THSR's New Regulations Roll Out Across Taiwan: Can You Refund or Change Tickets if You Miss Your Train? All 14 FAQs and New Rules Explained

Already bought a THSR ticket but couldn't make it on time? Want to get off early? Have you ever had these questions when riding the high-speed rail? The editorial team has compiled a comprehensive THSR riding guide to answer all your travel concerns!

THSR New Regulations Overview

THSR is a popular transportation choice for travel and business. Recently, THSR has introduced several new policies:

1. Cancellation of 5% Discount for General Group Tickets Taiwan High Speed Rail is adjusting its group ticket discount policy. Starting March 30 for reservations, and for travel dates on or after April 27, the previous 5% discount (95% fare) for general groups of 11 or more passengers will be discontinued.

THSR stated that due to continuously rising train occupancy rates and considering the service characteristics of group travelers (11+), a peak and off-peak differential pricing system will be implemented to more effectively allocate capacity. During peak hours, tickets will be sold at full price. However, off-peak discounts will continue, with over one-third of weekly train services offering discounts ranging from 40% to 15% off (i.e., 60% to 85% of full fare). Passengers may opt for the 'designated train group' or 'school trip group' plans.

2. Introduction of 'Quiet Carriage' Following Japan's Shinkansen model, THSR is launching a 'Quiet Carriage'. Loud conversations, speakerphone calls, and audio/video playback with external speakers are all prohibited. Passengers must move to the vestibule area if they need to make a phone call. The first three months will be a promotional period; repeated violations after warnings may result in denied boarding.

3. Advance Boarding for Reserved Seat Passengers Requires Ticket Exchange Previously, reserved seat passengers could use their original ticket to board an earlier train's free seating. However, this practice became increasingly common, leading to wasted reserved seats that couldn't be sold to other passengers, and also affecting the riding experience of others on earlier trains. Therefore, THSR is canceling the flexible early boarding policy, and stations will no longer manually assist reserved seat passengers to board earlier trains. If early boarding is required, passengers must complete the ticket exchange procedure as per regulations.

4. Denial of Boarding for 'Sitting or Lying in Aisles, Obstructing Passageways' In the past, there have been incidents where passengers sat or lay down in train aisles or passageways, disrupting passenger flow and experience. THSR has revised its 'Passenger Transport Contract' to include 'passengers sitting or lying in train aisles, vestibules, station floors, or other behaviors obstructing passenger movement or queuing order, or passengers not boarding designated carriages and seats as specified.' THSR reserves the right to deny boarding for such behaviors.

5. 'Designated Train Free Seating' During Peak Hours Due to frequent incidents of reserved seat passengers being unable to board due to overcrowding, THSR plans to introduce 'designated train free seating' during extreme peak hours this year. This means that when purchasing a free seat ticket in the future, passengers must also select a specific train and can only ride the free seating car of that selected train; all other trains are not permitted.

Additionally, many passengers target THSR's early bird tickets in addition to regular fares. But what if you need to refund, change, or miss your train? The editorial team answers all your common THSR riding questions!

THSR Fare Information

Q: How much is a THSR ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung? Will prices increase?

First, regarding THSR fares: THSR has been operating for over 15 years. Except for a fare adjustment in 2013 and a rollback to pre-adjustment levels in 2015, fares have remained unchanged since opening. The one-way fare from Taipei to Kaohsiung is currently 1,490 NTD. However, THSR's base fare has reached the threshold for a price increase. In the future, the one-way fare from Taipei to Kaohsiung could increase by up to 230 NTD, reaching 1,720 NTD. However, this is still under evaluation.

Q: How much are THSR early bird fares? When do bookings open?

In addition to regular/full fares, THSR offers discounted early bird tickets at 65%, 80%, and 90% of the original price. These early bird tickets are limited in quantity. Once 65% tickets are sold out, 80% tickets are offered; when 80% are sold out, 90% tickets are available; after 90% are sold out, only full-price tickets remain. Therefore, the earlier you book, the higher your chance of getting the 65% discount!

Two points to note when purchasing early bird tickets: booking period and real-name system. Early bird tickets open for booking 28 days before the travel date but sales end no later than 5 days before the travel date. For example, for a September 1 travel date, booking must be completed by August 28 (inclusive) to have a chance at 65%, 80%, or 90% early bird fares. Additionally, THSR early bird tickets now operate under a real-name system. When purchasing, you must enter the ID or passport number of the passenger using the ticket. Each early bird discounted ticket is valid only for the passenger whose ID number is entered.

THSR Ticket Changes and Refunds

Q: If I miss my THSR train, can I take the next one?

According to THSR's policy for missed trains, if a passenger fails to board due to unforeseen circumstances and staff arrange for them to board another train on the same day with available seats, any fare difference will be handled as follows: excess amounts are not refunded, and shortfalls must be paid. In other words, if you miss your train, ticketing staff will flexibly arrange for you to take another train that day, possibly with a fare adjustment, without needing to buy a new ticket—but only for other trains on the same day.

Q: Can I take a later train's free seating if I miss my train?

Generally, yes, you can take the free seating of a later train if you miss your original train. However, if your original ticket price is lower than the free seating price, you will need to pay the difference. It is recommended to consult station staff rather than entering the station directly.

Q: Can I change to a different train with an early bird ticket?

Yes, but if you use an early bird ticket to change to another train, you will no longer enjoy the early bird discount. If caught without actively paying the difference, you must pay the full fare difference and an additional 50% penalty on the fare difference of the section already traveled.

Q: Can I board an earlier THSR train?

Previously, reserved seat passengers could use their original ticket to board an earlier train's free seating. However, due to increasing occurrences of this, starting November 10, stations will no longer manually assist reserved seat passengers to board earlier trains. If early boarding is required, passengers must complete the ticket exchange procedure as per regulations.

Q: Can I get off the THSR early? Will I get a refund for the unused portion?

Not only can you get off one station early on THSR, but you can get off at any stop before reaching the final destination. However, the fare for the unused portion of the journey will not be refunded.

Q: How do I refund a THSR ticket? Can I refund at convenience stores?

For refunds: reservations that have been paid but not yet collected must be canceled via the booking system or THSR APP T-EX at least 30 minutes before departure, or processed at station ticket counters. For tickets that have been paid and collected, processing must be done at stations. However, if the ticket was collected at a convenience store, refunds can also be processed through the store. In both cases, the refund processing fee is 20 NTD. Note that refunds are not allowed after the train has departed, so be sure to complete the process at least 30 minutes before departure!

Q: When will the refund be credited back for THSR tickets?

For credit card payments, the amount will be refunded to the original payment credit card, with the refund process taking 7–15 business days. For payments made via 'Taiwan Pay' (debit card), the amount will be refunded to the original debit card, with an estimated processing time of about 7–15 business days.