Taiwan Transportation Guide
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Traveling to a new country can feel super overwhelming at first with so many different transportation options — trains, buses, scooters, high speed rails (HSR), and passes! But trust me, once you know your different transportation options we have in Taiwan, it’s smooth sailing (or scootering).
I’ve tried nearly every method of transportation myself (the only one I’m missing is Kaohsiung’s LRT), and this guide is your one-stop pocket guide for everything.
Whether you’re here for the weekend, traveling for a month, or on a business trip, you’ll find the easiest, fastest, and most cost-effective ways to move around Taiwan. And yes, I’ll show you exactly where to book everything in advance so you can skip lines, save time & money, and travel like a pro.
airport transfers
waiting in line to buy tickets to ride the HSR
When you land in Taiwan, chances are you’ll arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) — about 40 minutes from Taipei (yes, the airport is not in Taipei City!). Whether you’re heading to Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, here’s how to get moving:
The cheapest option
Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, or hop on the HSR (High-Speed Rail) if you’re heading south. From there, transfer to the local MRT, bus, or taxi.
Quick & private
Grab a yellow taxi or Uber from the arrivals area. More expensive, but hassle-free when you have luggage.
Private & door-to-door
For direct service to your hotel or city, book a private transfer via Klook or GetYourGuide. Great for families, groups, or if you want zero stress after a long flight.
Multiple stops + custom routes
If you want to sightsee on the way or make several stops after landing, Daytrip is perfect — you can plan a custom itinerary with a driver.
💡 PRO TIP
Don’t forget to grab an EasyCard at the airport for MRT, buses, and YouBike rides.
You can preload online to skip the line!
getting around the city
Taiwan’s cities are compact and super-connected. Here’s how to explore the city like a local:
MRT
Fast, clean, and cheap.
Tap with an EasyCard for smooth rides across the city.
Bus
Budget-friendly and covers almost every neighborhood.
EasyCard works here too!
YouBike
Perfect for short trips to cafes, night markets, or parks.
You can tap and pay with an EasyCard.
GoShare
Mostly in bigger cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
Rent scooters for quick rides. Don’t forget your IDP!
💡 PRO TIP
If you plan to ride to different spots multiple times a day, a Taipei Fun Pass saves both time and money. Grab yours here.
car & scooter rentals + private drivers
Public transit is amazing on Taiwan’s West Coast, but some spots like Taroko Gorge, Alishan, Yilan’s coastal gems, or other East Coast destinations?
These are prime spots for a car, scooter, or private driver.
Rent a car or scooter
Renting a scooter or car is perfect for flexible road trips or exploring off-the-beaten-path areas.
If you’re planning several days with multiple stops, I recommend renting a car rather than a scooter, which is better suited for single-day trips. Keep in mind that Taiwan is a tropical island, so sudden rainfall can happen — especially in the mountains… and you don’t want to be riding a scooter when it’s pouring.
💡 PRO TIP
You’ll also need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car or scooter, so apply in advance since it can take several days or even weeks to process!
Hire a private driver
Hiring a private driver is the most stress-free way to hit multiple spots in one day without worrying about parking, permits, or getting an IDP.
Book ahead via Daytrip to secure your date, especially on weekends or holidays when demand is high.
INSIDER TIP 💭
Even if you’re comfortable driving, Taiwan’s east coast roads are narrower and windier than the west, so sometimes a private driver is the easiest (and safest) way to see it all.
traveling between cities
If you’re traveling between cities on Taiwan’s West Coast, here are a few great options to get to each spot besides renting a car.
High Speed Rail (HSR)
The HSR (High-Speed Rail) is the fastest and most convenient way to travel — it zips you from Taipei to Kaohsiung in about 2 hours. Perfect for West Coast stops, especially if you want to save time.
Buying your ticket online in advance is cheaper and convenient since EasyCards aren’t accepted on HSR.
Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA)
Slower than HSR but scenic and versatile. TRA covers both east and west coast lines, making it perfect for smaller towns, coastal routes, or scenic train rides along the East Coast.
The TRA lines accept EasyCard for seamless tap-and-go convenience.
Bus
While buses are convenient, to be frank — I find them a bit complex!
I usually only take them with family or for mountain trips like Alishan. Some bus stops require you to flag the bus down, or it will just drive past you, which caught me off guard once in Taichung.
That said, EasyCards still work on all the bus lines, so you don’t have to pay with cash — but I personally like to stick with trains.
must-have travel essentials
Stay connected and move around smarter with these tools:
Airalo eSIM: Instant data once you land — order online before you fly and follow the instructions to implement the eSIM to your phone, and you’re done.
LINE: Taiwan’s messaging app. Handy for contacting and making reservations for shops and restaurants, and even getting rides from taxi drivers (requires internet).
Google Maps: Best map app for most routes, but expect finding it hard to find directions in older towns and hills like Jiufen — tiny alleys sometimes confuse it.
Uber: Great for late nights or when you just want convenience to get from one place to another.
EasyCard: Your tap-and-go card for MRT, TRA, buses, YouBikes, and even to pay for some convenience stores and night markets.
T-EX app: Buy and manage HSR tickets on your phone without queues.
day trips & tours
If you’re short on time or just want someone else to handle the planning? Book a day trip. Here’s some popular day trips from each city:
From Taipei
From Taichung (departing from Taipei)
From Kaohsiung
💡 TIP
Prices often drop if you book early.
FAQ
Q: Do I need an EasyCard?
A: Absolutely! The EasyCard is like Taiwan’s all-in-one tap-and-go card. Use it for buses, MRT, YouBikes, and even at convenience stores and some night markets. It’s refillable and super easy to grab at any local convenience store.
For extra convenience, you can also pre-order one online via Klook and pick it up at the airport as soon as you land.
Q: Can I use cash on buses?
A: Yes, you can! But using cash will slow you down, where you’ll have to pull out your wallet, grab the change, and put it in, whereas EasyCard is much faster and cheaper.
Q: How much should I budget for transport?
A: It depends on where you’re going. If you’re mostly in the city using public transit, loading around NT$100 – 200 on your EasyCard is usually enough for a day or two.
For taxis or longer trips outside the city, keep NT$1,000 – 2,000 cash in hand.
Q: Is Taiwan transport English-friendly?
A: On the West Coast, Taiwan transportation in bigger cities such as Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung is more English-friendly in transportation. But when you’re in rural areas, mountains, or on the East Coast, English isn’t as standard. Be sure to download Google Translate or your preferred translation app.
Q: Is it easy to travel from the West Coast to the East Coast of Taiwan?
A: Taiwan may be small on the map, but it’s very mountainous!
The West Coast is packed with cities and convenient transit like HSR, MRT, TRA, buses, GoShare, and YouBikes. The East Coast is more scenic and nature-focused. Traveling across the mountains is doable but takes time.
The easiest way is to start in the north, take the TRA or HSR down to the east coast, then, once there, consider renting a scooter or car to explore the coastal towns and hidden gems.
check out my Taiwan travel vlog
DISCOVER MORE
Confused about getting around Taiwan? Whether it’s riding the HSR, cruising on mopeds, or bus-hopping, this Taiwan Transportation Guide breaks it all down.