Before my trip to Alishan, I wasn’t sure if it was possible to take public transportation on my own to the scenic mountain. I thought I had to join a tour to hike Alishan which is not something that I wanted to do.
After much research and travelling to Alishan by myself, I can tell you that it is so easy for solo independent travellers to travel to Alishan. First of all, you should start in Chiayi City, which is an underrated city and an excellent jumping off point for hiking Alishan. Then you have two options for travelling from Chiayi to Alishan: bus and train.
In this post, I will show you exactly how to get to Alishan from Chiayi on your own. I included schedules and ticket booking tips for both bus and train options. And I included destinations that you can consider after your hiking trip to Alishan. Also follow my Alishan itinerary if you want to spend two days in the mountains solo.
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Before you travel from Chiayi to Alishan
Before you get on a bus or train from Chiayi to Alishan, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included a lot of information, including getting a Taiwan prepaid SIM card, transportation around the country, and more.
Here are a few additional tips for travelling between Chiayi and Alishan:
- Use EasyCard or iPass (instead of cash) for taking the bus from Chiayi to Alishan. It is cheaper to use either smart card than cash. And sometimes the bus company will have promotions when you use either smart card.
- If you have motion sickness, bring gravol for the bus to Alishan. The second hour of the bus ride is pretty dizzying.
- When you arrive at Alishan via Bus 7322, the bus driver will give you a receipt. Keep the receipt because it will give you 50% off of the entrance fee. Instead of paying the full amount of NT$300, you only pay NT$150 with the receipt at the Alishan entrance gate.
- If you are planning to take the train from Chiayi to Alishan, check to see if the train is operating. There were instances in the past where the train was suspended due to railway damages or natural disasters. Have a backup plan (i.e. take Bus 7322) just in case.
How to get to Alishan from Chiayi
You can go to Alishan from anywhere in Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.
However, the easiest way is to travel from Chiayi. At a minimum, I recommend staying overnight in Chiayi and start your journey to Alishan the first thing the next morning. But if you have a few days to spare, definitely add Chiayi to your travel itinerary as there are many things to do in Chiayi.
And from Chiayi, there are two ways to travel from Chiayi to Alishan:
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7322 and Bus 7329
- Alishan Forest Railway
1. Chiayi to Alishan Bus: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus
There are two buses that can take independent travellers from Chiayi to Alishan:
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7322 (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B) – from Chiayi Station to Alishan Transit Station
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7329 (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A) – from HSR Chiayi Station to Alishan Transit Station
Both buses take a scenic route through Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) and gradually goes up to 2,500m above sea level. They start from either TRA Chiayi Station or HSR Chiayi Station and both go to Alishan Transit Station.
Below is a graphic of the bus routes from Chiayi to Alishan from the official website. Bus 7322 is yellow and Bus 7329 is red.
1. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7322 (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route B)
The bus stop for Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7322 is in front of the main entrance of Chiayi Station. There is an area for buses stop and the Bus 7322 bus stop is the first one (west).
The bus journey from Chiayi to Alishan takes about 2.5 hours or so where the last hour will be on a windy mountain road. If you have motion sickness, you may want to take a gravol.
Half way through the bus journey, the bus will make a short break at Shizhao for a brief stopover. There are a few local restaurants and a 7-Eleven. There is enough time to pick up some snacks.
FYI – Bus 7322 has a luggage compartment outside of the bus (see below). But the space is quite limited. If your suitcase does not fit, you will need to keep your it with you at your seat.
2. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 7329 (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route A)
If you are travelling from HSR Chiayi to Alishan, you can take Bus 7329 directly to Alishan.
However, the schedule for Bus 7329 is not as frequent as Bus 7322. You can take the free HSR Shuttle Bus 7211 or 7212 to Chiayi Station (by showing your HSR ticket). The bus ride takes about 25 minutes. Then you can take Bus 7322 in front of Chiayi Station.
Chiayi to Alishan Bus Schedule: Bus 7329 & Bus 7322
When you visit the information counter inside Chiayi Station, the Chiayi to Alishan bus schedule is at the information desk (see photo below). I took a photo of this schedule in January 2025.
Chiayi to Alishan Bus Schedule:
- Bus 7322: from Chiayi Station to Alishan Transit Station (2 hours 30 minutes, NT$240 cash or NT$211 EasyCard or iPass; few buses go to Fenqihu)
- Bus 7329: from HSR Chiayi Station to Alishan Transit Station (2 hours 30 minutes, NT$278 cash or NT$244 EasyCard or iPass)
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus | Chiayi to Alishan Bus Schedule |
|---|---|
| Bus 7322: from Chiayi Station to Alishan | 6:05am, 7:10am, 8:05am, 8:40am, 9:10am, 9:40am, 10:05am, 11:10am, 12:05pm, 2:05pm |
| Bus 7329: from HSR Chiayi Station to Alishan | 9:30pm, 10:!0am, 11:00am, 1:10pm |
There is also an updated and very detailed schedule for bus 7329 & 7322 online in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean.
Chiayi to Alishan Bus Ticket: How and Where to Buy
1. Pay onboard
The easy and most direct way to buy a ticket is to use your EasyCard or iPass when you get on the bus. It is cheaper to use the smart card but you can also pay cash.
2. Advanced purchase via FamiPort or online FamiTicket Ticketing System
If you are travelling during high season or with a big group and want to secure bus tickets ahead of time, pre-sale tickets are available for purchase through Family Mart convenience store kiosk (FamiPort) or online FamiTicket ticketing system.
Tickets can be purchased up to 31 days in advance (excluding the day of travel) and they must be picked up at the Family Mart on the day of travel (at the latest) by entering the order number.
2. Chiayi to Alishan Train: Alishan Forest Railway
The Alishan Forest Railway used to transport timber when it first opened. Today, it is a transportation system that takes passengers up the mountain in Central Taiwan. Riding the train is an attraction in itself because it zigzags up the mountain and crosses as many as 50 tunnels and 70 wooden bridges.
When you take the train from Chiayi to Alishan, go to platform 1 #10 at Chiayi Station, and board the Alishan Express train. You must have a ticket in hand by the time you board the train.
Chiayi to Alishan Train Schedule: Alishan Express
The Alishan Express has two trains leaving Chiayi and two trains returning to Chiayi each day. Here is the current schedule for Alishan Forest Railway.
- Train No.1: from Chiayi Station to Shitzilu Station (9am-12pm; NT$459)
- Train No.5: from Chiayi Station to Alishan Station (10am-2:56pm: NT$600)
- Train No.2: from Shitzilu Station to Chiayi Station (1:21-4:51pm; NT$459)
- Train No.8: from Alishan Station to Chiayi Station (11:50am-3:45pm; NT$600)
For solo travellers who want the train option, there is only one train each day going from Chiayi to Alishan each day. The train departs Chiayi Station at 10am and will arrive in Alishan at 2:56pm. The train will stop at Fenqihu Station for an hour and continue to Alishan.
As mentioned, check if Alishan Express is operating for the day of your travel. There were instances in the past where the train was suspended due to railway damages and natural disasters.
You can go to the info desk inside Chiayi Station or check the online train schedule and see if the train is running. And if the train is running, you can see a similar train schedule (see below) at the info desk. I took the photo of the train schedule in January 2025.
Chiayi to Alishan Train Ticket: How and Where to Buy
1. In-person at Chiayi Station
You can get your train ticket from the ticket window to the left of the main entrance of Chiayi Station. Tickets can be purchased 1 to 12 days before the departure date. Pay cash or credit card.
It is recommended that you get your railway ticket as soon as you know your travel dates. Weekends can be busy, and same goes for long weekends. And cherry blossom season can bring an influx of visitors to Alishan as well.
FYI – During my trip in January 2025, the train to Alishan on a weekday wasn’t full at all. It was maybe half full?! So try to go on a weekday if you can.
2. Online via Alishan Forest Railway Network Ticketing System
Online bookings can be made via Alishan Forest Railway Network Ticketing System.
Tickets can be purchased 1 to 15 days before departure date. Each person can purchase up to six tickets. Then either pay online. Or you can pay and collect your ticket within 2 days at 7-11 or from 5 minutes to 12 days at any Alishan Forest Railway stations (including Chiayi Station).
FYI – There are 108 seats for each Alishan Express train. The train has five compartments: compartment 1 has 15 seats, compartments 2, 3 and 4 has 23 seats and compartment 5 has 24 seats. You can see the graphics for the compartment when you book your ticket online.
Leaving Alishan to Chiayi, Sun Moon Lake and Taipei
Unless you have private transportation prearranged after your trip to Alishan, you may want to think about your transportation options for leaving Alishan.
When you leave Alishan, there are three destinations that you can consider:
- Chiayi: via Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus or Alishan Forest Railway
- Sun Moon Lake: via Bus 6739
- Taipei: via Bus 1835
All bus passengers will wait for outgoing buses at the Alishan Transit Station near the Alishan entrance. You can buy your outgoing bus tickets for same-day travel at the 7-Eleven.
Alishan Tourist Shuttle Bus Timetable at Alishan Transit Station
The Alishan tourist shuttle bus timetable is above the entrance to the transit station at Alishan. The board is quite big, and it is right above the doorway. It shows the bus schedules for all of the buses mentioned below.
Options: Alishan to Chiayi, Sun Moon Lake and Taipei
1. Alishan to Chiayi
There are many buses throughout the day going from Alishan to Chiayi Station (Bus 7322) and Chiayi HSR Station (Bus 7329). You can pay cash or use your EasyCard or iPass.
Alishan Express No. 8 leaves Alishan to Chiayi at 11:50am. The train arrives in Chiayi Railway Station at 3:45pm. Ticket costs NT$600. If you buy a ticket at Alishan Station, go to second floor between 8:30am-4:30pm.
2. Alishan to Sun Moon Lake
Yuanlin Bus 6739 travels from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake. There is one bus going to Sun Moon Lake each day and it departs Alishan at 1pm. The second bus operates on weekends and holidays only and it departs Alishan at 2pm. Ticket costs NT$336 cash or NT$295 with EasyCard or iPass.
You can reserve a ticket two months in advanced by calling Suili Station (049-2770041) or via email (yulinbus@gmail.com), or buy a ticket at the 7-Eleven at the Alishan transit station.
3. Alishan to Taipei
Kuo Kuang Bus 1835 goes to Taipei Bus Station from Alishan. This bus route runs only on Saturdays at 11:30am and it costs NT$750.
How will you travel from Chiayi to Alishan?
I hope this post is useful for you to plan your trip to Alishan. The easiest way for solo independent traveller is to travel to Chiayi first then take a direct bus 7322 to Alishan. But if you want a more scenic way of seeing Central Taiwan, take the train option as it is one of the most scenic trains in Taiwan.
Which transportation option are you going to take? Let me know in the comments below.
Ready to plan your trip to Chiayi? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner
* Book accommodation: find the best Chiayi accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination. Or find out how and where to get a SIM Card in Taiwan.
* Join tours: check Klook for the best tours in Chiayi.
Thank you for reading my Chiayi to Alishan travel post
I have many posts on Taiwan, and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:
Introduction to Taiwan
- Things to know before visiting Taiwan
- How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
- How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food
Southern Taiwan posts
- Best things to do in Chiayi Taiwan
- Alishan 2-day solo itinerary
- Things to do in Tainan as a solo traveller
- Where to stay in Tainan: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews
- Tainan Food Guide: What & Where to Eat
- 6 Best night markets in Tainan
- 23 Things to do alone in Kaohsiung
- Where to stay in Kaohsiung: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews
- Kaohsiung Food Guide: What and Where to Eat
- 5 Best night markets in Kaohsiung
- Qishan Old Street in Kaohsiung City
- Kenting Travel Guide: things to do
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Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!
26 comments
This is exactly what a travel blog should be like: good information with photographs of the actual timetables and so forth, to help independent travelers find their way from place to place. Thank you for making such a good site with such useful information presented in a clear and straight-forward way.
Hi Eric, thanks so much for your comment! I had a tough time figuring out everything online but it was relatively easy to find the information in person. Just want to share what I know 🙂 thanks again!
Thank you so much for your information. Your post is very helpful and detailed :)!!!
Awe thanks so much for your comment! I hope you enjoy your trip to Taiwan especially when you visit Chiayi and Alishan! Both amazing places! 🙂
Thank you so much for the information. I really love the way you help the travelers especially solo yet happy solo traveler like me. I’ve learned a lot in your blog because the details were precisely and comprehensively explained. I hope you approve my request in IG. God bless!
Hi there Assi, thank you for your comment. I’m happy you like the post. I tired to put as much info as possible to help other solo travellers going to Alishan. There are lots of info once you are in Chiayi but not always online. So hopefully this will make it easier for your trip. Thank you again 🙂
You’re welcome! Looking forward for your next travel blog. Always enjoy your adventure. God Bless! 🙂
This was super helpful! Thanks 🙂
This is the most helpful online post I’ve seen! Thank you so much!
Hi Kaye, thank you so much! Definitely check to see if there are current travel promotions to Alishan. Enjoy your time there! 🙂
Thanks for the information. May i know do we able to buy the bus ticket in advance? Because I cant find the online ticket for ths bus from chiayi to alishan, thanks
Hi Syen, you can use your EasyCard or iPass when you get on the bus. I don’t think you can book in advanced.
Your blog is reallyyyyyy helpful.
I’m sad that I will arrive Chiayi 4:55 pm but I don’t know how can I go to Alisan TT.
Hi Net, thank you so much! I don’t think there is any transportation to Alishan in the late afternoon. But it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay overnight in Chiayi. Hotel is cheaper and you can get some food at the night market. Then you can get some rest for the next day. Hope it all works out!
Thank you very much for the detail information. I want to ask about luggage space, do bus Chiayi – Alishan , Alishan – sun moon lake and sun moon lake – Taichung provide enough space for luggage? Thank you.
Hi Riny,
Chiayi to Alishan bus is a regular size bus. If I remember correctly, there is storage space outside of the bus ie you put your luggage in the luggage space before getting on the bus.
Alishan to Sun Moon Lake bus is more like a van. People had to put luggage in the aisle between the seats?! Can’t remember exactly (because I had a small backpack and luggage storage wasn’t an issue). But either way, people managed to put all their luggage inside the van.
There are more buses for Sun Moon Lake to Taichung and I think these are regular buses so luggage space shouldn’t be an issue.
Hope this helps!
Hi Queenie, do you recall if there are travelers with luggage alighting or boarding the bus at other bus stops like Xiding or shizuo? I am wondering if it will be inconvenient to retrieve my luggage at the bottom carriage of the bus?
Hi Bing,
We stopped at Shiizhao and I had enough time go to inside 7-eleven to buy some snacks. I hadn’t notice if someone else got on the bus, though. The bus driver came out too so I don’t think it would be a problem to get your luggage. Hope this helps!
Hello, thank you so much for your in-depth blog on this. My family and I are travelling to Alishan and Sun Moon Lake and we’re mainly going to go with the itinerary you made because it’s so easy to follow!
I have a question, however, about Bus 6739 that departs from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake. As you have kindly put it, the bus only departs twice a day on 1pm and 2pm, and the tickets can only be bought on the same day. My family and I will be departing from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake on the 25th of December, so we were worried that there won’t be enough seats for us on the bus. What time should we go and buy the tickets to ensure we will be able to go to Sun Moon Lake? Also, is there a cabin for luggage under the bus, or will we have to hold our luggage on the seats of the bus?
Thank you so much.
Hi Effie,
The bus from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake is more like a mini van. I have a photo of the Yuanlin Bus 6739 in my Sun Moon Lake post. I think I remember some passengers have their luggage in the aisle of the minibus as there is no cabin for luggage under the bus.
I just did a quick google search for the bus and it looks it there is only 1 bus (at 1pm) from Alishan to SML. And it looks like you can reserve 2 months before boarding date by calling Suili Station (049-2770041). They also left an email address (yulinbus@gmail.com).
I’m glad you found my post helpful. I had info that was relevant at the time and it looks like some things have changed (like you can reserve now and only running at 1pm). I’ll update my post to keep up with the latest info.
Thank you again for your lovely message. I hope you will enjoy Taiwan during Christmas time!
Hi Queenie, I enjoyed reading your blog and found it informative and easy to follow! My family and I are travelling to Alishan this Nov and I was wondering, if I hire a car to drive us to Alishan from Chiayi, will I still be able to take the train within Alishan itself? I am interested to take the Alishan Forest Railway but 3 hrs is a long ride .
Pls advise.
Hi Kay,
Thanks so much for reading my blog and for your kind comment.
Yes, you can ride the Alishan Forest Railway when you are in the park. When you follow my 2-day itinerary, you will take the train from Alishan Station to Zhushan Station on the second morning and watch the sunrise. So no worries at all, you can still get the train experience once you are there.
Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip with your family!
Hi Queenie, thanks so much for the information which is so detailed. My sister and I are going next spring to watch the sakura flowers in Alishan and looking forward to it. Since it will be peak season when we are there, I wonder if there will be seats on on the bus from Alishan back to Chiayi if we do not reserve in advance (we intend to go from Chiayi to Alishan by train and return by bus and get the bus tickets when we arrive in Alishan) or do you have any suggestions ? If not, we will be booking the trains up and down.
Thank you in advance!
Fong Lin
Hi Fong Lin,
When I went to Alishan, the bus did not have a reservation system.
And I just did a search just now, and it seems like it says:
* Pre-sale tickets available for purchase on FamiPort (For seat reservation needs, please use the FamilyMart FamiPort ticketing system)
* Tickets can be pre-purchased at FamilyMart convenience store kiosk machines (FamiPort) up to 31 days in advance (excluding the day of travel) (e.g., Tickets for April 1 can be purchased after midnight on March 1)
I found this info on the Taiwantrip website. Hope this is helpful for you to plan your trip in March.
As a fellow solo female traveller your information was super. Saved me a lot of research which is typical planning.
The lantern festival in Chiayi is incredible and now for Alishan.
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad it was useful for your trip. I’m so envious – I wish I could see the lantern festival. Have a good time in Alishan!