Train from Taipei to Hualien on January 11, 2026 (Sunday)
We will book a group train ticket to go from Taipei to Hualien on Sunday. We will take the Taroko Express236, departing from Taipei Main Station at 15:30 and arriving in Hualien Station at 17:47. If you plan to join the group train ride, please let us know with an email by December 12, 2025.
For alternatives, you can visit the Taiwan Railway website. Feel free to contact us (pnunez@ntu.edu.tw or wkpoon@ncts.ntu.edu.tw) if you need our assistance to book an alternative train. Some practical advice:
There are two types of trains going from Taipei to Hualien: local and express.
Only express trains allow for seat reservation (some of them also require seat reservation). You can book a seat from the Taiwan Railway website, but individual seats can be booked only up to 28 days in advance.
For local trains and most express trains, you can pay with an EasyCard.
If you are receiving funding for travel within Taiwan for us, and are taking an alternative train to Hualien, please keep a receipt, so that we can reimburse you afterwards.
During the conference
Participants are separated into two groups: cycling and train.
Cycling
To facilitate a smooth and safe cycling trip, we will arrange the following:
Cycling leaders: they are familiar with the route and they will also be in charge of controlling time and pace, to make sure that we reach our destination on time for the afternoon schedule. We will hire 1 cycling leader for every 10 cyclists.
Support vans: each support van can accommodate 8 cyclists. They will carry luggage, water and free snacks, and they can help with quick repairs if necessary. If anyone wants a break from cycling, they can load their bicycle onto the roof rack and ride in the van.
Train
Each day we stop at a city with a local train station. Train participants may freely explore the city in the morning before taking a local train to the next checkpoint.
High speed train from Zuoying to Taipei on January 16, 2026 (Friday)
To go back from Zuoying to Taipei, the most convenient option is the Taiwan High Speed Rail. A good option, for example, is the train departing from Zuoying THSR Station at 18:35. This train stops in Taoyuan HSR Station (20 minutes away from TPE airport by public transport) at 20:09, and in Taipei Main Station at 20:33.
Tickets can be booked up to 29 days in advance. You can book the ticket from the Taiwan High Speed Rail website or from the T Express App. You can also buy tickets at the station counter directly, but most seated tickets will likely be sold out if you buy it on the day of the train ride and you might have to stand up for the whole ride. Feel free to contact us (pnunez@ntu.edu.tw or wkpoon@ncts.ntu.edu.tw) if you need our assistance booking a high speed train ticket.
If you are receiving funding for travel within Taiwan for us, please keep a receipt of your high speed train ticket, so that we can reimburse you afterwards.