My Kaohsiung to Taipei train journey was one of two halves. One part quiet reflection and one part neon energy. The sky hung low, wrapped in gray. After a quiet morning of packing, I grabbed a quick bite from the 7-Eleven inside Formosa Boulevard Station, my unofficial second living room during this trip. Though I had plans to explore more, I chose stillness, checking out early and leaving my luggage at the hotel so I could roam freely one last time.
🌊 Farewell to the South: Glory Pier and Love Pier
I boarded the train from MRT Formosa Boulevard Station (Red Line) to Kaisyuan Station. From there, I transferred to the Circular Line and rode to Glory Pier Station.
Glory Pier is a peaceful harborfront once used as a military outpost. Now, it’s a quiet sanctuary where yachts bob gently, and the Kaohsiung Music Center rises like a futuristic seashell. I was about to enjoy the rest of the area when a drizzle started to fall.
A few minutes passed. To maximize my remaining time (and to save on LRT fare as well), I walked towards Love Pier. The rain tapped gently on the pavement as I moved deeper into the harbor’s embrace. It felt like Kaohsiung was saying goodbye in its own poetic way.
🎶 Kaohsiung Music Center: Where Architecture Sings
This architectural marvel isn’t just a venue. It’s a love letter to the sea. The Kaohsiung Music Center is made up of five beautifully designed zones:
🪸 Coral Zone: Inspired by reef textures and marine hues.
🌊 Wave Tower: A sweeping structure with panoramic views.
🐋 Whale Bridge: A graceful connector shaped like a breaching whale.
🐬 Dolphin Walk: A playful path that invites exploration.
🎸 Live Warehouse: A dynamic space for concerts and cultural events.
🎨 Art and Transit: From Dayi Pier-2 to Kaohsiung Main Station
Dayi Pier-2 called me back once more—a place where weathered iron and concrete find new life as art. The doors of the center were locked, but the architecture spoke for itself in the quiet dusk. I admired its striking silhouette and left a soft promise on the sea breeze to come back. After all, a closed door on the road is often just a bookmark for a story not yet finished.
The rain started to fall. I hopped on Dayi Pier Station (Circular Line) to Hamasen Station, then transferred to the Orange Line to Formosa Boulevard Station. I picked up my luggage, then took the train again to Kaohsiung Main Station, a sprawling hub that reminded me of Taipei’s own transit maze.
🚉 Kaohsiung to Taipei by Train: 5 Hours, NT$843, and Worth It
Unlike Zuoying Station, where the High Speed Rail operates out of the city’s northern fringe, Kaohsiung Main Station sits right in the city center. While I zipped into the city yesterday on the sleek THSR, today I chose the slower, more character-filled TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) train back to Taipei.
At the counter, I bought a paper ticket for NT$843. The station staff handed it over with a gentle warning: my journey included “segmented seating” (後段無座). Because Friday afternoon express trains sell out fast, I had a guaranteed reserved seat (Car 11, Seat 39) from Kaohsiung all the way up to Zhunan Station. For the final hour from Zhunan into Taipei, my ticket was converted to a standing/non-reserved pass. Five hours on the train and standing for the last stretch? I couldn’t help but laugh—it felt like a quintessential budget-travel plot twist.
| Feature | Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) | TRA Express (Tze-Chiang / EMU3000) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | ~1.5 to 2 hours | ~4.5 to 5.5 hours |
| Cost (Standard, one-way) | ~NT$1,490 | ~NT$843 |
| Departure Point | Zuoying Station (North Kaohsiung) | Kaohsiung Main Station (City Center) |
| Vibe | Modern, quiet, high-efficiency transit | Scenic, relaxed, local, nostalgic |
| Best For | Tight schedules & day trips | Slow travel, budget flexibility, rail fans |
Promptly at 12:05 PM, Train #122 (Tze-Chiang Limited Express) pulled away from the platform. As the carriage glided onto the Western Trunk Line, the nearly five-hour ride north became one of the most reflective moments of my trip. We rolled past the flat paddy fields of the Chianan Plain, through the inland hills of the Taichung Mountain Line, and stopped at quiet provincial stations I’d never heard of—places I now want to return and explore.
Sometimes, slowness is a gift. Through the window, I watched Kaohsiung fade into the distance, its harbor breeze, neon lights, and industrial art spaces tucked safely into memory.
🌆 Arriving in Taipei: Back to the Neon and Noise
By 5:00 PM, the train glided underground into Taipei Main Station. Stepping into that massive hall, I was immediately wrapped in the city’s signature tempo: chaotic, yet brilliantly organized. Standing there in the crowd, a wave of nostalgia hit hard. It had been three years since I last stood in this station, but the city felt wonderfully unchanged—buzzing, fast-paced, and somehow still welcoming. It felt like flipping a page in a well-loved book.
🍱 The Post-Ride Ritual: Bento & Boba
Five hours on the rail opens up an appetite. My last bite had been a NT$35 sweet bread from a Kaohsiung Main Station 7-Eleven right before departure, so my first order of business upon landing was simple: food.
I spotted a TR Bento stall on the station concourse and grabbed a classic chicken bento for NT$80. Watching commuters unbox their own bentos on the train, I was struck by how alive this ritual still is. Such an enduring piece of Taiwanese railway culture! And, of course, no arrival at Taipei Main Station is complete without my go-to comfort drink: a cold Salty Cream Black Tea from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice.
🛋️ Home Base: Mr. Lobster’s Secret Den Design Hostel
With a full stomach, I made the short walk to my base for the next two nights: Mr. Lobster’s Secret Den Design Hostel.
📍 The Location: A quick 5-minute walk from the Airport MRT (Taipei Main Station exit), tucked above a traditional Taiwanese shopfront on the ground floor.
🛏️ The Setup: A single bed in an 8-bed female dormitory room.
💳 The Cost: PHP 2,553.82 for a 2-night stay (charged in pesos via my booking site, rather than NT$).
🌧️ Taipei 101 & Ximending: Rainy Reunions
After dinner, I hopped on a train at Taipei Main Station (Tamsui-Xinyi / Red Line) bound for Taipei 101 Station. There is a distinct magic to riding the Taipei MRT. Clean, quiet, and effortlessly smooth.
The rain had settled over the district, mist clinging to the upper floors of the iconic skyscraper as its lights reflected off the slick pavement below. Rain in Taipei doesn’t ruin the mood; it simply softens the edges of the neon skyline, making the return to familiar haunts feel even more intimate.
After admiring the misty tower, I made my way over to Ximending, one of my favorite spots in Taipei City. Walking through its vibrant, rain-glistening alleys felt like catching up with an old friend. Even with umbrellas dotting the pedestrian streets and light rain pattering against shop awnings, the energy remained infectious.
Street performers, the aroma of hot night-market snacks, and neon signs glowing in the puddles underfoot. It was the perfect, atmospheric welcome back to the capital. I missed out on Xin Fu Tang milk tea, a regret I’ll fix next time. But the neon lights, the drizzle, the hum of the crowd? That was enough. Taipei always leaves a little something for next time.
Standing there under my umbrella, the whole journey clicked into place. Kaohsiung gave me quiet mornings and thoughtful rain. Taipei greeted me with noise, neon, and a strange kind of comfort. Together, they stitched together a chapter of Taiwan I’ll keep close.
❓ FAQ: Kaohsiung to Taipei by Train
How long does the train from Kaohsiung to Taipei take?
The TRA Tze-Chiang Limited Express takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours, compared to roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).
How much does a TRA ticket from Kaohsiung to Taipei cost?
A one-way Tze-Chiang Limited Express ticket costs around NT$843, versus about NT$1,490 for standard THSR.
Is TRA or THSR better for getting from Kaohsiung to Taipei?
THSR is faster and better for tight schedules or day trips. TRA is slower but cheaper, more scenic, and departs from Kaohsiung Main Station in the city center rather than Zuoying Station on the northern fringe.
Do TRA tickets always come with a reserved seat?
Not necessarily. On a fully booked express, part of the journey can be sold as “segmented seating” (後段無座), meaning you may have a reserved seat for part of the route and only a standing/non-reserved ticket for the rest, especially on busy days like Friday afternoons.
Where do TRA trains from Kaohsiung to Taipei depart?
From Kaohsiung Main Station, located in the city center, unlike THSR, which departs from Zuoying Station on the city’s northern edge.
Next Destination: Tracks, Lanterns & Pawprints: My Pingxi Line Day Trip—riding Taiwan’s iconic branch line through misty green valleys, lantern-filled tracks, and historic mining towns.
✧Series Note – Once Again, Taiwan ✧
Feels like coming home. Feels like a chapter you’ve reopened with fresh eyes. Here’s to solo travel, fourth times, and stories that keep unfolding. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: August 10–13, 2023
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