Taichung (RMQ): routes 302 and 500 downtown, line 156 to the high speed rail
Three bus routes and they go to two different places. The downtown buses stop at the ordinary railway station, not at the high speed rail station, which is the mistake to avoid.
- The terminal is about 16 km from Taichung city centre.
- Routes 302 and 500 go downtown, taking about 45 minutes, every 30 minutes, at 57 and 60 TWD.
- Those buses stop at Taichung railway station, which is not the high speed rail station. They are different places.
- Line 156 is the one for the high speed rail, roughly 55 TWD and about 38 minutes, but only every 80 to 120 minutes.
- Check the 156 timetable before you plan a connection. A two hour gap between buses is a real risk on a tight transfer.
- The first bus is around 05:30 and the last leaves the airport around 23:00.
- Pay in cash or with an EasyCard. The card costs 100 TWD and works across Taiwan's transport network, so it is worth buying on day one.
- Taxi stands are in the basement of the international hall, with plenty of cars for each arrival.
- A taxi to the city centre is 580 to 750 TWD depending on traffic, cash only.
- Uber also operates, and if the last bus has gone the official rank is the alternative. Insist on the meter before loading your bags.
Two destinations, three routes
| Route | Goes to | Fare | Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | Taichung railway station, via Taichung Park and Xitun | 57 TWD | about 45 min | every 30 min |
| 500 | downtown Taichung | 60 TWD | about 45 min | every 30 min |
| 156 | THSR Taichung high speed rail station | 55 TWD | about 38 min | every 80 to 120 min |
- The distinction between the two stations is the thing to get right. Taichung railway station is the conventional line in the middle of the city. THSR Taichung is the high speed rail station at Wurih, several kilometres out.
- If you are connecting onto the high speed rail to Taipei or Kaohsiung, you want the 156.
- If you are staying in Taichung, take the 302 or the 500.
- The 156 runs every 80 to 120 minutes. That is infrequent enough to matter, so check the departure time against your arrival rather than assuming.
Paying
- Cash or EasyCard. An EasyCard costs 100 TWD, is sold widely and works on buses, metro and trains across Taiwan.
- Buy one at the first opportunity. It removes the exact-change problem on every bus for the rest of the trip.
Taxis
- The taxi stand is in the basement of the international hall, and there are plenty of cars waiting for each arrival.
- 580 to 750 TWD to the city centre, depending on traffic. Cash only.
- Uber operates in Taichung as an alternative.
- If the last bus has gone, use the official queue and insist on the meter before your bags go in the boot.
Hours
- The first airport bus is around 05:30 and the last leaves about 23:00. Outside that window it is a taxi, and there is no negotiating that.
The airport
- RMQ shares Ching Chuan Kang with a Republic of China Air Force base, which is why the civil terminal is modest for a city this size.
- The route map is regional: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Japan and Korea, plus the domestic islands. For long haul, Taoyuan is the airport and the high speed rail is how you reach it.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.