Getting Around Taitung
Taitung is a compact, easygoing city on Taiwan's east coast, and most of what a visitor wants to see in the centre can be covered on foot. For anything further out, you'll rely on a mix of buses, taxis, bicycles and the rail line. Public transport here is more limited than in Taiwan's bigger cities, so it pays to plan ahead and keep your options flexible.
Walking
The main part of Taitung is small and compact enough that walking is a genuinely pleasant way to explore the city. If you're basing yourself downtown, you can expect to reach shops, restaurants and the old railway station area on foot without much trouble.
Rail
Taitung sits on Taiwan's main East Coast express route, which makes the train the natural way to arrive from elsewhere on the island. From the north, the trip from Taipei takes roughly five and a half to seven and a half hours depending on the type of train; from Hualien, expect about three hours. Approaching from the south, Kaohsiung to Taitung on the Southern route takes a little over two hours to a bit over three, again depending on the service, and from Tainan it's around three hours.
The main Taitung station sits on Yanwan Road and is quite a walk from the centre of town. When you leave the station, there's a mini-bus stop to your right; the driver will likely understand the phrase "Taitung Bus Station," which is in the centre. The ride appears to be free with an EasyCard, though this may only apply if you've just used the card for the train.
Two smaller stations also serve the city:
- Kangle station — the closest station to the National Museum of Prehistory, and also handy for the airport.
- Zhiben station — a secondary stop in the city.
There is no metro or tram network in Taitung; the rail line and local buses are the backbone of public transport.
Buses and public transport
Taitung's public transportation is somewhat limited compared with other Taiwanese cities. Bus routes exist and are inexpensive, but the timetables are in Chinese, so it helps to have a translation app or a local's help to read them.
One useful route for visitors is bus 8101, which runs the Taitung–Sanxiangtal route and can be used for day trips out of the city and back.
If you hold an international driving licence, you'll find car and scooter rentals near the train station. Without one, your practical choices for reaching the city from the train station or airport are the bus or a taxi.
Bicycles
Bicycles are a good alternative for getting around. You can rent them at several locations on the beach side, and near the entrance to the Forest Park at the north end of Jhongshan Road.
Taxis and getting to outlying sights
For excursions to attractions on the outskirts of town, a taxi may be your best option. Taxis are quite plentiful around the Old Railway Station downtown, near the intersection of Guanming Road and Sinsheng Road.
Arriving by air
Taitung is served by a local airport with flights to Taipei, Lanyu and Lyudao. The airport is accessible within walking distance south-east from Kangle station, which makes the train a practical link between the airport and the city. If you'd rather not walk, taxis and buses are the alternative ways into the centre, which lies some distance from the airport.
Arriving by sea
Fugang Fishery Harbour serves as the gateway to Taiwan's offshore islands, including Orchid Island and Green Island. If your trip includes an island hop, this is where you'll connect.
Practical tips
- Base yourself in the compact centre if you want to walk most places.
- Keep an EasyCard handy — it can cover train travel and at least some bus rides.
- Expect bus timetables in Chinese and plan around limited service.
- Rent a car or scooter if you have an international driving licence and want to explore beyond the city.
- Use taxis for outlying attractions, and pick them up around the Old Railway Station downtown.