Hopping on my favorite land road transportation, in Taiwan this time on the fastest land means – the Bullet Train which i always refer as Zoom Zoom ( doesn’t it sound that way? ) to connect from and between Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan spanning a long stretch from the North to the South.

Getting from Taipei to Kaohsiung and vice versa is an easy and fast connection without much hassle to get towards the city from any THSR ( Taiwan High Speed ) railway stations with the free shuttle bus services that operate almost 20 mins, so any tourists like myself can connect easily without getting lost in some farms or villages nearby. That’s the convenience and worth-while to hop onto a bullet train, fast and efficient without a bus that will take more hours than the THSR.

Long queues are always expected at THSR ticketing offices due to the busy schedules that THSR run every 6 mins for peak and selected timings and 30 mins for non-peak timings from Taipei to Zuoying ( Kaohsiung ).

If you haven’t known, there’s a THSR Pass which many travellers do not know. I was trying my best to google for this pass and grateful to discover several online agencies who sell the THSR Pass – you don’t get it directly at THSR Offices or on the THSR website so much search is required – for smart travelling!

The THSR Pass allows UNLIMITED rides on the Taiwan High Speed Rail across the stations along the TAIPEI – ZUOYING route that include Tainan, Taichung, Taoyuan, Chiayi and Hsinchu – that’s 6 stations you can stop to discover different attractions in each individual city. The THSR Pass is only available in either 3 or 5 days for foreign tourists that cost $120 for 3 days and $150 for 5 days unlimited travels on its THSR Bullet Train that goes pretty fast across cities.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail stations are organised and easily navigated on different platforms that head for the same directions, but different stops on different bullet trains and not to forget, timings to get to your destination too! Bilingual are seen almost everywhere so you won’t have to worry if you don’t understand chinese, there’s always words.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail uses shinkansen like the ones you see in Japan and they have different cabins like Business Class and the normal ones which the THSR Pass holders can only sit on. The Taiwan High Speed Rail is different in that you cannot enter into the platform until the trains are drawn into the stations and you’ll only wait at the waiting room which is 1 storey above the tracks.

The interior of Taiwan High Speed Rail is spacious between rows of seats and each cabin is separated by an automatic door where passengers can walk through the cabins to cabins from the front to the end of the bullet train. A 3 by 2 seating is available across the cabins where advanced booking can be made at the THSRC Ticketing Office before you board the Shinkansen!

The High Speed Rail has lots of spaces at the back of each carriage to lock the wheel-chairs and luggages in order to prevent any obstruction of spaces and easy access to doors when guests alight from the Taiwan shinkansen.

Very much thoughts on passengers with long legs, the Taiwan High Speed Rail seats are adjustable and has the ability to turn 360 degrees to meet the creativity and demands. Seats are also broadly spacious between them to allow ample spaces to move in and out.

The toilets also suit the demands of wheel-chair bound passengers on how broad the spaces are and the toilets are pretty clean because they’re washed after every ride from the north-south line.

Whilst awaiting to arrive at your destination, look out of the windows to enjoy a breahtaking scenery, though the train moves at an extremely fast speed but a good glance to snap ‘em for memories!

Oh yeah, LOVE THIS VERY MUCH!! The real way to enjoy a train experience is to buy a meal box and slowly chomp as the train swiftly travels on the tracks. This really looking good food that costs only $4.00 SGD is a while-worth meal for its meat, fish and vegetables as you can see and best complement with the iced lemon tea that you can easily get on-board for the same price at a vending machine in the train.

Cleaning is occasional when the train pulls into the final station and it takes approximately 5 mins by several helpful cleaning assistants for each cabin to empty trash and keep the carriage clean.

The best alternative to buses and flights, the Taiwan High Speed Rail is definitely one of the most affordable and flexible ways to get across the cities in Taiwan. Have you ride on a THSRC Bullet Train yet?

Heading to TAIWAN? Book attractive rates with BESTHOTELONLINE.COM or stay at boutique design hotels at Hotel73 and DANDY HOTEL

Related Posts

• February 29, 2012 -- Cijin island Exploration @ Kaohsiung Taiwan
  Arriving at kaohsiung city, the one thing that you may consider spending your day-out is at Cijin Island, located just 15 mins from Kaohsiung Island by ferry... like those you see in vietnam or In...
• February 1, 2012 -- Kaohsiung – all about Taiwan’s 2nd biggest city
  Kaohsiung city, located in the south of Taiwan is easily connected by high speed rail THSRC that takes you only 1 hour 30 mins for a price of $50 to get to each end per way. As the THSRC bulle...
• December 28, 2011 -- Taiwan Bubble Tea Craze – are you in?
  With the soaring Bubble Tea Craze, Taiwan has a span of bubble tea outlets scattered in famous tourist areas and local districts at much reasonable prices than the ones you see in Singapore or Malaysi...
• October 30, 2011 -- TIANMU Dandy Hotel TAIPEI – An Italian-Designed Hotel Experience
  Tianmu Dandy Hotel, a newly built hotel located in the quieter district of Tianmu is a choice for those who loves a more peaceful stay away from the bustling city. Getting to Shilin Night Market a...
• October 27, 2011 -- Exploring YehLiu GeoPark 野柳地质公园 by foot!
  A MUST-GO destination for every visitor who visits Taipei, the beautiful nature rock formations is rewarding despite a long journey from Taipei - about 1 hour from Taipei Main Station and a 20 min...