If you want to go to Taroko National Park, you have the choice of flying to Hualien Airport or taking the train. This post tells you how to book train tickets.
First off, tickets from Taipei to Hualien on the express trains sell out quickly. Tickets open on a 2 week rolling window starting midnight on Taiwan time. So be sure to buy your tickets 2 weeks before your departure date starting 12:00am Taiwan time [UPDATE: it seems like the website let’s you book 18 days out. Not sure if that is a bug or not]. Even if you are kind of uncertain, the change fee isn’t that expensive.
Step 1: Look up the schedule
Visit the train timetable information website
http://twtraffic.tra.gov.tw/twrail/EN_QuickSearch.aspx
- From Station: Taipei/Keelung/Taipei (this leaves from Taipei Main Station)
- To: Hualien/Hualien
- Select All Types
- Select the date and time range you would like
You will notice that the times range from 2 hr 6 mins to 10 hours. Here are the types of trains you want to book in this order:
- Taroko: This is the nicest and fastest train
- Puyuma: The next fastest train
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express: Older train which is slower
Take note of the train code for reference.
Step 2: Book the ticket (2 weeks before your trip)
2 weeks before your trip the midnight on Taiwan time, book your ticket.
https://tip.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip/tip001/tip123/query
- You can search by Train number or Time Period (Time Period is funky because you can only search in 4 hour increments, that’s why looking at the schedule at the first page is easier.
- Passport Number: Ensure this is correct as you will use this number to pick your ticket
- Departure Station: Taipei
- Arrival Station: Hualien
- Date: Your interested date
- Train Type: Puyuma Express and Taroko
Checkout the page as usual. Some Western credit cards may have problems so be prepared to call your bank.
When you get your confirmation it will consist of
- ID/ Passport No
- Booking code
If you want to retrieve your booking online go to
https://ticket.ctbcbank.com/railway/retrieve/index
Step 3: Pick Up Tickets
When you arrive in Taipei, my recommendation is to pick up the tickets at the Taipei Main Station. Go to the kiosk for the TRA trains and not the High Speed Rail (HSR). The HSR is a different network. You can pick up the tickets at a live window or the automated kiosk (be sure you have your passport just in case)
You can go to a window or the automated kiosk. If you go to the kiosk remember the ID is your passport. Verify your tickets match what you ordered online.
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