👋 New to Taiwan and wondering how to get around?
Good news: Taiwan’s public transportation system is safe, affordable, and incredibly tourist-friendly. From speedy bullet trains to easy-to-use metro systems and scenic rail routes, there’s a way to get everywhere — even if you don’t speak Chinese!
Here’s your complete guide to getting around Taiwan smoothly, with real cost estimates and links to official websites.
💳 The First Thing You Need: EasyCard (or iPASS)
Before hopping on a bus or train, grab yourself an EasyCard or iPASS — two types of prepaid travel cards accepted nearly everywhere in Taiwan.
You can use them on:
- MRT (subways)
- Buses and some trains
- YouBike public bike rentals
- Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart
- Some ferries, taxis, and parking meters.
- Cheaper MRT/bus rides (compared to cash)
- Free or discounted transfers between bus and MRT (within 1 hour)
🛒 Where to buy:
- Taoyuan Airport MRT station
- MRT stations
- Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart, ect.)
💰 Cost:
- NT$100 deposit + any top-up amount
- Using the card saves you ~10–20% on most rides
📍 Works in: Almost EVERYWHERE in Taiwan
🔗 EasyCard Official Site (EN)
🔗 iPASS Official Site (EN)
👉 Pro Tip: You can use EasyCard Mobile on Android or Easy Wallet (iOS/Android) for contactless travel.
🪪 TPASS – Monthly Unlimited Rides
Staying longer than a few weeks? Consider getting a TPASS, a 30-day unlimited ride pass for local transport.
👉 Pro Tip: Not ideal for short trips, but great if you’re exploring a city deeply or staying long-term.
| Region | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Taipei | NT$1,200 | MRT, bus, TRA, YouBike in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung |
| Taichung | NT$699 | City bus, YouBike, TRA in city |
| Tainan/Kaohsiung | NT$999 | MRT, bus, YouBike, local TRA lines |
You can buy one at major MRT stations and EasyCard service counters.
🚇 MRT (Metro/Subway)
Clean, air-conditioned, and punctual — MRTs are the easiest way to get around cities.
🚷 No eating or drinking allowed in MRT.
🧭 Trains arrive every 2–5 minutes during peak hours.
📍 Available in:
- Taipei Metro
- Kaohsiung MRT
- Taoyuan Airport MRT
💰 Cost:
- Starts at NT$20
- Rarely exceeds NT$50 per ride
🔗 Taipei Metro (EN)
🔗 Kaohsiung MRT (EN)
🔗 Taoyuan Airport MRT (EN)
🚌 City & Intercity Buses
Local buses are everywhere and go where the MRT doesn’t.
Intercity buses are great for budget-friendly long-distance travel.
📍 City buses: All major cities
📍 Intercity routes: Taipei ⇄ Taichung ⇄ Kaohsiung, and more
💰 Cost:
- City bus: NT$15–30
- Intercity: NT$100–400+ (e.g., Taipei to Taichung ~NT$250)
🚌 Popular companies: Ubus, Kuo-Kuang, Ho-Hsin, Kingbus
🔗 Taiwan Bus Portal (EN)
🔗 Kuo-Kuang Bus (EN)
🔗 Ubus (CH)
👉 Pro tip: Use Google Maps or “Bus+” app to track local buses in real time.
🚆 Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR)
Taiwan’s bullet train runs along the west coast and is the fastest way to travel between cities.
📍 Route: Taipei ⇄ Kaohsiung (Zuoying), with major stops in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, etc.
💰 Cost:
- Taipei → Taichung: ~NT$700
- Taipei → Kaohsiung: ~NT$1500
🎫 Reserve online, on apps, or at the station.
👉 Pro tip: Buy tickets on the HSR website, app, Klook, or at the station. Early birds sometimes get discounts!
Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) Tourist Pass
Foreign visitors can purchase this pass for unlimited rides on Taiwan’s high-speed rail.
| Pass Type | Price (Adult) |
|---|---|
| 2-Day Pass (consecutive days) | NT$2,500 |
| 3-Day Pass (consecutive days) | NT$2,200 |
| 5-Day Flexible Pass (any 5 days in 7) | NT$2,800 |
💡 Ideal for fast travel along the west coast (Taipei → Kaohsiung).
🚞 Taiwan Railway (TRA)
TRA trains go everywhere HSR doesn’t — perfect for the east coast, small towns, and mountain routes.
📍 Serves: All of Taiwan, including Hualien, Taitung, Jiufen, Yilan, and beyond
💰 Cost examples:
- Taipei → Jiufen (via Ruifang): ~NT$50–70
- Taipei → Hualien: ~NT$440
🔗 TRA Official Site (EN)
🔗 TRA Tourist Pass Info
👉 Pro tip: Book online in advance during weekends and holidays! The time is not as punctual as HSR but rarely exceeds 10 minutes difference.
🚞 Taiwan Railway (TRA) Tourist Pass
Explore the scenic east coast or slower local routes with this flexible pass.
Choose between all-line or regional options.
💰 Example: 5-Day All Line Pass = NT$1,800
📍 Good for visiting places like Hualien, Taitung, Jiufen, Yilan, and more.
🚴 YouBike (Bike Sharing)
- Rentable bikes stationed all over the city
- Use EasyCard or register with a phone number. 👉 Note: YouBike 2.0 sometimes requires local phone registration — or use a kiosk with credit card if available.
📍 Available in: Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hsinchu, and more
💰 Cost:
- First 30 mins: NT$10–20; Sometimes has a discount for free!
- Then +NT$10 every 30 mins
🔗 YouBike 1.0 (EN)
🔗 YouBike 2.0 (EN)
YouBike 1.0 and 2.0 are separate systems. The system differs by city! In the Taipei area, YouBike 2.0 is more accessible.
🚖 Taxis & Ride-Hailing
📍 Available in: All cities and towns
- Taxis are everywhere; Uber works in major areas
- Most drivers don’t speak English, so show your destination on your phone
💰 Cost:
- Base fare: NT$85
- Short trip: ~NT$120–200
- Airport to Taipei City: ~NT$1000+
👉 Pro tip: Use the LINE Taxi app (works like Uber but with local taxis)
🚗 Car & Scooter Rental
Great for scenic drives (e.g., East Coast, Sun Moon Lake) or if you want full flexibility.
📍 Available in: Train stations, airports, and tourist cities
💳 You’ll need:
- Passport
- International Driving Permit (IDP) with Chinese translation
- Credit card
💰 Cost:
- Car rental: NT$1800–3000+ per day
- Scooter: NT$300–600/day
🔗 CarPlus (EN)
🔗 iRent (CH/EN app)
🔗 GoShare scooters (EN)
🎟️ Tourist Transportation Discounts in Taiwan
Did you know Taiwan offers special travel deals just for foreign visitors?
If you’re planning to move around a lot — especially across cities — these passes can save you money and make your trip smoother:
Besides the THSR and TSR Pass mentioned above, there are also regional passes.
🏞️ Regional Combo Passes
Some passes include bus + ferry + scenic attractions — great for day trips or specific destinations.
- 🛶 Sun Moon Lake Pass: Includes shuttle bus, boat ride, cable car
- 🌲 Alishan Pass: Includes train ride + mountain bus
🔗 Taiwan Trip Packages
🔗 Sun Moon Lake Pass (Klook)
👋 Final Thoughts
Getting around Taiwan is part of the adventure!
Whether you’re gliding through the city on an MRT, biking past temples, or riding the rails along the east coast — you’re in for a smooth, scenic ride.
Don’t forget your EasyCard and enjoy the journey! 🇹🇼✨