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The sweeping curved roof and glass front of the Hsinchu high-speed rail station

Getting there

Getting to Hsinchu, and getting around

Hsinchu is about 30 minutes from Taipei by high-speed rail, and about an hour from Taoyuan International Airport. Here is how to get there, and how to get around once you arrive.

From Taipei

Most visitors arrive from Taipei, about 70 km away. The high-speed rail is fastest, but its station is outside the city, so the regular train can be just as quick to the old city.

From Taipei to Hsinchu
HowArrives atTime
High-speed rail (THSR)Hsinchu HSR station, in ZhubeiAbout 30 minutes
Taiwan Railway (TRA)Hsinchu Station, in the city centreAbout 1–1½ hours
BusHsinchu bus station, next to Hsinchu StationAbout 1½ hours
By carNational Freeway 1 or 3About 1–1½ hours

Hsinchu HSR station is in Zhubei, about 10 km east of the old city. To reach the centre, walk across to the Taiwan Railway’s Liujia station next door and take a local train to Hsinchu Station, about 20 minutes, or take a taxi or bus.

From Taoyuan Airport

Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to the high-speed rail station in Taoyuan, then the high-speed rail one stop south to Hsinchu. Allow about an hour in all. A taxi takes about 50 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

From the south

The high-speed rail links Hsinchu with Taichung in about 30 to 40 minutes and Kaohsiung in about an hour and a half. Taiwan Railway trains run along the west coast too, more slowly.

By car

Two freeways run past Hsinchu, and a car is the easiest way to explore the Hakka hills and the mountains. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, and can close after heavy rain. You need an International Driving Permit, and drivers drive on the right.

Getting around

  • On foot: the old city, from the station to the City God Temple, is easy to walk.
  • EasyCard: a stored-value card for trains, buses, YouBike and convenience stores. Buy one at a station or a convenience store.
  • Buses: city buses run to Nanliao Harbour and around the city, and county buses go to the Hakka towns.
  • YouBike: public bikes with stations around the city, good for the flat coast.
  • Taxis and Uber: both are easy to find and fairly priced.
  • The Neiwan Line: a branch railway from Hsinchu Station into the hills, for Neiwan.

Read our guide to visiting Hsinchu from Taipei.

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Getting there FAQ

How do I get from Taipei to Hsinchu?

The high-speed rail takes about 30 minutes to Hsinchu HSR station in Zhubei. Regular Taiwan Railway trains take about an hour to an hour and a half to Hsinchu Station in the city centre. Buses take about an hour and a half.

How do I get from Taoyuan Airport to Hsinchu?

Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to the high-speed rail station in Taoyuan, then the high-speed rail one stop to Hsinchu. A taxi takes about 50 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

Is the high-speed rail station in the city?

No. Hsinchu HSR station is in Zhubei, about 10 km east of the old city. Walk across to Liujia station and take a local train to Hsinchu Station, about 20 minutes, or take a taxi or bus.

How do I get around Hsinchu?

Walk in the old city, and use city buses, YouBike bikes, taxis or Uber for longer trips, such as Nanliao Harbour. An EasyCard works on buses, trains and YouBike.