Hi. A colleague told me about a “luxury” train service running down the east-coast to Hualian and beyond, anybody heard about this? Supposed to be quite posh, tickets somwhere between NT$700,- - 1000,- … any more info? Thanks a lot, Xpet.
I heard about that.There is one that runs from Shulin(Taipei) to Taidung as well.
I have no info on this,but I’m sure you can find it on the internet.
My father took that train. He arranged everything himself, despite speaking not a word of Chinese, and had a great time. Since he did it himself, I’m not completely sure how much it costs, but I suspect it’s rather more than what you suggested.
bobdobba, could we trouble bobdobbababa for some details or info-sources? Thanks!! Xpet
You must mean the Hot Spring Princess Tourist Train. It leaves around 7:00 AM from Taipei. Prices between $1300 to $1800 one way. Most people buy this as part of a package tour to Taroko or Jhiben. You can get some reasonable deals this way if you want to stay in one of the ‘luxury’ hotels in Taroko or Jhihben. You should contact a travel agency for more info.
The train is comfortable and modern, but don’t get any ideas about elegance and sophistication. The service is cheery but incompetent, the food and drink awful, and the KTV car at one end downright scary.
Hint: You can fly to Hualien or Taidong for about NT$1500.
Eztravel (branches include one near Sogo and another inside the main train station)can hook you up with a tour, including train, hotel,and flight back (if that’s part of the package). However, they require that you go with them every step of the way, including the manic half day tours on the local tour bus once you arrive in Zhi Ben or wherever. You can’t book just the train and hotel and ditch the tour group.
Also, EZ makes it HARDZ to just book individual segments (ie, just train or hotel). They don’t like you doing that, though the price comes out to a good deal less than the package price. SInce it’s peak season, you’ll probably need to book several weeks in advance.
Feiren, Naruwa, thanks a lot for the info, will check it out! Xpet.