Kaohsiung to Alishan 1-Day Trip Guide

If you are planning to visit the Alishan National Forest, you will quickly realize that the hotel situation up there is tough. The accommodation supply inside the park is super minimal, meaning the few available rooms are either crazy expensive or get completely booked up months in advance.

I traveled at the end of June (June 23 to June 29) and used a massive logistical hack: I based myself completely in Kaohsiung and did Alishan as a streamlined day trip. No packing, no unpacking, and no hotel switching. Here is exactly how I pulled it off, including all the links and booking tricks you need.

1. The Base Camp: Flights and Where I Stayed

Instead of moving my luggage to Chiayi or paying peak prices inside Alishan, I stayed in Kaohsiung the entire time.

• The Flight: I flew in via AirAsia straight to Kaohsiung. You can compare the best flight options here: Trip.com Kaohsiung Flights.
• The Location: From the airport, it was a quick 20-minute ride to the Sanduo Shopping Center area, which is an amazing, highly accessible base.
• The Hotel: I stayed at the Days Fine Hotel. Honestly, it was so worth the money because a similar room size and quality elsewhere in Kaohsiung would easily cost double what I paid. It is clean, the staff are great, and it is a super easy 5-minute walk to the station. You can check their rates and book it here: Days Fine Hotel on Trip.com.

2. The Leg Outbound: Kaohsiung to Alishan (The High-Speed Route)

Your morning needs to start early to maximize daylight in the forest. I left my hotel at exactly 6:00 AM to kick off the journey.

Step 1: Kaohsiung to Chiayi via High-Speed Rail (THSR)

The bullet train gets you from Kaohsiung to Chiayi HSR Station in just 30 minutes.

• The Tourist Discount: Do not buy your ticket at the station counter or on the standard Taiwan website. Use this Klook THSR Discount Link instead because tourists get a 15% discount, and it even comes with a free Starbucks voucher.
• Crucial Voucher Step: Once you get your Klook voucher, you must physically claim your actual ticket at the station booth by showing your passport.
• Seat Reservations: To secure your preferred train time, make sure to reserve your seats early on the official portal: Taiwan High-Speed Rail Reservation System.

Step 2: Chiayi HSR to Alishan via Bus 7329

Once you step out of the Chiayi HSR station, you will take Bus 7329 directly to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area gate. The ride takes about 2 and a half hours.

• The Booking Rule: Advance booking slots for this bus are incredibly limited. If you can, book your ticket a couple of days before using the Chiayi HSR to Alishan Bus Booking Portal.
• The Boarding Advantage: If you manage to book ahead, you get to board the bus 10 minutes before everyone else, which guarantees you a comfortable seat for the exact same price. If you do not book, you have to arrive early, stand in the regular line, and risk not getting on if the bus fills up.

Official Bus 7329 Rules:

3. The Leg Inbound: Alishan back to Kaohsiung (The Flexible Time Hack)

When it is time to head back, a lot of people make the mistake of taking the same HSR bus back. But the bus back to the HSR station leaves an hour earlier, which completely cuts into your sightseeing time in the forest. To stay longer, I chose a different, highly flexible route home.

Step 1: Alishan to Chiayi TRA (Local Train Station) via Bus 7322

Instead of rushing to the HSR bus, take Bus 7322 from Alishan to the Chiayi TRA station (the regular local train station in the city center). This route is slightly slower, but it gives you an extra golden hour to explore Alishan.

• The Schedule: The absolute last trip for this return bus is at 5:10 PM. Just like the morning route, you need to be back at the station platform at least 20 minutes early.
• Booking link: You can secure your return ticket via the Alishan to Chiayi TRA Return Bus Portal.
• Note: The exact same boarding, QR code, and 11:59 PM day-before cancellation rules apply to this return bus as well.

Step 2: Chiayi TRA to Kaohsiung via Local Train

From the Chiayi TRA station, you will take a regular train back to Kaohsiung. The ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Even though it is longer than the 30-minute HSR ride, the train is actually very clean, modern, and makes for a super relaxing commute after a long day of walking.

• How to Book: You can check schedules and buy tickets on the Taiwan Railway TRA Website.
• The App Method: It is honestly way easier to just manage everything inside their official mobile app. Download it here for Apple iOS Store or Google Play Store.

Organize Your Travel Portfolio Automatically Tired of jumping between five different booking links, apps, and transport schedules? Get free access to Seeley, your calm travel co-pilot, and organize your flights, hotel stays, and train itineraries into one clear dashboard automatically. Get Free Access Now