Hello, first time poster here. We will be visiting from US in August and are interested in seeing Tainan and Taitung. However, what is the quickest way to go from Tainan to Taitung? Is there train that connects the two? Many thanks.
The fastest way is to go via Kaohsiung by train. If you’re fortunate you’ll be able to buy a ticket for the Ziqiang Hao headed for Hualian and you won’t need to change trains (just over three hours) otherwise you’ll need to change and it’ll be closer to four hours.
Ok great! Also, one fact I forgot to mention is we will be going to these places from Taipei. Is there a fast train that goes from Taipei to Taitung? I heard it could take 6 hours on the east side, is that true?
There’s a fast train from Taipei to at least Hualian (I don’t know if they’ve electrified the line all the way down to Taidong yet) but good luck getting tickets for it. Tickets go on sale on the internet 3 days in advance of them being available at stations but the tickets for the fast trains are sold out in under half a second (I’m not joking). It’s either travel agents running automated scripts or backdoor sales to travel agents before the tickets are on general sale. If you’re very lucky someone will buy these tickets and cancel them and you’ll have a chance to buy at the station on the day or you’ll run into someone at the station trying to hawk the ones he bought too many of. Six hours sounds right for the slow train.
1 Like
Ugh, that’s frustrating. So we really can’t plan ahead to depend on the high speed trains. I wonder if it’s better to get a personal car service.
Fastest way to Taidong with a car from Taipei is via Tainan and then Kaohsiung.
You can book tickets a few weeks in advance. Check this thread for another member’s experience:
Don’t get too frustrated. There is only a couple hour difference between the high-speed train and the regular train to Taitung. Then take the train over to Tainan.
Just remember the high-speed train on East coast and the HSR on West side are two totally different types of trains and speeds.
High-speed train is really just a faster train than the slower train and should be called the “fast train`with limited stops” because high speed train gives a false perception. Express train would be a better way to describe it.
Yes, OP, there’s (major) TWO train companies in Taiwan. The high speed rail (HSR) and the Taiwan railway associations (TRA).
HSR operates the Taiwan equivalent “bullet” train that can get you from Taipei to Tainan in around 2 hours. Whereas the TRA operates local and express trains. An express train from Taipei to Tainan may take twice the travel time than the HSR.
Regarding the bullet train from Taipei to Tainan, would this be one where the travel agencies snap them up and it’s tough to get tickets? Or does that only apply to the Taipei to Hualien (or areas east)?
We are still debating whether we should do both Taitung and Tainan, or just Tainan. It seems like it’s a real hassle to get in and out of that area because it’s so isolated, and not sure if we have enough time to see both cities. And wonder if it’s better to stay on west side since there seems to be more stuff to see? Thanks everyone so far, you’ve all been very helpful.
Westside is all cities and Industrial unless you go up into the mountains. East side is beautiful mountain and sea view.
2 Likes
The opposite of what you assumed.
“bullet train” or HSR is more of a luxury, so not as many people would choose that as a first option. You can reserve tickets prior to your departure date and can also get discounted tickets if you book very early.
The express trains from Taipei to Hualien are the hard to get tickets. With the Suao Highway (the coastal mountain road leading to Hualien) turning into one way traffic from now until September, it may be tough to book train tickets. However, nothing is impossible, just need to plan ahead.
If you get the timing right, you can fly from Kaohsiung to Taitung, but not directly from Tainan, right? (I’m not recommending this, just curious.)
Here are some suggestions:
- Taiwan railway (not the high speed rail) has direct trains from Tainan to Taidong. The fastest train will get you there in 3 hours.
You can book ahead here:
http://railway.hinet.net/etkind1.htm
http://railway.hinet.net/OrderTicketOperation/etkind_roundtrip.htm
Train schedules here:
http://163.29.3.92/twrail/EN_QuickSearch.aspx
Those websites looks terrible, but they really are the official sites.
The basic rule is that you can book 2 weeks in advance. So if you are going to Taidong on Aug. 15th, then you can book on Aug 1st. The booking page is updated on the 12:00AM of Aug 1st, Taiwan time.
If you are making the trip on the weekend, then you can buy the ticket on the Friday 2 weeks in advance. So if you are going to Taidong on Aug. 20th (Sunday), you can purchase the ticket on Aug. 4th (Friday).
There are other slightly more complicated ways of getting there, such as renting a car, or taking bus 1778 from Kaohsiung to Taidong. That trip takes 3.5 hours.
Bus route and schedule:
http://www.kingbus.com.tw/ticketPriceResult.php?sid=37
You can also get back to Taipei using THSR (high speed rail), then take a train or plane down to Taidong. It would take longer than the bus ride though.
1 Like
Deleted the missile-related posts. Not related to traveling from Tainan to Taitung.
1 Like
For the sake of de-frustration, live like Kant.