Almost every trip out of Taipei starts at Taipei Main Station: the high speed rail (HSR) and Taiwan Railway (TRA) both leave from there, and the long-distance buses go from the bus station next door. The rule of thumb is simple. For the west coast (Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung), take the HSR. For the east coast (Yilan, Hualien), there is no high speed line, so take the train, or the bus to Yilan.
At a glance
| To | Fastest way | Time | Adult fare, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hsinchu | HSR to HSR Hsinchu Station | 31 to 36 minutes | NT$290 reserved |
| Taichung | HSR to HSR Taichung Station | 47 minutes to 1 hour 6 minutes | NT$700 reserved |
| Tainan | HSR to HSR Tainan Station | About 1 hour 22 minutes to 2 hours | NT$1,350 reserved |
| Kaohsiung | HSR to Zuoying | 1 hour 34 minutes to 2 hours 14 minutes | NT$1,490 reserved |
| Yilan | TRA train, or a bus through the Hsuehshan Tunnel | About 60 to 80 minutes by fast train | NT$262 to NT$332 by train; NT$103 to NT$150 by bus |
| Hualien | TRA train (Tze-Chiang class) | About 2 hours on the fastest trains | NT$583 |
Times and fares are from each city's own guide below, which cite the official HSR and TRA timetables (checked November 2026). Fares change, so confirm when you book.
West coast: the high speed rail
The HSR leaves from Taipei Main Station and also stops at Nangang and Banqiao. Its stations are often outside the city centers, so plan the last leg:
- Hsinchu. HSR Hsinchu Station is not in Hsinchu City but in Zhubei, about 10 km away; a connecting local train runs into town. The HSR to Hsinchu and Zhubei, on Inside Hsinchu
- Taichung. Under an hour by HSR. The regular train is slower and cheaper (a Tze-Chiang express takes about 1 hour 49 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, NT$500) but arrives in the old center. Taipei to Taichung by HSR, train or bus, on Inside Taichung
- Tainan. Tainan's HSR station is outside the city, so you need a shuttle, a local train or a taxi for the last part; the regular train is slower but goes straight to downtown Tainan. Taipei to Tainan, step by step, on Inside Tainan
- Kaohsiung. The HSR ends at Zuoying, which is on Kaohsiung's MRT Red Line. Getting to Kaohsiung, on Inside Kaohsiung
Good to know: book ahead for weekends and holidays on the official HSR site or app, which also shows early bird discounts on some trains.
East coast: the train
- Yilan. The easiest big day out from Taipei: fast trains reach Yilan Station in about 70 minutes, and buses through the Hsuehshan Tunnel run from Taipei Bus Station and Taipei City Hall. A day trip to Yilan from Taipei, on Inside Yilan · Jiaoxi hot springs as a day trip
- Hualien. The east coast has no high speed line, so the train is the way: about two hours on the fastest trains, with tickets on sale 28 days ahead. Weekend and holiday trains sell out, so book as soon as you know your dates. The train from Taipei to Hualien, on Inside Hualien
Not going far?
Many of the best trips from Taipei are day trips you can make by MRT, train or bus and be back for dinner. → Day trips from Taipei · New Taipei · Taipei Main Station, HSR and TRA arrivals
Sources
Times and fares from each destination's guide: Inside Hsinchu, Inside Taichung, Inside Tainan, Inside Kaohsiung, Inside Yilan and Inside Hualien, which cite the Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railway timetables. Checked November 2026.