If you’re planning your next trip to Taiwan, you’re gonna want to read on. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) and Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) so you can make the most of train travel in Taiwan!
In my opinion, one of the best ways to capture the essence of a city or country is by taking its public transport. You get to catch a glimpse into the daily routines of locals, and for some countries, it’s even considered a reflection of what the place is like. So with that, we’ve come up with an all-rounder Taiwan HSR & TRA 101 guide to help you navigate your way through the land of our favourite night markets and, of course, Taiwan BBT!
💜 Stay Up To Date:
– SGD To JPY: How To Capitalise On The Japanese Yen Right Now
– 5 Family-Friendly Road Trips In Australia
– Budget-Friendly Family Holidays In Europe
Is Taiwan Safe To Travel To After The Earthquake?
After the magnitude 7.4 major earthquake in Taiwan, followed by a series of aftershocks as strong as 6.4 and 5.7, many of you might be wondering if Taiwan is still safe to travel to right now. Travelling to the country has not been officially advised against and no news of flights to Taiwan has been cancelled so far.
According to Yung-hui Chou, director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, “The current tourism environment and facilities in Taiwan remain safe and intact. International tourists are warmly welcome to visit Taiwan without any concerns.”
He also mentions that Taiwan’s major airports, ports, and railways are all operating as per normal in major cities but noted transit capabilities may vary by region, especially in the eastern mountainous areas.
If you’re travelling to Taiwan for the recent June holidays, do stay updated with official travel advisories to ensure safety and awareness of any disruptions. Travel safe!
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Don’t forget you can still score digital cards and accommodation vouchers worth NT$5,000 in Taiwan!
An Introduction To Taiwan Train Travel
The long history of Taiwan’s railways captures a part of the history it dates back to. The first tracks were built back in 1887 during the Qing dynasty, and have expanded throughout the country ever since. Ever noticed the similarities between Taiwan’s and Japan’s train systems? It’s due to the period when their history intertwined.
Just like Japan and Korea, Taiwan has two different inter-city train options. One is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) system, which is basically Taiwan’s equivalent of the bullet train. The other is the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA), also known as the Taiwan Railway Corporation, Ltd (TRC).
Both get you around Taiwan, but the main difference is that the TRA covers both the east and west coasts of Taiwan, whereas the THSR only covers the west coast. But more on that below 👇
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — What kind of traveller are you based on your Taiwan Design Expo Innate Personality Traits Quiz?
Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA):
Image credits: Taipei Times
✅ Coverage
The TRC is considered the more conventional and comprehensive network with 13 lines and 228 stations, covering more than 1,065km of land. It connects major cities, rural areas, and scenic locations and is used for daily transport and providing connectivity to less accessible areas.
✅ Pricing
Image credits: CNN
There are different tiers of seating available, but overall trains are focused on accessibility and coverage rather than luxury. This also means that fares are generally more affordable, with tickets ranging from a few hundred TWD to around 700TWD (~S$26.70) for longer trips.
Given the long history of the railway, these trains have evolved and changed over the years. Different systems have different trains in operation ranging from the traditional subway look to retro subway cars which replicate how they looked in the past, to luxury dining cars.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Click here for the Taiwan TRA schedule
✅ How To Book Your TRA Tickets
Image credits: Taiwan Railway Administration
Tickets can be booked on the Taiwan Railway website or app. Tickets can also be purchased in convenience stores around the country. If you’re headed to a popular destination on travelling over the holidays, then advanced bookings are recommended since tickets do sell out.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Click here for a calculation of how much your ticket would cost when travelling from one station to another
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)
Image credits: Mott MacDonald
✅ Coverage
The THSR focus more on high-speed services along the western coast. It links the island’s major metropolitan areas from Taipei in the north of the country all the way to Kaohsiung in the south. It was built to minimise travel time between the two cities, which greatly benefited Taiwan’s economy.
✅ Pricing
Image Source: Taiwan High Speed Rail
Derived from the Japanese Shinkansen system, the THSR was built with both speed and comfort in mind. Due to faster service and higher operational costs, TSHR tickets are generally priced higher than the TRA but are still within reason. It’s a great alternative for business class travel and lets you see more of the island within a short amount of time.
Image Source: Taiwan High Speed Rail
Standard class tickets start from as low as 160 to 200 TWD (~S$6.90 to ~S$8.50) for shorter trips. While longer trips from the two ends of the line could cost between 1,350 to 1,490 TWD (~S$57.12 to ~S$63.10).
A business class ticket for the same trip would be priced between 2,000 to 2,400 TWD (~S$84.60 to S$101.60). Do take note that train fares will also differ based on reserved and non-reserved seating.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Here’s how much it would cost based on where you’re travelling from and where you’re headed to next
✅ How To Book Your THSR Train Tickets
Here’s an image of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) train map:
Image Credits: Klook
Tickets can be purchased on the THSR website and the earlier you purchase your tickets, the cheaper they may be! There are different types of passes available that will be most suited to you depending on your travel plans.
You can also purchase the passes on Klook! All you have to do is head to the ‘Perks’ tab in your YouTrip app, click on Klook, and check out with your YouTrip Card to get up to 5% cashback through YouTrip Perks.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Check the Taiwan HSR train schedule here
Where To Go In Taiwan: Places To Check Out
1. Chiayi (Alishan Forest Railway)
Image credits: KKday
Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most popular attractions, known for its beautiful sunrises, misty forests, and tea. During the months of March and April, the mountain is also known to be one of the best viewing spots for cherry blossom trees. That being said, it can get pretty crowded so you should book your train tickets and accommodation as early as possible.
You can either take the TRA or THSR to Alishan, which will stop you at the city centre. Bear in mind that the stations for both trains are different. But from the TRA station, opt for the Alishan Forest Railway! It will get you halfway up to Alishan at Fenqihu station, where you can hop onto a bus that will take you to the top.
Tickets for the Alishan Forest Railway are available 15 days prior to your visit, so be sure to snatch up the tickets fast. It’s a longer ride as compared to just taking a shuttle bus up, but the views are definitely worth it.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Get tickets to the Alishan Forest Railway here
2. Hualien
⚠️ Due to recent earthquakes, it’s advisable to steer clear of Hualien due to hazardous road conditions and frequent landslides on the coastline and in Taroko Gorge. The railway in Hualien has also suffered “sustained significant damage”. In the case that any travellers are still planning to head there, do remain vigilant and stay updated with official travel advisories to ensure safety and awareness of any disruptions.
Image credits: Klook
Once Hualien is safer to travel to, do drop by! Hualien is one of the stops along the Eastern Line of the TRC that runs between Hualien and Taitung. It gives you one of the most scenic train rides of your life as you thread along the line between the scenic mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The route also takes you through valleys, along the coastline and through different tunnels and bridges.
Hualien is also the way to get to the Taroko Gorge which is part of the Taroko National Park, known for its marble cliffs, deep tunnels and the stunning Liwu River that runs through the park.
Do note that as of 12 April 2024, the Taroko National Park is only partially reopened after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the island on 3 April 2024. Do take caution if you’re planning to travel there anytime soon and keep an eye out on their official website for any updates.
Take a stop in Taitung, and enjoy both culture and luxury as you visit hot springs and experience the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous people groups. You can also take trips to the nearby Green Island and Orchid Island from Taitung.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Find out more here
3. Taichung
Image credits: Spiritual Travels
Right along the THSR line in the heart of Taiwan is Taichung. There’s plenty to see and a little bit of everything for everyone, regardless of your whims and fancies. Taichung is especially known for its art scene, so you can take a trip down to the National Taichung Theatre, which in itself is already a masterpiece.
You can also explore Rainbow Village which was once a place for military dependents to live in, and then re-invented by former soldier turned artist, Huang Yung-Fu.
Taichung is also close to Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most popular natural attractions. You can spend a day by the lake on a boat tour, cycle around the park, or just sit and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and landscape.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — Here are 10 affordable leisure farmstays in Taiwan to check out
4. The Pingxi Line
Image credits: newtaipei.travel
This line isn’t a main line on the TRA, but it’s definitely worth checking out for its beautiful views and historical charm. The ride winds through steep mountains and rivers, as well as through towns and along the coast.
Pingxi is known for the Shifen Waterfall and the village where visitors can release lanterns into the sky with well-wishes written on them. It’s a great stop especially if you want to experience Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage.
And if you’re interested to know more about the history of the railways in Taiwan, then it’s definitely worth checking out as the line has some of the oldest stations since the start of the railways more than a hundred years ago.
Navigating Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) And Railway System (TRA) — For more ideas on where to go check out this ultimate 7-day Taiwan itinerary that we’ve got planned out for you!
All Aboard The Choo-choo Train!
What are you waiting for? It’s time for your next adventure to Taiwan! Beyond the usual pit stops and views, why not go on a different adventure and see where each line takes you? Don’t forget to bring along your YouTrip card for the best TWD rates all day with zero fees!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad! 💜
Happy Travels!
Related Articles
The Ultimate 7-Day Taiwan Itinerary 2024
Taiwan Lucky Draw: Score Digital Cards And Accommodation Vouchers Worth NT$5,000
What Kind Of Traveller Are You Based On Your Taiwan Design Expo Innate Personality Quiz?
