Taiwan’s east coast intimidates travelers for a whole host of reasons. And I’m not just talking about how many earthquakes seem to happen there, though I’m sure headlines about them don’t help.
There are more practical truths that underlie this tendency as well, namely transportation. While I don’t mind a slow train or renting a car from time to time, the reality is that many foreign travelers aren’t going to go anywhere that requires a large amount of effort to reach.
Now unfortunately, I have to drop a bit of bad news on you: There is no bullet train to Taitung. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t simple ways to reach the city, if you have just a little bit of patience.
Why the Taiwan HSR Doesn’t Go Down Taiwan’s East Coast
As I’ve already explained, you can’t ride the HSR to Taitung. As of 2025, the furthest east it goes is Nangang Station in eastern Taipei. While there have been rumors about the train being extended to Yilan or even all the way to Hualien, this is not on the horizon for the foreseeable future. This is first and foremost because it doesn’t make financial sense to build such an expensive railway to such a relatively poor part of Taiwan.
There are other reasons, too. For example, Taiwan’s east coast is extremely prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters, which would put a much higher strain on a hypothetic east coast HSR line on than on the existing west coast one. Then there’s the reality the existing rail lines (many of them relatively fast Limited Express services) more than meet the needs of both local and visiting passengers.
All the Ways to Reach Taitung
Limited Express train from Taipei Main Station
Limited Express trains depart Taipei Main Station around once an hour for Taitung. Many of these are operated as the Tze-Chiang Limited Express, a super-fast train (well, at least considering it not being a bullet train) that takes as little as four hours en route.
Fly from Taipei (TSA) to Taitung (TTT)
If you can’t get over the lack of a legitimate fast train to Taitung, another option is to fly. I’m talking about from Taipei-Songshan to Taitung Airport. Flights operate up to a dozen times a day, and on both of Taiwan’s main domestic airlines, i.e. UNI Air (an affiliate of EVA Air) and China Airlines’ domestic subsidiary Mandarin Airlines.
Limited Express train from Kaohsiung Main Station
Kaohsiung is even closer to Taitung than Taipei is, even considering the limitations of non-high speed trains. Whether you use the Tze-Chaing Limited Express or another service, your journey time from Kaohsiung Main Station to Taitung Station (which, you should note, is a 15-minute bus ride from central Taitung City), your journey could be a short as two hours one-way.
Bus from Hualien or Kenting
The bad news? There is no single bus from Taipei to Taitung, at least not as of this writing. The good news? If you’re going to be significantly closer to Taitung (in other words, up the coast in Hualien or down the coast in Kenting National Park), you can take a direct bus to Taitung.
Drive from Hualien or Kenting
Then again, it’s much easier to traveling to Taitung from Hualien or Kenting (or anywhere on Taiwan’s east coast, really) with your own set of wheels. And frankly, since many travelers in this part of Taiwan do so as part of a road trip, it’s at least somewhere likely that this will be the case.
How to Get Around in Taitung
Taitung doesn’t have a metro, or even a light rail system, which can make getting around intimidating for visitors. On the other hand, local buses are pretty good, albeit mostly within the city center. In Taitung County more broadly, you could find yourself waiting a long time indeed to get around. But with patience and a sense of humor, you’ll probably be fun when it comes to transport.
On the other hand, if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) and are comfortable with the idea of renting a car in Taiwan, having your own set of wheels will make your time in Taitung pass a lot smoother. Without needing to worry about when the next bus will come, you’re completely free to explore and discover!
Other FAQ About Trains to Taitung
Why doesn’t the Taiwan HSR go to Taitung?
The Taiwan HSR is expensive to build and operate, and Taitung is a relatively poor city; authorities have therefore determined that the ROI of such a project would be low. At the same time, I can’t help but think that tourism to Taitung would increase significantly if it were better connected to the rest of the country.
What is the fastest way to reach Taitung?
The fastest way to reach Taitung is to fly from Taipei (TSA) to Taitung (TTT) on UNI Air or Mandarin Airlines. Alternatively, a Limited Express train takes as little as four hours one way, though you should keep in mind that Taitung Main Station is a bit outside of Taitung’s city center.
Can I take a train from Taipei to Taitung?
Yes, several trains per day run from Taipei to Taitung. However, you should keep in mind that these aren’t Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) trains, but rather Limited Express trains that nonetheless take between 3-6 hours to make the journey between the cities.
The Bottom Line
You can’t take a bullet train to Taitung, but there are many other ways to reach Taiwan’s most remote major city. Most travelers will simply ride a Limited Express train from Taipei, which thankfully only takes a few hours—if you leave Taipei after breakfast, you’ll be in Taitung by lunch time. Alternatively, you can fly, though you should keep in mind that Taitung’s airport is a fair distance from its city center; this is a better option if you’re continuing directly to Lanyu or Lyüdao. On the other hand, if transportation logistics generally make your head hurt, you should consider hiring me to plan your trip for you.
