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Are you planning a trip to Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan but are super confused about how to get there? Don’t panic as we have compiled this detailed guide to explain all the different transport options for getting to Sun Moon Lake.
This article will cover how to get to Sun Moon Lake from:
- Taipei
- Taichung
- Alishan
How to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei – Transport Options
- Long Distance Bus
- Train + Shuttle Bus
- Shared or private transfer
- Group or private tour
1. Long Distance Bus (Kuo-Kuang bus 1833)
The only direct route from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake by public transport is to take the Kuo-Kuang bus 1833.
The bus departs from Taipei Bus Station (map) which is located next to Taipei Main Station.
The journey takes approximately 4 hours (longer on weekends due to traffic), and the fare is NT$ 470 one way. The bus drops you off at Shueishe Visitors Center in Sun Moon Lake (map).
Buses depart from Taipei at:
- 6.50am
- 7.20am
- 8.40am (Saturday only)
- 10.20am
- 3.20pm
Times correct as of April 2024
As the bus journey is very long, this is not a recommended route for visiting Sun Moon Lake as a day trip, and is more suited to travellers on a budget who plan to stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake.
For more details and to book visit the official Kuo-Kuang website >
2. Train + Shuttle Bus
Another way to reach Sun Moon Lake from Taipei on public transport is to take the train from Taipei to Taichung, and then take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus to Sun Moon Lake.
You can take either the HSR high-speed rail train or the regular Taiwan railway TRA train from Taipei to Taichung.
HSR High-Speed Rail
The high-speed rail train takes just over 1 hour to reach Taichung HSR Station from Taipei HSR Station.
The fare is NT$ 675 for a non-reserved seat and NT$ 700 for a regular seat. You can then board the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus from Taichung HSR station exit 5.
Taiwan railway TRA train
The TRA train takes around 2 hours on the express train and 3.5 hours on the local train to reach Taichung TRA station from Taipei main station or Songshan station.
The fare is NT$ 241 for the local train and NT$ 375 for the express train.
You can then board the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus to Sun Moon Lake from a bus stop near Taichung TRA station (map), or walk 10 minutes to the Taichung Gancheng Bus Station office where the shuttle bus journey starts from (map).
Details of how to take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus from Taichung are explained in the Taichung section further down in this article.
3. Shared or private transfer from Taipei
You can book a private one way transfer between Taipei and Sun Moon Lake with Klook in a 5 seater car (group of 1-4 people) or a 9 seater car (group of 5-8 people). Check prices and availability >
4. Sun Moon Lake Day Tour from Taipei
The following group day tours run from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake:
Sun Moon Lake one-day tour departure from Taipei
Group day tour that does pick ups from Taipei main station. Highlights include Xuanguang Temple, Wen Wu Temple, Yidashao Wharf, Ita Thao Shopping District and Xiangshan Visitor Center. Click to view the tour >
Nantou: Private Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei
Private day tour in a 5-seat car or 9-seat van that will pick you up from your hotel. Click to view the tour >
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How to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung – Transport Options
- Shuttle Bus
- Shared or private transfer
- Group or private tour
It is much easier to visit Sun Moon Lake from Taichung as Taichung is the nearest big city, plus it has a direct tourist shuttle bus that runs several times a day.
1. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route from Taichung (Bus 6670 A, B, C, D or F)
The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle picks up passengers from the following locations in Taichung:
- Taichung Gancheng Bus Station office (map)
- Taichung TRA Station – Minzu Road Intersection (map)
- Taichung HSR Station – exit 5 (map)
There is also a daily shuttle bus from Taichung International Airport which we will explain about later in this article.
The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route 6670 starts from Taichung Gancheng Bus Station.
The shuttle bus then stops for pick ups at a bus stop near Taichung TRA station and outside the ticket office at exit 5 of Taichung’s high speed rail station which is located out of town.
You can pay for the fare using your EasyCard. You can also pre-purchase an EasyCard with a discounted fare in advance on Klook, which you will need to collect at either Taichung Gancheng Bus Station office or Taichung HSR Station. Click here to book your discounted fare on Klook >
When purchasing this EasyCard on Klook you will need to specify a date for the outward journey, but you can then use it for the return journey within 14 days.
We took the shuttle bus on a weekday lunchtime in April at Taichung Gancheng Bus Station and there were only 5 people waiting to board, so we recommend boarding at this stop if you want to guarantee a seat. The bus filled up at the Taichung HSR station pick up and not everyone could board.
The shuttle bus is also part of the Sun Moon Lake Pass, which you can also purchase at either Taichung Gancheng Bus Station office or Taichung HSR Station. Read more about the Sun Moon Lake Pass packages here >
The shuttle bus drops you off at Shueishe Visitors Center in Sun Moon Lake (map).
Approximate travel time for bus 6670 B, 6670 E and 6670 F:
- Taichung Gancheng Bus Station – Shueishe Visitors Center (1 hour 42 minutes)
- Taichung TRA Station – Shueishe Visitors Center (1 hour 40 minutes)
- Taichung HSR Station – Shueishe Visitors Center (1 hour 22 minutes)
Buses 6670 A, 6670 C and 6670 D take slightly longer as they make extra stops. Route C only runs on weekends. For more route information visit the official site >
All travel times may be longer on weekends and public holidays
Cost paying with cash:
- NT$ 197 (one way)
Cost paying with EasyCard:
- NT$ 173 (one way)
Bus Timetable:
Buses run from 7.15am until 7.45pm.
Times correct as of April 2024
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route from Taichung International Airport (Bus 6670 E)
There is also an additional Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus route 6670 E that picks up passengers from Taichung International Airport. However this service only runs once a day at 3.10pm.
If you are arriving at the airport and this shuttle bus doesn’t work with your schedule, you should take a taxi or bus 30 to downtown Taichung, or bus 156 to Taichung HSR station.
From there you can board the tourist shuttle bus 6670 A, B, C, D or F to Sun Moon Lake.
Travel Time:
Taichung International Airport – Shueishe Visitors Center (2 hours)
Cost paying with cash:
- NT$ 231 (one way)
Cost paying with EasyCard:
- NT$ 204 (one way)
2. Shared or private transfer from Taichung
You can book a private one way transfer with Klook in a 5 seater car (group of 1-4 people) or a 9 seater car (group of 5-8 people). Check prices and availability >
If you are not part of a group (i.e a solo traveller or a couple), you can book seats in a shared van transfer between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake with Klook. The van does pick ups from downtown Taichung, HSR Taichung Station and Taichung TRA Station. Fares are affordable starting from NT$ 600 per person. Check prices and availability >
3. Tours to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung
The following group day tours run from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake:
Sun Moon Lake Scenic Day Tour
Group day tour that does pick ups from both Taichung TRA station and Taichung HSR station. Highlights include a ferry ride around the lake, black tea factory and Baohu Palace temple. Click to view the tour >
Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Day Trip from Taichung
Group day tour that does pick ups from hotels in Taichung city or from Taichung high-speed rail station. Highlights include a ferry ride around the lake, Qingjing Skywalk and the Old England Manor. Click to view the tour >
Sun Moon Lake Day Tour from Taichung
Group day tour that does pick ups from meeting points in downtown Taichung or from Taichung high-speed rail station. Highlights include the mountain bike trail, an Indigenous style meal, lake cruise, cable car and Wenwu temple. Click to view the tour >
How to get to Sun Moon Lake from Alishan – Transport Options
- Shuttle Bus
- Shared or private transfer
1. Shuttle Bus
If you are heading to Sun Moon Lake after a stay in Alishan, then you can take the daily Yuanlin Bus number 6739 at 1pm from Alishan Bus Station (map). The journey takes 2 hours 37 minutes.
This is a super popular bus route and there is a lot of conflicting advice online about whether to pre-book a seat in advance. Most people say that seat reservations are essential as it is only a small bus seating around 20 people.
To reserve a bus seat you need to email [email protected] or call Shuili Station at 049 – 2770041. Email is probably the better option if you do not speak Mandarin.
There is also a word document form you can fill out and email back on this link.
Reservations are open two months in advance up to 2 days prior.
Once your seat is reserved you will receive a confirmation email which you will show to the driver, then tap your EasyCard to pay for the fare. The current fare is NT$ 336 one way with EasyCard.
If there are any seats left over after people with reservations have boarded, then it is first come first served, so if you do not have a reservation then head to the bus station as early as possible!
2. Private transfer from Alishan
If you don’t fancy taking the bus, a lot of people online recommend using tripool.app to book a private transfer.
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