20–30 minutes from TPE to Taoyuan HSR, then straight south
If you’re heading to Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Taoyuan Shuttle gets you from T1/T2 at TPE to Taoyuan HSR in about 20–30 minutes for roughly $2–3, skipping the detour into Taipei Main Station entirely.
The shuttle runs about every 15–20 minutes from around 06:00 to 23:30, with buses like Ubus 705/706 and a few variants all signed for Taoyuan HSR, which is why Reddit threads just lump them together as the “HSR shuttle.”
At TPE, follow signs for Bus to HSR Taoyuan from arrivals in T1 or T2 and head down to the bus area, where the fare boards show the current price in NT$ (expect the equivalent of about $2–3) and route numbers including 705 and 706.
Locals recommend tapping in with an EasyCard or iPASS at the bus reader instead of queueing at the ticket counter, which speeds things up when a bank of flights dumps 100+ people into the same shuttle line.
Traffic matters: some riders report airport to Taoyuan HSR in under 20 minutes in light traffic, but rainy rush hours can push it closer to 30 minutes, so build the buffer if you’re eyeing a specific southbound HSR departure.
At Taoyuan HSR, the bus bays sit outside the main station building and signs for airport-bound routes share platforms with other buses, so expect to scan for route numbers like 705 in smaller English text.
From the bus stop into the HSR platforms you’ll deal with escalators and a bit of a walk, and Reddit trip reports from travelers with mobility issues suggest adding 10–15 extra minutes for that station transfer.
Most regulars buy THSR tickets at the Taoyuan HSR ticket counters or machines after they arrive, often choosing the next-available or semi-fast trains that can shave 5–10 minutes off trips to Taichung and Kaohsiung.
How to use the Taiwan High Speed Rail Taoyuan Shuttle
- 1. After landing in T1 or T2, clear immigration and customs, then follow “Bus” signs down to the ground transport level.
- 2. At the bus area, look for routes signed Taoyuan HSR such as Ubus 705/706, checking the digital boards for the next departure time.
- 3. Pay by tapping an EasyCard/iPASS or buy a paper ticket at the counter; expect a fare around $2–3 per person.
- 4. Board with your luggage, grab a seat if you can, and allow 20–30 minutes for the ride depending on traffic.
- 5. On arrival at Taoyuan HSR, follow the station signs into the main hall, then head to the THSR ticket counters or machines and buy for the next train south.
- 6. Use escalators or elevators down to the platforms, adding around 10 minutes from ticket hall to train if you’re walking with bags.
Watch out for
Buses can run full and leave standees when several widebodies land at once, and headways sometimes clump beyond the advertised 15–20 minutes, so don’t plan a tight HSR connection—aim one train later than you think you need.
One practical tip: buy a stored-value card like EasyCard at the airport before heading down to the bus level; it works on the shuttle, THSR station access gates, and later on city MRT, which keeps every transfer at Taoyuan HSR to a quick tap instead of another ticket queue.