How to Get Around Taiwan: Trains, Buses, EasyCard & When to Rent a Car

Best way to get around Taiwan, by journey

There’s no single transport pass or vehicle that solves everything. This is the decision table I’d use before reserving hotels, especially if your route mixes cities with the mountains or east coast.

These are planning recommendations, not live departure guarantees. Check the relevant operator’s current routes and service notices before traveling.

Taiwan High Speed Rail: brilliant for the west coast, not everywhere

HSR, also called THSR, is the easiest way to cover longer distances along Taiwan’s western corridor. I would use it to save time between Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Zuoying (Kaohsiung), rather than spending much of a travel day on a slower route simply to avoid changing trains.

The main distinction is between arriving in the city and arriving at its HSR station. At Taichung, you can walk to Xinwuri TRA station and continue to the traditional downtown station. At Tainan, the Shalun TRA link or another local connection covers the final stretch. At Kaohsiung, Zuoying is an important MRT/rail interchange. None of this is difficult once you account for it.

For fixed-date trips I would book the departure I need rather than assume a convenient seat will be available immediately, particularly on busy weekends. For exact reservation windows, ticket types, foreign-visitor passes and collection methods, see my separate Taiwan train-ticket booking guide; that is deliberately more detailed than this overview.

Taiwan Railway (TRA): the east coast and smaller towns

Taiwan Railway—the conventional network still widely called TRA—is not just the slower sibling of HSR. It’s the main railway along the east coast and the service you’ll use for destinations such as Hualien and Taitung. It also takes you to smaller railway towns that the high-speed line passes by.

For Taipei → Hualien or Hualien → Taitung, a reserved express often makes more sense than trying to force a longer car journey. A car is worth considering when you want to stop repeatedly at coastal viewpoints or small places away from the stations. On our trip, that freedom was a genuine reason to drive parts of the east coast.

Train categories and tickets differ. Some services require reserved tickets; some local trips can be paid with a stored-value card. Don’t assume a tap-in card covers every express train. For the rules and booking system, I keep the full explanation in my Taiwan train tickets article.

MRT: forget the rental car in Taipei and Kaohsiung

Inside Taipei, I’d build most days around the MRT, walking and the occasional bus or taxi. It makes more sense than collecting a rental car while you’re still in Ximending, around Taipei 101 or visiting Beitou and Tamsui. Kaohsiung’s MRT is similarly useful for Zuoying HSR station, city neighborhoods and connections near Pier-2.

Taichung also has its own MRT line, useful for particular journeys, though it doesn’t cover every attraction or replace the city’s rail and bus network. This is another reason to check the actual destination rather than simply looking for an MRT symbol on the map.

If you’re sightseeing in the capital, my three-day Taipei itinerary groups the main attractions geographically. This article is about moving between them efficiently, not building another Taipei sightseeing schedule.

EasyCard and iPASS: what they’re good for—and what they’re not

I’d pick up an EasyCard soon after arrival. It’s a reloadable contactless card that makes ordinary MRT and bus journeys easier, and it can be useful for small purchases at participating shops. iPASS is another widely used stored-value card, particularly familiar in the south. Acceptance varies with the specific operator and service.

EasyCard makes it less annoying to move around a city without constantly buying individual tickets. It is not a universal Taiwan travel pass. Don’t expect it to substitute for an HSR reservation or a seat on every limited-express Taiwan Railway train, and keep some cash for places where card acceptance is uncertain.

Cards can be purchased and topped up through participating stations and convenience stores. If you’re not sure whether a particular tourist shuttle, ferry or bus accepts them, check the operator’s payment information rather than assuming all transport uses the same system.

From Taoyuan Airport: Airport MRT or a direct transfer?

For most arrivals at Taoyuan International Airport, the Taoyuan Airport MRT is a straightforward way to reach Taipei Main Station. Express and commuter services have different stop patterns and journey times. It is a separate airport-rail service, not the same as Taipei’s city MRT network, although interchanges make transfers easy.

Before taking it, check the day’s operating hours and how far your hotel is from Taipei Main Station. If you’re arriving late with several bags, a taxi may save an awkward final journey. If you’re heading directly south rather than staying in Taipei, Taoyuan HSR station is another possible connection—check both the airport MRT and the HSR timetable.

The official Taoyuan Metro website is the best place for current service information. For city bases near MRT and railway lines, see my Taipei accommodation guide.

Buses and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: how to reach the scenic places

The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle network is one of the reasons independent travel beyond the main cities is feasible without driving. These are useful bus connections from railway and HSR hubs to destinations where the last leg is longer than it looks.

Sun Moon Lake from Taichung

Use Taichung as the gateway. The Sun Moon Lake 6670 bus services connect Taichung-area transport points with the lake, but you should check the version of the service that stops at your arrival station and where it terminates. You normally arrive around Shuishe, then use local transport, boats or a taxi depending on where you’re staying. There is no railway station at Sun Moon Lake.

For what to do once you’ve arrived—including which lakeside area to use as a base—continue to my Sun Moon Lake itinerary for one or two days. Its purpose is different from this transport overview.

Alishan from Chiayi

Public buses run toward Alishan from the Chiayi area, and the historic Alishan Forest Railway also runs through to Alishan again following restoration. Crucially, the Forest Railway leaves from Chiayi Railway Station in town, not Chiayi HSR Station. Check the railway’s operating notices and reservation availability rather than relying on an old timetable.

My Alishan itinerary covers the difference between the forest recreation area, Fenqihu and the lower tea villages, plus the practical onward connection toward Sun Moon Lake.

Kenting, Cingjing and Taroko

Kenting needs a road connection from southern Taiwan—typically via Zuoying/Kaohsiung—or a rental car if you’re exploring scattered viewpoints around the peninsula. Cingjing depends on regional road transport, often through Puli or Taichung. Taroko is a different case: road access, park facilities and trails have been affected by earthquake and storm damage, so check current National Park notices before treating any particular excursion as open.

How I’d compare trains, buses and transfers without overpaying

For ordinary train tickets, start with the official HSR or Taiwan Railway website. There is no reason to pay a third party for a simple departure if the official booking is straightforward. The booking windows, ticket classes and passes are explained in my train-ticket guide.

When a journey involves a train plus a bus, or when you’re trying to compare whether a transfer is worth paying for, 12Go can be a helpful comparison tool. It does not guarantee that every local bus or scenic connection appears in its listings, so cross-check the operator’s timetable and station name.

12Go · Transport comparison

Compare Taiwan train and bus options before committing

Useful when you are combining Taipei, Taichung and a scenic destination and want to see the listed transport options together. Remember that a train to Taichung is not a train to Sun Moon Lake—the bus or transfer still matters.

Compare Taiwan transport optionsRead my train-ticket guide

Affiliate link. Check official operator prices and availability too.

What I’d book in advance

1. Important reserved east-coast trains: particularly when a specific day and departure matter.
2. HSR for fixed plans or holidays: book when the route is settled, and check the correct HSR station.
3. Limited mountain connections: verify timetables and reservation requirements for your actual departure date.
4. Rental cars or private drivers: book early when availability, insurance, licence requirements or vehicle type are constraints.
5. Not everything: daily Taipei MRT trips, many city buses and short local journeys can generally remain flexible.

Should you rent a car in Taiwan? Here’s when I would

We used a rental car for much of our route away from the cities, and I’m glad we did. What I valued wasn’t having a car in Taiwan as such; it was being able to stop on the east coast, explore the Hengchun Peninsula and move through tea country toward Alishan without coordinating several separate connections.

But I would not collect a car just to spend days in Taipei. Nor would I keep one parked through Tainan or Kaohsiung when a train and a short local ride can do the job better. Rent for the scenic section, not automatically for the whole holiday.

Before renting a car: documents, IDP, insurance and age limits

Car rental is one of the places where I would rather confirm a rule before flying than argue about it at the counter. For foreign drivers, Taiwan recognizes qualifying international driving permits under its reciprocity rules, but requirements depend on the issuing country and how long you’re staying. A valid home licence and a valid IDP are not interchangeable documents.

• Licence and IDP: Check the Taiwan Motor Vehicles Office guidance and confirm your particular licence and IDP with the rental supplier. For qualifying foreign visitors, additional permit registration is generally relevant after 30 days.
• Credit card and deposit: Verify whether a physical card in the main driver’s name is required, the deposit amount and any debit-card exclusions.
• Driver age: Minimum and maximum ages can vary by provider and car class. Older drivers should confirm acceptance in writing rather than assume every listing permits them.
• Insurance: Compare excess, deductible, deposit hold and exclusions. The cheapest headline quote isn’t always the best total deal.
• Where to collect: Picking up after your city stay can avoid paying for idle days and urban parking.
• Mountain roads: Leave room for weather, daylight and road closures; don’t force a late-night crossing because a map suggests the drive is short.

Car hire · Compare the full conditions

Compare Taiwan rental cars with DiscoverCars

For the days where a car has a job, I’d compare pickup locations, refundable options, mileage, insurance excess, supplier age limits and required licence documents before choosing. A convenient collection point can be worth more than a slightly cheaper daily price.

Compare Taiwan rental cars

Affiliate link. Supplier conditions take precedence over general comparisons.

Taxis, Uber and private drivers: often better than renting for one awkward day

A taxi is useful when the train or MRT gets you near your hotel but not close enough, particularly with luggage. Ride-hailing availability and service coverage vary by city, so I would not assume the same app works as reliably in a remote mountain village as it does in central Taipei.

If you need several stops in a rural area, an arranged driver can be more sensible than keeping a rental car for the whole trip. Confirm the itinerary, waiting time and return arrangements in advance. I would rather pay for one practical transfer than spend an extra night in a place solely because the connections were awkward.

For northern excursions around Jiufen and Shifen, I compare what deserves a separate day in my day trips from Taipei guide; a private driver is optional rather than the default.

YouBike: useful in cities, with one registration catch

YouBike is a practical public bike-share service for short urban trips, parks and paths. I see it as a complement to walking and MRT rather than something to build a cross-country route around.

The part visitors should check is registration and payment. Official YouBike guidance describes membership registration using a Taiwanese mobile number for SMS confirmation, while one-time rentals and payment-card methods may be available through the app depending on the area and current rules. Don’t assume your EasyCard alone is enough to unlock a bicycle without setting up the required account.

If you’re heading to Sun Moon Lake, its lakeside cycling paths are a separate visitor experience—not a substitute for getting between Taiwan’s cities. I cover the worthwhile cycling section in my Sun Moon Lake guide. See the official YouBike registration page for current requirements.

Mobile data and offline maps made our road days easier

I used mobile data for maps, finding parking, checking rail and bus information, looking up Chinese addresses and making changes as we traveled. Even with a car, being connected makes the logistical side of an unfamiliar place considerably easier.

A Taiwan travel eSIM can get maps and messaging working when you land, without looking for a mobile shop first. But an eSIM’s headline data allowance tells you little about mountain reception. Check the local partner network for the specific plan, download offline maps before remote drives and keep address screenshots ready for taxis.

I’ve compared the providers, local networks and trade-offs in my separate Taiwan eSIM guide, which is the right place to choose a data plan. This is just how connectivity fits into getting around.

Three sensible ways I’d organize Taiwan transport

A city-focused trip: trains all the way

If you’re concentrating on Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, use HSR for the major distances and MRT/TRA/taxis once you arrive. I’d spend the rental-car money on accommodation or extra nights rather than parking fees.

An east-coast trip: train unless the stops matter

For Taipei–Hualien–Taitung, Taiwan Railway is a natural backbone. I’d rent a car for a particular stretch only if scenic roadside stops, smaller coastal towns or rural accommodation were central to the trip.

A mountains-and-lake trip: a deliberate hybrid

For Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, weigh tourist shuttles and the Forest Railway against a short rental-car period or private driver. On our trip, driving made the mountain transition easier; I wouldn’t insist on a car for everyone when public connections suit their hotel and dates.

Transport mistakes I’d avoid on a second Taiwan trip

1. Assuming HSR stations are downtown. They can sit well outside the old city center, so check the onward trip before choosing a hotel.
2. Using EasyCard as if it covered every train. Some express services and HSR need the proper ticket.
3. Forgetting that buses may finish early. The last departure matters more than the first when you’re in the mountains.
4. Driving through cities unnecessarily. Park the rental-car idea until there’s a rural or scenic reason to collect one.
5. Trusting old mountain-opening information. Railway services, road conditions and Taroko access can change.
6. Booking the first leg before the final one. Work backwards from the hotel, trailhead or lake pier—then choose the main train.

How to get around Taiwan: common questions