How to Get from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake | No-Car Route

Taipei to Sun Moon Lake is easiest by HSR to Taichung, then Nantou Bus 6670B to the lake.

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The cleanest answer to how to get from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake is not a train all the way. Sun Moon Lake has no rail station, so the fastest public route is Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei Main Station to Taichung, followed by Nantou Bus 6670B from HSR Taichung Station to Shuishe at Sun Moon Lake.

Plan on about 2.5 to 3.25 hours door to door if the transfer lines up well. The direct Taipei bus is simpler because there is no transfer, but it is slower, has fewer useful departures, and can lose time in highway traffic.

Once you know which route fits your day, compare the train, bus, and transfer options here:

Best Route From Taipei To Sun Moon Lake

The easiest route from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei to Taichung, then Nantou Bus 6670B to Shuishe. This route gives you the best mix of speed, frequency, comfort, and predictable timing.

From Taipei Main Station, take the southbound HSR to Taichung. Standard reserved fare is NT$700, and non-reserved fare is NT$675, about $22 and $21 at recent exchange rates. The train usually takes about one hour.

At HSR Taichung Station, follow signs to the bus area and look for the Nantou Bus counter or the stop for the Sun Moon Lake line. Bus 6670B runs between Taichung, HSR Taichung Station, and Sun Moon Lake, and the one-way fare from the HSR station to the lake is about NT$172 to NT$199, roughly $5 to $6.

Travel editor pick: HSR plus Nantou Bus 6670B is the route to choose unless you strongly prefer a no-transfer bus from Taipei.

How Long Does Taipei To Sun Moon Lake Take?

Taipei to Sun Moon Lake usually takes about 2.5 to 3.25 hours by HSR and bus. A direct bus is closer to 4 hours or more, especially on weekends and holiday afternoons.

The HSR leg is the reliable part. The variable part is the bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake, where traffic near Puli and Yuchi can add time. A safe planning split looks like this:

• Taipei Main Station to HSR Taichung: about 1 hour by high-speed rail.
• Transfer at HSR Taichung Station: about 15 to 35 minutes, depending on ticket lines and bus timing.
• HSR Taichung Station to Sun Moon Lake: about 1.5 hours by Nantou Bus on a normal day.
• Total planning time: about 2.5 to 3.25 hours for most travelers.

Day trippers should take an early HSR from Taipei. Sun Moon Lake is possible as a long day trip, but one night near Shuishe or Ita Thao makes the trip much easier.

Taipei To Sun Moon Lake Transport Options Compared

Taipei to Sun Moon Lake has four realistic transport choices: HSR plus bus, direct bus, slower TRA train plus bus, or private car. HSR plus bus is the strongest all-around pick for most first-time visitors.

Step-By-Step Route Via Taichung

The HSR-to-bus route is simple because both legs connect through HSR Taichung Station. The official Taiwanbus listing for Taiwanbus Route 6670B shows the line running from Taichung through HSR Taichung Station to Sun Moon Lake.

1. Start at Taipei Main Station. Buy or collect a THSR ticket from Taipei to Taichung. Reserved seats are better on weekends, holidays, and late afternoons.
2. Ride HSR to Taichung. Keep your ticket handy until you exit the HSR gates at Taichung.
3. Go to the bus area at HSR Taichung Station. Look for Nantou Bus or the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake line.
4. Board Nantou Bus 6670B toward Sun Moon Lake. The main lake stop for most visitors is Shuishe, near the visitor center, boat pier, hotels, and lake buses.
5. Use Shuishe as your arrival base. From Shuishe, you can take the lake ferry to Ita Thao, use the round-the-lake bus, rent a bike, or walk the waterfront paths.

Bus seats can fill when weekend Taipei arrivals bunch together at Taichung. Leaving Taipei early reduces the risk of standing in a long bus line.

Tickets, Transfers, And Luggage Tips

Tickets are easiest if you treat the route as two separate rides: THSR first, Nantou Bus second. Reserving the train ahead helps, while the bus can usually be paid at the counter or with a stored-value card, depending on the service and ticket setup that day.

Large suitcases are possible, but HSR overhead racks are not made for bulky checked bags. Use the luggage areas near the car ends when available, and keep valuables with you.

• For a smooth transfer: leave at least 20 to 30 minutes between HSR arrival and bus departure.
• For weekend travel: book the HSR seat, then arrive at the bus stop early.
• For late arrivals: check the last bus before leaving Taipei; a taxi from Taichung is the fallback.
• For families: HSR plus taxi from Taichung can be worth the extra cost if you have strollers or several bags.

Driving From Taipei To Sun Moon Lake

Driving from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake works best for travelers who want to stop in Puli, Cingjing, or central Taiwan on the same trip. Public transport is better for a simple Taipei-to-lake transfer.

The drive is usually around 3 to 3.75 hours before long stops, using Taiwan’s freeway network toward Nantou County. Weekend traffic can be heavy near popular recreation areas, and parking near Shuishe is not always easy during busy periods.

US travelers need the correct driving documents for Taiwan, and rental companies can set their own age, license, deposit, and insurance rules. Check those gates before you build the whole trip around a car.

If you want the lake plus central Taiwan side trips, compare rental options before committing to a train-and-bus plan:

Where To Stay Near Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is easiest if you stay near Shuishe for transport or Ita Thao for a quieter lakefront base. Shuishe has the main bus arrival point, ferry pier, bike rentals, and the simplest exit back to Taichung.

Ita Thao works better for travelers who want food stalls, lake views, and a slower evening after day-trippers leave. Xuanguang and Wenwu Temple areas are scenic but less convenient without a car.

Compare lodging around Shuishe and Ita Thao on a map before you book, because a short distance on paper can mean a slower lake bus or taxi ride at night:

Which Route Should You Pick?

The best route depends on whether you care more about speed, price, or simplicity. HSR plus Nantou Bus is the right default, direct bus is the budget pick, and a private car makes sense for groups or side trips.

For most travelers, the clean choice is this: take HSR from Taipei to Taichung, transfer to Nantou Bus 6670B, and arrive at Shuishe. Choose the direct Taipei bus only when you want the cheapest no-transfer ride and do not mind a longer travel day.