Taichung to Tainan by Train: When Regular TRA Beats the High-Speed Rail
The high-speed leg takes about 40 minutes, but both HSR stations sit outside the city — if you're going downtown to downtown, the math changes.
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"Should I take the high-speed rail from Taichung to Tainan, or is a regular train fine?" It's easy to assume THSR wins, but its Taichung station is in Wuri (烏日) and its Tainan station is in Gueiren (歸仁), so reaching either city center means two extra train rides. Using the official fare tables and timetables from Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railway (臺鐵), plus the transport ministry's TDX public timetable, here's how the two options compare as of October 2026.
01 · Taichung to Tainan by Train at a Glance
| THSR + 2 transfers | TRA Tze-Chiang (direct) | TRA local (direct) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult one-way fare | NT$650 (non-reserved NT$630) + connecting trains | NT$487 | NT$314 |
| Time on board | 36–54 min on THSR, about 1.5 hours with transfers | 1 h 35 min – 2 h 15 min | About 3 hours |
| Transfers | Two, at Xinwuri and Shalun | None | None |
| Route | Taichung Stn → Xinwuri → THSR → Shalun → Tainan Stn | Taichung Stn → Tainan Stn | Taichung Stn → Tainan Stn |
| Best for | Starting near an HSR station or needing exact timing | Hotels near the city-center stations | Saving money when you're not in a hurry |
Fares are from the official THSR fare table and the official TRA fare table (effective 23 June 2025), as of October 2026. Ride times are from the TDX public timetable: the nonstop THSR takes 36 minutes and stopping services up to 54. TRA runs around 40-plus direct trains a day, and the fastest Puyuma takes 1 hour 35 minutes.
02 · Where You Change Trains on the THSR Route
Taichung side: Taichung Stn → Xinwuri THSR Taichung Station connects to TRA Xinwuri (新烏日) Station. The local train from downtown Taichung Station takes a little over 10 minutes, so leave plenty of time before your HSR departure.
The THSR leg: 36–54 minutes Standard seats are NT$650 and non-reserved NT$630. Non-reserved tickets are sold only at the station on the day, and a regular EasyCard won't work; only THSR co-branded cards with auto-reload can tap straight in.
Tainan side: 2F walkway to Shalun From THSR Tainan Station, take the 2F walkway to TRA Shalun (沙崙) Station and board a Shalun Line local train. It's 24 minutes and NT$37 to Tainan Station, with trains roughly every 20–40 minutes during the day.
Heading somewhere near the HSR station? The H31 HSR shuttle bus runs from THSR Tainan past the Chimei Museum to Tainan City Hall, which can be easier if you're not going to the west side of downtown.
"旅客可由高鐵台南站2樓通廊到沙崙火車站，轉乘臺鐵沙崙線往臺南、永康等站。" — THSR's official note: use the 2F walkway at THSR Tainan to reach Shalun Station and change to the TRA Shalun Line toward Tainan and Yongkang.
03 · When a TRA Tze-Chiang Train Is the Better Pick
Hotels near Taichung or Tainan Station If you start and finish at the city-center stations, a direct Tze-Chiang takes 1 h 35 min to a little over 2 hours, about the same as THSR once transfers are counted, and costs over NT$160 less.
Big suitcases or traveling with parents No transfers means no stairs or connecting walkways. The more luggage you have, the more two changes add up.
Train type changes the time Puyuma and EMU3000 services take 1 h 35–50 min, while locomotive-hauled Tze-Chiang trains can take over 2 hours. Check the arrival time in the timetable.
Reserve a seat Tze-Chiang seats can sell out early on weekends and holidays. Booking ahead on TRA's official website or app saves you from standing.
04 · TRA Local Trains and Other Tips
Local trains: just tap your EasyCard Local trains need no booking; tap your EasyCard and ride. At NT$314 direct it's the cheapest option, but it takes about 3 hours, so save it for a relaxed day.
First and last trains Per the TDX public timetable, the first direct TRA train from Taichung to Tainan leaves at 05:30 and the last at 21:46. Traveling late, check the last THSR and Shalun Line trains too.
Timetables change TRA says it adjusts train times from time to time, so recheck the official timetable about a week before you travel.
For your first meal in Tainan, start with the Tainan food map and the Tainan beef noodle and beef soup list. A-Cai Beef Soup, noted for its tender beef, and Chou's Shrimp Rolls in Anping are on the map too. For stops before you leave Taichung, see the Taichung food map, and for a Taipei–Tainan trip, see our Taipei and Tainan 3-night itinerary.
Find Tainan beef soup on the map
Pin a place for your arrival day so you can head straight there from the station.