Getting Around Taiwan: A First-Timer’s Guide to Stress-Free Travel

If you are planning a trip to Taiwan, you are in for an absolute treat. Beyond the mouthwatering night markets and breathtaking mountain landscapes, there is one thing that makes Taiwan an absolute dream for solo travelers: its public transport network. It is clean, efficient, highly affordable, and incredibly easy to navigate.

Whether you are zipping down the west coast at lightning speed or cruising through a historic southern town, here is a complete breakdown of the best ways to get around Taiwan.

1. Zipping Between Major Cities: The High-Speed Rail (HSR)

If you need to travel long distances along Taiwan’s west coast—say, from Taipei down to Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung—the High-Speed Rail (HSR), or gaotie, 高鐵 is your best friend.

I always get my tickets from Klook (since 2016 actually!!) because they make the process so easy. If you are travelling across more than three cities during your trip, the TSR pass makes the most sense.

You should know by now that train travel in Asia is insanely efficient and fast. To put that into perspective, you can travel from Taipei in the north all the way down to Kaohsiung in the south in just under two hours. The ride is incredibly smooth, comfortable, and very scenic, as the Taiwanese landscape zips past your window.

With the new Taoyuan Metro, head straight from your flight to the Taoyuan HSR and start your venture to the South within 30 minutes, without having to detour to Taipei first.

I would arrive half an hour before my scheduled departure so I can redeem my ticket at the counter without stress and head to the platform 5-10 minutes before the train rolls in, because they depart on time.

The closest I’ve gotten to missing my train was arriving at the station 8 minutes before my train was scheduled to depart. It was not fun and I do not wish it upon anyone else.

Don’t forget: Buy a traditional biandang 便當 (railway bento box) at the station before boarding. Eating a pork chop bento on a train is a classic Taiwanese travel ritual!

2. Pocket-Friendly Regional Travel: Intercity Buses

Traveling on a budget, or heading somewhere the HSR doesn’t go directly? Head straight over to the massive specifically the Taipei Bus Station and hop on an intercity bus, also known as keyun 客運.

Companies like Ubus, King Bus, and Aloha offer highly comfortable, long-distance bus rides to almost anywhere on the island. Many of these buses feature massive, plush leather reclining seats, individual screens, and USB ports.

My favourite day/two-day trip from Taipei is definitely to Jiaoxi in Yilan. It’s quieter and less touristy than the main city of Yilan where Luodong Night Market is located, but that is precisely why I enjoy spending my afternoons at the hot springs there, away from the crowd.

3. The Classic Coastal Journey: Taiwan Railway (TRA)

For a slightly more relaxed pace, or when traveling along the scenic east coast where the HSR doesn’t run, you will use the Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRA) or taitie 台鐵.

This is the traditional railway system which dates way back to the colonial era, and its stations are located right in the heart of every city center but relatively less tourist-friendly.

For instance, if you are moving between cities in the south like Kaohsiung and Tainan, the TRA is much more convenient than the HSR. Some parts like Hualien can only be accessed on the TRA network.

While TRA tickets are harder to book online without a local phone or ID number, I usually get them with no problem from the ticketing booths at the stations.

Look up the schedule here and arrive at the station half an hour before departure, as ticketing closes 10 minutes ahead.

When booking, look out for the Puyuma Express or the Taroko Express. These are limited express trains that cut down travel times significantly while offering gorgeous views of Taiwan’s coastlines and countryside.

But also be aware that the train network diverges to the coastal line and the mountain line (山線 and 海線) so check where your train is going before purchasing that ticket! I’ve learnt this the hard way. Google Maps is usually quite accurate with its information.

If you have time and love train travel, definitely check out the famous stretch between Kaohsiung and Taitung, presenting some of the best views of the skies and the seas, or hop onboard the scenic Haifeng Express from Nangang in Taipei to Yilan for a unique experience.

4. Navigating the Big Cities: The Metro (MRT / Jieyun)

Once you arrive in urban hubs like Taipei or Kaohsiung, getting around is a breeze thanks to their world-class mass rapid transit systems, locally called the MRT or jieyun 捷運.

Take the Taipei Airport Metro that gets you to Taipei Main Station in 50 minutes.

The metro stations are spotlessly clean, fully air-conditioned, and feature English signage everywhere. Trains arrive every few minutes, and fares are incredibly cheap.

Just grab an EasyCard (a contactless stored-value card) at any convenience store, tap your way through the gates, and you are good to go.

Don’t be boring and get a card card. Pick of the many forms that the EasyCard comes in: a Sailor Moon wand, a fly swatter, or even a Taiwan beer bottle, available at convenience stores across the island.

5. Conquering the Streets: Urban Bus Networks

While the subway is fantastic, some neighbourhoods are best reached by road. Cities like Taipei and Taichung boast massive, intricate city bus networks that fill in all the gaps.

Taichung, in particular, relies heavily on its excellent bus system to get travelers to places like the Fengjia Night Market or the Rainbow Village.

Navigating them is incredibly simple nowadays: just map your route on Google Maps, step onto the bus, and tap your EasyCard when you get on and when you get off.

6. Ultimate Freedom in the South: Electric Scooters

When you make your way down to historic Tainan or the sunny beach paradise of Kenting, the urban transit slows down, and the layout changes. Here, the absolute best way to explore is on two wheels.

It would be so much easier if I had a motorcycle license, but fret not. In these regions, you can easily rent light electric scooters (often limited to lower speeds). As always, I get them from Klook.

Many of these light electric models require no driving license at all to rent. They are perfect for weaving through Tainan’s narrow, historic food alleys or cruising down Kenting’s coastal highways with the ocean breeze in your hair. Just remember to wear your helmet, stay to the right, and enjoy the freedom!