Buying Taiwan HSR Tickets: A Step-by-Step Guide for Travellers

Travelling around Taiwan is easier than ever thanks to the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR), which links the island’s major cities in record time. If you’re planning to visit, figuring out the best way to purchase Taiwan HSR tickets can save you money, guarantee your seat, and ensure a stress-free trip. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to buy Taiwan High-Speed rail tickets, from ticket types and booking methods to whether you should buy in advance.

We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

What is the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR)?

The Taiwan High-Speed Rail is a modern train system that runs along the west coast of the island. It opened in 2007 and was modelled after Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet train). Trains reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, so you can cross the entire island in just a couple of hours in comfort.¹

Key routes and cities covered

The Taiwan HSR spans 350 km¹ along the west coast, connecting Taipei in the north to Zuoying in the south. Altogether, the HSR stops at 12 stations2:

• Nangang
• Taipei
• Banqiao
• Taoyuan
• Hsinchu
• Miaoli
• Taichung
• Changhua
• Yunlin
• Chiayi
• Tainan
• Zuoying

Types of tickets

When you try to book HSR tickets in Taiwan, you’ll notice that the system offers different tickets based on seat choice and flexibility.

• Reserved seats: These guarantee you a specific seat on a particular train. They’re ideal for travellers who want to plan their schedule in advance, or are travelling with a group or during busy holiday periods. Prices are fixed, but you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing you have a seat waiting for you.
• Non-reserved seats: These are available in specific train cars, usually at a slightly lower price. You don’t get an assigned seat, so it’s first-come, first-served. While convenient for spontaneous travellers, non-reserved cars can fill quickly during rush hours. Non-reserved tickets are also only available on the day the train departs, so you won’t be able to plan ahead with this method.³

How to buy Taiwan High-Speed Rail tickets

If you’re wondering how to buy Taiwan High-Speed Rail tickets, the good news is that there are plenty of purchasing options.

Buying HSR tickets in Taiwan: Online via the official website

The official Taiwan High-Speed Rail website is the most reliable place to purchase Taiwan HSR tickets in advance. You can switch the language to English in the sidebar, then search for a train by date and time or train number.

You can also choose whether you want a one-way or round-trip ticket, standard or business class, and a window or aisle seat.

Once you select a train, you need to enter your passport details, mobile number, and email address, then pay for your ticket.

You can book HSR tickets in Taiwan online starting 29 days before departure and up to 1 hour before the train leaves.⁴ Beyond that, buying HSR tickets in Taiwan is only possible at the station.

After buying HSR tickets in Taiwan online, you need to pick them up at an HSR ticket counter, automatic ticket machine, or convenience store. You can collect them anytime up to the train’s departure with your ID and reservation number.

Using the T-EX mobile app to book HSR tickets in Taiwan

If you want to skip picking up a physical ticket, consider buying HSR tickets in Taiwan from the T-EX mobile app instead. Download the app on your iOS or Android device, then search for and purchase your tickets.

After you pay, you’ll receive a QR code, which you can scan at the ticket gates for boarding, skipping the need for a physical ticket entirely. Ticket sales close 5 minutes before departure on the app, so you can book HSR tickets to Taiwan at the last minute if you need to.

Purchasing tickets at HSR station vending machines or counters

If you prefer buying in person, you can book Taiwan HSR tickets directly at the station. Each HSR station has ticket counters staffed with English-speaking personnel as well as self-service vending machines that you can switch to English.

The ticket window stops selling Taiwan HSR tickets 3 minutes prior to departure,⁷ and you can buy tickets at the vending machines up until the train is about to leave.⁸

This option is perfect if you like flexibility and don’t want to commit to a strict schedule during your trip.

Getting tickets at local convenience stores

The final method of buying HSR tickets in Taiwan is at a convenience store. Chains like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart have kiosks where you can book HSR tickets in Taiwan.⁶

Once you purchase your ticket, the kiosk will print it immediately. However, you’ll have to pay a small convenience fee of 10 TWD (about 0.43 SGD) to purchase your Taiwan HSR tickets at one of these stores.

Do I need to buy Taiwan HSR tickets in advance?

A common question first-time visitors to Taiwan have is: Do I need to buy Taiwan HSR tickets in advance? The answer depends on whether you value discounts, flexibility, or peace of mind more.

Benefits of booking early

• Early bird discounts: Taiwan HSR offers discounts of up to 35% on certain trains if you book at least five days in advance.³ These promotions are limited and often sell out quickly, so consider setting an alarm to notify you when booking opens if you want to save money.
• Seat guarantee: For busy travel periods, such as Lunar New Year or weekends, reserving ahead ensures you won’t be left standing in a crowded non-reserved car.
• Peace of mind: Buying HSR tickets in Taiwan ahead of time lets you focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about logistics.

Benefits of buying on the spot

• Maximum flexibility: One of the main benefits of buying HSR tickets in Taiwan on the spot is the flexibility. You can decide your travel time on the day itself, so you don’t have to worry about missing any sightseeing. However, you’ll have to pay full price for this flexibility, and you may not get a reserved seat during peak hours.
• No commitment: If your itinerary changes, you’re not tied to a specific departure time.

Pay for your Taiwan HSR tickets, food and shopping with the Wise card and get the mid-market rate for your SGD to TWD conversions

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including MYR, JPY, CNY, and USD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up SGD to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 8.50 SGD. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in SGD and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.26%.

💳 Get your Wise card