Last Updated on 12-30-2023
Taiwan High Speed Rail is one of the most important transportation systems in Taiwan, which runs as fast as 186 mph (300 km/h) running along the western coast of the island(Yes, there is no high-speed rail in eastern Taiwan). Most stations connect local metro or train lines, no matter if you want to visit major cities,countries or even go on a grand tour, using Taiwan High Speed Rail is a good choice.
This article is mainly aimed for you, who need to move between cities in Taiwan,including High Speed Rail stations, ticket purchase methods and information of attractions which surround the High Speed Rail. Quickly learn how to use the Taiwan High Speed Rail to travel all over Taiwan.
Taiwan High Speed Rail Stations
There are 12 stations on the route, From North to South including Nangang, Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan and Zuoying Station.
Don’t worry! THSR staff are good at English
Maybe you are worried that you can’t speak Chinese well, or that you speak English but the THSR station staff can’t understand what you’re saying. A previous youtuber tested the English level of the THSR staff, it turns out that the staff of the THSR, their English level are very good, do not fear that you can not ask the information you want.
Taiwan High Speed Rail Tickets
Ordinary Ticket
Regular Tickets / Adult Tickets
Non-Reserved Seat Tickets
In addition to regular tickets, THSR also offers Non-Reserved Seat Tickets, free seating will be available in the 10th to 12th carriage of each train, and the fare of Non-Reserved Seat Tickets is about 95% off the Ordinary Ticket.
Concession Tickets
- Child Tickets：50% off Children, whose heights are 115cm or above but less than 12 years of age, may purchase Child Tickets; provided that those whose heights are 150 cm or above shall present their IDs.
- Ticket-exempt Child：free
- Children whose heights are less than 115cm
- Children who are equal to or above 115cm in height but less than six years old
If such children do not take seats and are escorted by passengers who have purchased full fare tickets or are adults. (Children who take seats should buy tickets)The number of ticket-exempt children escorted by each ticket-bearing passenger is limited to two children.
Non-Reserved Seat
Tickets for non-reserved seats are only sold on the day of the ride, and no reservations are accepted. Once issued your ticket is valid only on the specific date. If you buy non-reserved seats, only choose carriage No. 10~ No.12.
Non-reserved seats tickets will be discounted 5-50 NT dollars depending on departure/arrival stations.
Group Tickets
For groups with 11 or more passengers, whose departure/arrival stations, date of departure, train number and cabin type are identical, and all traveling together, they are eligible for purchasing the group tickets.
Group tickets are charged at 95% of full fare.
Discount Tickets
Early Bird
Early bird project discounts of 35% off, 20% off, or 10% are offered with limited quantity for the trains which will depart 5 days later. The rule is if 35% tickets are sold out, then the next level early bird discounts are offered, until all early bird tickets are sold out. On the other hand, the earlier the passengers book, the greater chance of getting a big discount.
Periodic Tickets
A Periodic Ticket discounts of 51% offered passengers to take High Speed Rail to designated stations between 30 days without a limited number of rides.
Multi-Ride
During the validity period of the Multi-Ride discount ,passengers can take the non-reserved seat multiple times (limited times), and enjoy a 82~92% discount.
| Offer Validity Period | Rides Available | Discount |
| 60 days | 8 rides | 8% off |
| 30 days | 10 rides | 18% off |
- Multi-Ride Ticket Fare
College Student (Domestic College Only)
- Discount Fare Chart
NB1:
- “Domestic university/college” refers to all universities, colleges, military/police schools, and religious schools in Taiwan. However, open universities, open continuing colleges, and continuing education programs/cram schools run by universities/colleges do not count.
- The discounts are only applicable to designated train numbers, and for only the standard class reserved seats (Not applicable to the business class reserved seats and non-reserved seats).
THSR Pass（Taiwan High Speed Railway Pass）
*Exclusive for foreign passengers
3-Day Pass
Unlimited number of rides on Taiwan High Speed Rail trains for three consecutive days.
Flexible 2-Day Pass
Unlimited number of rides on Taiwan High Speed Rail trains for any two days of a designated seven-day period.
5-Day Standard Joint Pass（Stardard）
Unlimited number of rides on Taiwan Railway Chu-Kuang Express or trains at a lower price than Chu-Kuang Express for five days and on Taiwan High Speed Rail trains for any two days of a designated five days.
5-Day Standard Joint Pass（Premium）
Unlimited number of rides on Taiwan Railway Tze-Chiang Express or trains at a lower price than Tze-Chiang Express for five days and on Taiwan High Speed Rail trains for any two days of a designated five days.
One-Way Ticket
A one-way ticket offers a 20% discount to foreign passengers.
How to Purchase Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket
There are several methods of booking THSR tickets:
Online Booking
- Step1：Go to THSR official website
- Step2：Inquire train schedule
- Step3：Select Train
- Step4：Provide ride information
- Step4：Pay the ticket
T Express Mobile APP
- Step1：Download T Express Mobile APP
- Step2：Inquire train schedule
- Step3：Select Train
- Step4：Provide ride information
- Step4：Pay the ticket
At THSR Station Ticket Window
You can purchase tickets at the THSR Station Ticket Window, providing ticket information of type, date, time, departure and arrival stations to ticket staff.
THSR Station Ticket Window not open 24 hours, please follow operating time for each station and ticketing deadline.
Online Travel Agency
If you need a THSR PASS, you can not only purchase it on the website, but also get one from the designated online travel agency.
Recommended THSR Tourist Attractions
Although Taiwan is a small island, visitors who come to Taiwan are spoiled for choice of attraction. Due to the convenience of THSR, here we’ve compiled an introduction of some amazing attractions near the stations and how long it takes you to get there.
Taipei
Taipei 101
- From THSR Taipei Station：around 15 minute drive
- From THSR Nangang Station：around 15 minute drive
Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan. It stands as a symbol of Taiwan’s economic prosperity, and may be the most famous building in Taiwan. You can buy a ticket and take the elevator to the 89th floor to see the best view of Taipei.
Tamsui Old Street
Tamsui (淡水) is located northwest of Taipei which is surrounded by mountains and rivers. Tamsui is the best sunset landscape in Taipei and there are a lot of restaurants, shops, street food vendors in Tamsui old street. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverbank and enjoy a lazy life different from the busy city of Taipei.
Jiufen
- From THSR Nangang Station：around 30 minute drive
Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Jiufen (九份) used to be prosperous and glamorous due to mining. Although its grand occasion no longer exists, visitors can still enjoy a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. Jiufen Old Street is also one of the most popular sightseeing spots for tourists in Taiwan, in addition to the wonderful view, you have to try taro balls, which is one of the best Taiwan desserts.
In addition, the Pingxi (平溪) area, which is close to Jiufen, also has the famous Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival during the Lantern Festival.
Taoyuan
Shihmen Reservoir
- From THSR Taoyuan Station：around 35 minute drive
Shihmen Reservoir (石門水庫) is famous for its beautiful lake and mountain views and is connected to lots of tourist sites. You can take bicycles to begin lake cruises then go to local restaurants which are popular for fresh fish cuisine. It will be an unforgettable tour in your life.
Xpark
- From THSR Taoyuan Station：around 12 minute drive
Xpark is a special aquarium, its exhibition areas are fancy and modern.It breaks away from the traditional aquarium tanks and uses digital audio-visual technology to give you a special experience in the aquarium.
Hsinchu
Nanliao Fishing Harbor
- From THSR Hsinchu Station：around 15 minute drive
Nanliao Harbor (南寮漁港) along Taiwan’s west coast in Hsinchu City. You can ride a bike along 17 kilometers of coastal scenic area. If you feel tired, you can take a rest on the viewing platform to enjoy the coast line and tide changes. Not only the bicycle tour. You can also taste delicious seafood in the harbor market.
Miaoli
Remains of Longteng Bridge
- From THSR Miaoli Station：around 36 minute drive
Longteng Bridge (龍騰斷橋) is a popular attraction in Miaoli. The bridge was built in 1906 during the period of the Japanese colonization. After the big earthquake in 1935, Longteng Bridge left only with bridge piers. If you have a chance to visit Miaoli, you can go to this ruin and visit Shengxing Railway Station which is another attraction just nearby the bridge.
Hakka Round House
- From THSR Miaoli Station：around 3 minute drive
Fujian Tulou (福建土樓) is a World Heritage site, and it is the best representation of Hakka culture. The design of the Hakka Round House (客家圓樓) is inspired by the Fujian Tulou, Hakka Round House is nearby THSR Miaoli Station, no more than 5 minutes drive. You can deeply understand the characteristics of Hakka culture when you come here, at night, the decorated light will be turned on. Hakka Round House looks like a gorgeous castle with a romantic atmosphere.
Taichung
Qingjing Farm
- From THSR Taichung Station：around 80 minute drive
Qingjing Farm (清境農場) is located at an altitude of 1750 meters above sea level in Nantou, which is surrounded by mountains and has a magnificent view.In addition to enjoying the view, Qingjing Farm also provides other activities for tourist, including Sheep Shearing Show and Horse Riding Show. Both of these shows are extremely worthy of your visit.
Gaomei Wetland
- From THSR Taichung Station：around 30 minute drive
Gaomei Wetland (高美濕地) is an ecological protection area in Taichung. This attraction is famous for its view of sunset. You must be obsessed with the scene in which the yellow sun slowly descends under sea level.
Changhua
Railway Roundhouse
- From THSR Taichung Station：around 18 minute drive
- From THSR Changhua Station：around 30 minute drive
Changhua Railway Roundhouse (扇形車庫) is a historic site left from the period of the Japanese colonization.Railway. Roundhouse has another name called Fan-shaped Train Head Hotel, because it is a building for train maintenance and appearance designed in semicircular shape.
Yunlin
Xiluo Bridge
- From THSR Yunlin Station：around 20 minute drive
Xiluo Bridge (西螺大橋) is a bridge connecting Yunlin and Changhua. When you visit this landmark in Yunlin, you can also go to Xiluo Old Street. There are some old buildings and historic temples, and also some special dishes.
Chiayi
Alishan National Scenic Area
- From THSR Chiayi Station：around 110 minute drive
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區) is one of the top tourist attractions in Taiwan. You can enjoy the Alishan forest railroad tour, watch the sunrise over Alishan and enjoy the mountain tea in Alishan. If you have the chance to visit Chiayi, don’t miss these amazing tourist attractions.
Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
- From THSR Chiayi Station：around 10 minute drive
The southern branch of the National Palace Museum (故宮南院) is an important museum in Asia. It has collected nearly 700,000 antiquities. Even if you don’t go into the museum, you can still take a walk around the building. There is a big artificial lake and some planned gardens to visit, can make you relax and unwind.
Tainan
Sicao Green Tunnel
- From THSR Tainan Station：around 40 minute drive
Tainan Sicao Green Tunnel (四草綠色隧道) is a waterway surrounded by lush vegetation. You can take a boat ride to enjoy the natural scenery along the green tunnel or try to find the small creatures hidden among the plants. Here we recommend booking your boat tickets in advance, after all, this attraction may have a queue of half an hour or more when there are many people.
Qigu Salt Mountain
- From THSR Tainan Station：around 45 minute drive
Have you ever seen a salt mountain? You can see this special scenic spot in Qigu. Qigu was once the largest solar salt field in Taiwan. Although the Qigu salt industry gradually declined, snow white salt mountain has become an important tourist attraction. You can challenge yourself to climb to the top of the salt mountain, it will be a wonderful memory in your life.
Kaohsiung
The Pier 2 Art Center
- From THSR Zuoying Station：around 25 minute drive
The Pier 2 Art Center is located nearby Kaohsiung Harbor. It’s a unique open art space. Artists and even students can express themselves by creating their artwork.The Pier 2 Art Center has already become the most popular cultural spot in Kaohsiung.
Kenting
Kenting is located in southern Taiwan.There is some best natural scenery in Kenting , including white sand beaches and turquoise ocean. We strongly recommend you to arrange a weekend to visit this beautiful place and enjoy the warm atmosphere of southern Taiwan.
In addition to these attractions in Taiwan, which can be reached by HSR. But for Taitung or Hualien or other tourist attractions that are not accessible by HSR, you can also get to these attractions by renting a car.
