How to Take the Train to Alishan Forest: My Complete Guide in 2025

When I was planning my trip to Alishan Forest in Taiwan, one thing kept coming up over and over again: the Alishan Forest Railway. Everyone talks about how it’s not just a way to get to Alishan, but an experience and a highlight all on its own.

But honestly, trying to figure out how to actually get a ticket for it was a whole other story. It felt like some sort of mysterious mission no one really explains properly online (at least not in english).

In this guide on How to Take the Train to Alishan Forest, I’ll break down exactly what the Alishan train is, how to get a ticket (and why it’s so hard), where it departs from, and where to stay if you want to make it all work smoothly. I’ll also share a bit about my own experience trying (and kinda failing) to take the train. so you know what to do and what not to do.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Alishan Taiwan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Alishan Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Dafong Hotel Alishan – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Chinshan Villa – Click here for rates & availability

How to Take the Train to Alishan Forest: My Complete Guide in 2025

Taking the Train to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area – My Experience

When I visited Alishan, I really wanted to take the famous Alishan Forest Railway because it’s not just a way to get there, it’s basically an activity in itself. The train ride is supposed to be one of the most scenic in Taiwan, winding through tea plantations, forests, and little mountain villages.

I actually managed to get tickets (which is close to a miracle), but in the end, I had to return them because I realized I didn’t have enough time to stay overnight in Alishan. Trust me, this is important: if you’re taking the train, you really need to plan at least one night up there, otherwise it doesn’t make sense at all.

Even though I didn’t get to ride it myself, just figuring it all out and almost taking it taught me a lot, and that’s why I wanted to write this guide. So you hopefully won’t end up as confused as I was!

What is the Alishan Forest Railway Train?

The Alishan Forest Railway isn’t just a normal train. It’s a historic narrow-gauge railway that was originally built for logging, and now it’s one of the coolest tourist experiences in Taiwan.

The train leaves from Chiayi and climbs up through the mountains to Alishan, taking around 3.5 to 5 hours depending on the schedule. There’s even a stop in a small mountain village called Fenqihu, which is where you’ll have a lunch break which usually is a bento box.

Along the way, you get the most amazing views of tea fields, forests, and misty mountains and this is why it’s considered a must-do for many travelers visiting Alishan. But because it’s so popular (and there are only a limited number of tickets each day), it sells out crazy fast.

How to Get a Ticket for the Alishan Forest Railway (and Why It’s So Hard)

So, getting a ticket is basically the hardest part. The tickets go on sale online 14 days before the departure date at 6am Taiwan time. And yes, they usually sell out almost immediately, so you need to be on it the second they’re released.

You can book them on the Alishan Forest Railway website, but be prepared to refresh like a maniac. Another option is to try buying them directly at Chiayi Station, but you’d have to be extremely lucky to find any left. There is actually a pretty good chance of getting a ticket last minute in person because people cancel a lot, so you’ll see quite a few people lining up there early in the morning.

Before getting on the train, you need to get a physical ticket. To do so, head to the Alishan Railway counter, which is outside at the front of Chiayi Railway Station. That’s where you can pick up your ticket if you manage to get one.

Ok so here’s what we did:

We actually heard that you have the best chance of getting tickets the day before instead of trying exactly 14 days ahead, because a lot of people cancel last minute. So we took the risk, if we didn’t get a ticket, we’d just take the bus instead.

In the end, we only had to refresh about 4 times the day before until we got tickets (lucky!). But I also heard stories of people who had to refresh 50–100 times!

Where Does the Alishan Train Depart From? (Chiayi Station & More Info)

The Alishan train starts from Chiayi Station, which is the main station in Chiayi city. It’s super easy to find and if you arrive by regular train from Taipei or anywhere else, you’ll basically already be there.

The Alishan Forest Railway has its own counter and entrance area right out front at Chiayi Station. When I was there, there were signs everywhere, and honestly, you’ll probably see a bunch of other travelers with backpacks lining up early in the morning, so you really can’t miss it.

If you managed to book your ticket online, you still need to go to the counter to pick up your physical ticket before you board, they won’t accept just a confirmation on your phone. I recommend picking it up the day before if you can, just to avoid the morning chaos.

The train usually leaves early in the morning (around 8 am) and the ride up is around 3.5 hours, including a longer stop for lunch at Fenqihu. You’ll want to double-check your exact departure time though, as it can change depending on the season or maintenance.

Alishan Forest Railway Timetable

Train Ride (Chiayi → Alishan)

Train #	Departs Chiayi	Arrives Fenqihu	Lunch Stop	Departs Fenqihu	Arrives Alishan
Express No. 1	09:00	11:30	—	—	—
Express No. 5	10:00	12:12	12:12–13:21	13:21	14:56

Return (Alishan → Chiayi)

Train #	Departs Alishan	Fenqihu Stop	Arrives Chiayi
Express No. 8	11:50	13:29	15:45
Express No. 2	—	14:31	16:51

Where to Stay at Alishan Forest (If You Take the Train)

So, the whole dilemma we had with getting tickets but then not being able to use them was all about where to stay in Alishan. There’s only a very limited number of lodges and hotels up there, and when we realized too late that we actually had to stay a night to take the train, everything was already booked out.

On top of that, the few hotels they do have are honestly not that great or pretty overpriced for what you get, but there’s really no way around it.

My advice: Book as early as you can. I recommend planning to stay at least one night anyway so you’re on the safe side once you get those train tickets. And if possible, avoid going on the weekend, because hotel prices (just like everywhere in Taiwan) skyrocket.

Also, make sure to double-check the location of your hotel. Booking.com and other sites can be a bit confusing, and it’s super easy to accidentally book something that’s way too far from the actual Alishan village and railway station.

Here are some of the best places to stay in Alishan:

Alishan Hotel

This is pretty much the only really nice hotel up there. It has beautiful, spacious rooms and a traditional design that fits perfectly into the Alishan forest vibe. It’s definitely on the more upscale side, and during cherry blossom season, the whole place looks even more amazing with all the cherry trees around.

Book Here: Alishan Hotel

Dafong Hotel

A good alternative if you don’t want to splurge too much. It’s more basic and a bit more affordable than Alishan Hotel, but still totally fine for a night. Perfect if you just need a comfortable place to sleep before or after exploring.

Book Here: Dafong Hotel

FAQs About the Train to Alishan Forest

How do I take the train to Alishan Forest from Chiayi?

You’ll need to get yourself to Chiayi Railway Station first. From there, the Alishan Forest Railway departs right out front at its own little platform. It’s super easy to find once you’re at the main station, just look for the signs or ask someone, everyone knows where it is.

How do I get Alishan Forest Railway tickets?

Tickets go on sale online 14 days before departure at 6am Taiwan time. They usually sell out immediately, so you’ll have to be fast (refresh like crazy). You can also try your luck buying them in person at Chiayi Station, especially the day before or on the morning of your trip when there are sometimes last-minute cancellations.

Is Alishan Forest worth visiting?

100%. For me, it was one of the best experiences in Taiwan. The forest is stunning and the atmosphere is super peaceful. Especially if your Taiwan itinerary is very city-heavy (like mine was), Alishan is the perfect nature escape.

How to get from Chiayi to Alishan?

The best way (and most fun way) is definitely the Alishan train. But if you can’t get tickets, there are also buses and shared taxis that leave from Chiayi Railway Station and bring you straight up to Alishan.

Final Thoughts on the Alishan Train

Taking the Alishan train was honestly something I really wanted to do, and even though it didn’t work out for me in the end, I still think it’s one of the coolest ways to get up into the forest.

Just make sure to plan ahead, book your accommodation early and be ready to fight for those tickets. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s part of the adventure and, in my opinion, totally worth the effort if you can pull it off.