Overview
Kaohsiung Metro is a rapid transit and light rail system serving Taiwan's second-largest city. The system comprises the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)—two subway lines with 38 stations—and the Circular Light Rail with 38 stations. You can reach most major attractions and transportation hubs by tapping a contactless payment card at the ticket gates, riding trains that run from early morning until late evening, and transferring between lines at central interchanges. The network is clean, well-maintained, and accessible, though less dense than some Asian metro systems, so you may walk several minutes between some stations and attractions.
The network
MRT lines
Kaohsiung Metro operates two rapid transit lines that intersect at Formosa Boulevard Station in the downtown area:
- Red Line: The north–south main artery, approximately 28.3 kilometres long with 24 stations. It runs from Ciaotou in the north (passing through parts of Gangshan District) southward through Kaohsiung International Airport (Xiaogang Station), Labour Park, Sanduo Shopping District, Central Park, and Kaohsiung Main Station, before crossing the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) tracks and continuing to Zuoying. Fifteen stations are underground, eight elevated, and one at ground level. The Red Line is the primary route from Zuoying high-speed rail station into the downtown core.
- Orange Line: The east–west line, approximately 14.4 kilometres long with 14 stations. It begins at Sizihwan on the western waterfront (near Linhai 2nd Road), crosses the TRA Kaohsiung Port Station, follows Dayong Road past the Love River, and continues east through downtown past the Cultural Center and Martial Arts Stadium, extending into Fengshan and Daliao Districts. All stations are underground except Daliao Station.
Light Rail
The Circular Light Rail (Kaohsiung LRT; marked by a green line on maps) forms a complete loop with 38 stations, running both clockwise and counter-clockwise around the city. It passes major tourist hotspots including the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station, Pier-2 Art Center, and Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, as well as shopping districts and residential areas. The light rail runs at ground level, so services may pause for traffic. Phase I began operations in September 2017, and Phase II was inaugurated on 1 January 2024, completing the loop.
Connections to other transport
The Red Line connects to TRA (Taiwan Railway Administration) regular trains at Kaohsiung Main Station (R11) and Zuoying Station (R16). Zuoying is also the terminus of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). Feeder buses are available throughout the city to bridge network gaps and provide connections to metro stations. The system is operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) under a 30-year build-operate-transfer agreement.
Tickets & fares
Fare structure
Fares are distance-based. For the MRT, approximate current fares are:
- 1–3 km: NT$20
- Medium-distance trips: NT$35–50
- Longest distances or cross-line trips: NT$60
Light Rail fares are separate from MRT fares. Transfers between the Red and Orange Lines at Formosa Boulevard Station are counted as a single journey; however, transfers to or from the Light Rail require separate fares and involve walking.
Passes and discounts
- One-day unlimited pass: NT$150, valid for unlimited travel on all MRT and Light Rail lines.
- Student discount: 20% off all Kaohsiung Metro lines with a valid student card (including exchange students studying in Taiwan). Student cards often double as EasyCard smartcards.
- Senior and disabled discount: 50% reduction with appropriate identification.
- Weekend promotion: MasterCard contactless debit and credit cardholders receive 30% off weekend MRT rides.
Payment methods and smartcards
Single-journey paper tickets are available at ticket machines in stations. For regular users, you can pay with contactless smartcards and payment methods including:
- iPass and EasyCard (Taiwan's main transit smartcards)
- Contactless MasterCard debit and credit cards
- UnionPay credit cards
- QR codes from LINE Pay (ensure your LINE Pay account is set to Taiwan region to generate locally valid codes)
- Apple Pay and other NFC-enabled mobile payments
The MRT ticket gates have two separate contactless readers: the lower one for iPass and EasyCard, and the upper one for bank cards and mobile payments. On the Light Rail, tap your card on scanners at station entrances and on the train before exiting; there are no physical gates, and ticket inspections happen randomly. Fines for fare evasion are 50 times the fare price; refusal to inspection incurs a NT$1,500–7,500 fine.
From the airport
Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) is located approximately 20 minutes south of the city center and sits directly on the Red Line of the metro system (Xiaogang Station). This is the most convenient public-transport option into the downtown core. Simply tap your contactless card or purchase a single ticket at the airport station and travel northbound on the Red Line toward Zuoying or Ciaotou. Journey time to downtown Kaohsiung is typically 20–30 minutes depending on your final destination.
Alternative options from the airport include taxis (approximately NT$250–350 to downtown) or scooters. The airport is accessible by car or scooter as well.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing and boarding: Queue in orderly lines at platform doors; allow passengers to exit before boarding.
- Escalators: Stand on the left side of escalators to allow those in a hurry to pass on the right (this is the convention in Taiwan).
- Priority seating: Seats near doors are reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and those carrying infants. Offer your seat if you see someone in need.
- Eating and drinking: No eating or drinking is permitted on MRT trains or in stations. Water is typically allowed, but it is best to avoid consuming anything inside the system.
- Noise and conversation: Keep voice levels low and avoid loud phone calls. The metro maintains a quiet, orderly atmosphere.
- Rush-hour behaviour: During peak hours (morning 7–9 am and evening 5–7 pm), trains are crowded. Expect tight conditions and move toward the centre of the car to allow others to board at the doors.
- Personal space: Physical contact is common in crowded conditions; maintain awareness of your belongings and stay alert in busy periods.
- Tapping on and off: On the Light Rail, you must tap your card both when entering and when exiting the system; failure to do so may result in a fine.
Survival terms
- 捷運 (jiéyùn) — metro/subway
- 車票 (chēpiào) — ticket
- 路線 (lùxiàn) — line
- 入口 (rùkǒu) — entrance
- 出口 (chūkǒu) — exit
- 轉乘 (zhuǎnchéng) — transfer
- 單程票 (dānchéng piào) — single fare / one-way ticket
- 一日票 (yī rì piào) — day pass
- 悠遊卡 (yōuyóu kǎ) — EasyCard (common contactless smartcard)
- 感應區 (gǎnyìng qū) — tap/scanner area
Always carry a contactless payment card or have your smartphone set up with a compatible mobile payment app, as this is faster and more convenient than buying single tickets for each journey.