Getting Around Taiwan: MRT, Bus, Train & HSR Guide for Foreigners (2026)

How do I get an EasyCard or iPass?

An EasyCard (悠遊卡, yōu yóu kǎ) or iPass (一卡通, yī kǎ tōng) is the first thing you should get when you arrive in Taiwan. These are rechargeable smart cards that work across nearly all public transportation.

Where to buy

• MRT station service counters and ticket machines
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life)
• Some tourist information centers at airports

Cost

• Card itself: NT$100 (non-refundable for standard cards)
• No minimum top-up required at purchase
• Special edition cards with designs cost NT$150–500 (popular collectibles)

How to add value (top up)

• MRT station ticket machines (cash or card)
• Convenience store registers — just say "加值" (jiā zhí, "add value") and the amount
• Set up auto-reload by linking to a credit card or bank account (requires registration at an MRT service counter with your ARC)

What you can use it for

EasyCard vs iPass

Both work almost identically. EasyCard is more common in northern Taiwan (Taipei, New Taipei), while iPass is more popular in southern Taiwan (Kaohsiung, Tainan). In practice, both are accepted on most transportation systems nationwide. If you mainly live in Taipei, get an EasyCard. If you're in the south, iPass is slightly more convenient.

Tip: Register your card online (easycard.com.tw) so you can check your balance, transaction history, and get a replacement if it's lost.

How does the Taipei MRT work?

The Taipei MRT (捷運, jié yùn) is the backbone of transportation in Taipei and New Taipei City. It's clean, efficient, affordable, and extremely easy to use.

System overview

• 5 main lines plus branch lines, covering Taipei City and surrounding New Taipei City
• Stations: Over 130 stations
• Operating hours: First train around 6:00 AM, last train around midnight (varies by line and station)
• Frequency: Every 2–4 minutes during rush hour, 5–8 minutes off-peak

Lines at a glance

Fares

• Single journey: NT$20–65 depending on distance
• EasyCard fare: 20% discount on single-journey price
• Transfer discount: Transfer to bus within 1 hour of exiting MRT and get an NT$8 discount on the bus fare
• Day pass: NT$180 for unlimited MRT rides in one day
• Monthly pass (定期票): NT$1,280 for 30 days of unlimited MRT and bus rides (great for commuters)

Rules and etiquette

• No eating or drinking inside stations and trains — fines up to NT$7,500
• Stand on the right side of escalators, walk on the left
• Priority seats (dark blue) are for elderly, pregnant, disabled, and those with small children — locals take this seriously
• Quiet carriages: keep phone calls short and volume low
• Bags go on your lap or at your feet, not on the seat next to you

Navigation tips

• All signage is in Chinese and English
• Announcements are in Mandarin, Taiwanese (Hokkien), Hakka, and English
• Google Maps provides accurate MRT routing and real-time departure information
• The official Taipei Metro app (Metro Taipei) shows real-time train positions, fares, and travel time estimates

How does the bus system work?

Taiwan's bus system is extensive and extremely affordable, though it can be confusing at first for foreigners.

Taipei bus system

• Fare: NT$15 flat per segment (most routes within Taipei are one segment)
• Payment: Tap your EasyCard when boarding. For some routes, you also tap when exiting (上下車都刷). Watch what other passengers do or check the sign near the card reader.
• Transfer discount: Take the bus within 1 hour of exiting the MRT and get an NT$8 discount

Other cities

• Kaohsiung: NT$12 per ride; first 10 km free with iPass
• Taichung: First 10 km free with EasyCard (great deal for short trips)
• Tainan: NT$18–26 depending on distance

How to ride

1. Find your bus stop — look for the route number and check the direction (use Google Maps to confirm)
2. Wave at the bus driver as it approaches so they know to stop
3. Board from the front door
4. Tap your EasyCard on the card reader near the driver
5. For routes requiring tap on/tap off, remember to tap again when exiting from the rear door
6. Press the stop button (red button on the handrails) before your stop

Bus tracking apps

• Bus Tracker Taipei (台北等公車) — Real-time bus arrival times for Taipei/New Taipei
• Google Maps — Shows bus routes and estimated arrival times
• BusTracker Taiwan — Covers multiple cities

Intercity buses

For travel between cities, intercity buses (客運) are often cheaper than trains:

• Kuo-Kuang (國光客運) — The largest intercity bus company, routes covering the entire island
• Taipei → Taichung: NT$260, about 2.5 hours
• Taipei → Kaohsiung: NT$500–600, about 4.5 hours
• Buses run frequently and most have Wi-Fi and USB charging
• Book through convenience store kiosk machines (ibon at 7-Eleven, FamiPort at FamilyMart) or online

Night buses

Some routes in Taipei operate night buses after the MRT closes (after midnight). These are marked with "N" (e.g., N1, N5) and run until about 1–2 AM, with fares at the regular NT$15 rate.

What about Taiwan Railways and High Speed Rail?

Taiwan has two rail systems for intercity travel: the older Taiwan Railways (TRA, 台鐵) that circles the entire island, and the modern High Speed Rail (HSR, 高鐵) on the western corridor.

Taiwan Railways (TRA, 台鐵)

High Speed Rail (HSR, 高鐵)

HSR money-saving tips

• Early Bird tickets (早鳥票) — Book 5–28 days in advance for 10%, 20%, or 35% off. Limited seats, first come first served.
• College student discount — 25% off with valid Taiwan student ID (available on specific trains)
• TH Joint tickets — Combined HSR + TRA tickets for connecting to cities not on the HSR line
• HSR Tourist Pass — For foreign tourists: unlimited HSR rides for 2–5 consecutive days (NT$2,500–4,400). Buy at HSR stations with your passport.
• Off-peak discounts — Some trains on weekdays offer discounted fares

Comparison table

Booking tips

• During holidays (Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn, National Day), trains sell out fast — book as soon as tickets open (28 days before)
• The TRA and HSR apps are available in English
• You can pick up pre-booked tickets at convenience store ibon/FamiPort machines using your booking code

How does YouBike (bike sharing) work?

YouBike (微笑單車) is Taiwan's public bike-sharing system. It's cheap, convenient, and available in most major cities.

Setup (first time)

1. Download the YouBike app
2. Register with your phone number
3. Link your EasyCard to your YouBike account (do this through the app or at a YouBike kiosk)
4. You're ready to ride

Pricing (YouBike 2.0)

For most short trips around the city, a ride costs just NT$5–15.

How to use

1. Find a YouBike station (they're everywhere — near MRT stations, parks, major intersections)
2. Tap your registered EasyCard on the card reader at the bike dock
3. Pull the bike out when the light turns green
4. Ride to your destination
5. Return the bike to any YouBike station — push it into an empty dock until you hear the beep
6. Tap your EasyCard again to confirm the return

YouBike 2.0 improvements

• Bikes have built-in card readers — no need for a kiosk
• Available in more locations including smaller stations
• GPS tracking in the app shows available bikes and empty docks in real time

Available cities

YouBike operates in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Coverage is densest in Taipei and Taichung.

Tips

• Check tire pressure before riding — flat tires happen
• Adjust the seat height before you go
• Use the front basket for bags — it has a bungee cord to secure items
• Bike lanes exist on many major roads in Taipei, but be cautious of scooters
• Great for the "last mile" — ride from the MRT station to your final destination

What about scooters in Taiwan?

Scooters (機車, jī chē) are the most popular form of personal transportation in Taiwan. There are more scooters than people in many cities.

Renting a scooter

• Daily rental: NT$300–500/day
• Monthly rental: NT$3,000–5,000/month
• Rental shops: Found near train stations and in tourist areas. Bring your passport and international driving permit.
• Electric scooter (Gogoro) rentals: Available through GoShare app in major cities. Pay per minute (approximately NT$2.5/min). No long-term commitment needed.

License requirements

• 50cc and under: Many foreigners can ride these with an International Driving Permit (IDP) that includes a motorcycle endorsement. Check if your country's IDP is recognized by Taiwan.
• Over 50cc (125cc is the most common): Requires a Taiwan motorcycle license. You can convert a foreign license at a Motor Vehicle Office (監理站) — bring your ARC, foreign license, and a Chinese translation, and pass a short road test.
• Electric scooters (GoShare, iRent): Typically require a valid license linked to your account.

Safety essentials

• Helmet is mandatory — fines for not wearing one. Most rental shops provide a helmet.
• Drive defensively — Traffic in Taiwan can be chaotic. Cars, buses, trucks, and other scooters share the road aggressively.
• Two-stage left turns (兩段式左轉) — At major intersections, scooters must make left turns in two stages: go straight through the intersection first, then turn and wait for the next green light. This is unique to Taiwan and strictly enforced.
• Scooter lanes — Many roads have dedicated scooter zones at intersections (機車停等區). Use them.
• Rain gear — Keep a rain poncho under your seat. Rain comes suddenly in Taiwan.

Parking

• Designated scooter parking zones are on most sidewalks and near buildings
• Some areas require parking tickets (use your EasyCard at the meter)
• Illegal parking fines: NT$600–1,200
• Never block pedestrian walkways or fire exits

How do taxis and ride-hailing apps work?

Taxis (計程車)

Taiwan's yellow taxis are safe, metered, and reasonably priced.

Example fares (Taipei)

• Taipei Main Station → Taipei 101: approximately NT$200–250
• Airport MRT Taipei Station → Songshan: approximately NT$200–280
• Short trip within a district: NT$100–150

Hailing a taxi

• Wave one down on the street — look for taxis with a lit red sign (空車, kōng chē = available)
• Call a taxi dispatch service (some have English-speaking operators)
• Use a ride-hailing app (see below)

Ride-hailing apps

• Uber — Available in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and other major cities. Fare estimates shown in advance. Pay by card or cash. English interface.
• LINE Taxi (LINE TAXI) — Integrated into the LINE messaging app (which almost everyone in Taiwan uses). Hails a regular yellow taxi through the app. Good option if you already use LINE.
• Taiwan Taxi (台灣大車隊, 55688) — The largest taxi company. Has its own app. Call 55688 to book by phone.
• yoxi — Operated by the same company as LINE Taxi. Premium sedan service available.

Tips for taxi rides

• Language barrier: Most taxi drivers speak limited English. Show your destination in Chinese characters on your phone. Google Maps is helpful — you can share your destination directly.
• Payment: Cash is always accepted. Some taxis accept EasyCard, credit cards, or LINE Pay — look for the stickers on the window.
• Receipts: Ask for a receipt (收據, shōu jù). The receipt includes the taxi number, which is useful if you leave something behind.
• Safety: Taiwan taxis are generally very safe. All taxis are required to have cameras and GPS. If you feel uncomfortable, note the taxi license number displayed on the dashboard.

Transportation tips and frequently asked questions

Best navigation tools

• Google Maps — Works excellently in Taiwan. Provides accurate transit directions including MRT, bus, TRA, and walking. Real-time traffic and public transport updates.
• Taipei Metro app — Real-time MRT train positions and estimated arrival times
• Bus Tracker apps — Real-time bus arrival information for each city
• Download offline maps — Useful for areas with poor signal (mountain areas, some older MRT sections)

Can I use an international driving license?

Yes, for up to 30 days from your entry date. Your International Driving Permit (IDP) must be accompanied by your original driver's license. After 30 days, you need to obtain a Taiwan license by converting your foreign license at a Motor Vehicle Office (需要到監理站換照).

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) → Taipei

Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) → City center

• Songshan Airport has its own MRT station on the Brown Line — just tap your EasyCard and ride. NT$20–30 to most city locations.

Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) → City center

• Kaohsiung MRT Red Line connects directly to the airport. NT$25–50 to city center.

Is Taiwan safe for solo travelers?

Extremely safe. Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in Asia. Public transportation runs reliably, streets are well-lit, and violent crime is rare. Solo female travelers report feeling very comfortable using public transport at all hours. The biggest "danger" is scooter traffic when crossing the street — always look both ways and use crosswalks.

Holiday travel tips

• Lunar New Year (January/February), Dragon Boat Festival (June), Mid-Autumn Festival (September), and National Day (October) are peak travel periods
• Train and HSR tickets sell out almost immediately when bookings open (28 days before travel)
• Highway traffic during holidays can be severe — avoid driving if possible
• Flights to outlying islands (Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu) also sell out during holidays

Money-saving transportation passes

Useful Chinese transportation phrases