Alishan National Forest Recreation

Alishan Day Trip from Chiayi: Complete Guide to the Red Train, Bus & Itinerary

Visiting Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is one of the must-do experiences in Taiwan. With its misty cypress forests, iconic red train, and world-famous Alishan tea, the area feels straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie.

If you’re wondering how to get to Alishan from Taipei or Chiayi, or confused about the Alishan Forest Railway vs. shuttle bus, this guide covers everything you need, including real tips from our own day trip.

How to Get from Taipei to Chiayi (Gateway to Alishan)

Most travellers start their Alishan trip from Taipei by taking the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) to Chiayi Station.

Price: 1,080 TWD (~$37 USD) one-way
Duration: About 1.5 hours
Bonus: You can eat onboard, don’t miss the HSR bento box
👉 Travel Hack: There’s often a Buy 1 Get 1 Free HSR deal on Klook. We missed it, but you don’t have to. Book it here

Chiayi Station

The Red Train Confusion

We thought we could ride the Alishan Forest Railway from Chiayi, but when we got to the counter, tickets were sold out until the end of the year.

Here’s what we learned:

You don’t need to pre-book the long Chiayi–Alishan railway.
Instead, take the shuttle bus to Alishan.
Then ride the iconic red trains inside the park, which are easy to buy on-site (only 100 TWD).

Alishan Forest Railway ticket counter is on the left of Chiayi Station

Taking the Shuttle Bus to Alishan

We bought our tickets from the FamilyMart kiosk inside Chiayi Station. If it’s your first time, don’t hesitate to ask for help — the machine can be confusing.

Price: 480 TWD round trip
Duration: About 2.5 hours (no toilet stops, winding mountain roads, bring motion sickness pills if you need them)
Our schedule: 7:10 AM bus up and 4:10 PM return (the last bus sells out fast)
Bonus: With the bus ticket, you also get 50% off the Alishan park entrance fee.

FamilyMart kiosk inside Chiayi Station

What to Pack for Alishan

The weather in Alishan changes quickly, sunny one moment, raining the next. Here’s what we recommend bringing:

Water and snacks: trails are long, food stops are rare
Jacket: even in summer, it gets cold and misty
Rain protection: umbrella or raincoat, waterproof shoes if possible
Motion sickness pills: the roads are very twisty

Tourists wear jackets in the peak summer month (July)

Exploring Alishan

Inside the park, you’re free to explore on your own. We followed the recommended walking trail in reverse to avoid the crowds, it worked perfectly with our bus schedule.

Highlights included:

The Red Train inside the park: only 100 TWD, with a vintage-style ticket that makes a great souvenir
Misty forests: magical atmosphere, like something out of Lord of the Rings or a Ghibli movie
We didn’t have time to visit the old town or longer trails, but it gave us a reason to come back for cherry blossom season.

Vintage-style ticket

Suggested Itinerary for a Smooth Alishan Day Trip

Taipei → Chiayi by HSR

Shuttle bus (7:10 AM) → Alishan

Walk the forest trails (reverse route)

Ride the Alishan red train inside the park

Shuttle bus (4:10 PM) back to Chiayi

Dinner at Chiayi Night Market

Misty magical forest scene in Alishan

Final Thoughts

Our Alishan day trip from Chiayi was a little rainy, but absolutely magical. Riding the red train through the misty forest was a true bucket list experience.

If you’re planning your Taiwan itinerary, don’t skip Alishan just remember to book your transport smart, pack for all weather, and check Klook deals before you go.

👉 Useful Links for Your Trip: