Five trains, wildly different speeds and prices, two separate booking systems — the plain-English guide that tells you exactly which to use for every route.
Taiwan has two completely separate rail systems: THSR (high-speed) and TRA (national rail). Different companies, different tickets, different booking apps.
Prices are estimates for 2026 and may vary. Always verify current fares directly with THSR or TRA before travel.
Speed: Up to 300 km/h — Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) in approximately 1h45 non-stop
Price (approx.): Taipei→Kaohsiung ~NT$1,490 Standard · Taipei→Taichung ~NT$700 · Taipei→Tainan ~NT$1,350
Booking: Up to 28 days in advance via the THSR app, THSR website, station windows, or Klook. Early Bird (28 days out) saves up to 35%. Buying via Klook is convenient for international visitors — no Taiwanese credit card required.
Routes: West coast only — Taipei → Taoyuan → Taichung → Chiayi → Tainan → Kaohsiung (Zuoying)
On board: Trolley cart food and drinks; Comfort Class (business) has enhanced service
Speed: Tilting trains at 120–130 km/h on the curving east coast — faster through bends than standard trains can manage
Price (approx.): Taipei→Hualien ~NT$440–480 · Taipei→Taitung ~NT$783
Booking: Reserved seats only — no ticket, no seat. Opens 28 days ahead. Taroko carries fewer passengers and sells out dramatically faster, especially at weekends and holidays. Book the moment the window opens via TRA website (railway.gov.tw) or TRA app.
Routes: Taroko runs primarily the North Link Line (Taipei→Hualien). Puyuma covers both North Link and South Link lines including Taitung.
On board: Bento boxes available on some services; scenic ocean and mountain views on the east coast segment
Speed: ~100–120 km/h · Taipei→Hualien ~2h · Taipei→Taitung ~3h30
Price (approx.): Taipei→Hualien ~NT$375–440 · Taipei→Taitung ~NT$681
Booking: Reserved seat required. Opens 28 days ahead. Far more seats available than Taroko/Puyuma — this is your fallback when those are sold out. Multiple variants including the newer EMU3000 units which run slightly faster.
Routes: Covers all TRA routes — both west and east coasts, including mountain branch lines. The most frequent and reliable TRA service by far.
On board: Bento boxes on many services; some trains have trolley service
Speed: ~80–100 km/h · Taipei→Hualien ~2h30–3h
Price (approx.): Around 20–30% cheaper than Tze-Chiang · Taipei→Hualien ~NT$280–340
Booking: Seat can be reserved or unreserved (boarding without a specific seat is allowed on some services). EasyCard may be accepted on unreserved services at some stations.
Routes: All TRA routes — same network as Tze-Chiang but with more stops and fewer services per day.
Best for: Budget travellers who aren't in a rush, or as a last resort when Tze-Chiang is fully booked on your preferred timing
Speed: Stops at every station — Taipei→Hualien takes approximately 4–5 hours (vs 2h by Tze-Chiang)
Price: Cheapest TRA option · Taipei→Hualien ~NT$193 · Use your EasyCard tap-in tap-out exactly like MRT
Booking: No reservation needed — board at will. Can get very crowded on rush hours, weekends, and holidays with no guarantee of a seat.
Routes: All TRA lines including short city runs such as Taipei→Taoyuan and Taipei→Jilong (Keelung)
Best for: Short hops within a region, travellers with maximum time and minimum budget, or holders of the Taiwan Rail Pass who want to explore at leisure
Prices are estimates. Always verify current fares with THSR or TRA before booking.
| Train Type | Top Speed | Price/km (approx.) | Reservation | Key Routes | Comfort | On-Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ THSR (高鐵) | 300 km/h | NT$4–5/km | Recommended · 28 days | West coast Taipei→Kaohsiung | High | Excellent | Fast south, long hauls |
| 🌀 Taroko/Puyuma | 120–130 km/h | NT$3–4/km | Mandatory | East coast Hualien/Taitung | Good | Excellent | Hualien, scenic east coast |
| 🚊 Tze-Chiang (自強號) | 100–120 km/h | NT$2.5–3/km | Required · 28 days | All TRA routes, both coasts | Good | Good | Every destination, best fallback |
| 🚆 Chu-Kuang (莒光號) | 80–100 km/h | NT$1.5–2/km | Optional | All TRA, more stops | Fair | Good | Budget, no hurry |
| 🚃 Local (區間車) | 60–80 km/h | NT$1–1.5/km | None · EasyCard OK | All TRA, every stop | Basic | Good | Short hops, ultra-budget |
* Prices are estimates and may vary seasonally or by seat class. Check THSR and TRA official sites for current fares.
Easiest for international travellers: Buy via Klook — no Taiwanese credit card needed, collect your physical ticket from any THSR station ticket machine using your booking code. Or book directly at thsrc.com.tw or the THSR app. Opens 28 days in advance.
Book at railway.gov.tw or the TRA mobile app (available in English on iOS and Android). Opens 28 days ahead. You can also purchase tickets at any station window using your passport, or use automated ticket machines with a booking code.
The Taiwan Rail Pass covers unlimited TRA travel for a set number of days (approximately NT$2,000–4,000 depending on duration). It covers Local, Chu-Kuang, and most Tze-Chiang services. Worth it if you plan several long TRA journeys. See the full Rail Pass guide for a real cost comparison.
Book THSR 28 days in advance and get up to 35% off. For example, Taipei→Kaohsiung drops from approximately NT$1,490 to around NT$970. This makes THSR cheaper than most domestic flights when booked early. Full details in our THSR complete guide.
Buy THSR tickets on Klook — no Taiwanese card required, collect at any station machine. Or check the Taiwan Rail Pass if you're planning multiple TRA journeys.
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Read THSR Guide →TR Pass vs THSR Pass vs buying individual tickets — with real cost comparisons for common itineraries so you know before you buy.
See Rail Pass Guide →Visa requirements, internet options, money, weather, and everything else to sort before you board the plane for Taiwan.
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Transport Guide →Where to buy your EasyCard, how to top it up, and how it works on MRT, buses, YouBike, and TRA Local trains.
MRT Guide →Attractions, food, hotels, itineraries, and practical information about Taipei — all in one place.
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