Taiwan Travel Guide - Getting Around

Far Eastern Air Transport (website: www.fat.com.tw), Mandarin Airlines (website: www.mandarin-airlines.com), Transasia Airways (website: www.tna.com.tw) and Uni Air (website: www.uniair.com.tw) are amongst the domestic airlines that run services to local destinations from Sung Shan Airport, Taipei.

There are currently connections between Keelung and Okinawa. Services are also available between Taiwan and the islets.

THSR (tel: (2) 4066 5678; website: www.thsrc.com.tw) runs high-speed rail services down the west coast of Taiwan from Taipei to Zuoying. Services are also provided to destinations all over the island by the Taiwan Railway Administration (website: www.railway.gov.tw). The main tourist routes are Taipei-Taichung-Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung (a top-class service), Taipei-Taichung-Sun Moon Lake (with the last leg of the journey by bus), Chiayi-Alishan (with spectacular mountain scenery) and Taipei-New Hualian-Taitung (scenic coastal route). Air-conditioned electric trains run at least hourly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; some trains have restaurant cars. Children under three travel free; children aged three to 13 pay half fare. Train tickets can be purchased at many major hotels in Taipei, as well as at the main railway station.

Traffic drives on the right. There is an adequate road system joining all major cities. A highway links Taipei and Kaohsiung. Some main streets have English signs. Congestion can be a problem, and mudslides may block mountain roads.

Bus: There are both local and long-distance bus and coach services. Long-distant buses are provided by Guo-Guang Bus Corporation, Union Bus, Dragon Bus, Free Go Bus Corporation and Aloha Bus. Reserve tickets 14 days in advance of travel date. Travellers should not take illegal highway buses provided by unlicensed companies. Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are the main transferring stops.

Taxi: These are plentiful and inexpensive (metered). A 20% surcharge is charged 2300-0600. An extra charge is made for a taxi ordered over the phone and for luggage put in the trunk. The destination may have to be written in Chinese for the driver. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers.

Car hire: This is available in major towns. Most hire fees do not include insurance. Travellers are recommended to hire a car with a driver.

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn by the driver and the front seat passenger.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

A number of private bus companies provide extensive services in Taipei. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, a monorail train, serves Taipei and its suburbs. Open 0600-0000, there are currently five lines in operation with stations situated by all major tourist attractions. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Taipei to other major cities/towns:

	Air	Road	Rail
Kaohsiung	0.40	5.30	4.40
Tainan	0.40	4.30	4.10
Taitung	0.50	10.00	5.30
Makung	0.40	-	-