Taiwan has a High Speed Rail, known as THSR or HSR where you can take an express train to various cities/towns across Taiwan. While there’s an official THSR app and a website where you can directly purchase a train ticket with a 10% to 35% Early Brid Discount; however, those discounts are not available for every departure time. From my experience, scoring an early bird discount is getting harder if your train leaves later in the day or on the weekend. Therefore, consider booking through Klook instead.
Klook is an official THSR ticket-selling platform that allows you to purchase the “activity” and receive a redeemable code that you can use to get the train ticket(s) and reserve seats via the official THSR website. More importantly, you always get a discount with Klook that ranges from 20% to 30% off or a one-for-one (B1G1) deal when available. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to buy a THSR ticket with Klook and how to redeem it with the THSR website to receive a paper ticket:
Step 1: Purchase Taiwan High-Speed Rail Ticket with Klook
It may be easier to purchase a Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) ticket with Klook using a computer’s web browser as opposed to a mobile app. Moreover, you must be a non-Taiwanese passport holder to be eligible for this offer.
- Go to the official Klook Taiwan High-Speed Rail Pass website.
- School down to Package options.
- Depending on the offers, you may see 20% off regular tickets or a B1G1 promo code. See the screenshot below.
- Select your departing and destination station.
- Specify the ticket’s quantity.
- Click Add to Cart or Book now.
- You must specify the Planned participation date.
- Provide your information, such as your name, date of birth, and passport information.
- After that, click on Go to payment.
- After payment is successful, check your email for the redemption code.
- The email subject is “Your booking confirmation for Taiwan High-Speed Rail Ticket for non-Taiwanese. Keep this handy.”
- Click on the orange color See voucher button in the email.
- Find the Redeem Code under the Confirmation Details.
Step 2: Redeem the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Klook Ticket and Reserve Seats
It may be more user-friendly to redeem the Klook code for the Taiwan High-Speed Rail ticket and reserve a seat using a computer’s web browser as opposed to a mobile app.
- Go to the official THSR Website.
- On the top right-hand corner, click on Manage.
- Click on Sign in with the redeem code.
- Provide the Klook’s redemption code and your passport information.
- The next page will show the validity of your redemption code and refund policy.
- Scroll down until you see the Reserve icon.
- Check the box next to the person you want to proceed with, then click on the Reserve icon that you saw in the previous step.
- Then, provide your travel’s intended date and departure time. See the screenshot below.
- You cannot change the station; such changes require that you contact Klook.
- Also, Zuoying is Kaohsiung HSR station, in case you wonder.
- Next page, you will see a list of available train schedules. Select the schedule that you want.
- If you are redirected to the home page instead, that means the page times out. Repeat the steps.
- Also, the page won’t ask you to confirm anything. So make sure you select the exact schedule that you want. Otherwise, you will have to deal with making changes if you select wrong. However, the change process is easy. More below.
- The system will automatically assign you a car and a seat number. Therefore, you cannot select or request aisle or window seats.
Step 3: Collecting the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Ticket
Tickets purchased through Klook must be picked up in person for security purposes. After you successfully redeem the code and reserve the seat(s) on the THSR website, you must collect the ticket in person at the train station. To do so:
- Go to the HSR train station.
- Go to the ticket counter and tell the staff that you want to pick up your train ticket.
- Present your Klook voucher and your passport.
- Once your document is verified, you can collect the ticket and board the train.
How to Change THSR Ticket Itinerary?
Changing a THSR ticket that’s purchased through Klook is straightforward as long as you make a change request at least 30 minutes before departure. Moreover, you can only make changes to the travel date and time. Any other changes will need to go through Klook.
To change the THRS ticket, follow the steps below:
- Go to the official THSR Website.
- On the top right-hand corner, click on Manage.
- Click on Sign in with the redeem code.
- Provide the Klook’s redemption code and your passport information.
- Scroll down until you see the Change Itinerary calendar icon.
- Select the trip and click on the calendar icon.
- Follow the popup screen to change the travel date and time, and select the new itinerary.
How to Cancel THSR Ticket Itinerary?
Canceling the THRS ticket that’s purchased through Klook is the same process as changing the ticket. Please refer to the steps above to cancel the itinerary through the official THSR Website. However, any refunds must be processed with Klook, not Taiwan’s high-speed rail company. In addition, you must cancel the itinerary at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure before contacting Klook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on my experience, here are some frequently asked questions and answers. If you have any questions, please comment below.
Can I use the Klook voucher to board the Taiwan Hight-Speed Rail (THSR) train?
No. You must redeem the voucher to reserve the seat on the THSR website first. After that, you also need to pick up the paper ticket at the station before boarding.
How long is the Klook voucher good for?
The Klook voucher is valid for ninety (90) days from the purchase date. Therefore, you must use the Klook code to redeem and reserve the THSR seat within 89 days, starting from the next day of the payment date. Moreover, seat reservations can be made twenty-nine (29) days up to one (1) hour before the scheduled departure time.
Can I change my THSR ticket if I miss the train?
Yes. However, you must request at least 30 minutes before the train departure. You can change the date and time on the THSR website or T-Express mobile app. There will be a ticket service window at the station also for any assistance that you may need.
What is the Taiwan High-Speed Rail ticket price?
It depends entirely on where you are starting and going. For the most up-to-date THSR ticket price, go to the official website for the fare and ticket type information. Moreover, the ticket price is per one-way, and you will not save any money whether you buy a one-way or a round-trip ticket.
While THSR also offers early bird discounts of up to 35% off, the discount is not always available on all train schedules. In that case, you can save money by booking through Klook instead if you are not a Taiwanese passport holder. See below.
Is there a reason to book through Klook versus directly with THSR?
Good question. The only reason to buy the THSR ticket with Klook is the discount you get compared to sporadic discounts offered directly by the THSR company. With Klook, you may receive a 20% or 30% discount and a one-for-one BOGO deal when there are two of you traveling.
Should I book a THSR ticket in advance?
It is not required to book a THSR ticket in advance. However, if you want a seat and you have a specific train schedule in mind, it’s better to book in advance because train seats can be sold out, especially during the weekend or special holidays. If you do not mind standing, you can always show up and purchase the non-reserved seat ticket at the station.
Tickets and seat reservations are available to book 29 days up to 1 hour before the scheduled departure time.
Can I cancel my THSR ticket and get a refund?
Yes, and you must contact Klook to receive the refund, and the following conditions must be met:
- The ticket has not been picked up yet.
- If you have already redeemed the Klook code to reserve the seat, you must cancel the itinerary first on the THSR website, and the request must be at least 30 minutes before departure.
- Then, you may contact Klook to receive the refund, which is 90% of the purchase cost.
Do I need to go to the Taipei main station for THSR?
No. Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) has multiple HSR stations across Taiwan. For example, if you land at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and wish to take the HSR, you can take the MRT to the Taoyuan HSR station, which is a lot closer than the Taipei main station.
