Public Transportation in Taiwan
A Complete Guide for First-Time Travelers
Thinking of exploring Taiwan by train? Great choice. Taiwan has one of Asia’s most efficient and tourist-friendly rail systems—making travel across the island easy, affordable, and scenic. Whether you’re visiting for a week or a month, hopping on a train is one of the best ways to experience Taiwan’s cities, coastlines, and countryside.
Taiwan is a dream destination for travelers who love convenience, safety, and great public transportation. One of the best ways to explore the island is by train. With a well-connected and affordable rail network, Taiwan makes it easy for tourists to travel between major cities, rural towns, and scenic coastal areas—all without needing a car.
The Two Main Train Systems in Taiwan
Taking the train in Taiwan is incredibly easy, even if you don’t speak Chinese. With English signage, helpful staff, modern facilities, and two excellent train systems to choose from, exploring Taiwan by rail is one of the smartest and most enjoyable ways to travel the island. Whether you’re commuting between big cities on the THSR or exploring coastal villages via TRA, train travel gives you both convenience and charm—at a very reasonable price.
TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration): TRA is Taiwan’s national rail service and covers nearly the entire island, including the mountainous east coast and rural towns. It’s ideal for:
- Local commutes
- Scenic routes
- Budget travel
- Visiting smaller cities or coastal towns
THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail): The THSR runs a bullet train line along the west coast, connecting major cities from Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying). It’s ultra-modern, fast, and perfect for:
- Long-distance travel
- Day trips between big cities
- Tight travel itineraries
- Book Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket
Discounts or Buy 1 Get 1 for Adults – for non-Taiwanese
Whether you’re commuting between Taipei and Kaohsiung or planning a scenic ride along the east coast, this guide will walk you through how to take the train in Taiwan—from ticket booking to arrival. There are many popular tourist routes for you to choose from, including Keelung, Yilan, Hualien, Jiufen (Ruifang), Taichung, Tainan, etc., allowing you to easily travel around Taiwan by train.
Taiwan Railway Train
Train travel in Taiwan is simple, affordable, and fun. Taking the train in Taiwan is one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to explore the island. Whether you want to enjoy coastal views, skip traffic, or reach major destinations quickly, Taiwan’s rail system has you covered.
Types of Taiwan Railway Train
- Local Train (No seat number): Stops at every station, no reservations
- Fast Local Train (No seat number): No stops at some stations
- Chu-Kuang: Slower express, reserved seating
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express: Fastest TRA service, most comfortable
- Tze-Chiang Ltd. Express(3000): Fastest TRA service, most comfortable
- Puyuma Express: Modern express trains for East Coast
- Taroko Express: Modern express trains for East Coast
TRA: Swiping EasyCard or Buying Tickets
- Fast Local Train
- Local Train
- Chu-Kuang
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express
Simply swipe your EasyCard when entering or exiting the station, and the fare will be automatically deducted from the card. Use EasyCard to ride the train. If the seats are not full, you can sit down first. When the passenger who has reserved the seat gets on the train, the seat must be returned to the passenger who reserved it.
Buying Tickets (EasyCard is not allowed)
- Tze-Chiang Ltd. Express(3000)
- Puyuma Express
- Taroko Express
You will not be allowed to travel on these trains without a valid ticket and will be fined. If you need to reserve a seat, please purchase your ticket online in advance. Recommended for popular routes and weekends.
Travel Tips for First-Timers
Carry cash for smaller purchases
Arrive early—trains depart on time
Reserve ahead on weekends & holidays
Travel light or use luggage racks
Use translation apps for station signs if needed
Ticketing Rules for Children
This rule applies to all public transportation and attractions in Taiwan, but may not apply to some private places.
Free for children under six
Children under six years old who do not occupy a seat can travel free of charge. Free children must be accompanied by an adult passenger. Each passenger can bring up to two children free of charge (each ticketed passenger on Taipei Metro can bring up to four children free of charge), and they must take proper care of their safety. Children above 115cm in height and under 6 years old can enjoy free tickets if they do not occupy seats. Children should produce proof of identity.
If a child under six years old requires a seat, they should purchase a child ticket.
Children’s Tickets
Children under 12 years old can purchase child tickets, but children under 12 years old and over 150 cm in height must show proof of identity. Children’s fares are usually 50% of the adult fare
Senior Tickets
Taiwanese citizens aged 65 or older who hold a National ID or government-issued ID. Senior fares are usually 50% of adult fares
This regulation does not apply to foreigners taking public transportation in Taiwan. But some tourist attractions offer discounted tickets to older foreigners.
Student or Senior EasyCard
Foreigners cannot purchase student or senior cards.
Foreigners aged 6 to 12 and over 65 can purchase Concessionaire Cards at any MRT station window, but they can only enjoy a small discount when transferring to other means of transportation.
How to Take the Train in Taiwan
We always buy tickets online as soon as they are released, especially Taroko and Puyuma tickets to Hualien and Taitung, which sell out easily.
Step 1: Decide Your Route and Train Type
Best Option
Express Train: Taipei ⇄ Hualien/Taitung (Book Seats in advance)
Fast Local Train: Small towns & coastal stops
Step 2: Buy a Train Ticket
Option A: Use an EasyCard
Works for local TRA trains.
Just tap in and out like on the MRT.
No reserved seats—first come, first served.
If using EasyCard, tap at the entry gate
The easiest way to take the Local Train or Fast Local Train in Taiwan is to swipe your EasyCard when entering and exiting the station.
Option B: Buy Train Tickets on klook
Instructions on how to order Taiwan Railway Train Ticket
Step 1: Please select the departure station, ticket type, and number of passengers on this page
Step 2: In the next step, fill in complete information such as the expected boarding date and time, and fill in 3 alternative train times. Note: Will automatically book flights + – within 30 minutes
Step 3: After the payment is completed, the order has not yet been confirmed. You need to wait for Klook to reply with the order result. Taiwan Railway can only place orders for rides within 29 days. For ride orders placed within 29 days, Klook will respond within 24 hours to determine whether the order was successful. Orders for rides more than 29 days later will be pending for order confirmation. For example: On 7/18, you can only order a ride on 8/15 at the latest. If you place an order on 7/18 for 8/16, the order result will be replied before 7/20 at the latest.
Step 4: After Klook confirms the order, it will reply with ride information. You can get the “booking code” on the voucher, then go to the Taiwan Railway counter to exchange for a physical ticket and enter the gate to board.
Detailed step-by-step instructions
Please note: Seat availability is not guaranteed. If the ticket is not booked, refunds will be made without charge.
Seats are allocated randomly and seat selection is not provided.
You can book up to 6 tickets per order (including adult tickets and child tickets)
How to get Taiwan Railway ticket
Station window:
Please bring the “original ID card of the person who booked the ticket” or “original passport” and “booking code” to the station window to pick up the ticket. You can find the booking code on your voucher.
Get tickets from the automatic ticket vending machine for the designated train:
Please go to the station with the automatic ticket vending machine for the designated train, go to the counter and enter the “booker’s ID card or passport” and “booking code” to complete the ticket collection.
Option C: Buy Train Tickets on the TRA Website
Thing to Know
Booking on the day of the trip: On the day of the trip, you can book a ticket for more than 30 minutes before the departure.
Booking on different day of trip: Four weeks (28 days before the trip) can be booked. That is, you can book tickets for the fifth Monday from now, and you can book more tickets for two days to the fifth Sunday on Fridays. (ie, every Friday, you can book to the fifth Friday, Saturday, Sunday ticket).
Each person (ID card number) can book up to 6 tickets per passenger day. Book tickets at the same time as a round-trip ticket. You can book up to 12 tickets at a time (6 for each return trip).
If you have three records of non-collection within 1 months, the suspension will be granted for 1 months. If you don’t want to take the train, you can cancel your booked ticket within the specified time.
Step 1: Go to the official website of Taiwan Railways.
Click “Search for Station Name” under Departure Station and Arrival Station
Select your city and station
Enter your travel date and Time Period
Select the Train Type you prefer or choose All.
Click on Search to submit.
Step 2: On the same page, all trains matching your criteria will be displayed.
Click “Order Tickets”
Step 3: The next page, you need to enter your passport number
You can choose your seat preference(Window or Aisle)
then click “Search”
Step 4: The page will display the train you have selected. If everything looks correct, check the box in the last column. Check the CAPTCHA box (I’m not a robot) and click Next.
Step 5: Select ticket type: Adult or Child, then click on Next Step.
Step 6: The page will display the total amount that you need to pay. Scroll down the page, Choose the payment method you prefer, then click on Next Step.
Step 7: Enter your credit card details on the next page and click the payment button.
Step 8: After payment, the website will provide you with a barcode and a QR code. Take a photo with your phone or print it out. Just make sure the codes are clear.
Step 9: You can print out your physical ticket at a convenience store or train station with your ID and reservation code.
Whichever method you choose to collect your ticket, you must collect it 30 minutes before your train departs.
How topick up physical tickets at FamilyMart’s FamiPort?
Click image to view full size
FamiPort machines only print receipts. You need to take the receipts to the counter and pay a service fee of NT$8 per ticket (round-trip ticket is considered as two). Convenience store staff will print out the physical ticket for you.
Although there are many days to collect your tickets, it is not recommended to wait until the last minute to collect your tickets. Please allow sufficient time for picking up the ticket and waiting for the bus. Since you are not familiar with the FamiPort machine, you may have problems picking up your tickets. You can use the FamiPort machines at FamilyMart stores late at night. This way you won’t waste travel time during the day, and you won’t have to worry about people in the queue behind you urging you to hurry up.
If the FamiPort machines are used late at night, there will be few customers and FamilyMart staff will have nothing to do. If you are unable to complete the pick-up, you can also show your email order to the FamilyMart clerk and ask her to help you.
FamilyMart’s FamiPort machines
Option E: Buy Train Tickets at Convenience Stores
Taiwan Railways tickets can be purchased at various convenience stores, such as 7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OKMART. Open booking period: Two weeks before the trip (28 days). That is, you can book tickets for the fifth Monday from now, and you can book more tickets for two days to the fifth Sunday on Fridays.
You need to use a multimedia kiosk machine (ibon at 7-11, FamiPort at FamilyMart). This system only provides Chinese services, so you may need to ask your Taiwanese friends for assistance. Most of the store clerks are too busy to help you.
Option F: Buy Train Tickets at the Station
You can buy your tickets at any train station ticket window and machines in Taiwan. The machine supports English and card/cash payment. If you travel to Taiwan, you probably won’t have extra time to go to the station to buy a ticket first. If you purchase your ticket on the day of travel, seats may be sold out.
Step 3: Go to the TRA Station
Taiwan’s train stations are:
Clean
Well-signed in English
Efficiently organized
If using EasyCard, tap at the entry gate
If using a ticket, scan it at the gate
Check platform screens for departure info in English
After purchasing your ticket, you will receive a physical ticket with a QR code. Taiwan Railways has switched to using QR code scanning to enter stations.
Step 4: On the Train
Seats: express TRA trains have reserved seats.
Luggage: You can bring a suitcase—use overhead racks or storage areas at the end of each car.
Food: TRA express has trolleys selling Bento. You can also bring your own food and drinks.
Restrooms: Available on most long-distance TRA trains.
Local TRA trains may not have restrooms or food service.