If you have already explored Taipei City and you are thinking about your next destination, why not go to the southern part of the country? Here, you will find the third-most populous city in Taiwan, with 2.73 million residents as of 2023: Kaohsiung City.
Kaohsiung City plays a major role in the national economy. It is home to the Port of Kaohsiung, which happens to be the biggest (not to mention the busiest) harbor in the country. Majority of Taiwan’s import and export activity goes through this port. In addition, the city features plenty of natural, cultural, and modern attractions that are definitely worth including in your itinerary!
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How to Travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in 4 Ways
Kaohsiung is the largest city in southern Taiwan; its residents include foreign workers, with a growing Filipino community, as well. If you are coming from Taipei and you’d like to discover the beautiful city of Kaohsiung, you’d be happy to know that there are different ways to get here, depending on your time and budget.
Four common ways to reach Kaohsiung from Taipei include intercity buses, regular trains, high speed rail, and air travel.
Taipei to Kaohsiung By Bus
One of the best ways to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung is by bus. There are private companies that provide intercity bus services; among these are Ho-hsin Bus, Kuo-Kuang Bus, Solar Bus, and Ubus. Their buses carry passengers to different parts of Taiwan, mainly through the country’s provincial and national highways.
A bus ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five (5) hours, with ticket prices ranging from TWD 400 up to TWD 700. Most bus routes operate daily, with some even available 24 hours a day! Typically, you don’t need to make a reservation to ride these buses. However, seats could fill up easily during the holidays, so we highly recommend that you book tickets in advance during these occasions.
Taking the bus is not only safe and convenient, but also affordable compared to other means of transportation. Moreover, since you’re not in a hurry, you can relax and enjoy the scenery as the bus travels from town to town, city to city… until your reach your destination! So if you are looking for the most budget-friendly option to reach Kaohsiung, don’t hesitate to try intercity buses!
Taipei to Kaohsiung By Regular Train
Taiwan has an excellent and highly developed railway network, with systems operating within and in-between major cities, including Taipei and Kaohsiung. These systems are operated by the Taiwan Railway Corporation (formerly Taiwan Railway Administration).
Traveling by train from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around four and a half (4.5) to six (6) hours, depending on which train you take. You can choose from the following: Chu-Kuang Express, Fu-Hsing Semi Express, Local Train, Fast Local Train, Ordinary Train, and Tze-Chiang Limited Express.
As for ticket prices, these could range from TWD 800 to TWD 900. You can buy tickets at the train station, or book them online. When booking online, you’ll still need to get your printed tickets at a convenience store, post office, or at the train station itself. Usually, payments can be made using cash or credit card.
For a price that’s only slightly higher than bus fare, you can travel from the northern to southern part of the country via Taiwan Railway (TR). Get ready for a relaxing, scenic, and enjoyable ride — without having to break the bank!
Taipei to Kaohsiung By High Speed Rail
Of course, if there’s a regular train, there’s also a high-speed train! For the fastest way to reach Kaohsiung by land transport, consider taking Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR). Through this option, travel time between Taipei and Kaohsiung is just around two (2) hours — about two times faster than by regular train!
Via HSR, travel fare from Taipei to Kaohsiung starts at TWD 1,445. You can choose from three different types of tickets: Business Car, Standard Car, or Non-Reserved Car. Tickets for Business and Standard Cars are typically reserved in advance, while those with Non-Reserved Tickets can choose any available seat in the Non-Reserved Car. From time to time, HSR announces early-bird promos, along with discounts for senior citizens’ and children’s tickets… So watch out for these travel promos!
Similar to the Taiwan Railway (TR), HSR tickets can be purchased at the station (i.e. ticker counter or ticket vending machine) or through a convenience store. You can also buy on the day itself, or book tickets in advance. Once again, if you’re going to travel on a holiday, we suggest you book first to reserve your seats!
The HSR is definitely a fast, efficient, and comfortable way to travel within Taiwan. You should try it at least once during your stay here!
Taipei to Kaohsiung By Plane
If you are pressed for time, and money is not a problem… the fastest way to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung is by plane. Carriers such as Mandarin Airlines, Uni Air, and the Philippines’ Air Asia operate regular flights on this route, and you can choose from different schedules, depending on your available time and budget.
If you are departing from the Taipei Songshan Airport to Kaohsiung, the travel time is just around one (1) hour and 10 minutes. Meanwhile, if you depart from Taoyuan International Airport, you should be able to reach Kaohsiung in just 50 minutes!
As you can see, air travel offers the fastest way to reach Kaohsiung, although of course… it is also the most expensive!
Aside from buses, regular train, high speed rail, and air travel, there are two other ways to reach Kaohsiung from Taipei: by taking a taxi, or by driving a rental car.
Using these methods, travel time would be around 4.5 hours, similar to travel via regular train. However, it’s going to cost you, especially the taxi ride, since you’ll be charged per meter. On the other hand, renting a car could work if you are traveling with your family or with a group of friends, since you can all pitch in for the cost of rental services and fuel.
Based on the above options, which one would you choose for your next trip from Taipei to Kaoshiung? It all depends on your available time, budget, and preferences, really. What matters most is that you complete the journey! And once you reach Kaohsiung, do you know where to go? If you haven’t made an itinerary yet, check out this guide, which features budget-friendly activities in Kaohsiung!