Kaohsiung by MRT and light rail: top stops, passes and where to stay
How to see Kaohsiung by MRT and light rail, with the best stops on the Red and Orange lines, one-day and two-day passes, airport transport and a one-day plan.
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Kaohsiung is a relaxed port city with plenty of art and culture, and it's a rewarding place to explore without a car. With the new Kaohsiung Station now open, you can use the Kaohsiung MRT (Red and Orange lines) and the circular Kaohsiung Light Rail to reach Pier-2, Sizihwan and Dream Mall easily.
This guide covers the MRT and light rail network, day passes and the TaKao Pass, stops worth visiting, and hotels near stations to save you time and money.
โก Top stops at a glance
- ๐ Gateway: Kaohsiung International Airport Station โ about 15 to 20 minutes to the city centre
- ๐ Art and photos: Yanchengpu and Sizihwan stations โ Pier-2 Art Center, Penglai Warehouses and Cijin
- ๐ Culture and night views: Zhenai Pier and Guangrong Pier stations โ Kaohsiung Music Center and Love River boats
- ๐ Shopping and night views: Cianjhen Star and Dream Mall stations โ Cianjhen Star Bridge and the Dream Mall Ferris wheel
- ๐ History and tradition: Zuoying Station (Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond) and Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Station
๐ซ Fares and passes
MRT fares run from NT$20 to NT$60. You can pay with an EasyCard, iPASS or contactless card, and these passes can be good value for visitors. Check current prices and what's included before you buy:
- ๐น QR code MRT and light rail pass, one or two days: show the QR code on your phone at the gate for unlimited rides on the MRT and light rail, with no card to collect.
- ๐น TaKao Pass: 48 hours of unlimited rides on the MRT, light rail, city buses, ferries and YouBike 2.0, plus entry to attractions such as i-Ride and Fengyi Academy.
- ๐น High-speed rail combination tickets: discounted high-speed rail fares to Kaohsiung, combined with a transport or attraction pass.
๐บ๏ธ How the network works
The MRT is easy to follow, with a Red Line and an Orange Line that meet at Formosa Boulevard Station. Trains are three cars long, so wait at the marked positions for the first three cars. Ten Drum Art Percussion Group composed short station jingles, so listen out as you ride.
๐ Top stations and nearby stays
1. Yanchengpu and Sizihwan: Pier-2 Art Center and good-value design hotels
Take the Orange Line to Yanchengpu Station (or light rail C13) for Pier-2 Art Center, in converted warehouses, along with Dagang Bridge and the Penglai Warehouses. One stop further west, at Sizihwan Station, you can take a ferry to Cijin for seafood and sunset. This area has many design hotels and good-value stays.
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2. Formosa Boulevard: the Dome of Light and Liuhe Night Market
Often listed among the world's most beautiful metro stations, Formosa Boulevard is the interchange for the Red and Orange lines. Its huge stained-glass Dome of Light was created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. Liuhe Night Market is about a 3-minute walk away, for papaya milk and salt-steamed prawns, and hotels around the station are very convenient.
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3. Zhenai Pier and Guangrong Pier: Kaohsiung Music Center and Love River
Take the light rail to Zhenai Pier (C8) for the Kaohsiung Music Center, with its striking ocean-inspired architecture. Lights reflect on the water of Love River Bay at night, and there are craft markets and street performers at weekends.
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4. Zuoying: Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Take the Red Line to Zuoying (R16), then a YouBike to Lotus Pond. Tradition says to enter by the dragon's mouth and leave by the tiger's, for good luck. The lakeside also has the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and a Confucius Temple, and it's good for families.
5. Kaohsiung International Airport: the gateway to southern Taiwan
The airport connects directly to the airport MRT station (R4), and the city centre is about 15 to 20 minutes away. If you land late, hotels around Xiaogang or Sanduo will save you time.
๐๏ธ A one-day plan by MRT and light rail
A day in Kaohsiung with no car needed:
- โ๏ธ Morning: start at Kaohsiung International Airport Station on the Red Line, then change to the Orange Line for Yanchengpu Station, Pier-2 and the Penglai Warehouses.
- ๐ค๏ธ Afternoon: from Sizihwan Station, take a ferry to Cijin for seafood, then take the light rail to Zhenai Pier for the Kaohsiung Music Center at dusk.
- ๐ Evening: ride to Formosa Boulevard for the Dome of Light, walk to Liuhe Night Market for dinner, and stay at a hotel near an MRT station
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้ซ้ๆท้่่ช็ฑ่ก FAQ ๅธธ่ฆๅ้ก
Can I use an EasyCard, iPASS or credit card on the MRT?
Yes. The MRT and light rail accept EasyCard, iPASS and icash 2.0, as well as contactless Visa and Mastercard cards and LINE Pay.
How long does it take from the airport to the city centre?
From Kaohsiung International Airport Station (R4), the Red Line takes about 15 to 20 minutes to Central Park or Kaohsiung Main Station, and it's the fastest way into the city.
How do one-day and two-day passes work on the light rail?
After buying a QR code pass, show the code on your phone at the MRT gates. On the light rail you don't need to tap, but show your phone screen if an inspector asks.
Is there luggage storage at MRT stations?
Major stations such as Kaohsiung International Airport, Kaohsiung Main Station, Zuoying, Formosa Boulevard and Sizihwan have paid electronic lockers for large bags.