Taoyuan train trip
I got up early this morning and caught the 7:25 high speed train from Banqiao to Taoyuan. I didn't really want to go to Taoyuan for any special reason. I just thought I would take another ride on the high speed train and then return via the regular train.
Travelling from Banqiao to Taoyuan the train passes through a number of tunnels and in about ten minutes the trip was over. The next time I take the high speed train I must go at least as far as Taizhong to get a longer experience. The Taoyuan HSR Station, like Banqiao, is also underground.
I took this photo of the train in Taoyuan Station. Notice the dirty marks on the front. They are probably a result of hitting birds.
The station was eerily quiet. In a few years there will be a rapid transit line here with connections to Zhongli, the airport and Taipei. Maybe there will be a bit more action then. I had breakfast at MOS Burger and wandered around the station for a while taking photos.
The photo above shows the bus that runs between the HSR Station and the Taoyuan International Airport. I took a different bus to the centre of Taoyuan City. There were buses to the airport, Taoyuan and Zhongli. They leave every hour or so, which matches the current frequency of trains on the HSR.
It cost NT$30 for the trip to Taoyuan by bus. There were only two passengers when the bus left the station, but it picked up quite a few passengers along the way. I was astounded when the bus passed a huge shed full of Fresian dairy cows. I didn't manage to get a good shot of the cows, but I caught the shop next door to the dairy.
The Qujian Che (區間車) of the Taiwan Railways is a stark contrast to the sleekness of the high speed train. The railway station in Taoyuan was buzzing, a stark contrast to the almost deserted HSR Taoyuan Station. The return journey to Banqiao was standing room only.
Taoyuan Airport Skytrain
High speed trip to Xinzhu
HSR from Taichung to Taipei
Shi-Da class outing to Yingge
Images of Taiwan Railways
Posted: February 28th, 2007 under Taiwan, Taoyuan, Trains, Travel.
Tags: hsr
Comments
Comment from David Reid
Time 1 March 2007 at 3:53 pm
range, the Thai people love their air-conditioning super cold. I always liked the sky train in Bangkok though. No matter how hot and sweaty you were, within moments of boarding the train you would be dry and cool.
I also think the future success of the HSR really hinges on the development of transport links to and from the stations. Like you said the Hsinchu HSR Station takes time to get to reducing the time advantages of the HSR.
Comment from Mark
Time 2 March 2007 at 1:50 pm
How much was the HSR ticket to Taoyuan? Also how much time did it take you to get into the city, including the bus trip from the HSR station?
Comment from David Reid
Time 2 March 2007 at 8:42 pm
From Banqiao to Taoyuan it cost NT$130. It is NT$160 from Taipei to Taoyuan.
The bus from the HSR Station to the centre of Taoyuan took about 25 minutes.
Comment from range
Time 3 March 2007 at 8:13 am
David: Yeah, it was good to be able to cool down immediately after walking around in the city. The skytrains are good, but the whole system isn’t developed enough. If I remember, it opened in 2004. I didn’t have time to wander into the MRT system of Bangkok.
Comment from Frostfox
Time 7 March 2007 at 2:38 pm
2 weeks ago I went to Taizhong and the trip only lasted 40 minutes. I was awesome!
Comment from ivy Lock
Time 6 March 2008 at 12:39 am
Can i ask how long is the journey from taoyuan airport to taoyuan HSR? do let me know cos im leaving real soon. next week 
Comment from David Reid
Time 6 March 2008 at 7:46 am
Ivy, I have never taken the bus from Taoyuan HSR Station to the airport. I guess it would take 15-20 minutes.
Comment from range
Time 1 March 2007 at 10:43 am
Surprising, because the TRA counters in Banqiao were deserted yesterday. There were a lot of people buying tickets for the HSR train though.
I took the HSR train from Hsinchu to Taichung and back, with a nine minute layover. I enjoyed it and would take it every time, however the HSR station in Hsinchu (Jhubei actually) is so far out, that taking the HSR train is barely worth the 20-30 minute commute, depending on traffic, to the station.
(my wife finds it funny that I like the HSR train so much)
I wouldn’t mind traveling to Germany and trying out the maglev train they got there. I tried the skytrain in Bangkok and it was enjoyable, though over air-conditioned.