Taiwan’s east coast railway runs along a genuinely dramatic stretch of coastline backed by steep mountains, connecting Taipei to Hualien and Taitung with a comfortable, efficient train service that opens up some of the island’s most spectacular scenery, including Taroko Gorge.
Quick answer: 7 days rail hopping from Taipei through Hualien to Taitung costs roughly £380-£480 per person excluding flights, based on mid-range accommodation, three meals a day, and Taiwan’s genuinely affordable and efficient rail network throughout.
The 7-Day Route at a Glance
| Days | Location | Highlight | Accommodation Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Taipei | Night markets, Taipei 101 | £45-£75/night |
| 3-4 | Hualien | Taroko Gorge | £35-£60/night |
| 5-7 | Taitung | Slower coastal pace, hot springs | £30-£55/night |
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Days 1-2: Taipei
Taiwan’s capital anchors the trip’s start, offering genuine night market culture and modern city sightseeing before the east coast’s more nature-focused legs begin.
- Shilin Night Market: free to explore, Taipei’s largest and most famous night market, offering genuinely excellent, affordable street food
- Taipei 101: NT$600 (£15), once the world’s tallest building, offering striking observation deck views
- Dinner: a full meal at a genuine local restaurant runs NT$200-350 (£5-£8.75) per person
Days 3-4: Hualien & Taroko Gorge
The train from Taipei to Hualien takes roughly 2-2.5 hours, reaching the gateway city for Taiwan’s most spectacular natural attraction.
- Taroko Gorge: free to enter, a genuinely dramatic marble canyon with well-maintained walking trails, including the popular Shakadang and Swallow Grotto trails, both offering striking views of the gorge’s sheer marble walls
- Eternal Spring Shrine: a small, picturesque shrine built into the gorge’s cliff face, genuinely worth the short walk for the setting alone
- Dinner: a full meal in Hualien city runs NT$180-300 (£4.50-£7.50) per person
- Accommodation: guesthouses in Hualien city from £35-£60/night
The 6am principle applies at Taroko Gorge’s most popular trail sections. Starting early genuinely avoids both the midday heat and the tour bus crowds that build from mid-morning onward.
Days 5-7: Taitung
The train from Hualien to Taitung continues roughly 2 hours further south along the same dramatic coastline, reaching a noticeably slower-paced region known for its hot springs and rural charm.
- Zhiben Hot Springs: a genuine natural hot spring area, offering both public and private bathing options, typically NT$150-300 (£3.75-£7.50) for entry
- East Rift Valley cycling: Taitung’s flat agricultural valley offers genuinely excellent, scenic cycling routes through rice paddies and small farming villages
- Sanxiantai: a striking coastal formation connected to the mainland by an eight-arched bridge, genuinely one of the east coast’s most photographed spots
- Dinner: a full meal in Taitung runs NT$150-280 (£3.75-£7) per person
- Accommodation: guesthouses in Taitung from £30-£55/night
What £380-£480 Actually Covers
| Category | Total for 7 Days (GBP, per person) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (6 nights, split two ways) | £110-£190 |
| Food (three meals daily) | £90-£140 |
| Rail transport (Taipei-Hualien-Taitung) | £25-£40 |
| Activities/entry fees | £30-£55 |
| Total | £255-£425 |
Step-by-Step: Booking This Trip
- Book Taiwan Railway tickets online through the official TRA booking system, since popular routes and times can sell out, particularly around Taiwanese holiday periods.
- Rent a scooter or bicycle in Hualien specifically for Taroko Gorge access, since public transport within the gorge itself is limited and independent transport significantly improves flexibility.
- Visit Taroko Gorge’s most popular trails early morning, given both the tour bus crowd pattern and the region’s genuine summer heat.
- Rent a bicycle in Taitung for the East Rift Valley, since this flat, scenic route is genuinely one of Taiwan’s best cycling experiences and benefits from unhurried exploration.
- Check current Taroko Gorge trail status before visiting, since sections occasionally close due to rockfall risk following earthquakes, genuinely common in this geologically active region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Taiwan?
UK passport holders can currently enter Taiwan visa-free for short tourist stays; confirm current specific terms before booking given the possibility of policy changes.
Is Taiwan’s east coast affected by earthquakes?
Yes, Taiwan sits in a genuinely active seismic zone, and Taroko Gorge specifically has experienced trail closures following past earthquakes; checking current conditions before travel is worthwhile.
Is this route suitable for travellers without much rail travel experience?
Yes, genuinely straightforward, with Taiwan’s rail system offering clear English signage and a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate booking system considerably more accessible than some other Asian rail networks.
What is the best time of year for this Taiwan east coast route?
October-November and March-April offer the most comfortable temperatures, avoiding both Taiwan’s genuinely hot, humid summer and its typhoon season, which typically runs from June through October.
Taiwan’s IC Card System: A Genuine Convenience
Beyond the main rail booking, Taiwan’s EasyCard (or similar IC cards) offer genuine convenience for local transport within each city stop, covering buses, some local trains, and even convenience store purchases with a single reloadable card. Picking one up on arrival in Taipei and using it consistently throughout the trip removes the friction of individual ticket purchases across the multiple local transport systems this itinerary touches.
Trying Aboriginal Taiwanese Cuisine in Taitung
Taitung’s population includes a significant proportion of Taiwan’s indigenous Amis people, and several restaurants throughout the region offer genuine indigenous Taiwanese cuisine, distinct from the more commonly encountered Han Chinese-influenced Taiwanese food found in Taipei. Seeking out at least one meal specifically featuring this indigenous culinary tradition adds a genuinely distinctive cultural dimension to the trip’s final leg, worth asking local guesthouse staff for a specific recommendation.
The Bottom Line
Taiwan’s east coast delivers genuinely dramatic marble gorge scenery, striking coastal formations, and a noticeably slower, more rural pace than Taipei, all connected by an efficient, affordable rail network that removes any need for a rental car across the core route. The honest recommendation is allowing at least 2 full days at Taroko Gorge specifically, since rushing this single highlight would undersell the region’s most genuinely spectacular natural attraction.
