6 Best Taiwan Scenic Train Routes You Can’t Miss
If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, you cannot miss out on the trains. And to be fair, you probably won’t, since they’re one of the best ways to explore the country.
Taiwan isn’t just well connected by a convenient train system, but the routes that wind through mountains and run alongside rivers leave me in awe every time.
When people tell me they’re planning their trip, I always persuade them to take the best Taiwan scenic train routes. Seriously, the views in Taiwan are jaw-dropping, and you’d be missing out by not embracing the train culture.
In this post, I’ll outline my favorite scenic train rides in Taiwan of all time, with tips on how to book each one. So fellow train journey lovers, let’s get into it!
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My Experience with Taiwan’s Best Scenic Train Routes
I lived in Taiwan for over 2 years and have returned multiple times since, so I’m no stranger to taking trains around the country.
I’m especially in love with Taiwan’s scenic train rides. They’re one of the best ways to fall in love while sitting cozily back in your seat.
I’ve taken trains up and down the East Coast multiple times and ridden a few historical routes, such as the Chiayi-Fenqihu route that was once used to haul logs during the Japanese colonial era.
For me, taking trains around Taiwan is always more than just getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about appreciating the culture, the scenery, and the history of Taiwan — yes, I know I’m a total simp for Taiwan.
And with that said, if you take any of these scenic Taiwan train routes, I know you’ll fall in love with Taiwan as hard as I have.
Passes & Tickets for the Best Taiwan Scenic Train Routes
Before we get into the best scenic train routes in Taiwan, let’s talk about a few train pass options and other options on how to buy tickets.
Taiwan High Speed Rail Pass
Now, the Taiwan HSR isn’t necessary along any beautiful route in Taiwan. I mean, it’s still beautiful, but not as much as other slower routes on the East Coast or in the mountains.
That said, the Taiwan HSR is ideal for getting around quickly, and I especially recommend it if you’ll be visiting cities along the West Coast, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.
You can get a 2/3/5 day unlimited Taiwan High Speed Rail Pass, which is perfect for shorter trips if you’ll be spending more time on the West Coast.
There’s also the Taiwan Pass, which bundles Taiwan’s HSR, a city MRT, and a tourist shuttle bus journey.
Taiwan High Speed Rail Individual Tickets
If you won’t need the Taiwan HSR pass for consecutive days, you can book HSR tickets individually.
For holidays, check ahead and book early, as they can sell out!
I usually book my HSR tickets through Klook, where they offer small discounts and make it really straightforward to reserve tickets. You can take advantage of the “buy one get one” HSR tickets (estimated to run through the end of 2026!).
Klook.comTaiwan Railways (TRA)
Taiwan Railways runs across all of Taiwan, making it one of the best choices for traveling down the East Coast especially.
For long journeys, I usually book my tickets ahead of time through the official TRA website. You can pay with a credit card on the website.
There’s also a TRA pass bundle which includes 3 days of TRA access, one scenic tourist route, and a city MRT pass.
Best Historic Taiwan Scenic Train Rides
These best scenic Taiwan train routes are less about the destination and more about the journey.
Taiwan’s railway has a long history, with many routes established during the Japanese colonial era, when railways transported things like logs, sugar cane, and coal.
Not all the routes below date to the Japanese colonial era, but still, many of these romantic, beautiful journeys are tied to a darker history worth noting.
These are some of my most memorable train routes in Taiwan, so don’t miss them if you plan to visit nearby destinations.
Breezy Blue: Fangliao – Taitung
How to Book the Train: This scenic tourist train route requires booking train tickets online. You can buy them on Klook.
The Breezy Blue is a vintage scenic train route in Taiwan that cuts through the mountains and has one of the most iconic ocean views.
The passenger route was established in the 1950s.
Today, though, it’s been restored for tourists, bringing back to life one of Taiwan’s most historic trains: the Breezy Blue, or “Blue Skin” (藍皮), when you translate the Mandarin name directly into English.
It’s no surprise the name comes from the train’s blue exterior. And the interior? A soft, retro green.
The train also has windows you can open and overhead fans, as it did when it was a passenger train.
If you’re planning to go from Taitung to Kaohsiung (or vice versa), you can definitely consider this scenic Taiwan train ride experience. Keep in mind it stops in Fangliao, so you will still need to get a train to/from Kaohsiung.
Historic Mountain Logging Train: Chiayi – Alishan
How to Book Train: Book tickets through the official Alishan train reservation platform.
The historic Taiwan train route from Chiayi to Alishan was established during the Japanese colonial era to transport lumber out of the mountains.
This route also stops at Fenqihu before Alishan, a cute village among tea fields. If you want, you can take the train all the way to Alishan, or take it to Fenqihu.
I spent a night in Fenqihu, which was so worth it to explore the area! If you stop in Fenqihu, don’t forget to get one of the famous bentos!
This is hands down one of the best Taiwan scenic train rides. When I went, as we gained elevation, the mountain mist got heavier, and I was geeking out as I watched the train curve ahead and wind into tunnels.
For a long time, it was the only way to get to Alishan before the highways were built in the 1980s. So, if you can’t get a train ticket on this route, don’t worry, you can still catch a bus to Alishan, though it’s not as epic as the train.
Pingxi Rail Line: Ruifang Station to Pingxi
How to Book Train: No booking needed. You can buy a ticket at the station or just tap in/out with an EasyCard.
The Pingxi Rail line is another one of the Japanese colonial-era train lines: this one was for transporting coal. Of course, those days are gone, and now it’s a scenic passenger train with 7 stops along the way.
When I went, I took a day trip from Taipei, which included the Pingxi to Houtong train route. If you decide to go on your own from Taipei, one of the best ways to experience this route is by starting at Ruifang Station, where you can stop at stations like Houtong (cat village), Pingxi (lantern street), or Shifen.
The line winds along bright rivers, through forested areas, and along hillsides. This is one of the best scenic train rides in Taiwan and easy to get to, so if you’re short on time, it’s a perfect one to fit in!
Klook.comBest Long-Distance Scenic Train Rides in Taiwan
For longer trips between cities, these are the best scenic train routes in Taiwan to catch.
HSR High Speed Rail
How to Book Train: The Taiwan HSR can easily be reserved online, and there’s also a consecutive-day HSR pass.
So this is the least beautiful of the scenic Taiwan train routes: the High Speed Rail.
If you’re planning to visit any West Coast cities, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Chiayi, or Kaohsiung, the quickest way to get there is by Taiwan HSR.
And the Taiwan HSR ride is still beautiful, flying past rice fields and long landscapes. That said, the West Coast is Taiwan’s more industrial side, so it’s nowhere near as beautiful as the next-best Taiwan scenic train rides I’ll cover.
Taiwan Railways: Taipei – Taitung (or Taipei – Hualien)
How to Book Train: On the official TRA website or as part of the Taiwan TRA Pass.
Taipei to Taitung is my absolute favorite long-distance train journey in Taiwan. Yes, it’s long, like 4+ hours, but it’s so worth it.
And if you aren’t sure about going all the way to Taitung (far southeast Taiwan), you can go to Hualien, which is not as far, but still shockingly beautiful.
There are two train routes, one mountain and one ocean route; either is worth taking. I typically do whatever is more convenient because it’s a long train journey.
The highlight of this trip is passing by the Qingshui Cliffs, one of Taiwan’s most famous geographical landmarks. Save Chongde Beach on your maps (right below the cliffs), and be sure to find a window view.
About 20 minutes before arriving in Hualien (if going from North to South), you’ll pass through a long tunnel, and upon exiting, the Qing Shui Cliffs appear, stretching over the most beautiful blue water.
Taiwan Railways: Taitung – Kaohsiung
How to Book Train: On the official TRA website or as part of the Taiwan TRA Pass. You can also consider the Breezy Blue for a vintage train experience.
If you won’t be visiting Alishan but still want a train experience that cuts through the mountains, consider this route. The train from Taitung to Kaohsiung (or vice versa) is definitely one of Taiwan’s most scenic train rides.
The route takes about 2 hours, making it not too long and one of the best ways to get between the southern coasts in Taiwan.
Save the Best Taiwan Scenic Train Routes
As a train geek, I’m so excited I got to share my favorite scenic train routes in Taiwan with you to make your trip there even more special. Don’t forget to bookmark this post and send it to your travel buddy.
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