Flying in to Taichung
There is no direct flight from Singapore or Manila to Taichung. The only direct flights I found originate from HK and Macau. If you are going to Taichung your best bet is to fly to Taipei. More accurately, fly to Taoyuan International Airport which is located outside of Taipei. Taipei is 50km north of the airport while Taichung is 140km south of the airport. Fun fact Taichung actually means central Taiwan.
How to go to Taichung from the Taoyuan International Airport?
There are four options how to go to Taichung from Taoyuan airport using public transportation: taxi, high speed rail, bus and provincial trains.
Taxi or private car: I had a quote for the one way trip at NTD3,000. This is an option if you have a lot of luggage.
By MRT and High Speed Rail
The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is the bullet train, similar to Japan’s Shinkansen trains, traveling with speeds of more than 250kms per hour. To get to the high speed rail, you first have to take the MRT from the airport.
After exiting the immigration area, turn to your left and follow the signs to the MRT. The MRT station is located behind the check in counters of airlines. You can buy a token for NTD25 from the machines or use your pre-paid easycard. Enter the station and take the train bound for Huanbei/Zhongli. Note that at this point, you are travelling away from Taipei going southward. Alight from the MRT train at station: Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station. Exit the MRT station and walk to the adjacent High Speed Rail station. You can buy a ticket from the machines at the station (input the origin and destination in the machine: Taoyuan/Taichung) or buy from the ticket counters. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted for payment at the high speed rail. THSR fare Taoyuan/Taichung costs NTD540 one way for a reserved seat. There is an outlet mall with a foodcourt near the station and a McDonalds next to the THSR so you can have a meal before boarding your train. You may also bring food and drinks into the high speed trains.
There are two kinds of seats at THSR reserved and non-reserved. Reserved seats costs NTD20 more and as the name suggests guarantees you a seat and gives you a seat number like you would get in a plane when you check in. Sometimes, such as during rush hour, trains are packed, the first train in would not have any reserved seats left. If you are in a hurry or want to save money just buy the non reserved seats. You may board the train of your preferred timing just that you may not be seated together with your companions or even have to stand if the train is packed.
When going to Taichung from Taoyuan board the southbound trains. When you get your THSR ticket, note the departure time, train number journey number (the train number) and your carriage number. Reserved seats normally board carriages 1-9, while non reserved seats are located in carriages 10-12. Look at your ticket and follow what it says.
I find the high speed rail the most comfortable form of public transport from the airport to Taichung. The high speed trains are clean, have captain seats with good legroom and eating is also allowed onboard. It takes less than 2 hours from the airport to Taichung via MRT and high speed rail including waiting times. The trains are also frequent, with trains running every 30 minutes or less. One disadvantage of high speed rail is that the Taichung station is outside of city centre. There is a bus terminal located below the station however and you can take buses to Taichung proper. Take any of the buses terminating at Taichung Park to bring you to the city proper, journey takes about 30 minutes. If you are going to the Beitun area (Lee Hospital/Alice Hotel) take bus 33, journey time 1 hour because this bus route is a bit winding. Taxi from the THSR Taichung Station to city proper costs about NTD400.
Airport Buses: the bus ride from Taoyuan Airport to Taichung takes 3 hours and costs only NTD300. The bus terminates at the Taichung Bus Terminal near Taichung Main Station. You can find the bus terminal at Basement of Terminal 1 or right outside Level 1 of Terminal. You need to purchase a ticket from the ticket counters prior to boarding the bus. Airport buses are very roomy, have captain seats and drink holders. They are comfortable except I sometimes get motion sickness so I still prefer the THSR.
The buses run once every 1.5 hours so you may have to wait a bit for the next bus. The airport bus is the cheapest option for public transportation. Other advantages are that buses are end-to-end, there is no need to transfer trains and buses like you would if you use the THSR, and the buses bring you right to the city centre.
Provincial train: TRA trains. I have not tried this option. Based on what I read on tripadvisor you have to take the MRT all the way to terminal station Huanbei then take a taxi to Zhongli TRA. I will update once I have tried TRA personally.
Language
No Chinese? No problem as long as you have your phone!
Google directions and maps will help you navigate your bus and walking routes. Google translate can try to translate Chinese menus too, but sometimes the results can be funny.
Older folks in Taichung generally do not speak English however the younger generation (20s and younger) speak very good English. Most taxi drivers will not be able to understand you if you give directions in English. What I find especially useful is to have screen shots of the address in Chinese and a picture of the building to show to the driver. For instance I screen shot my booking in Agoda as the hotel address was in Chinese and showed it to the driver. Once you have checked in your hotel the hotel staff may be able to help you write down place names in Chinese. Also keep a hotel calling card with you at all times.
Restaurants in malls will usually have an English menu however some food court stalls may not. In this case, the screen shot trick also works. I took pictures of the food I wanted to eat to show to the store owner to order.
Necessity is the mother of all invention, and you will find a way to communicate, do not worry. Never fear to approach the locals, the Taiwanese are very friendly and warm so you will be alright.
Public transportation
There are taxis, buses and trains you can use to go around Taichung. Taxi flag down price is NTD85 and to go between most places within the city will cost NTD165 (USD6.00) only. Buses are essentially free around Taichung if you have an easycard. (Buses only charge fare beyond 10km.). Tap your easycard against the reader as you enter and exit a bus. Push the stop button when you want the bus to stop.
Get an easycard. As soon as you can, buy an easycard from any 7-11 or other convenience store. The cards themselves cost NTD100 plus NTD100 deposit. Add cash value because you can use this card at the trains as well as to pay in restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores. The cards work everywhere in Taiwan.
There are other versions of the integrated card (IC) that are used in Taiwan, the icash (usable mainly in 7-11 stores), iPass and HappyCash but some bus lines do not accept them. Just be careful that you get the EasyCard which has the widest acceptance.
Buses are the most popular travel option for locals. Hey, it’s free! It’s a must to download the Taichung bus app especially if you don’t speak Chinese. The Taichung Bus app was my lifesaver when I stayed in Taichung. Input the bus number and the app will show you (in English) the next bus stops and estimated time of arrival in real time. This app helped me to find out how soon my bus will arrive, and once onboard showed me when my destination is near. In addition, the bus itself has a screen and audio recording that tells the next bus stop in both Chinese and English.
To help you navigate your way around using Taichung bus, I have prepared a special guide to Taichung buses.
Money Exchange
I would advise that you plan your cashflow well. Outside of the airport, it’s not easy to find money exchangers. Only banks may exchange money and some banks only accept USD, HKD and Euros to exchange to NTD.
Alternatively you may also set up your atm cards to enable you to withdraw money locally.
Local SIM cards and other deals
You can find good SIM card packages from Klook. One package we tried was phone with wifi for 10 days that cost less than USD10. You may collect (and return) the phone in the airport. The booth is located on the left, end of the hall, near the signage for the MRT.
Weather
Taiwan experience four seasons with November-March being the coldest. Check out the weather before you go so you may bring appropriate clothing.
You may find navigating around Taichung a bit tricky because of the language barrier. Don’t let that stop you from exploring the city and getting around. When we let ourselves be open to new experiences, that’s when the adventure begins.