Bus: Intercity Coaches and City Buses

Bus travel in Taiwan splits into two worlds: intercity coaches connecting cities and tourist areas, and local buses serving urban and rural communities. In-bus displays announce upcoming stations in Mandarin, also in Taiwanese, Hakka, and English usually.

Intercity Coaches (客運)

Multiple private companies operate comfortable, air-conditioned coaches between major cities and tourist destinations. These often prove cheaper than trains and sometimes faster for certain routes, particularly cross-mountain journeys where no railway exists.

You can book intercity buses through company websites, at convenience stores (for major routes), or at bus stations. Some short-distance intercity coaches also accept smart cards.

City and Local Buses (市區公車)

Urban buses fill gaps in metro coverage and serve as primary transport in cities without metros. Your EasyCard / iPass becomes essential here, offering discounted fares and transfer credits. Most urban buses require tapping your card when boarding and alighting.