Taiwan Travel Guide | Taipei to Kenting by HSR and Bus

If you’re traveling to Taiwan, you cannot miss out on Kenting! Located at the most southern region of the Taiwanese island, there’s plenty epic vista points and of course the Kenting National Park, and loads of delicious street food. I’ve made a simple, easy guide to show you exactly how to get from Taipei to Kenting by the High Speed Rail + Bus.

TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: Approx. 3.5 hours

STEP 1: Get HSR tickets for Taipei to Kaosiung(Zuoying Station).

I bought mine from KLOOK, I used their website a few times in Taiwan. I would personally recommend it, it’s easy to use and I believe the price was slightly lower than buying it in person. My ticket was 40USD/one way.

The way it works is you basically reserve your ticket(s), there’s so specific time or date. When you’re ready to take your trip, you’ll go in person to the train station and claim your ticket by presenting your passport and confirmation E-mail at the ticket office. Don’t worry, it was all very simple!

STEP 2: Get to Taipei Main Station

Take either the Bannan (dark blue) Line or the Red Line to Taipei Main Station/台北車站.

STEP 3: Upon arrival at Taipei Main

Once you get to the Taipei Main Station, follow the signs for exit M4.

Take the escalator UP and walk OUTSIDE (I found this to be easier than navigating through the subway tunnels underground). When you’re outside, look to your left and you will see the Taipei Main Station entrance. (shown below)

When you get to the main hall, go down one level and look for ticket office to retrieve your tickets purchased via KLOOK with passport.

Scan your ticket to enter waiting area, there are signs that indicate which platform you need to get to by your train number. (They make pretty loud announcements in English for all train arrivals.)

High Speed Rail ride from Taipei – Kaosiung(Zuoying Station): 90 minutes

STEP 4: Take the bus to Kenting

Once you arrive at Zuoying Station, take exit 2 to purchase bus tickets.

One way= 400NT, roundtrip= 600NT, we were definitely coming back so I opted for the discounted roundtrip tickets. There’s no specific dates on the return ticket, you can use it when you’re ready.

The buses are super easy to find, just exit and go downstairs they’ll be waiting by the street curb.

Bus departures are every 30 minutes or so.

Here’s the bus schedule I conveniently saved for you!(2018)

Bus ride from Kaosiung(Zuoying Station) to Kenting takes approx: 2-2.5 hours

And… there you go! The buses makes a few stops, but if you’ve booked your accommodation in the central area, it will most likely be the last couple of stops. (its very easy to tell you’ve arrived because you’ll begin to see the touristy looking shops filled with swimwear + bars/restaurants.)

Booking.com