Regular Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) statutory concessions provide 50% off full fares for Seniors (ROC citizens aged 65 and above), Concession / Disabled passengers (ROC citizens with disability certification plus 1 required companion), and Children (under age 12); promotional fares include Early Bird discounts of 35% off, 20% off, or 10% off, and University Student discounts of 50%, 25%, or 12% off (50%, 75%, 88% fares) on designated trains with limited quotas. Taking Taipei to Zuoying as an example, standard reserved full fare is NT$1,490, non-reserved is NT$1,445, business class is NT$2,440, and concession tickets are NT$745. Early Bird sales close at latest 5 days prior to the travel date, subject to train capacity.
Reminder: Fares and rules are compiled from the THSR official fare tables, promotional pages, and the Passenger Transportation Contract (effective March 30, 2026), verified 2026-11-02. Early Bird and College Student programs are limited promotional plans varying daily and per train; THSR reserves the right to adjust programs. Check real-time booking systems for official prices.
Fares for Common Routes Departing Greater Taipei
The table below lists standard full fares (in NT$) from official THSR general, concession, and group fare schedules:
| Segment Route | Standard Reserved Full Fare | Non-Reserved Car Full Fare | Business Car Full Fare | Standard Concession Fare |
|---|
| Taipei - Taoyuan | 160 | 155 | 440 | 80 |
| Taipei - Hsinchu | 290 | 280 | 640 | 145 |
| Taipei - Taichung | 700 | 675 | 1,250 | 350 |
| Taipei - Chiayi | 1,080 | 1,045 | 1,820 | 540 |
| Taipei - Tainan | 1,350 | 1,305 | 2,230 | 675 |
| Taipei - Zuoying | 1,490 | 1,445 | 2,440 | 745 |
| Banqiao - Zuoying | 1,460 | 1,415 | 2,390 | 730 |
| Nangang - Zuoying | 1,530 | 1,480 | 2,500 | 765 |
Short shuttle routes between Nangang, Taipei, and Banqiao (standard full fares NT$40 to NT$70) do not sell business class tickets and do not offer group tickets.
Early Bird Discounts: 65, 80, and 90 Percent, Cutoff 5 Days Prior
- Sales Period: Sold in limited batches starting from official booking opening dates, up to at latest 5 days prior to departure (including departure date). For example, travel on September 1 requires booking on or before August 28; booking on August 29 reverts to full standard fare.
- Tier Sequence: Tier 1 (35% off / 65) sells first; once exhausted, Tier 2 (20% off / 8) opens; once sold out, Tier 3 (10% off / 9) opens until quota exhaustion. Peak trains offer no Early Bird quotas or only 90% tiers.
- Eligibility Scope: Limited strictly to standard car reserved seat one-way adult full fares; round trips must be booked separately. Multiple tickets booked together receive discounts only if remaining discounted seat allocations suffice.
- Name Registration Rules: Passengers must enter their National ID or passport number, printed with the last 5 digits on the ticket; passengers must carry original identification, and failure to present proof incurs full ticket surcharges plus 50% penalty fines.
- Sales Channels: Online booking system, T-EX mobile ticketing app, and partnered convenience stores; station ticket windows and ticket vending machines do not sell Early Bird tickets.
- Modifications: Ticket changes forfeit original discounts, recalculating at current available fares; ticket window modifications lose discount status.
Taipei to Zuoying Early Bird rates: 35% off is NT$965, 20% off is NT$1,190, 10% off is NT$1,340; Taipei to Taichung: NT$455, NT$560, and NT$630.
Early Bird quotas depend on train occupancy; super-peak holiday trains offer zero quotas, and peak services omit 35% and 20% discounts. Fares reflect available discount tiers and are not guaranteed across all trains; check train listings in advance. To secure 35% off, book off-peak departures immediately upon booking release dates.
College Student Discounts: 50%, 75%, and 88% Fares
- Eligible Beneficiaries: Enrolled students at colleges and universities in Taiwan, including junior colleges, technical institutes, undergraduate programs, master's, and doctoral programs, daytime and evening divisions; excludes Open University, Open Colleges, and continuing education extension classes.
- Scope: Designated standard car reserved seats, non-combinable with Early Bird, concession, or group discounts.
- Required ID: Present original student ID card stamped with the current semester registration stamp; if unstamped or digital, bring original enrollment certificates (paper or downloaded digital certificate). Live online system lookups on train boards are not accepted.
- Sales Outlets: Available via website, T-EX App, convenience stores, and station ticket windows.
Taipei to Zuoying student rates: 50% off is NT$745, 75% off is NT$1,115, 88% off is NT$1,310. Unverified student identity incurs full fare replenishment plus 50% penalty fines; changing to higher classes or different trains requires paying fare differences plus 50% penalty.
Senior, Disabled, and Child Concession Tickets: 50% Off (Seniors/Disabled Restrict to Citizens)
| Ticket Type | Eligibility Requirements | Ticket Price | Boarding Verification ID |
|---|
| Senior Ticket | ROC citizens aged 65 and above on the travel date | 50% of full standard fare | National ID or government photo ID showing ID number and birth date |
| Disabled Ticket (Disability) | ROC citizens with Disability Certificate; 1 designated companion eligible if reverse side notes "Domestic Public Transport" | 50% of full standard fare | Disability Certificate; companion must travel same route, train, class, and board together |
| Child Ticket | Height 115 to under 150 cm; or 150+ cm but under age 12 presenting valid ID | 50% of full standard fare | Valid photo ID for children taller than 150 cm |
| Free-Fare Child | Height under 115 cm; or 115+ cm but under age 6 with ID, occupying no seat | Free of charge | Accompanied by adult passenger, maximum 2 children per adult |
Clause 12 of the Passenger Transportation Contract specifies that Senior and Disabled tickets apply strictly to ROC citizens; foreign travelers aged 65+ are ineligible, but may utilize THSR Tourist Passes (3-Day, Flexible 2-Day, or One-Way Pass). Old green disability booklets expired after November 1, 2019 (108) are invalid. Concessions apply to reserved, non-reserved, and business cars (e.g. Taipei to Zuoying non-reserved concession NT$720, business concession NT$1,220). Concessions cannot be combined.
THSR Senior tickets are statutory rail discounts, distinct from municipal Senior Card subsidy point systems; for Senior Card points, see Taipei and New Taipei Senior Card Monthly Points.
Non-Reserved Cars, Multi-Ride and Periodic Passes
- Non-Reserved Cars: Taipei to Zuoying full fare is NT$1,445, approx. 97% of reserved seat fares. Purchased on travel day via T-EX App, ticket counters, or vending machines; contactless entry via co-branded EasyCard / iPASS with auto-reload enabled is supported. No passenger caps apply, though crowd control operates on peak holidays.
- Multi-Ride Passes: Designated route non-reserved rides valid for specified durations, providing 82% to 92% discounts.
- Periodic Commuter Passes: Unlimited non-reserved rides along designated routes within valid periods, providing approx. 49% discounts based on 2 daily trips, popular for Taipei-Taoyuan-Hsinchu commuters.
For smart card refunds, see EasyCard Balance Refunds & Inquiries.
Booking Windows, Modifications, and Refund Policies
- Booking Timeline: Reserved seats open 29 days in advance (including departure date), extending to four Sundays out on Friday and Saturday bookings; holiday peak periods follow special notices.
- Modifications: Permitted up to 30 minutes before departure; 1st change is free, subsequent changes follow cancellation and repurchase rules.
- Refunds: Administrative refund fee of NT$20 per ticket; cancellations due to typhoons (sea warning or county closure) within 1 year are fee-exempt.
- Lost Named Tickets: Reissuance is restricted to the ticket holder with a fee of NT$30, limited to 1 time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance must I purchase THSR Early Bird tickets?
Early Bird tickets are sold up to 5 days prior to travel date (e.g. travel Sept 1 requires booking by August 28); quotas are limited to select trains and sell out in sequence from 35% to 20% to 10% off.
Can foreign seniors purchase THSR Senior concession tickets?
No. Regulations restrict Senior concession tickets to ROC citizens aged 65 and above presenting National ID cards; foreign visitors should purchase foreign-exclusive THSR Tourist Passes.
At what age or height must children purchase THSR tickets?
Children between 115 and 150 cm tall, or over 150 cm but under age 12 with ID, require a Child ticket (50% off); children under 115 cm or under age 6 with ID occupying no seat travel free (max 2 per adult).
Can University Student discounts be combined with Early Bird?
No. College student discounts cannot combine with Early Bird, concession, or group discounts, applying solely to designated standard reserved seats at 50%, 75%, or 88% off.
How much cheaper is non-reserved compared to reserved seating?
Taking Taipei to Zuoying, non-reserved is NT$1,445 versus NT$1,490 for reserved seats (approx. 97%); non-reserved tickets can only be bought on travel day or accessed via co-branded cards.
Last updated: 2026-11-03
Compiled by SOSfix from official open data for general reference; consult THSR stations or customer service for specific travel itineraries.
Sources
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Fare Products Overview (Verified 2026-11-02): 50% concession fares, free child rules, non-reserved, group, multi-ride 82-92%, periodic pass 49%, and foreign pass rules.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Ticket Types and Fare Rules (Verified 2026-11-02): Standard, business, and non-reserved fare tables, short-distance exclusions, 29-day booking rule.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Early Bird Discounts (Verified 2026-11-02): 5-day advance cutoff, 65/80/90 percent tiers, peak train restrictions, named tickets, and 50% penalty surcharges.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: University Student Discounts (Verified 2026-11-02): Eligible degrees, non-combinability, student ID verification, and fare charts.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Non-Reserved Car Service Guide (Verified 2026-11-02): Same-day ticketing, contactless card tap-in, NT$20 refund fee, 97% fare ratio.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Timetable and Fare Search Portal (Verified 2026-11-02): Real-time queries for train discounts and named ticket booking quotas.
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: Passenger Transportation Contract (Effective Mar 30, 2026 / 2026/03/30, downloaded 2026-11-02): Points 12-13 citizen restrictions, child heights, Points 14, 15, 16-1, 16-2, 20, 21 booking, modification, NT$20 refund, NT$30 reissue fee.
