How to Commute in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: MRT, LRT, Bus, and Transport Cards Explained 🚇🇹🇼
Kaohsiung has just 3 rail lines and one of the most unique tram systems in Asia. Here's your complete commute guide — cards, lines, and navigation tips.
Getting around Kaohsiung is easier than most people expect — especially if you've already navigated Taipei's MRT. The system is smaller, the lines are fewer, and the whole city is genuinely straightforward to explore without a car. Whether you're visiting for sightseeing or heading to a concert, here's everything you need to know. Ganito lang 'yan! 😉
Step 1: Get Your Transport Card First 🎫
Before you start navigating any train or bus in Kaohsiung, sort out your transport card. This is the single most important thing to do on arrival — without it, you're buying single-journey tickets at every station, which is slower and less efficient.
You have two options:
🟡 Taiwan EasyCard
The most versatile option. A reloadable contactless card that works on the Kaohsiung MRT, LRT, and most city buses — and can also be used to pay at select convenience stores and restaurants. It's the same EasyCard used across all of Taiwan, so if you're coming from Taipei, your existing card works immediately in Kaohsiung with zero additional setup.
🟢 Kaohsiung Fun Pass
An all-in-one tourist card offering unlimited rides on the MRT and LRT plus entrance fees to select tourist attractions. Ideal if you're planning to cover multiple paid spots in a single day. The unlimited rides benefit pays for itself quickly on a busy sightseeing day.
💡 Pro Tip: Open my Klook Kreator Shop here, and scroll down to redeem all available discount codes. My travel recommendations are also bookable directly from there with the discount automatically applied.
The Kaohsiung Train System: 3 Lines, Simply Explained 🚇🚃
The entire Kaohsiung MRT/LRT rail network has just three lines total. That's it. Compared to Taipei, this is genuinely easy to wrap your head around.
🔴 MRT Red Line
Runs north to south — the most useful line for arrivals and intercity connections. Key stops include:
- Zuoying Station — THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) connection for arriving from or departing to Taipei. Full guide: Taiwan HSR for Beginners →
- Formosa Boulevard Station — Home to the Dome of Light, one of the largest glass art installations in the world. Free to view just by entering the station.
- Kaohsiung International Airport — Direct MRT connection from the city center to the airport
🟠 MRT Orange Line
Runs east to west — intersects with the Red Line at Formosa Boulevard Station (the main transfer hub). Useful for reaching Kaohsiung Main Station and the eastern parts of the city.
- Kaohsiung Main Station — TRA (Taiwan Railways) connections for day trips to Chiayi, Tainan, and beyond. Also where the recommended hotels Kindness Hotel and CU Hotel are located. Full hotel guide →
All-in-One Travel Budget & Itinerary Planner
Free, plug-and-play Google Sheets/Excel template with budget trackers, itinerary planners, and country-specific cheatsheets
🟢 LRT Green Line (Kaohsiung Light Rail)
This is where Kaohsiung's transport system gets genuinely unique. The LRT looks like a modern tram running at ground level — not underground. It moves through the streets and the harbor waterfront like a street-level train, which makes the ride itself part of the experience.
The key thing to understand: it's a circular line. Trains run in two directions — clockwise and counterclockwise — around a loop covering the harbor and waterfront area.
💡 Pro Tip: When you're on the LRT platform, check the destination board before boarding to confirm you're going in the right direction. Both directions will get you to your stop eventually since it's a loop — but one direction is significantly shorter depending on where you're headed.
Key LRT stops:
- Pier-2 Art Center — Converted warehouse district with murals, galleries, shops, and cafes. One of Kaohsiung's most photogenic areas.
- Love Pier / Love River — Waterfront promenade, excellent at sunset
- Kaohsiung Arena — Major venue for concerts and events — if you're coming to Kaohsiung for a concert, this is the stop
- Hamasen — Historic old port area with Japanese-era architecture and seafood restaurants
All three lines accept your EasyCard or Kaohsiung Fun Pass — tap in when you board, tap out when you exit.
Buses 🚌
Kaohsiung has a city bus network that covers areas the MRT and LRT don't reach. Your EasyCard works on most routes. That said, bus wait times can be long depending on the route — in general, stick to the MRT and LRT for tourist destinations and use buses only when you specifically need to reach somewhere not served by rail.
Google Maps will tell you which bus to take and when the next one arrives — useful for planning around longer wait times.
Uber 🚗
Uber operates in Kaohsiung and is a practical option when the MRT or LRT doesn't conveniently serve your destination — or when you're tired after a long day and just want door-to-door.
⚠️ Important: Set up your Uber account and link your payment card before you leave the Philippines. The app may ask for verification steps during setup that are easier to handle at home. Once set up, it works immediately in Kaohsiung without any additional steps.
Bolt is also available as a backup ride-hailing option. Grab is not available in Taiwan.
Navigation: Google Maps Is All You Need 🗺️
For getting around Kaohsiung, Google Maps handles everything accurately — MRT routes, LRT stops, bus lines, walking segments, and travel time estimates. Type in your destination, select Public Transit, and it maps out the exact route including which line to board, which direction to go, and where to transfer.
No special Kaohsiung-specific app needed. Google Maps works.
Planning Your Kaohsiung Trip? 🗓️
Now that you know how to get around, here are the guides to help you plan the full trip:
- 🌆 The Only Kaohsiung Itinerary You Need: A 5-Day DIY Guide →
- 🚆 Every Train You'll Ride in Taiwan: A Tourist's Guide →
- 🏨 Best Hotels in Kaohsiung Near the Main Station →
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan First Timer Guide: Everything Before Your Trip →
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
How do you get around Kaohsiung Taiwan?
By MRT (Red and Orange Lines), LRT (Green Line circular tram), city buses, or Uber. The MRT and LRT cover all major tourist destinations and are the most efficient options. All accept the EasyCard for payment.
What transport card should I use in Kaohsiung?
The Taiwan EasyCard is the most versatile — works on MRT, LRT, and buses across all of Taiwan. The Kaohsiung Fun Pass adds unlimited MRT and LRT rides plus attraction entrance fees, making it better value for heavy sightseeing days.
Can I use my Taipei EasyCard in Kaohsiung?
Yes — the same EasyCard works immediately in Kaohsiung with no additional setup. Tap in, tap out, same as Taipei.
What is the Kaohsiung LRT and how does it work?
The Kaohsiung LRT (Green Line) is a modern circular tram running at ground level through the harbor waterfront. It connects Pier-2, Love River, Kaohsiung Arena, and Hamasen. It runs clockwise and counterclockwise — check the destination board before boarding to confirm your direction.
How many MRT lines does Kaohsiung have?
Two MRT lines — Red Line (north-south) and Orange Line (east-west) — plus a separate LRT Green Line. Three lines total.
Is Uber available in Kaohsiung?
Yes. Set up your Uber account and link your payment card before leaving the Philippines for the smoothest experience.
What navigation app works best in Kaohsiung?
Google Maps — it accurately covers MRT, LRT, bus, and walking routes across all of Kaohsiung.
Is the Kaohsiung LRT clockwise or counterclockwise?
Both — it runs in two directions around a circular loop. Check the destination board on the platform before boarding to confirm you're heading the right way.
Hope this helps! More travels soon!
