🚇 Public Transport

Taiwan High Speed Rail

Taiwan's high-speed rail network, connecting major west-coast cities from Taipei to Kaohsiung in just a few hours. About Taiwan High Speed Rail: Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, 台灣高鐵) operates a fast, frequent rail line running down Taiwan's west coast, connecting Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and other major cities, making it the fastest way to travel long distances across the island by land. Key Features: High-Speed Connections: Travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in around 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on the train type. Frequent Departures: Trains run frequently throughout the day, especially between major stations. Online and App Booking: Reserve seats in advance via the official website or app, or buy tickets at the station. Multiple Fare Classes: Standard and Business class options, along with various discount fares for students, seniors, and advance bookings. How to Get Started: Book tickets in advance through the official THSR website or app, or purchase at station kiosks and counters. Choose your departure and arrival stations, date, and time. Select your fare class and confirm your booking, paying online or at the station. Arrive at the station with enough time to find your platform, especially during peak travel periods. Important Notice: THSR stations are sometimes located outside city centers (unlike some conventional rail stations) — check whether you'll need additional local transport to reach your final destination from the THSR station.

Taipei Metro (Go Metro)

Taipei's metro system journey-planning app, providing route information, fares, and real-time train arrival data for the MRT network. About Taipei Metro (Go Metro): Go Metro is the official Taipei Metro (MRT) app, providing route planning, fare calculation, first/last train times, and real-time information for Taipei's extensive and highly regarded metro network, one of the most efficient public transport systems in Asia. Key Features: Route Planning: Find the fastest MRT route between two stations, including transfer information. Fare Calculator: Check the exact fare for your planned journey before traveling. First/Last Train Times: See operating hours for each line to plan your trip accordingly. Station Facilities Information: Find exits, facilities, and nearby points of interest for each station. How to Get Started: Download the Go Metro app or use the Taipei Metro website. Search for your starting and destination stations. Review the suggested route, fare, and estimated travel time. Use an EasyCard or single-journey ticket to actually ride, based on the fare information provided. Important Notice: The app itself is for route planning — for actual travel, you'll need an EasyCard (recommended, works across most of Taiwan's public transport) or to purchase a token/ticket at the station.

Bus+

A Taiwanese app for checking bus routes, real-time arrival times, and planning journeys across Taiwan's city and intercity bus networks. About Bus+: Bus+ (公車通) is a Taiwan-focused transit app providing real-time bus arrival information, route planning, and schedules for city buses across Taiwan, useful for navigating public transport in Taipei and other Taiwanese cities. Key Features: Real-Time Bus Tracking: Live arrival estimates for buses at your selected stop. Route Search: Find which bus routes connect your starting point and destination. Favorites and Alerts: Save frequently used routes and stops for quick access. Multi-City Coverage: Bus information across various Taiwanese cities, not just Taipei. How to Get Started: Download the Bus+ app and allow location access, or manually search for your city. Search for your bus stop or route to see real-time arrival information. Save frequently used stops or routes as favorites for quick access. Use the route planner to find bus connections between two points. Important Notice: For combined multi-modal route planning (bus plus metro plus walking), a general transit app like Google Maps may give a more complete picture — Bus+ is strongest specifically for real-time bus arrival accuracy.

EasyCard

Taiwan's ubiquitous rechargeable smart card, used for public transport, convenience store purchases, and much more across the island. About EasyCard: EasyCard (悠遊卡) is Taiwan's most widely used contactless smart card, originally designed for Taipei Metro but now accepted across buses, trains, and metro systems nationwide, as well as for payments at convenience stores, vending machines, and many retailers. Key Features: Nationwide Transport Access: Works across Taipei Metro, buses, and many regional transport systems throughout Taiwan. Convenience Store Payments: Accepted for purchases at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and other major convenience store chains. Discounted Transfers: Transferring between different transport modes within a set time window often costs less than paying full fare each time. Reloadable Balance: Top up at stations, convenience stores, or via linked apps rather than buying individual tickets. How to Get Started: Buy an EasyCard at a metro station kiosk, convenience store, or airport upon arrival. Load balance onto the card at a station machine, convenience store, or through the EasyCard app. Tap the card on turnstiles or validators when boarding transport, or at checkout when paying for purchases. Check your remaining balance periodically and top up before it runs low. Important Notice: While EasyCard is extremely convenient across most of Taiwan, always confirm acceptance for less common transport routes or regional operators — the vast majority of daily use cases in cities are fully covered.