Taiwan · High-speed
Taiwan High Speed Rail runs 350 km down the island's western plain from Taipei to Zuoying in Kaohsiung, calling at Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan among its twelve stations. Unusually for a high-speed system, THSRC sells unreserved tickets valid for all trains as well as reserved seats.
Taipei → Kaohsiung
1h 36m
Photo: Rsa · CC BY-SA 3.0
Published primary route
Published end-to-end time
Published corridor distance
Check the selected service before travel
Route & corridor
Engineering-led corridor. The map, ordered calls and any engineering detail shown below come from the published route record.
South down Taiwan's western coastal plain from Taipei through Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan to Zuoying in Kaohsiung: a 350 km route with twelve stations.
350 km · Taipei to Kaohsiung
Key stops
Taipei StationTaoyuan StationHsinchu StationChiayi StationTainan StationZuoying Station
Taipei Station
Taiwan
Taoyuan Station
Taiwan
Hsinchu Station
Taiwan
Taichung Station
Taiwan
Chiayi Station
Taiwan
Tainan Station
Taiwan
Zuoying Station
Taiwan
Why this connection
Taiwan is a small island with a mountain range down its spine, and this line runs the full length of the habitable western side of it; so a single 350 km railway effectively serves the whole country. It is also the most relaxed high-speed system to use: unreserved tickets are valid on any train, so you can turn up and go, which is not true of most high-speed railways anywhere. Tainan's old temples and Kaohsiung's harbour both become a couple of hours from Taipei as a result.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
The train in service
Only confirmed onboard details and photographs tied to this service appear here. Unrecorded facilities remain unknown.
This is a fast intercity run, so the pleasure is in how quickly the map changes rather than in lingering over any one view. It is a short hop between Taipei and Kaohsiung (about 350 km), so the interest is concentrated rather than spread out, there is little dead time either side of the best stretches. Passing Taoyuan Station and Taichung Station gives the journey its midpoint, and the character either side of it is noticeably different.
Step-free boarding
THSRC designates a specific Accessible Car in its seat map alongside Standard and Business cars.
Luggage storage
At least one large luggage storage area is provided in each car, with additional space recommended near seats or in overhead racks.
Premium seating
THSRC operates a distinct Business Car in addition to Standard Cars, as shown on its seat map.
3 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
1h 36m
South down Taiwan's western coastal plain from Taipei through Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan to Zuoying in Kaohsiung: a 350 km route with twelve stations.
South down Taiwan's western coastal plain from Taipei through Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan to Zuoying in Kaohsiung: a 350 km route with twelve stations.
350 km · Taipei to Kaohsiung
Key stops
Taipei StationTaoyuan StationHsinchu StationChiayi StationTainan StationZuoying Station
Taipei Station
Taiwan
Taoyuan Station
Taiwan
Hsinchu Station
Taiwan
Taichung Station
Taiwan
Chiayi Station
Taiwan
Tainan Station
Taiwan
Zuoying Station
Taiwan
This is a fast intercity run, so the pleasure is in how quickly the map changes rather than in lingering over any one view. It is a short hop between Taipei and Kaohsiung (about 350 km), so the interest is concentrated rather than spread out, there is little dead time either side of the best stretches. Passing Taoyuan Station and Taichung Station gives the journey its midpoint, and the character either side of it is noticeably different.
Step-free boarding
THSRC designates a specific Accessible Car in its seat map alongside Standard and Business cars.
Luggage storage
At least one large luggage storage area is provided in each car, with additional space recommended near seats or in overhead racks.
Premium seating
THSRC operates a distinct Business Car in addition to Standard Cars, as shown on its seat map.
3 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Jan: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.
Solo travellers
Especially good
Frequent departures and assigned seating make solo travel straightforward, with no need to plan around a single daily train.
First-time rail travellers
Especially good
A frequent, clearly signed, reservable service between major cities; one of the easiest ways to make a first long-distance journey in the country.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
A working high-speed railway running at its designed speed on purpose-built infrastructure rather than upgraded classic line.
Families
Good fit
Short journey, level boarding at the principal stations and toilets on board; luggage space is the usual constraint at busy times.
Couples
Comfortable paired seating and a short journey, though this is transport rather than an occasion in itself.
Older travellers
Step-free access at the principal stations and a seated, reserved journey with no changes.
Less suitable for slow travellers
The point of this route is speed; travellers looking for a long, unhurried journey will find it over quickly.
Prices quoted No fixed published fare. Tickets are sold at operator-set fares that vary by date, service and how far ahead you book; check the operator for the price on your travel date.
We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there. Journey length: 1h 36m. Checked 11 Sep 2026 · Taiwan High Speed Rail · unreserved tickets.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Reserved seats can be booked in advance, but THSRC also sells unreserved tickets valid for all trains, so travelling at short notice is straightforward. No extra reservation is needed with a rail pass.
Official journey information, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) (opens in a new tab)We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
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AI-generated editorial illustration by Rail Atlas
Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 11 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026