Kaohsiung Public Transportation Guide - Helpful Information for new Visitors

Kaohsiung MRT
(Subway/trains)

Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (MRT and LRT) :

The Kaohsiung MRT trains are frequent, travels to most attractions, and fairly inexpensive.

Kaohsiung has 2 MRT lines and 1 Light rail line.

Kaohsiung MRT Lines :

1). RED Line - Total 24 stations and passes through Kaohsiung Airport Station and Zuoying HSR station.

2). Orange Line - Total 14 stations and runs between Sizihwan and Daliao

Red Line and Orange Line Intersect at Formosa Boulevard station.

Kaohsiung Light Rail (LRT) Line :

3). Green Line - Also called as Kaohsiung LRT or Circular line and has a total of 14 stations

Buy: Kaohsiung Unlimited MRT Pass (1-day or 2-day) – US$ 6.00

Klook.com

You can buy single-ride tickets, or for your convenience can buy an iPASS reloadable card

You can buy and reload an I-Pass Card at:

- 7-ELEVEN

- FamilyMart

- Hi-Life Convenience Store

- OK‧MART

Add Value machines in all Kaohsiung MRT (Metro) Stations

Information Counter in all Kaohsiung MRT stations

These reloadable cards save time and money every time you go on the metro and public buses. 

You can also make purchases at any shop that accepts the iPASS Card. 

iPASS Card can be used in Taipei and Kaohsiung. 

The I-Pass card costs NT$100 plus the cost of your stored value amount.

Other card options include EasyCard, I-cash, and Happycash.  

Kaohsiung MRT offers non-refundable tourist 1 and 2 day passes for visitors (KRTC Multiple Day Pass tab on the top)

Buy: Kaohsiung Unlimited MRT Pass (1-day or 2-day) – US$ 6.00

Kaohsiung Public Bus

Kaohsiung Bus :

Kaohsiung also has a very efficient and inexpensive public bus network; however, most drivers don't speak English.

In Kaohsiung, you need to know your bus number and stop name written in Chinese as English is very limited on the public buses.

Check with your hotel for assistance with Bus Number, Route, and Stop (in English)

Buy: Kaohsiung Unlimited MRT Pass (1-day or 2-day) – US$ 6.00

Kaohsiung local transportation Tips for visitors

The iPASS in Kaohsiung :

Buy an iPASS Card (Smart Reloadable Card).

iPASS is a contactless smartcard for paying fares on public transportation in Kaohsiung.

It will save the hassle of buying a ticket every time you want to take MRT.

I-Pass Card is the stored-value card like the Octopus card in Hong Kong. Adult/child

I-Pass Card sells for packets of NT$500/300, of which NT$100 is a non-refundable deposit.

In addition to Kaohsiung MRT rides (which the card gives you a discount on fare), it also works in buses in the Kaohsiung area.

You can reload I-Pass Card at any K-MRT station or chain convenience store with the I-Pass logo.

When you are leaving Kaohsiung just returned it back to any MRT station for a refund.

You will get back any remaining value on the I-Pass Card minus the NT$100 for the card.

Please note that not all types of reloadable cards work in both Kaohsiung and Taipei.