How to book a train ticket in Taiwan

This is a public service post that I hope will help someone in the future. It doesn't have anything to do with Johnny.Decimal.

Note this is for the non-high-speed trains.

Here's how to search for and book an inter-city train in Taiwan, and then collect the ticket on your phone. The process is fussy but simple enough once you know the steps. Follow them exactly as shown.

Fields that you fill in or buttons that press are shown like this.

Preamble

  • Current as of June 2026.
    • If you try this process and it doesn't work, email me and I'll try to fix it.
  • The instructions below work on a computer/laptop/phone if you click the links given.
    • On a phone, if you click Online Booking on the website, it leads you through a slightly different – and, I think, worse – process. Use my links!

Book your train

This is the process on a laptop. Screens are slightly different on a phone but the process is the same.

  1. Go to the search page.

  2. Enter your Destination Station, Arrival Station, and the Date you want to travel.

    • Don't bother filtering by time, train type, or car type.
    • Click Search.

  3. Choose your train from the list by hovering over the row and clicking the blue ticket icon on the right.

  4. Enter the following details.

    • Passport Number/UI No.: enter your passport number, e.g. AB12345678.
      • Note: if you're just testing this out, do not enter your real passport number. The field will accept any value, e.g. AB12345678.
      • Apparently they block your number if you do this too many times without buying a ticket.
      • When you buy the ticket for real, enter your real number. This is the only way that your purchase can be linked to you.
    • Select the number of seats you need.
    • Click Search.

  5. Your selection will be shown. Confirm by checking Select on the right, then clicking Next step: Select Ticket Type.

  6. Confirm Adult or Child tickets and click Next step.

  7. Confirm your payment method and click Next Step: Payment/Ticket Collection Information.

  8. Fill in your card details and click Pay Now.

    • This form will not work with your browser's auto-fill feature. You need to type the numbers in manually.

  9. On the confirmation screen, you'll be shown a barcode and QR code with a reference number.

    • The number looks like 2123456ABCDE.
    • Write it down! You'll note that you haven't been asked for your email address: this booking number is all you've got.
    • If you do lose it, you'll need to go to a ticket office with your passport.

Get your ticket

In this section, Menu means the three-stacked-lines 'hamburger' menu at the top-left of the app.

Download and configure the app

  1. Get the Taiwan Railway e-booking app.

    • That's an Apple link. I assume it exists for Android?

  2. Go to Menu → Settings → My Passengers

  3. Tap Add + at the top right.

  4. Tap Passport No./Resident certificate UI No.

  5. In Account, enter your passport number. This must match the number from your booking.

  6. In Nickname, enter your name. Click OK then the arrow < to go back to the home screen.

Collect your ticket

  1. Menu → Booking Inquiry

  2. Tap in Ticket Holder Number and you'll be shown the profile you set up, above. Tap it to select.

  3. In Booking Code, enter the first 7 digits from your booking reference then tap Search.

  4. Your ticket will be shown. Tap Join pending tickets

  5. Menu → Pending Bookings

  6. Uncollect ticket (1)

  7. Tap on the ticket.

  8. Tap Collect tickets then Collect Mobile Tickets

  9. Agree