EasyCard (悠遊卡)
Your essential travel companion - one card for almost everything
Price
~€3 for card + top-up
Where to Get
- MRT stations
- Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart)
- Airport arrival hall
Use For
Transportation Options
High Speed Rail (HSR)
(高鐵)Fastest way to travel between major cities on the west coast
Taipei ↔ Kaohsiung (1.5 hours)
Up to 300 km/h
Tips
- Book HSR 3-Day Pass online before arrival (~€55)
- Pass must be purchased outside Taiwan
- Seats can be reserved for free with pass
- Trains run every 15-30 minutes
Sample Routes
Taiwan Railway (TRA)
(台鐵)Connects most cities including east coast. Scenic coastal routes.
Island-wide, including east coast
Express: 130 km/h, Local: 60 km/h
Tips
- Book Taroko/Puyuma express 2 weeks ahead
- Sit on RIGHT side for ocean views to Hualien
- EasyCard works on local trains
- Express trains require reserved seats
Sample Routes
Metro/MRT
(捷運)Clean, efficient metro systems in major cities
Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan Airport
Tips
- Use EasyCard for discounted fares
- No eating or drinking on MRT
- Priority seats are strictly enforced
- Airport MRT connects TPE to Taipei (40 min)
Sample Routes
Bus
(公車)Extensive network including mountain routes
Nationwide, essential for mountains
Tips
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle for scenic areas
- EasyCard works on most buses
- Download "Bus Tracker Taiwan" app
- Mountain routes run less frequently
Sample Routes
Taxi / Uber
(計程車)Convenient for short trips and areas without public transport
All urban areas
Tips
- Yellow taxis are metered and safe
- Show destination in Chinese characters
- Uber available in major cities
- Private driver for east coast (~€80-100/day)
Sample Routes
YouBike
(YouBike)Bike-sharing system, great for city exploration
Taipei, Kaohsiung, Sun Moon Lake
Tips
- Register with EasyCard or credit card
- First 30 minutes: ~€0.15
- Stations near all MRT exits
- Great for riverside cycling paths
Sample Routes
Our Route Transportation Summary
| Day | Route | Transport | Duration | Cost (2 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taoyuan Airport → Taipei | MRT | 40 min | €9 |
| 3 | Taipei → Shifen → Jiufen → Taipei | Bus + Taxi | Full day | €30 |
| 4 | Taipei → Hualien | TRA Express | 2.5h | €26 |
| 5–6 | Hualien ↔ Taroko Gorge | Bus / Taxi | 45 min each way | €10–80 |
| 7 | Hualien → East Coast → Kaohsiung | Private Driver | Full day | €80–100 |
| 9 | Kaohsiung → Tainan | TRA | 30 min | €8 |
| 10 | Tainan → Chiayi → Alishan → Taoyuan Airport | Train + Bus + HSR | All day | €60 |
| Estimated Total Transport: | ~€270-350 | |||
Pro Tips
HSR Pass Strategy
The 3-day HSR pass (~€55) is worth it if you take 2+ long HSR rides.
For our trip: Use individual tickets since we only take short HSR segments (Kaohsiung-Tainan, Tainan-Chiayi, Chiayi-Taoyuan).
East Coast Challenge
Public transport is limited between Hualien and Taitung. Best options:
- • Private driver for flexibility (~€80-100/day)
- • TRA train (misses coastal sights)
- • Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (limited schedule)
Book Ahead
- • TRA Taroko/Puyuma Express: 2 weeks ahead
- • Alishan sunrise train: Day before, 13:30-16:30
- • HSR: Same day is usually fine
Apps to Download
- • Google Maps - works great in Taiwan
- • Taiwan Railway (TRA booking)
- • Bus Tracker Taiwan
- • YouBike (for bike sharing)