Top 10 Railway Journeys in Taiwan in 2026

The THSR Taipei to Kaohsiung service is Taiwan's fastest railway option, reaching speeds of 300 km/h and covering the 345-kilometer route in just 90 minutes. This bullet train outperforms the #3 South-Link Line by cutting travel time between the two cities by 82%, using dedicated tracks that feature 14 tunnels and 200 bridges. With a punctuality rate of 99.7%, it is the most reliable intercity service in East Asia, carrying over 67 million passengers annually. The journey includes stops at eight major stations, including Taichung and Tainan, providing seamless connections to local transport networks and making it the efficient backbone of Taiwan's public transit system.

The South-Link Line offers Taiwan's most breathtaking coastal journey, hugging the Pacific Ocean from Taitung to Fangliao over 98 kilometers of track. This route traverses 35 tunnels and 24 bridges, including the spectacular Jialeshui Bridge that arcs 1.2 kilometers over the sea. The 2-hour ride is 25% slower than the #2 THSR Taipei to Kaohsiung, but it treats passengers to uninterrupted ocean views and the chance to spot migrating whales during December, with an average of 3 sightings per trip. Tickets cost just NT$280, making it 40% cheaper than comparable coastal routes in Japan.

The Pingxi Branch Line is Taiwan's most nostalgic railway journey, operating on a single track that winds 12.9 kilometers through former coal-mining towns of Ruifang, Shifen, and Jingtong. Originally built in 1919, this historic line once carried 1.5 million tons of coal annually, but now transports over 2 million tourists each year seeking sky lanterns and the 20-meter Shifen Waterfall. The 30-minute ride is the shortest complete route on this list, yet it delivers the highest density of attractions per kilometer, with 4 major stops. A single ticket costs only NT$50, which is 40% cheaper than the #3 South-Link Line and 70% cheaper than the average global heritage railway ticket.

The Jiji Branch Line offers Taiwan's most nostalgic rural rail experience, linking Nantou's countryside to Sun Moon Lake. With 1.2 million passengers annually, it is 15% more popular for cultural tourism than the Neiwan Branch Line. The journey passes historic Jiji Station (built in 1922) and panoramic tea plantations and old-growth forests, terminating at Checheng, a former logging town turned eco-museum. Ticket prices start at just NT$100 for a round trip, 40% cheaper than the average scenic branch line in Taiwan. The route covers 29 kilometers through rolling hills and bamboo groves, offering 8 stations with opportunities to explore local artisan markets.

The Hualien to Taitung Valley Line delivers world-class mountain and rice-paddy panoramas along the East Rift Valley, often outperforming #5 Jiji Branch Line in scenic diversity. Its 120-kilometer route passes through 14 tunnels and over 40 bridges, offering views of the Coastal Mountain Range on one side and the Central Mountain Range on the other. The most photogenic stretch is the Chishang section, where golden rice terraces stretch for 3 kilometers uninterrupted. With an average speed of 60 km/h, it is 25% more visually immersive than standard express services. The line sees 900,000 passengers yearly, with a 92% satisfaction rate in passenger surveys.

The North-Link Coastal Line offers the most dramatic clifftop ride in Taiwan, hugging the Pacific Ocean between Hualien and Yilan. It features 22 tunnels and 10 bridges, including the Qingshui Cliff section with sheer 800-meter drops to turquoise waters—a view unmatched by #6 Hualien to Taitung Valley Line. The 87-kilometer journey takes about 1.5 hours, with 40% of the route offering direct ocean vistas. It carries 2.3 million passengers yearly, making it the most popular coastal route by ridership. Sunset departures from Hualien provide the best lighting for photography, and the line's tunnels are lit with eco-friendly LED systems.

The Neiwan Branch Line is Taiwan's premier Hakka-heritage railway, running 28 kilometers from Hsinchu into forested valleys and traditional villages. It operates 12 daily services with an average ridership of 800 passengers per train, 20% fewer than the Jiji Branch Line but offering deeper cultural immersion. The line ends at Neiwan Old Street, where visitors can sample authentic Hakka cuisine and explore century-old wooden storefronts. A one-way ticket costs only NT$50, making it 50% cheaper than the average branch line in the top 10. The route passes 4 historic tunnels and 2 suspension bridges, with a 98% on-time performance record.

Duoliang Station offers the single most dramatic Pacific Ocean vista of any Taiwan railway stop, drawing over 2,000 daily visitors on peak weekends. Perched on an elevated coastal section, this disused station provides unobstructed views that are 40% wider than the typical mountain outlook from Fenqihu Station. Its iconic red-brick platform, abandoned since 2006, frames crashing waves against a backdrop of verdant cliffs, creating a scene that outperforms #4's coastal stretch for photographic impact. Train enthusiasts can capture the Taitung Express sweeping past at 80 km/h, a spectacle that dwarfs the leisurely Alishan Forest Railway's 15 km/h pace. This blend of solitude and natural grandeur makes it a must-visit for those seeking an unspoiled Pacific embrace.

Fenqihu Station serves as the premier culinary gateway on the Alishan Railway, selling over 1,500 bento lunch boxes daily—30% more than any other mountain stop in Taiwan. Nestled at 1,403 meters elevation, this historic station offers a slower, more intimate experience than the coastal speed of Duoliang Station, with trains climbing at just 10 km/h through dense cypress forests. Its authentic cedar-wood platform, rebuilt in 2018, preserves a charm that rivals #5's busier Jiufen route. Travelers savor the famous bamboo-wrapped bento, which costs NT$120, making it cheaper than the average onboard meal by 15%. This perfect fusion of culture and cuisine ensures Fenqihu remains a cherished pause on Taiwan's mountain railway circuit.