How to Use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) Guide

If you’re planning your first trip around Taiwan and staring at the train options thinking what on earth is the difference between all of these, I’ve been there.

Before we visited, I kept seeing people mention the Taiwan High Speed Rail, but nobody mentioned the regular trains, and they didn’t really explain it in a way that made sense when you’re actually trying to plan your route.

I made the mistake of booking the THSR for one stop between Tainan and Kaohsiung, only later to realise, I could have booked the regular train for a short distance. This would have saved me a lot of money.

Here’s exactly how to use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR), when it’s worth it, and what we’d do differently next time.

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What is the Taiwan High Speed Rail

The Taiwan High Speed Rail, often just called the HSR, is Taiwan’s version of a bullet train.

It runs down the west coast of the island, connecting major cities from Taipei in the north all the way to Kaohsiung in the south.

There are 12 stops in total, starting at Nangang Station, then Taipei Main Station, and continuing down through places like Taichung, Tainan and ending at Zuoying (Kaohsiung).

It’s fast. Like properly fast.

Journeys that would take several hours on a regular train can be cut in half, which is why so many travellers end up using it at least once during their trip.

Honestly, it was such a brilliant experience each time we used it. Fast, clean, efficient – what more could you ask for?

How to use the Taiwan High Speed Rail Step-by-Step

Using the Taiwan High Speed Rail as a first-time visitor is actually very straightforward once you know what to expect.

Here’s how it works from start to finish:

1. Buy your ticket

You can book tickets online, through the T Express app, or at the station. We personally used the app for last-minute bookings, which was the easiest option.

You don’t need to print anything if you’re using the app – the QR code works at the gates.

2. Arrive at the station

HSR stations are large and modern, a bit like airports. You’ll go through ticket gates using a QR code or physical ticket.

We usually arrived around 20–30 minutes early, which gave us plenty of time without rushing.

3. Find your platform

Your train number and platform will be displayed on screens throughout the station, similar to airports or major train stations.

4. Boarding the train

If you have a reserved seat, head to your assigned carriage. If you have a non-reserved ticket, you’ll need to queue in the designated area and find any available seat once onboard.

5. During the journey

Trains are clean, quiet, and very comfortable. You can bring food and drinks onboard, which makes the journey feel really relaxed.

If you’re worried about getting it wrong, don’t be – we found the Taiwan High Speed Rail incredibly easy to use, given that it was our first trip. Everything is clearly signposted in English, and staff are helpful if you need assistance.

Our experience using the HSR in Taiwan

We ended up using the HSR quite a bit during our trip.

We started at Nangang Station after leaving Jiaoxi Hot Springs and took the train down to Taichung.

From there, we spent a night before heading to Sun Moon Lake, then hopped back on the HSR to Tainan for one night, and finally continued down to Kaohsiung where we ended our trip.

Looking back, some of those choices made perfect sense.

Others, not so much.

For example, taking the HSR from Taipei to Taichung was absolutely worth it. But using it for the short journey between Tainan and Kaohsiung was unnecessary. We could have saved money and taken a regular train instead, but at the time we didn’t know this was possible.

The HSR train takes just under 15 minutes between these stops, but the TRA, the regular train can take up to 50 minutes. Although considerably longer, it would have been a lot cheaper and with stations being in the city centre too.

It’s a case of weighing up the pros and cons against your budget.

If we were planning this again, we’d only use the HSR for longer routes and switch to TRA for anything under an hour.

What HSR stations are like

One thing that really surprised me was just how modern and well equipped the stations are.

They honestly reminded me of major stations back home like Waterloo or King’s Cross in London. Huge, clean and full of everything you might need before a journey.

Busy Taiwan High Speed Rail station concourse with travelers walking and waiting beneath a large departures board and clock. Overhead signage reads "Pickup area (1F)", "Taxi pickup area", and "Exit 7" in English and Chinese.

You’ll find convenience stores, restaurants, luggage lockers and sometimes even little food stalls.

We actually ended up spending a couple of hours at Taichung HSR station chatting to a local father and son we met in Starbucks. When they found out it was my birthday the next day, the older man disappeared and came back with a box of fresh mochi from inside the station. His son even brought over some cake.

It was such a small, unexpected moment, but it’s one of the things I remember most from our entire Taiwan trip. I live for these wholesome interactions with the locals – and this one was so wonderful.

Where are Taiwan HSR stations located?

This is something I wish I had realised earlier.

Most HSR stations are not actually in the city centre.

The main exceptions are Taipei Main Station and Banqiao, but for places like Taichung or Tainan, the HSR station is quite a distance from the main attractions.

That means you need to factor in extra travel time once you arrive, whether that’s by bus, taxi or local train.

It’s not a deal breaker, but it can catch you off guard if you’re expecting to step off the train straight into the city.

It’s also pretty useful to know if you are spending one night in Tainan, like we did. The distance to and from the station doesn’t always justify a short time in a city.

White high speed rail train stopped at the platform with an orange stripe along the side and rows of windows revealing green patterned seats. A digital display on the train shows "0821" and Chinese characters indicating the service.

HSR vs TRA trains in Taiwan: which train should you use?

Taiwan has two main train systems.

The HSR, which runs down the west coast, and the TRA which circles the entire island.

If you’re heading to places like Yilan, Hualien or Taitung on the east coast, the TRA is your only option anyway.

On the west coast, however, you’ll often have a choice.

Here’s the simple way to think about it based on our experience:

HSR is about twice as fast
HSR is also nearly twice the price
TRA has more flexibility for shorter routes

For longer journeys like Taipei to Kaohsiung, the HSR is absolutely worth it. You’ll save hours and arrive feeling far less drained.

But for shorter distances, especially one or two stops, the TRA can be the better option if you have the time.

We definitely overused the HSR at times just because it felt easier – but to be honest, it was a joy to use!

Example routes: HSR vs TRA travel times

To give you a better idea of when the Taiwan High Speed Rail is actually worth it, here are a couple of real route comparisons based on our experience:

Taipei → Taichung

HSR: around 1 hour
TRA: around 2 to 3 hours

This is where the HSR is absolutely worth it. You save a significant amount of time, especially if you’re on a tighter itinerary.

Train ticket confirmation screen from T Express showing status On Schedule. Reservation number 02652380 for one adult ticket one way on 2025 06 01 from Taipei at 11 11 to Taichung at 12 15. Train number 821 car 2 seat 6D with ticket number 2904711525592 displayed below.

Tainan → Kaohsiung

HSR: around 15 minutes
TRA: around 45 to 50 minutes

This is where we got it wrong. The HSR is faster, but for such a short journey, the time saved didn’t really justify the higher cost.

In general, the longer the distance, the more the HSR makes sense. For shorter routes, the regular TRA trains are often the better value.

Hand holding a train ticket from Tainan to Zuoying on a station platform with directional markings and tactile paving visible.

How to buy Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets (best options)

There are a few different ways to buy Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets, and each one works best depending on how you like to travel.

T Express app (best for flexibility)

This is what we used and honestly the most convenient option. We actually got quite lucky with our first HSR booking.

We didn’t realise it was a public holiday in Taiwan, and trains were quickly getting booked up. A local told us to download the T Express app and book same day tickets from Taipei to Taichung effortlessly. It’s the only way to get e-tickets and makes last-minute bookings really easy.

Download the app on Apple or Android here.

If I were doing this again, I’d use this for most journeys.

Klook (best for discounts)

Klook often offers around 15% off tickets, even when official early bird discounts are gone. They also sometimes run promotions like buy-one-get-one-free deals.

The downside is that it’s a bit more complicated – you’ll need to buy a voucher first, then reserve your seats separately.

BOOK DISCOUNTED HSR TICKETS ON KLOOK

Official HSR website (best for early planning)

If you’re booking 28–30 days in advance, you can get early bird discounts of up to 35%. But you’ll need to commit to a specific train time.

At the station (best for simplicity)

If you prefer to stay flexible, you can just buy tickets at the station. You’ll pay full price, but you can choose your train on the day.

Convenience stores

You can also book tickets through convenience stores in Taiwan, which is surprisingly common – but not always the easiest option for first-time visitors.

Should you book in advance or not?

This really depends on how you like to travel.

If you book in advance, you can get discounts ranging from 5 to 35% depending on the route and time. Tickets usually go on sale around 28 to 30 days ahead, so the savings can be quite significant.

But booking early means committing to a specific time, which isn’t always ideal when you’re travelling.

We personally liked having flexibility, especially on days when plans changed – like chatting to locals or wanting to explore somewhere more.

We always have our hotels pre-booked so that we know which city we’ll be in on each day of our trip. But we’re flexible with travel times.

For example, we had to make the decision to cut our time in Tainan short and head to Kaohsiung early, so that we weren’t rushing through both cities.

If you buy tickets at the station, you’ll pay full price, but you can choose exactly when to travel.

And if you do book in advance and miss your train, you can usually change it at the counter. Worst case, they’ll move you onto a non reserved ticket – which is always useful to know.

What is the Taiwan High Speed Rail like onboard?

One of the best parts about the HSR is how relaxed it is when it comes to food.

You can bring snacks, full meals, and even alcohol onto the train.

We often grabbed things from convenience stores locally or inside the station before boarding, which made the whole experience feel a bit like a picnic on a train.

There’s a snack cart that comes through during the journey, and staff regularly walk through to collect rubbish.

Empty train carriage with rows of teal patterned seats facing forward and overhead luggage racks along both sides. A digital sign above the door displays car number 2 and destination information in Chinese characters. The aisle runs down the center with speckled flooring and seatback trays holding safety instructions and a T Life magazine.

Side view of teal patterned train seats next to large windows inside a modern rail carriage. Seat numbers 5D and 5E are labeled above the window and safety signage and emergency instructions are posted on the wall. The seats have fold down trays mesh pockets with magazines and gray armrests against a light gray interior wall.

The only real rule is to be quiet and respectful.

Taiwanese train culture is very calm and peaceful. No loud phone calls or shouting across aisles.

It’s actually quite refreshing.

When to use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (Quick Guide)

Use the HSR if:

You’re travelling long distances (e.g. Taipei to Kaohsiung)
You want to save several hours of travel time
You’re on a tighter itinerary

Skip the HSR if:

You’re only travelling one or two stops
The time difference is less than an hour
You’re trying to keep costs down

FAQs about the Taiwan High Speed Rail

Is the Taiwan High Speed Rail worth it?

Yes, the Taiwan High Speed Rail is worth it for long-distance travel, especially between cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung. It can cut travel time in half compared to regular trains, making it ideal if you’re short on time.

Do you need to book Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets in advance?

No, you don’t need to book in advance, but doing so can save you money. Early bird tickets can be up to 35% cheaper, while same-day tickets offer more flexibility.

Can you use the Taiwan High Speed Rail for short distances?

Yes, but it’s not always the best option. For short routes like Tainan to Kaohsiung, regular TRA trains are usually better value for money.

Is there luggage space on the Taiwan High Speed Rail?

Yes, there is overhead luggage space and designated areas for larger suitcases, making it easy to travel with bags.

Before you book your first HSR

If I could sum it up simply, the Taiwan High Speed Rail is worth using, but not for every journey.

Use it for long distances when you want to save time.

Skip it for shorter routes where the price difference doesn’t make sense.

And most importantly, don’t stress too much about getting it perfect.

Some of our best memories from Taiwan came from moments that had nothing to do with the trains at all, like that unexpected birthday mochi in Taichung station.

Plan enough to feel confident, but leave room for those little surprises along the way.

If you’re planning your Taiwan itinerary now, the easiest next step is to check ticket availability for your dates and compare whether the HSR makes sense for your route.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish?

Check out these helpful links: