Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung: Where to Go After Taipei

The big picture: in from the north, out from the south

If you have already done Taipei, head to central and southern Taiwan next. Taichung has milder weather and an easygoing mix of night markets, cafes and bubble tea. Tainan is one of Taiwan's oldest cities, with old forts, temples and lane-side food, and Kaohsiung is the big southern port city with seaside walks, a riverside and harbor art districts.

From north to south the order is Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung. Flying into Taoyuan Airport, taking the high-speed rail down to Taichung, working your way south and flying out of Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) avoids any backtracking.

You can also do it in reverse: in at Kaohsiung, out via Taichung and Taoyuan. Pick the direction that suits your flight times and fares.

• Taichung travel guide →
• Tainan travel guide →
• Kaohsiung travel guide →

How many days: two nights per city

Our guides suggest 3 to 4 days each for Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung. To link all three, two nights per city, about a week in total, is comfortable.

Short on time? Drop to two bases. The Kaohsiung guide includes a high-speed rail day trip to Tainan, so you can stay in Kaohsiung and see Tainan in a day.

• About a week: Taichung 2 nights, Tainan 2 nights, Kaohsiung 2 nights
• About 5 days: Taichung 2 nights, Kaohsiung 2 nights, Tainan as a day trip
• Shorter: stay in Kaohsiung and day-trip to Tainan

Getting in: Taoyuan Airport to Taichung

Taoyuan Airport is Taichung's gateway. From Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), take the Airport MRT to HSR Taoyuan station, then the high-speed rail to HSR Taichung station. The rail leg takes about 30-50 minutes and the whole trip about 1.5-2 hours, at about NT$550-650 for the Airport MRT plus an HSR reserved seat.

HSR Taichung station is outside the center. Continue by the MRT Green Line, a regular train from neighboring Xinwuri station, or bus: about 15-30 minutes and about NT$20-50. Check the link to your hotel in advance.

Taichung International Airport (RMQ) is northwest of the city. Check route information to see whether there is a flight that suits you, and the official airport information for city bus routes and times.

• Incheon → Taipei (Taoyuan) flights →

Between cities: high-speed rail and regular trains

All three cities have a high-speed rail station, but in Taichung and Tainan these stations are outside the center. In Taichung, continue by MRT Green Line or a train from Xinwuri; in Tainan, by the Shalun Line from neighboring Shalun station or bus H31. Kaohsiung's HSR station is at Zuoying, linked to the city by MRT.

Between Tainan and Kaohsiung you can also take a regular Taiwan Railway train. Tainan station is the city's transport hub and Kaohsiung Main Station is on the MRT Red Line, so you skip the out-of-town HSR stations.

Our guides do not list journey times or fares for Taichung-Tainan or Tainan-Kaohsiung. Check the official high-speed rail and Taiwan Railway timetables, and book ahead for weekends and holidays.

• One transit card (EasyCard or iPASS) works on buses, MRT, trains and YouBike in all three cities
• Allow extra time from each HSR station into town
• After check-out, store your bags and use the extra half day

Highlights per city and weekly closures

In Taichung, the essentials are Fengjia Night Market, Rainbow Village, the National Theater and Xitun, and sunset at Gaomei Wetlands. With an extra day, Sun Moon Lake is about two hours by bus. The National Museum of Natural Science is closed on Mondays (except public holidays).

In Tainan, split one day for the old town around Chihkan Tower, the Confucius Temple and Shennong Street, and one for seaside Anping. Garden Night Market opens mainly on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and the Chimei Museum is closed on Wednesdays.

Kaohsiung's classics are Pier-2, a ferry to Cijin Island, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Love River. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is closed on Tuesdays, and Ruifeng Night Market on Mondays and Wednesdays. Match the city order to the days of the week.

Getting out: Kaohsiung Airport is close to town

From Kaohsiung International Airport station, right by the terminal (KHH), the MRT Red Line runs to Formosa Boulevard in the center with no change in about 15-20 minutes for about NT$30-40. A taxi takes about 20-30 minutes and costs about NT$250-400.

Because the airport is so close, you can sightsee until late morning on your last day. This site does not yet have a route page for Kaohsiung, so check flights and fares with airlines or a flight search.

Budget and pre-trip checks

In all three cities, budget about NT$1,300-1,800 per person per day on a tight budget, about NT$3,000-4,000 with a city hotel and restaurant meals, and about NT$7,000 or more with an upscale hotel. Add rail fares between cities.

Night markets and small eateries are often cash only. Carry Taiwan dollars; convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards. There is no tipping, and some restaurants add a 10% service charge.

• Best time: October-March (October-April in Taichung) is drier and sunnier
• May-September is hot with frequent showers, and typhoons are possible from summer into autumn
• Many shops close and sights are crowded over Lunar New Year
• Complete the free online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) at twac.immigration.gov.tw within 3 days before arrival
• Check entry rules, including visa-free stays, with official sources

• Taipei in 4 days →
• Cash, card or travel card abroad? →

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