Hualien Travel: The Complete Guide to Taroko Gorge and Rift Valley Transportation Planning (Railway, Bus, Self-Driving Car, Scooter, and Current Flight Route Verification)

The majestic and magnificent “Taroko National Park” and the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley are top-tier natural wonders that domestic and international tourists absolutely must not miss when visiting Hualien. Because Hualien is located in eastern Taiwan, with a long and narrow terrain where mountains and sea meet, how to choose the most suitable public transportation or self-driving route is often the first step in trip planning.

This article fully compiles transportation guides to Taroko and the Hualien area, including railway, self-driving highways, and bus/coach, and provides the latest verification and completion of outdated online information (such as airline changes and current road conditions).

Verification of Current Domestic Aviation Information (Taipei/Kaohsiung to Hualien)

Past online articles often mentioned TransAsia Airways and Far Eastern Air Transport, but due to operational changes, the two airlines were dissolved and ceased flying in 2016 and 2019 respectively. Below is the latest verified status of domestic routes:

1. Taipei Songshan ➔ Hualien (HUN)

• Operating airline: UNI Air
• Flight time: About 50 minutes.
• Songshan Airport website: Taipei Songshan Airport Official Website

2. Kaohsiung International Airport ➔ Hualien (HUN)

• Operating airline: Mandarin Airlines
• Flight time: About 1 hour.
• Kaohsiung Airport website: Kaohsiung International Airport Official Website

After arriving at Hualien Airport: After leaving the airport, you can directly take a Hualien Bus coach or taxi (about a 25-minute drive) straight to the Taroko National Park Visitor Center; or rent a car at the rental counter inside the airport and drive up the mountain yourself.

Railway Transportation Guide (The Most Convenient First Choice)

To reach the Taroko area, taking the TRA Eastern Trunk Line is the most stable and popular form of public transportation. The recommended alighting stations are mainly “Hualien Railway Station” or “Xincheng (Taroko) Station.”

1. Comparison of Alighting Station Choices

• Xincheng (Taroko) Railway Station: Closest to Taroko (only about 5 km from the Taroko National Park Headquarters), suitable for travelers with a clear goal of heading straight to Taroko Gorge.
• Hualien Railway Station: Most frequent service, with the most complete car/scooter rental, accommodation, and food/living amenities around the station (about 26 km from the Taroko Headquarters).

2. Reference for Main TRA Fares and Travel Times

Booking tip: Tickets for the Eastern Trunk Line during popular periods are often snapped up in seconds. TRA opens online and “TRA e-Booking” App reservations from midnight 28 days before the travel date (inclusive of that day). Be sure to plan ahead.

Self-Driving Car and Scooter Route Planning

Driving yourself or renting a scooter to tour Taroko allows you to enjoy a high degree of freedom. The routes departing from various parts of Taiwan are organized as follows:

Departing from the North (Taipei/Yilan direction)

• Route 1 (fastest): From Taipei via National Highway No. 5 (Xueshan Tunnel) to Su’ao, then take the “Provincial Highway 9 Suhua Improvement” (Suhua Highway Improvement Project) directly to Xincheng, Hualien, then transfer to Provincial Highway 8 (Central Cross-Island Highway) to enter the Taroko National Park Visitor Center.
• Route 2 (coastal scenery): Along Provincial Highway 2 (Coastal Highway) through Ruifang and Gongliao to Yilan, then take Provincial Highway 9 Suhua Highway south.

Departing from the South (Pingtung/Taitung direction)

• Mountain line (faster): Along Provincial Highway 9 (Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley Highway) from Taitung heading north all the way to Xincheng, Hualien, then transfer to Provincial Highway 8 to enter Taroko.
• Sea line (beautiful scenery): Along Provincial Highway 11 (Hualien-Taitung Coastal Highway) enjoying the sea view north to Hualien City, then transfer to Provincial Highway 9 and Provincial Highway 8 to Taroko.

Departing from the West (Taichung/Puli direction)

• Central Cross-Island Highway route: From Taichung, take Provincial Highway 14 to Puli, transfer to Provincial Highway 14A through Cingjing and Hehuanshan to Dayuling, then take the eastern section of “Provincial Highway 8 (Central Cross-Island Highway)” all the way down the mountain to the Taroko Visitor Center.
  • Note: The high-altitude sections of the Central Cross-Island Highway have highly variable weather, and some sections may implement scheduled traffic control due to geological repairs. Be sure to check the Directorate General of Highways for real-time road conditions before departure.

Local Transfer Bus Information in Taroko

After arriving at Hualien or Xincheng Railway Station, if you’re not self-driving, you can make good use of the local bus system:

1. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Taroko Line (Bus 310): Departs from Hualien Railway Station, passing Xincheng Railway Station, Taroko Visitor Center, Shakadang, Swallow Grotto to Tianxiang, using a day pass or electronic ticket card, the best choice for backpackers touring Taroko’s major trails.
2. Taxi charter: In front of Hualien or Xincheng Railway Station there are legal taxis offering one-day Taroko charter tours, suitable for families or when traveling in larger groups.