Taichung to Alishan Train, Bus or Car in 3 Hrs via Chiayi (2025)

Transport Options from Taichung to Alishan, Which One Is Better?

Choosing the best way to get from Taichung to Alishan depends on what you prioritize: speed, budget, or comfort. Here's a quick rundown to help you decide, followed by a more detailed comparison table:

Top pick for efficiency: High-Speed Rail (HSR) + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A (3-3.5 hours direct, ideal for short trips).

Best for saving money: TRA train + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B (NT443−555/person) or Taichung to Chiayi Bus + Bus Route B to Alishan (NT444/person).

Ideal for families/groups: Private Car (9-seater private car from NT$900/person, no transfers, luggage freedom, and custom itineraries!).

Related Article(s):

Top Things to Do in Taichung: Night Markets, Day Trips

Alishan Taiwan Map: Day Trip, Train, Trail Map of Alishan (2025)

Let's dive into the details:

1. Taichung to Alishan Train Route A (3-3.5h): Transfer via Chiayi HSR Station (Pick for Speed)

Taichuing Xinwuri HSR Station

HSR Chiayi Station

If you're all about saving time and getting to Alishan as quickly as possible, this is your go-to route. It's super-efficient, taking 3 to 3.5 hours in total!

Route: Taichung HSR Station (Xinwuri) → Chiayi TRA Station → Alishan Transfer Station

✔ Departure Station: Taichung HSR Station (High Speed Rail Taichung Station), located at No. 8, Zhanqu 2nd Rd., Wuri Dist., Taichung City.

✔ Transfer Point: Chiayi HSR Station. You'll catch the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A bus right outside Exit 2, Platform 7 – it's a seamless connection!

✔ Arrival Station: Alishan Transport Station (next to 7-Eleven), which is conveniently located at the entrance to the recreation area. The ticket counter is just a 5-minute walk away.

Step 1. Taichung to Chiayi HSR by High-speed Train (0.5h)

The High-Speed Rail (HSR) is Taiwan's fastest way to travel! High speed trains depart from Taichung every 10 to 30 minutes.

How to Book? You can buy HSR tickets online via the official HSR website, at any HSR station, or through convenient store kiosks. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for peak times!

Step 2. Chiayi HSR to Alishan by Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Route A (2.5-3h)

Once you arrive at Chiayi HSR Station, just follow the signs to Exit 2, Platform 7, to catch the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A.

This bus ride takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and some services include a 30-minute stop at Fenqihu, giving you a chance to stretch your legs and grab a snack. A one-way ticket costs NT$278.

There are 4 daily departures for Route A (09:30 AM, 10:10 AM, 11:00 AM, 01:10 PM).

How to Book Bus Tickets? You can book your bus tickets online via the official Taiwan Tourist Shuttle website. It's always a good idea to double-check the latest schedule before you go!

2. Taichung to Alishan Train Route B (3.5-5h): Transfer via Chiayi TRA Station (Budget-Friendly Choice)

Taichung TRA Station

TRA Chiayi Station

If you're looking to save some money without sacrificing too much time (3.5-5 hours), taking the regular TRA train to Chiayi and then connecting to the bus is a great option.

Route: Taichung TRA Station → Chiayi TRA Station → Alishan Transport Station.

✔ Departure Station: Taichung TRA Station (TRA Xinwuri Station) is just a 3-5 minute indoor walk away from Taichung HSR Station, offering easy transfers.

✔ Transfer Point: Chiayi TRA Station. You'll find the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B bus stop right in front of the station.

✔ Bus Arrival Station: Alishan Transport Station (next to 7-Eleven), at the entrance of the Alishan recreation area.

Step 1. Taichung to Chiayi by TRA Train (1-2h)

Regular TRA trains run frequently from Taichung to Chiayi. Faster trains like the "Tze-Chiang Limited Express" (自强号) can get you there in about 1 hour for a higher fare, while slower "Local" (区间号) trains take around 2 hours but are more economical.

How to Book Your TRA Tickets: You can purchase TRA tickets at any train station in Taiwan, or book online via the official TRA website.

Step 2. Chiayi TRA to Alishan by Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Route B (2.5-3)

From Chiayi TRA Station, catch the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B. This ride takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, with some services including a 30-minute stop at Fenqihu for a quick break. A one-way ticket is NT$240.

As you can see in the table below, Route B has more frequent departures than Route A, with 9 buses daily (from 06:05 AM to 02:10 PM).

How to Book: Book your bus tickets online via the official Taiwan Tourist Shuttle website.

3. Taichung to Alishan Train Route C (4.5-7h): Transfer via Chiayi TRA Station (For Railway Enthusiasts)

Chiayi to Alishan Forest Railway

Alishan Station in Alishan Forest Park

This unique route is strictly for those who love trains and have plenty of time to spare! It involves connecting to the famous Alishan Forest Railway. This whole journey takes 4.5 to 7 hours.

Route: Taichung TRA Station → Chiayi TRA Station → Alishan Station (inside the recreation area)

✔ Departure Station: Taichung TRA Station (or TRA Xinwuri Station, easily accessible from Taichung HSR).

✔ Transfer Point: Chiayi TRA Station, where you'll connect to the Alishan Forest Railway.

✔ Forest Railway Arrival Station: Alishan Station, located within the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. From here, you can buy tickets for other scenic lines like Zhaoping Line (popular for cherry blossoms), Sacred Tree Line (to the giant trees), or Zhushan Line (for sunrise).

Step 1. Taichung to Chiayi by TRA Train (1-2h)

Just like Route B, you'll start your journey on a TRA train from Taichung to Chiayi.

Step 2. Chiayi TRA to Alishan by Forest Train (3.5-5h)

This is the special part! The Alishan Forest Railway offers a nostalgic experience.

Important: You MUST arrive at Chiayi TRA Station before 9:00 AM to catch one of the two daily uphill Alishan Forest Railway trains.

I highly recommend aiming for the 09:00 AM departure. It arrives at Alishan Forest Railway Station by 12:30 PM, giving you much more time to explore, especially if you're planning a day trip from Taichung to Alishan!

How to Book: Alishan Forest Railway tickets are in high demand! They open for booking 14 days before the travel date and often sell out instantly, especially during peak seasons. Book online via the official Alishan Forest Railway website.

4. Taichung to Alishan Bus (3.5-4h): Transfer via Chiayi City Bus Terminal

Taiwan Guoguang Bus

Alishan Transport Station

This option is convenient if Kuo-Kuang Bus Taichung Station is an easy starting point for you. It's not a direct bus to Alishan Scenic Area! The total bus ride takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

Route: Kuo-Kuang Bus Taichung Station → Chiayi City Bus Terminal → Alishan Transfer Station (via Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B).

✔ Departure Station: Kuo-Kuang Bus Taichung Station.

✔ Transfer Point: Chiayi City Bus Terminal (located at No. 1, Zhongxing Rd.). You can seamlessly transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B, which departs from the square in front of Chiayi TRA Station (just a minutes' walk from the transfer center).

✔ Arrival Station: Alishan Transport Station (next to 7-Eleven), at the entrance of the recreation area.

Step 1. Taichung to Chiayi Bus (1h)

Take Kuo-Kuang Bus Route 1870 from Taichung to Chiayi City Bus Terminal.

How to Book: You can buy tickets at the bus station or sometimes online via bus company websites.

Step 2. Chiayi to Alishan by Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Route B (2.5-3h)

Once in Chiayi, follow the signs to catch the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Route B as described in option 2.

5. Taichung to Alishan by Shared or Private Car (3-3.5h): The Only Direct Plan!

Asia Odyssey Travel Taiwan

Choose Asia Odyssey Travel's Car Service

This is the ultimate convenience for your Taichung to Alishan journey – it's the only direct way to get there without transfers!

Our services at Asia Odyssey Travel include:

Door-to-Door Service: No more rushing between train stations and bus stops (especially helpful at Chiayi TRA Station, which can get quite crowded!). You're picked up directly from your hotel and dropped off right at Alishan.

Customizable Route: This isn't just transport; it's your journey. You can customize the route, adding stops at places like Fenqihu (for its famous railway bento boxes!), Tianchangdijiu Bridge, or even a detour to Sun Moon Lake for a scenic detour. The flexibility is unmatched!

Ample Luggage Space: No worries about fitting your bags into tight spaces.

Enhanced Experience: Our drivers act as your guides, recommending hidden gems like the sea of clouds at Er Yan Ping Trail in Xiding, helping with photos, or even assisting with ticket purchases!

Is Taichung to Alishan Day Trip Possible?

A Taichung to Alishan Day Trip is doable, but it's definitely an intense one! I only recommend it for travelers with extremely limited time.

Alishan Day Trip from Taichung

Taichung Rainbow Village

Alishan Tree

• Transport Options for a Day Trip (Prioritize Efficiency!)

Top Pick - Private Car: Depart from Taichung as early as 04:00 AM to arrive at Alishan by 07:30 AM, maximizing your exploration time.

Second Option - HSR + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A: Take the 06:25 AM HSR from Taichung to Chiayi (about 60 mins), then transfer to the 09:30 AM Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A (about 2.5 hours), arriving at Alishan by 11:30 AM.

• Exploring Alishan in 2-3 Hours (Day Trip Itinerary Example)

Alishan Station → Zhaoping Station: Purchase your entrance ticket (NT$300; you might get a 50% off if you show your Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus ticket stub!). Then, take the Zhaoping Line mini-train (6 mins, NT$100) directly to Zhaoping Park – a top spot for cherry blossoms!

Sister Ponds & Lakeside Trail (30 mins): Snap photos of the tranquil Twin Sister Ponds and the Heart-Shaped Tree Root, enjoying a gentle stroll on the wooden boardwalk.

Shoujhen Temple & Xianglin Service Area (40 mins): Visit this cultural landmark, grab a quick bite (the bento boxes are popular!), and rest.

Giant Trees Trail (60 mins): Focus on the sacred tree relics, Ci Yun Temple, Three Generations Tree, and Xianglin Sacred Tree.

Sacred Tree Station → to Alishan Station (7 mins, NT$100): Experience the forest railway one more time to save time getting back. Crucially, make sure to catch the last Sacred Tree to Alishan train, which typically departs at 4:10 PM (arriving 4:17 PM) to exit the park!!

Recommended Tours:

Alishan One Day Tour with Tea Factory Experience

Alishan Shoujhen Temple

Alishan Forest Train

• Heading Back to Taichung

From Alishan to Chiayi: If using public transport, note the last bus departures from Alishan to Chiayi: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A is usually 4:40 PM, and Route B is 5:10 PM!

From Chiayi to Taichung: If you're relying on public transport, be aware of the last departures: HSR from Chiayi to Taichung is typically 11:27 PM, and TRA is around 9:44 PM!

Extend Your Adventure: Link Alishan with Sun Moon Lake (2-Day Itinerary Idea)

Sun Moon Lake Trail

Sun Moon Lake

Looking to explore more of central Taiwan's beauty? You can easily connect Taichung to Alishan with Sun Moon Lake for a spectacular "Mountain-Lake Link" deep dive into the region!

Suggested Route: Taichung → Sun Moon Lake → Alishan.

Example Itinerary: Start from Taichung, head to Sun Moon Lake for a relaxing overnight stay. The next morning, travel to Alishan, passing by hidden gems like the Couple Trees and the Tataka Recreation Area.

Recommended Tours:

3 Days Sun Moon Lake Alishan Group Tour: Tour Asia’s Natural Heart

From Taichung to Alishan, Travel with Asia Odyssey Travel

From Taichung to Alishan, your journey through Taiwan's rolling mountains awaits! Let Asia Odyssey Travel help you plan every detail.

✔ What We Offer: 24/7 services, various Taiwan tour packages, local guides, local drivers for safe & seamless Taiwan transportation, private or shared car, etc.

✔ In-depth Alishan Transport Tips: Taipei to Alishan, Chiayi to Alishan, Sun Moon Lake to Alishan, Alishan Maps, etc.

✔ Insider Insights on Taiwan Travel Guide: Why Taiwan is Worth Visiting, Top Things to Do in Taiwan, Taiwan Travel Cost, Best Time to Visit Taiwan, etc.