Shift work, rent, and family remittances can empty a wallet fast. My first Taiwan Metro Pass showed me a better way. One card let me cross Taipei before work, visit the south on weekends, and still send money home. In this short read, I share every pass, price, and trick I use so you can travel smart from your first day in Taiwan.
Quick Look: Passes and Prices
| Pass | Validity | Adult price | Coverage | Where to buy |
| Taipei Metro Pass (24 h / 48 h / 72 h) | 24, 48, or 72 hours from first tap | NTD 180 / 280 / 380 | Taipei and New Taipei MRT | Any MRT service desk |
| Kaohsiung Metro 24-hour Pass | 24 hours from first tap | NTD 180 | Kaohsiung MRT | Kaohsiung MRT stations |
| Taichung MRT Pass (1-day / 24 h / 48 h) | Calendar day or 24-/48-hour | NTD 120 / 150 / 250 | Taichung MRT | Taichung MRT offices |
| THSR 3-Day Pass | 3 consecutive days | NTD 2,200 | All High-Speed Rail | THSR counters or website |
| THSR Flexible 2-Day Pass | Any 2 days in 7 | NTD 2,500 | All High-Speed Rail | Same as above |
| TRA TR-PASS 5-Day | 5 consecutive days | NTD 3,200 | All Taiwan Rail lines | Major TRA stations |
Why the Right Pass Matters
- A round-trip Taipei to Kaohsiung ticket costs almost NTD 2,980. A three-day High-Speed Rail pass costs 2,200, so one trip pays for the pass and more.
- Nine average Taipei MRT rides equal the price of a 24-hour Metro Pass. Long errand days quickly break even.
- Stored-value cards give small discounts but never beat unlimited rides on busy sightseeing days.
Metro-Only Passes
Taipei multi-day passes
I use the 24-hour pass when errands fill my day off. Tapping at noon lets me ride free until just before lunch next day. The 48- and 72-hour options shine when friends visit and we squeeze many stops into one weekend.
Kaohsiung 24-hour pass
Perfect for southern food trips. Eleven rides cover the cost; anything extra is pure savings.
Taichung MRT passes
Taichung’s single Green Line is short, so the 24-hour ticket is enough for Rainbow Village, the night market, and the train back.
Regional Rail Bundles
High-Speed Rail (THSR) passes
Speed turns rest days into mini vacations. With a three-day pass I surf in Taitung on Saturday, attend church Sunday evening in Taipei, and still clock in for Monday’s night shift.
Taiwan Rail (TRA) TR-PASS
The five-day pass is slower yet scenic. It fits coastal trips or temple hopping. June 2025 fare changes raised the cost, so compare carefully.
Combo “Taiwan Pass”
Tourism offices now offer seven-day tickets that mix TRA, metro rides, and tourist shuttles. They suit first-time visitors who plan to circle the island.
Smartcard versus Fixed-Day Pass
| Feature | EasyCard | iPASS |
| Best for | Taipei and north | Kaohsiung and south |
| Up-front cost | NTD 100 deposit plus stored value | NTD 100 deposit plus stored value |
| Metro discount | Yes | Yes |
| Maokong Gondola access | Yes | Not yet |
Choose a smartcard for simple commutes of fewer than eight rides a day. Choose a fixed-day pass for sightseeing marathons or long intercity trips.
Strategies for Daily OFW life
- Map your week on Sunday night
Write your work shifts, errands, and leisure plans. If a single day includes more than eight metro rides, buy a day pass for that date.
- Stack savings with partner perks
Some restaurant chains offer ten-percent discounts when you show a recent THSR ticket. Keep used tickets in your wallet until they expire.
- Pair passes with stored-value cards
Use a metro pass for trains, then tap EasyCard for buses that the pass does not cover. The bus ride is half price within one hour of an MRT ride.
- Share tips with dorm mates
Coordinate weekend trips. When three friends buy the same pass, you can split group taxi costs between stations and save even more.
- Track spending in a notebook
Record fare costs daily. At month-end compare total rides with pass prices. This habit shows whether a weekly or monthly pass might beat single tickets.
- Recharge during off-peak hours
Lines at convenience stores are shorter after lunch break. Top up or buy passes then to avoid missing the next train.
Buying and recharging
- Visit any metro station counter to buy or activate a pass.
- Refill EasyCard or iPASS twenty-four hours a day at convenience stores.
- Purchase THSR and TRA passes online, then swap the QR code for a paper ticket at the station before boarding.
- Keep receipts. Foreign visitors can claim small tax refunds when one-time transport spending passes 2 000 within thirty days.
How I choose the right pass
- List planned stops and add single fares in a transit app.
- If the sum nears eighty percent of a pass price, I buy the pass.
- Combine one metro pass with a smartcard when itineraries mix trains and buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can resident card holders buy tourist passes?
No. High-Speed Rail and some Rail passes are only for short-term visitors.
What if I lose a metro pass?
Report it at any station. The balance is not refundable and you must buy a new card.
Do any passes cover city buses?
Taipei’s multi-day passes cover only MRT and the Circular Line. EasyCard gives a bus discount within one hour of an MRT ride.
Are child prices different?
Yes. High-Speed Rail, Taiwan Rail, and combo passes sell half-price tickets for children aged six to eleven.
Final thoughts
A Taiwan Metro Pass is like a grocery bundle: plan ahead, buy in bulk, and watch the savings grow. Test one on your next rest day, compare the numbers, then decide which card fits your routine. Smart rides today mean bigger remittances tomorrow.