Getting Around Taiwan: Transport Guide for Travellers

Getting around Taiwan is easy, affordable, and reliable, thanks to excellent metros, buses, high-speed trains, and convenient taxis, plus simple airport transfers in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan. Most visitors can rely on public transport and taxis, with driving best for rural or mountain trips.

Taiwan’s transport network is one of the most traveller-friendly in Asia, with clear English signage, contactless transport cards, and predictable fares. In 2024, Taiwan’s Tourism Administration reported over 6 million international visitors as arrivals continued to rebound, and the infrastructure is very much geared toward independent travellers.

For airport transfers, expect to pay around NT$150–160 (about US$5) for Taipei Airport MRT into the city, NT$30–60 for regular metro rides, and NT$1,000–1,200 for a typical city taxi ride from the airport as of 2025. Inter-city travel is anchored by the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), which can get you from Taipei to Kaohsiung in about 1.5–2 hours.

Because tap-to-pay cards, real-time transit info, and ride-hailing apps work best with mobile data, many travellers choose an eSIM from Hello so they can arrive connected, book rides, and use maps from the moment they land. With that in place, navigating Taiwan becomes largely stress-free.

Taiwan’s main airports are well-connected to city centers by metro, express trains, buses, and taxis, with Taipei’s Airport MRT often the fastest and best-value option for most travellers. Expect to spend NT$150–NT$160 for airport trains and NT$1,000+ for city taxis in 2025.

Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the primary international gateway. The Taoyuan Airport MRT runs every 15 minutes and takes about 35–40 minutes to Taipei Main Station; in 2025, a one-way adult fare is around NT$150–NT$160 depending on service class. Taxis from TPE into central Taipei are metered and typically cost NT$1,000–NT$1,300 in normal traffic.

From Taipei Songshan Airport (mostly regional flights), you can take the Taipei Metro (Wenhu Line) directly into the city for about NT$25–NT$35, or a taxi for around NT$200–NT$300 to downtown.

In Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung International Airport is directly linked to the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line; rides to the city center cost about NT$30–NT$50. Taxis to central areas are usually NT$250–NT$400. Taichung and Tainan rely more on airport buses and taxis, with typical city transfers ranging NT$100–NT$400.

For all these options, having mobile data makes it much easier to check real-time schedules and follow routes on maps. Many travellers download the Hello app before their trip, buy a Hello eSIM for Taiwan (/esim/taiwan), and land already connected so they can navigate from the arrivals hall without hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Taiwan’s public transport is clean, safe, and efficient, with metros in Taipei and Kaohsiung, dense bus networks, and clear English signage, making it one of the easiest ways to get around Taiwan for most visitors. A stored‑value card like EasyCard or iPASS is essential for hassle‑free tapping.

Metro systems: Taipei Metro and Kaohsiung MRT are the backbone of urban travel. As of 2025, single rides usually cost NT$20–NT$65 depending on distance. Trains run roughly from 6 am to midnight, with frequent service. Stations and ticket machines offer English, and platforms are well signed.

Buses: City buses extend coverage into residential and suburban areas. Fares commonly start around NT$15–NT$18 in Taipei and other major cities. Routes are often announced in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English. You tap the reader when boarding (and sometimes when exiting—watch the signs).

To make Taiwan public transport easier, pick up an EasyCard (Taipei‑focused but usable nationwide) or iPASS (Kaohsiung‑based but equally widespread) from metro stations or convenience stores. Load any amount over NT$100, then just tap in/out on metros, buses, some Taiwan Railways (TRA) trains, YouBike bike share, and even at shops.

For visitors staying several days, Taipei Metro offers day passes and tourist cards that can be good value if you plan heavy sightseeing. According to Taiwan’s transport authorities, over half of local public transport journeys in Taipei are made with EasyCard, showing just how universal these cards are.

Inter-city travel in Taiwan is fast and flexible thanks to the High Speed Rail on the west coast, regular Taiwan Railways trains around the whole island, and long-distance buses for budget trips. Most travellers combine THSR for speed with TRA trains for scenic coastal routes.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) connects Taipei with major western cities like Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. In 2025, Taipei–Kaohsiung takes about 1.5–2 hours, with advance fares around NT$1,490–NT$1,600 for a standard adult ticket. Trains are punctual, reserved seating is standard, and announcements are bilingual.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) trains cover the full island, including the scenic east coast to Hualien and Taitung. Journey times are longer but cheaper and more flexible. A Taipei–Hualien ticket on a limited express service may cost around NT$440–NT$500, taking roughly 2–2.5 hours.

Long-distance buses link cities and suburbs, often at lower prices than trains. For instance, inter-city buses on the Taipei–Taichung route can cost roughly NT$200–NT$350 one way, with journey times around 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

Route Type	Best Option	Approx. Time (2025)	Typical One-Way Fare
Taipei – Kaohsiung (West Coast)	THSR	1.5–2 hours	NT$1,490–NT$1,600
Taipei – Taichung	THSR	1–1.5 hours	NT$700–NT$800
Taipei – Hualien (East Coast)	TRA Express	2–2.5 hours	NT$440–NT$500
Major cities on a budget	Inter-city bus	2.5–4 hours	NT$200–NT$400

For seat reservations and timetable searches, having constant mobile data via a Hello eSIM makes booking and adjusting your plans on the move far easier.

Taxis are abundant in Taiwanese cities and ride-hailing is available, but unlike some Southeast Asian countries, Uber is the only major international app consistently operating; Grab and Bolt do not currently serve Taiwan. Having mobile data is essential to use these apps and navigation tools effectively.

In Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, yellow taxis can be hailed on the street or found at stands. As of 2025, starting fares in Taipei are around NT$85 for the first 1.25 km, then roughly NT$5 per additional 200 meters, with small night surcharges. Short city rides often fall in the NT$150–NT$300 range.

Uber operates primarily in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung under a hybrid taxi/ride-hailing model. Pricing can be slightly higher or lower than street taxis depending on demand, but you benefit from upfront fare estimates and in-app translation.

Local ride-hailing and taxi apps (such as various Taiwanese taxi company apps) may require a local phone number or more complex registration, which can be tricky for short-term visitors. This is one reason travellers often prefer Uber or simply flagging down a taxi.

Because ride-hailing and maps depend on data, many visitors use Hello’s eSIM plans for Taiwan to stay online all day. With an eSIM from Hello, you can order a late‑night Uber from Taipei Main Station, translate an address for a taxi driver, or follow your bus progress in real time without relying on café Wi‑Fi.

Driving in Taiwan is possible with an International Driving Permit and can be rewarding for mountain roads and rural areas, but most visitors rely on public transport in cities where parking and traffic make cars less convenient. Car rental is best if you’re exploring remote regions at your own pace.

To legally drive in Taiwan, most short-term visitors need a valid home-country licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. You should arrange the IDP before travel, as it is generally not issued on arrival. Without it, rental companies may refuse to release a car.

As of 2025, small rental cars typically start around NT$2,000–NT$3,000 per day, including basic insurance, with major agencies represented at airports and city centers. Fuel prices fluctuate, but budgeting NT$30–NT$35 per litre is a safe planning estimate.

Driving conditions vary:

• Urban areas like Taipei have dense traffic, limited parking, and extensive public transport, so a car is often unnecessary.
• Rural east coast and mountain areas offer scenic routes but include narrow, winding roads and occasional landslide closures, particularly in typhoon season.

Speed cameras are common, and fines for speeding or illegal parking can add up quickly, so strict adherence to rules is wise. For many travellers, a hybrid approach—public transport between cities plus occasional car rental for specific regions—delivers the best balance of freedom and low stress.

Most travellers can get around Taiwan using public transport, taxis, and occasional high-speed trains, with no need to rent a car unless exploring remote regions. An EasyCard or iPASS plus reliable mobile data covers most day-to-day transport needs for visitors in 2025.

Q: Is public transport in Taiwan easy for English speakers?
Yes. Major metro and train stations have English signage, and announcements on the Taipei Metro, Kaohsiung MRT, THSR, and many TRA routes are in Mandarin and English. Ticket machines usually support English and accept cash or cards.

Q: How much should I budget for daily transport in Taiwan?
For city travel, many visitors spend about NT$150–NT$300 per day on metro and buses in 2025, plus occasional taxis. Adding a few THSR or TRA trips between cities might push your average to NT$300–NT$600 per day over a full itinerary.

Q: Do I need to buy train tickets in advance?
For THSR and popular TRA routes (like Taipei–Hualien on weekends or holidays), it’s smart to book a few days ahead, especially in peak periods like Lunar New Year. Off‑peak, you can often buy on the day.

Q: Is cash necessary for transport?
Transport cards like EasyCard/iPASS reduce the need for cash, but small buses, rural routes, and some taxis may still prefer cash. Convenience stores are everywhere for topping up cards.

Q: How can the Hello app help with transport costs?
Beyond Hello eSIM connectivity, the app’s expense tracking and expense splitting features make it easy to log metro top-ups, train tickets, and shared taxi rides. AI receipt scanning and multi‑currency tracking help you stay on budget and split costs fairly with friends while travelling around Taiwan.