are well-equipped, making departure from urban terminals easy. However, disembarking locations may not be as convenient. Returning from suburban areas to the city centre can also be challenging. Therefore, I recommend that travellers heading to rural areas confirm return arrangements upon arrival at the suburban bus terminal.
Ticketing Methods:
- Online or on-site ticket purchases
| Pros | Cons |
| The cheapest | Easy departure from the city but less convenience returning from suburban areas |
| Access to relatively remote locations |
9. Flight: The preferred choice for travelling to outlying islands
Taiwan has several international airports, including Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). Domestic flights in Taiwan mainly connect Taipei with other major cities, while some airlines offer flights from Taiwan Island to outlying islands such as Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. This is a relatively comfortable way to travel from the main island to outlying islands.
Some major domestic flight routes include but are not limited to:
- Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport/Songshan Airport) – Taichung (Taichung International Airport)
- Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport/Songshan Airport) – Tainan (Tainan Airport)
- Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport/Songshan Airport) – Kaohsiung (Kaohsiung International Airport)
- Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport/Songshan Airport) – Taitung (Taitung Airport)
- Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport/Songshan Airport) – Taichung (Ching Chuang Kang Airport)
As we can see, there aren’t many options for domestic flights. If travelling within Taiwan, both HSR and TR offer more choices than flights, and it’s much more convenient to travel to stations than to airports.
Ticketing Method:
- Online ticket purchase
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to outlying islands like Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu | Limited coverage |
10. Car Rental: Customised travel routes with high flexibility
If you’re out of the city area where public transportation is inconvenient and seeking a more comfortable journey, consider renting a car. While it may be more expensive, it can alleviate many hassles, such as worrying about missing train or bus schedules. Travel agencies that provide car rental services often offer guided tours, providing travellers with a more immersive experience.
For those interested in a self-driving experience, aside from obtaining an International Driving Permit in advance, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with driving conditions in Taiwan. In Taiwan, vehicles drive on the right side of the road, with the driver’s seat on the left. Additionally, Taiwan is known as the kingdom of scooters, with twice as many scooters as cars! Therefore, driving in Taiwan means being surrounded by scooters, so be extremely cautious when changing lanes.
Here’s my tip for you all: book your rental car in advance, especially during peak seasons. I once made the mistake of trying to rent a car during Chinese New Year. Big mistake. HUGE. I ended up with this tiny little hatchback that could barely make it up the mountain roads. Learn from my failures, guys!
But seriously, renting a car in Taiwan opens up so many possibilities. You can create your own itinerary, stop whenever you want for photos (or snacks – the roadside food stands are amazing), and really get a feel for the country that you just can’t get any other way.
All in all, if you’re comfortable driving and want to really explore Taiwan, renting a car is the way to go. It’s not without its challenges, but the flexibility and freedom it offers are totally worth it. Just keep an eye out for those scooters, and you’ll be fine!
| Pros | Cons |
| More comfortable experience | More expensive |
| Higher flexibility | Required international driving permit (need to plan in advance) |
Conclusion:
After learning about so many Taiwan transportation options, I believe everyone has gained some understanding of Taiwan transportations and knows how to choose the appropriate one based on their needs.
If you’re looking for a leisurely countryside trip to experience the warmth and friendliness of Taiwan, taking the train combined with long-distance buses would be the most economical choice. For a 7-day round-the-island tour, the high-speed rail connecting the north and south of Taiwan will ensure you explore both ends thoroughly within the timeframe. And for self-guided city tours, don’t miss out on the convenient MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and flexible Ubike system.
A final tip: for Taiwan transportation methods that allow online ticket purchase or advance booking, electronic payment options are usually available. However, if you need to purchase tickets on-site, remember to have some small denomination cash on hand for easy payment.
