by Hope Lee

Created on: March 05, 2011   Last Updated: March 06, 2011

Taiwan is a modern, compact island off the coast of China and south of Japan.  It is easy for the visitor to get around Taiwan using only public transportation.  Different journeys call for different types of public transportation; here are the best ways to get around using public transportation.

Train

Taiwan boasts a first rate train system that will get you to your destination quickly and efficiently. The recent opening of Taiwan's High Speed Rail has cut the travel time between Taipei and Kaohsiung to a mere 90-120 minutes.  Of course, that speed comes at a price: about NT$1500 (about US$500).  However, it is by far the fastest way to get between the north and the south; the high speed rail does not run on the eastern side of the island.  It is easy to book tickets on the high speed rail online in English.

The regular train system is also well run.  It runs a variety of trains which allow you to reach your destination faster (and more expensively) or slower (and cheaper) depending on the number of stops on the line.  Inter-city trains take passengers between major cities, while local trains provide service to smaller towns and villages.  The trains run around the entire island.  

It is possible to reserve tickets online through the website up to two weeks in advance; however, the system only accepts reservations from 6 am to midnight local time each day (if you reach a page in Chinese, the system is not currently accepting reservations).  You will need to take your reservation number to the local train station to pick up your tickets.  Reservations are recommended during holidays & on voting days; tickets can be reserved further out for during the Chinese New Year holiday when reservations are an absolute must-have.  

Inter-city Bus

Travel between cities is also possible via inter-city bus.  The bus is usually cheaper but sometimes slower depending on traffic conditions.  Taking the bus from the center of one major city to the center of another major city is usually the fastest way to go; buses that can pick you up or drop you off in the suburbs tend to be slower and have more stops.  

Kuo-Kuang Bus Company evolved from the original national bus company, but today is a private company.  Its buses are usually the most basic and have the lowest fares.  A variety of other private bus companies operate throughout Taiwan and provide reliable inter-city transportation, and

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