【台灣高鐵】Taiwan High Speed Rail Business Class

Zooming at an incredible 300 km/hour, the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) is the fastest way to travel across Taiwan, connecting the North to the South in just 2 hours and 12 minutes.

From the comfortable seats and a quiet and comfortable setting to the stunning scenery along the way, discover why this is a must-try for any Taiwan traveler. ✨

Wondering if it's even worth upgrading?

Keep reading to learn about the benefits, amenities, and everything you need to know about booking your HSR Business Class tickets.

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table of contents

｡ About Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR)

｡ HSR Business Class Pricing

｡ How to Book Your Ticket

｡ HSR Business Class Overview

｡ Know Before You Ride!

｡ Final Thoughts

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about Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR)

Imagine taking the train across Taiwan at an incredible 300 km/h (187 mph)! That's the power of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (known as HSR in Taiwan), the country’s fastest train. Renowned for its speed, safety, and cleanliness, the HSR has become a popular choice for both locals and tourists.

Launched in 2007, the HSR connects major cities along the west coast, from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south.

Ridership grew rapidly, reaching over 130,000 passengers daily within a few months of its launch.

Today, the HSR remains an essential mode of transportation, with ridership reaching approximately 310,000 passengers on peak days like the Lunar New Year holidays. In the past year, over 4.02 million passengers boarded the HSR for tourism purposes, highlighting its significance in Taiwan’s domestic travel scene.

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Business Class pricing

The price of your Business Class ticket can vary depending on your travel distance and the specific route.

For example, my journey from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taichung cost around $1010 NT ($37 USD), while the trip from Taichung to Taipei City was approximately $1250 NT ($39 USD). In comparison, an Economy ticket for the same route would have been around $700 NT ($22.50 USD).

The price difference between Standard vs Business makes riding Business Class surprisingly reasonable.

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how to book your ticket

Purchasing your Business Class tickets is pretty simple. Here are some different options:

1. Online (best for advance booking)

Booking online is the most convenient way to secure your seat, especially during peak seasons, weekends, and Taiwanese holidays.

When booking, you’ll see three options: Timetable and Fare Search, Online Booking, and Ticket Availability. Make sure to select Online Booking, then:

• Choose Business Class as your seating option.

• Enter your departure and arrival stations.

• Input passenger details, including adults, children, and any discounts.

• Complete payment and you’ll receive your ticket confirmation.

2. HSR Mobile App (convenient but tricky to use)

For mobile-friendly booking and e-ticket storage, you can use the T Express app (yes, oddly, it’s not called “HSR” 🤷🏻‍♀️).

When my partner and I were in Jiufen, we initially tried booking online but switched to the app for easier access. With the app, you can:

• Purchase your ticket digitally

• Scan your digital ticket with your phone at the station gates for entry and exit

• Store and manage your tickets in one place

BUT… the app can be confusing. After purchasing, you must manually “collect” your ticket to activate it — otherwise, it won’t be scannable. And once your travel time has passed, your ticket moves into “History,” which threw us off initially.

That said, despite its difficulties, the app is still one of the most convenient ways to book on the go. I just hope they simplify the process in the future!

📱 DOWNLOAD T EXPRESS APP

Apple | Android

3. Ticket Booths (best for in-person assistance)

If you prefer buying your ticket in person, every HSR station has staffed ticket counters.

The attendants usually speak multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Hokkien, and Taiwanese. Don’t hesitate to ask for help!

However, if you’re traveling on weekends or holidays, Business Class tickets may sell out fast, so I highly recommend booking in advance.

4. Self-Service Kiosks (best for introverts!)

For a fast and hassle-free option, use the self-service kiosks available at all HSR stations. These machines allow you to:

• Select your destination

• Choose Business Class

• Pay via card or cash

• Print your ticket on the spot

This is a great alternative if you’re already at the station and need to grab a last-minute ticket!

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HSR Business Class overview

Seats

The seating layout features a comfortable 2x2 configuration, giving you the option to choose between a scenic window view or easy aisle access.

When purchasing or booking your tickets online, you can request a window or aisle seat if available.

The seats are spacious with plenty of room to recline without disturbing your neighbor, thanks to the generous seating distance.

Additionally, there’s a ton of legroom, so feel free to stretch out and relax. There are also hooks for you to hang your coat, backpack, or purse.

Luggage storage

There’s a designated spot for suitcases, but be mindful of other passengers who also need space — place your luggage properly to maximize room for everyone.

For bigger personal items like large backpacks, you can store them in the overhead compartments above your seat.

Amenities

With outlets strategically placed between window and aisle seats, you can power up your devices, work, or browse on your digital devices.

Plus, there’s complimentary Wi-Fi — your ticket to productivity, entertainment, or maybe disconnect from your device and give yourself a break to stare outside and admire the scenery.

Snacks + refreshments

Coffee, tea, or water are available for free! A train attendant will push a cart that provides coffee or tea for you.

They’ll also give you a free snack of your choice from the selection they have at that time. There’s also a refreshing wet towel for you to wipe your hands with!

They also will pass by with newspapers for you to read if you want to read that.

And if you have any trash, they’ll come by with a bin. Kind of like at an airplane feeling, but on a train!

Lunch (limited)

A small number of lunch boxes are available during specific times, typically between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM, so grab one early if you’re interested!

Options vary by day, but you’ll usually find meat and vegetarian/vegan choices available.

Keep in mind that these meals aren’t free — you’ll need to pay an additional fee.

If you’d rather have something else, consider picking up a lunch box before boarding to enjoy your own meal on the ride.

Bathrooms

If you’re not sure where the bathrooms at, there’s a bathroom sign located on top of the doorways letting you know which direction the bathroom is at!

Vending machine

If you’re thirsty and want something else other than tea or coffee, there’s a vending machine in between the walkways.

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know before you ride!

BOOK EARLY DURING PEAK SEASON

Business Class tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Secure your spot in advance by booking online.

SAME PRICE, ANY METHOD

Whether you book online, through the app, or in person, the ticket price remains the same. Choose whatever works best for you.

KEEP YOUR TICKET WITH YOU

You’ll need it to enter and exit the station, whether it’s a physical ticket or an e-ticket on your phone.

CHECKING BOARDING TIMES

Electronic screens display departure info, though most are in Chinese. A translation app can help.

STAY COMFY WHILE YOU WAIT

Many stations have seating areas, charging stations, and even public-use laptops (availability varies by location).

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final thoughts

The Taiwan High Speed Rail Business Class offers a quiet and clean journey with spacious seating and huge windows, allowing you to comfortably enjoy Taiwan's stunning scenery as you travel across the country.

Keep in mind that Business Class tickets can be in high demand, especially during peak travel seasons, weekends (Friday-Sunday), and Taiwanese holidays.

If you have specific travel dates in mind, I recommend booking your tickets in advance to secure your preferred seats.

While the price difference between Business Class and Standard Class may be a consideration, I highly recommend the Business Class experience for longer journeys or if you value comfort and convenience.

🚨 Important Tip if You’re Coming from the Airport (TPE)! 🚨

When I returned from Vietnam, I pre-booked my Business Class ticket through the HSR app, estimating my transfer time from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) → MRT → HSR. What I didn’t expect was an additional customs check before exiting the airport, which delayed my transfer and caused me to miss my train! 😭

If this happens, HSR won’t refund your ticket, but they’ll let you board the next available train. The catch? You’ll have to stand in Standard Class — no seat, no Business Class perks. That’s exactly what I had to do. D:

💡 Lesson learned: If you’re coming from the airport, give yourself at least 1.5+ hours to get through customs, take the MRT, and reach the HSR station. Better safe than standing the whole ride! 😅

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VISIT

台灣高鐵
Taiwan High Speed Rail

HOURS

Monday - Sunday
6:00 AM - 12:00 AM

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• Sources

  Taipei Times: High-speed rail passengers hit record-high 73 million

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check out my Taiwan travel vlog!

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Last Updated: 03.20.2025