The Taiwan Railway Train Administration (depicted by the acronym “TRA”) has played a heavy role in domestic transportation since the late 19th century.
Starting with a direct route from Keelung to Hsinchu in the early 1890’s, the railway has expanded heavily during the Japanese colonization in the early 20th century. Today, the Taiwan TRA routes make a full circle around the coast of the island.
Because of Taiwan’s newly established high speed rail system and ever-growing bus routes, some destinations by train are no longer the best method of transportation.
But still, it’s estimated that the train still carries over 200 million passengers per year and over 500,000 passengers across Taiwan per day.
Table of Contents
12 Lines of the Taiwan Railway & Destinations
The railway system currently has 12 lines, with 240 different stops along the coast of the country. You can reach almost anywhere in Taiwan with this transportation method!
Although the Taiwan railways cover most of the popular destinations of the coast completely, they are still expanding rails to the inland areas of Taiwan.
1. Main Line
Keelung, Sankeng, Badu, Qidu, Wudu, Baifu, Xizhi, Xike, Nangang, Songshan, Taipei, Wanhua, Banqiao, Fuzhou, Shulin, Shanjia Yingge, Taoyuan, Neili, Zhongli, Puxin.
Yamgmei, Fugang, Beihu, Hukou, Hinfeng, Zhubei, North Hsinchu, Hsinchu.
2. Coast Line
Tanwen, Dashan, Houlong, Longgang, Baishatun, Xinpu, Tongxian, Yuanli, Rinan, Daja, Taichung Port, Qingshui, Shalu, Longjing, Dadu, Zhuifen.
3. Mountain Line
Zaoqiao, Fengfu, Miaoli, Nanshi, Tongluo, Sanyi, Tai’an, Houli, Fengyuan, Tanzi, Taiyuan, Taichung, Daqing, Wuri, Xinwuri, Chenggong.
4. Maintain Line South
Chuanghua, Huatan, Dacun, Yuanlin, Yongjing, Shetou, Tianzhong, Ershui, Linnei, Shiliu, Douliu, Dounan, Shigui, Dalin, Minxiong, Jiabei, Chiayi, Shuishang.
Nanjing, Houbi, Xinying, Liuying, Linfenying, Longtian, Balin, Shanhua, Xinshi, Yongkang, Daqiao, Tainan, Bao’an, Rende, Zhongzhou, Dahu, Luzhu, Gangshan, Qiaotou.
5. Pingtung Line
Kaohsiung, Fengshan, Houzhuang , Jiuqutang, Liukuaicuo, Pingtung, Guilai, Linluo, Xishi, Zhutian, Chaozhou, Kanding, Nanzhou, Zhen’an, Linbian, Jiadong, Donghai, Fanliao
6. South Link Line
Fangliao, Jialu, Neishi, Fangshan, Fangye, Guzhuang, Dawu, Longxi, Jinlun, Taimali, Zhiben, Kangle
7. Taitung Line
Taitung, Shanli, Luye, Ruiyuan, Ruihe, Yuemei, Guanshan, Haiduan, Chishang, Fuli, Dongzhu, Dongli, Yuli, Sanmin, Ruisui, Fuyuan, Dafu, Guangfu, Wanrong, Fenglin, Nanping, Xikou, Fongtian, Shoufeng, Pinghe, Zhixue, Ji’an, Hualien
8. North Link Line
Hualien, Beipu, Jingmei, Xincheng (Taroko), Chongde, Heren, Heping, Hanben, Wuta, Nan’ao, Dong’ao, Yongle, Su’aoxin.
9. Yilan Line
Su’ao, Su’aoxin, Xinma, Dongshan, Luodong, Zhongli, Erjie, Yilan, Sicheng, Jiaoxi, Dingpu, Toucheng, Wai’ao, Guishan, Daxi, Dali, Shicheng, Fulong.
Gongliao, Shuangxi, Mudan, Sandiaoling, Houtong, Haikeguan, Ruifang, Sijiaoting, Nuannuan, Qidu, Badu.
10. Pingxi Line
Shandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi, Jingtong.
11. Neiwan Line
North Hsinchu, Shiebo, Xinzhuang, Zhuzhong, Shangyuan, Ronghua, Zhudong, Hengshan, Jiuzantou, Hexing, Fuguei, Neiwan.
12. Jiji Line
Ershui, Yuanquan, Zhoushui, Longquan, Jiji, Shuili, Checheng.
IMPORTANT: If you aren’t sure what line you need to take to your destination, make sure to use the TRA ticket system.
Enter your starting destination and where you want to go. It will tell you what line you need to take, which train to take and how much it costs. Very useful for tourists.
Taipei Train Station to Popular Destinations
Most novice travelers in Taiwan become pretty intimidated after looking into the TRA for transportation. But not to worry, in this section I’ll help simplify things by listing popular destinations you can use the TRA to travel to from Taipei.
Note: The Taipei train station is also located at the Taipei Main Station, which you can get to by using the Taipei MRT on the blue line.
To Keelung – Take a Keelung-bound local train.
To Jiufen, Ruifang – Take the Tze-Chiang train to Ruifang Station (check out the Jiufen Guide)
To Fulong Beach – Take a Chu-Kuang train to Fulong Station.
To Toucheng – Take the Tze-Chiang train to Toucheng Station.
To Raohe Night Market – Take any train to the Songshan Station (check out the Raohe Night Market Guide).
Tips for Traveling by Railway Train
If you plan on traveling from Hsinchu to Ruifang, the Easy Card can be used regardless of train class. This allows you to skip a troublesome step. But be aware that the Easy Card can’t be used if you want reserved seating.
Hang on to your ticket! If you lose your ticket while on the train, you will be forced to pay the maximum fare for traveling on your line. After getting on the train and seated, an employee will come by checking tickets.
If you’re traveling to destinations in the east like Jiaoxi or Yilan, the bus might be a better alternative. A few years ago, the Taiwan government created a series of tunnels that go straight through a mountain.
The train route goes around the mountain and takes a much longer time.
Sometimes, the High Speed Rail (HSR) may seem like a better option because it goes much faster, but it isn’t always the most convenient.
For example, if you were going from Keelung to Pingtung, you would need to get to Taipei to take the HSR to Kaohsiung and then the train to Pingtung. It’s not as convenient as you would think.
Always arrive early. Some of the train stations are quite confusing and you may miss your train. The train will always leave on time.
If you miss your train ride, you cannot get a refund or an exchange. This is unfortunate, but follow tip #4 and don’t miss your train!
Taiwan TRA Fare & Prices
Unlike the fares of the Taiwan HSR, the TRA fare prices are highly regulated and do not offer any time/demand-based discounts to their passengers.
But regardless, the railway train still remains a great option for budget travelers because the price is unbeatable.
The price of a TRA fare will depend on the length of your traveling. It can range anywhere from $64 NTD to $955 NTD. But to make sure what the exact rate is, check the online ticketing system.
Where to Buy Taiwan Railway Tickets?
There are really two ways you can purchase your TRA fair.
Online booking/Convenience store – If you plan to purchase your ticket through the online booking site here, you will need to get it printed in a convenience store.
This means any 7Eleven, Family Mart, OK mart or Hi-life. Unfortunately, you will not be able to print out the tickets from the convenience of your home.
Train Station Machines – You can also visit any train station in advance and purchase through the machines they have dedicated for ticket purchases. It is uncommon for train stations to have a live person to help with your ticket purchases.