Taiwan is a relatively small country in East Asia, but it’s becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. People from all over the world are paying it a visit. But how can you navigate transportation in Taiwan?
If you’re a visitor in Taiwan, it’s likely you won’t be driving while you’re there. This means you’ll need to learn how to navigate Taiwan’s public transportation systems and find other methods of travel.
We’re here to discuss how locals and tourists alike manage to get around Taiwan and the outlying islands. Read on to learn more.
Trains
The Taiwan high-speed rail and train systems are fantastic, and they’re easier to navigate than one would think, even for foreigners. A train ride may be the best way to travel in Taiwan.
There are train stations all over Taiwan, even in less populated areas. Whether you’re trying to go to Taipei City or you’re exploring more rural or mountainous areas, you should be able to get there via a train ride.
Rail travel (TRA) is also fairly affordable. You can get from one side of the country to the other without burning a hole in your wallet. Trains are safe, they’re usually on time, and the stations are clean and easy to find. While on a train, you can take in the beautiful scenery along the way.
You can learn all about train schedules and fares on the TRA website.
High-Speed Rail
If a standard train doesn’t suit your needs, what about the high-speed rail (HSR)? This may be the fastest way to traverse the country. You can get from Taipei city to Kaohsiung in about 90 minutes as long as the train is on schedule.
Getting between Taiwan’s cities so quickly is exciting, and while you won’t be able to see as much of the scenery through the windows, you’ll be saving a lot of time on your trip. The high-speed trains run about 300 km/hr.!
High-speed rail trains cost more to ride than TRA trains, so make sure to budget for your trip. All tourists should experience the Taiwan high-speed rail at least once!
Scooter/Motorbike
When you get to Taiwan, one of the first things you’ll see is all of the people traveling via scooter or motorbike. No, these aren’t like American motorcycles (which are far less common). These are smaller, slower, and used by people of all ages. While scooters exist everywhere, they’re incredibly prevalent in most cities in Taiwan.
You can rent a motorbike with an international driver’s license to make your trips around Taiwan’s cities easier and quicker. Be careful while you’re getting used to the roads, though! They can be hectic.
Beitou District in Taipei is known for its motorbike service. You can use that service to get around the city if you don’t feel comfortable on your own. They will provide a helmet for you.
Using a motorbike is one of the most efficient forms of Taipei transportation. You should give it a try at least once. You’ll feel like you’re living like the locals. If you make the decision to move to Taiwan, a motorbike should be high up on your list of things to buy first!
Bus
Every major city in Taiwan has an excellent city bus system. While figuring out bus routes as a foreigner can be challenging, once you understand where you’re going, city buses are perfect for quick, easy, and affordable public transport. You can even use your EasyCard on the bus (don’t worry, we’ll explain later). When you get on the bus, make sure to scan your easy card on the way in and then scan your card again on the way out.
Aside from city buses, there are also coach buses for trips between major cities, which is a common method of transportation in Taiwan. They’re more comfortable than the city buses. It takes about six hours to get between Taipei to Kaohsiung, It may not be ideal if you’re in a hurry, but it’s more affordable than the high-speed rail.
Taipei MRT (Metro)
The Tapei metro is an incredibly convenient way to get around Taipei. There are seven metro lines, and an all-day ticket costs about NT$200. You can also use your EasyCard to pay for your metro ride at any MRT (mass rapid transit) station. Using the MRT is the main mode of transportation for those living in Taipei as it spans all of Taipei and beyond. It is also a very cost-efficient way to get around the city. The MRT can also take you to many incredibly fun and beautiful tourist destinations such as Tamsui, Beitou, and even Maokong.
Taiwan subways are also known for their cleanliness.
PRO TIP: It is against the rules to eat or drink on the subway. (Yes, this includes water!!!) If you are seated in the first and last cars, you also can’t talk on cell phones. Also, if you happen to have sat in a priority seat, please be courteous and be prepared to get up for those who are pregnant, have injuries, with children, or the elderly. Make sure you know the rules of the MRT before you scan yourself in.
Taxi
Just like anywhere else, taxis are an accessible form of transportation in Taiwan. You’ll notice taxis right away because they’re the traditional yellow type. Hail a taxi just as you would in any other country.
Flagging the tax down costs NT$70, and you can expect to pay NT$5 for every 250 meters. There is also a waiting fee of NT$5 for every 1 minute and 40 seconds, so don’t leave your driver waiting!
It’s helpful to have a translation app on your phone if you plan on taking a taxi. Some taxi drivers speak English but don’t anticipate it.
Uber
Uber is also widely available in the larger cities of Taiwan. These include cities like Taipei, Taichung, Kaoshiung, and Tainan. Uber is usually quite a bit cheaper than taxis in Taiwan. However, they are not readily available in all cities. You can easily identify Ubers from regular cars since they will be marked with red letters and numbers on their license plate. Uber is one of the only non-taxi ride-hailing apps in Taiwan.
Bike
A bike is a fantastic way to get around Taiwan! You don’t have to buy one or find a way to bring one with you. You can grab a bike from a leasing station (and don’t worry, they’re all over). This is great for travelers who don’t plan on being in the country for long.
You pay a deposit of NT$2,000 and then pay NT$10 every 30 minutes for the first 4 hours. After that, you’ll pay NT$20 per 30 minutes for the next 4 hours, and NT$40 for every half-hour after that. Payment is incredibly easy, as you can use your easy card, which is also known as “yoyo” card by the Taiwanese.
Cycling around the city is also very safe. You can easily find safe bike routes posted around or search for them online.
Cruise and Ship
There are a few ways to travel by water. The first is a cruise ship or ferry.
The Penghu ferry will take you to Penghu, a collection of islands, from some of Taiwan’s major cities. This is a fun little trip, so if you have time, you don’t want to miss it. It’s affordable, but it can take up to four hours, so make sure you’re ready for a long trip on the water! Alternatively, you can also take a sightseeing trip on the Blue Highway.
There are also ships that go from Taipei and Fujian Pingtan on the mainland. This is about a 3-hour trip, and it can be quite expensive (NT$4,500 for a tourist-class ticket).
Flights
Most people don’t use air travel to get around Taiwan, but instead, to get from Taiwan to other Asian countries. You can find direct flights to many other countries in Asia for a reasonable price. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam are among popular destinations. Flights to these countries can be anywhere from under $100 to $300 depending on the destination and time of year.
The two primary airports are Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport. The former is for larger international flights, while the latter goes mostly to the mainland. You can easily get to the airports via public transportation.
What is an EasyCard?
The Taiwan EasyCard, or 悠遊卡 (Yōuyóu kǎ), is a convenient card that you can use on any city bus as well as the metro systems in Taiwan. Buying the yoyo card is an essential when visiting Taiwan and it will make transportation much easier overall. When you use the EasyCard, you can take local buses to night markets such as the Feng Chia Night Market or explore the entirety of Taipei with the metro system.
The EasyCard is good for more than just public transportation (though that is its primary purpose). You can also use it to make purchases at certain convenience stores like Family Mart, and 7-11. This is perfect because even if you have preloaded your YouYou Card, you can quickly use up the money at the end of your trip by purchasing your favorite snacks at 7-11 before taking your flight home.
You can also use it to pay the fee at parking garages and parking meters, and it grants you admission to the Taipei Zoo (among other things).
In short, an EasyCard is incredibly convenient even if you don’t think you’ll be using public transportation all the time.
Where Can I Buy an EasyCard
You can buy an EasyCard (yoyo card) at any MRT station as well as all popular convenience stores. The standard cards cost NT$100, but some special edition ones will cost a bit more. You can also get an Easy Card keychain if you find yourself misplacing your card. When you purchase a card, it won’t come with a balance, so make sure to put money into it before trying to use it.
Do You Tip Uber Drivers in Taiwan?
It’s not necessary to tip your Uber driver in Taiwan. You also don’t need to tip taxi drivers. You can if you want, but it’s not expected.
How Do You Call a Taxi in Taiwan?
There are a few ways to call a taxi in Taiwan. You can hail it if you see it driving around, or you can dial 55688 or 55178, or you can use a taxi app. It’s easier than ever to take a taxi ride!
How Do I Buy a Ticket for The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR)
When purchasing a ticket for the high-speed rail, the best way to book the ticket is to purchase it ahead of time. Tickets often sell out on the weekend and during holidays, so you will want to get your ticket as soon as possible. This is especially the case if you have a family or want to sit with your friends. You can book a High-Speed Rail ticket online through the website or app, which is called TEXpress, and pick it up at a nearby 7-11.
You can also get an e-ticket through the app and scan your phone on the way into the platform. If you have booked multiple tickets for your family members or friends through your app, you can also share it with other devices. To do this, go to the “retrieve” section on the app and enter the reservation number and verification code used for booking. By sharing your booking, all family members can scan their own phones to enter the HSR platform.
What is the Difference Between HSR Non-Reserved, Business, and Coach?
If you forgot to book your HSR ticket ahead of time, you can also purchase the tickets in person at the High Speed Rail Station. However, you may have to book a non-reserved seat and sit in the non-reserved cars. On very busy occasions, you may even have to stand in a non-reserved cabin until you reach your destination.
When booking an HSR ticket, you also have the option to choose between coach and business cabin. The business cabin may be a better option if you are arriving from the airport or have lots of luggage. In the business cabin, there are staff who will help you figure out where to store your luggage during the journey. You will also receive free snacks and drinks.
What Is the Main Form of Transportation in Taiwan?
City buses are to be the most popular form of public transportation in Taiwan. Aside from buses, you can expect to see a lot of people on scooters and motorbikes. In Taipei,
How Long Does It Take to Get Around Taiwan?
The amount of time it takes to get around Taiwan will vary depending on your mode of transportation. In a car, you can expect it to take almost 4 hours to get from one side to the other.
You can travel more quickly by taking the bullet train. The same trip should take under 2 hours.
