No Computer or Phone App Needed to Grab High-Speed Rail Tickets! Insiders Reveal a Foolproof Method: 'Booked Smoothly in 5 Minutes' — Even Worked During Lunar New Year Holiday

On the early morning of the 27th, tickets for the 2026 Mid-Autumn and Teachers' Day holidays went on sale, and the THSR app 'T Express Mobile Ticketing Service' immediately experienced a surge in traffic. Many users encountered system busy messages or frozen screens right after opening the app. Some reported restarting the app nearly 100 times without success, while others couldn’t even select their desired travel dates.

As countless users struggled with their phones, one savvy traveler took a different route—heading straight to a nearby 7-ELEVEN and using the ibon kiosk to complete their booking in just five minutes. This alternative method surprised many, with reactions like: 'I had no idea this was possible!'

At midnight, the ticket sale caused immediate congestion. Due to concentrated demand for holiday travel and homecoming trips, the system was instantly overwhelmed. Users of the T Express app reported repeated 'System Busy, Please Try Again Later' messages or endless loading screens. Some spent nearly 10 minutes just to log in, while others gave up after restarting the app close to 100 times. Even those who managed to enter the system faced issues like being unable to select Mid-Autumn holiday dates, watching helplessly as time ticked away and fearing popular time slots would sell out.

However, amid the online frustration, insiders shared an 'alternative ticketing strategy': when the THSR app or website crashes during peak holiday sales, instead of endlessly refreshing your screen, go directly to a nearby 7-ELEVEN and use the ibon multimedia kiosk to purchase tickets.

The original poster shared that they’ve grown accustomed to heading to convenience stores on high-demand ticket sale days. This time, the entire process—from operation to selecting a train and completing the reservation—took only about five minutes, with no lag or crashes experienced on the app.

This isn’t the first time travelers have bypassed online congestion via convenience store kiosks. During this year’s Lunar New Year holiday ticket sale, similar reports emerged of website and app crashes, while others successfully booked tickets through physical kiosks. One user reported completing the entire process—from leaving home to paying at the counter—in under 10 minutes, avoiding the need to constantly refresh their phone. As a result, ibon and similar in-store kiosks have become an unexpected 'backup channel' for securing tickets during peak holiday periods.

How to Buy THSR Tickets via 7-ELEVEN ibon: 6 Simple Steps

Step 1: Enter 'Ticket Center' At the ibon kiosk, select 'Ticket Center,' then tap 'Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).'

Step 2: Choose Ticket Purchase Service On the THSR service page, select 'Purchase.'

Step 3: Confirm Terms and Conditions Read the ticketing rules, agree, and proceed.

Step 4: Set Trip Details Select departure and arrival stations, one-way or round-trip, and number of passengers.

Step 5: Choose Date, Time, and Train Enter your desired travel date and departure time, then pick your preferred train from the list.

Step 6: Confirm and Print Payment Slip After verifying all details, print the payment slip and proceed to the store counter to complete payment.

Crucially, completing the reservation on the kiosk does not mean the ticket is paid for. Users must take the printed payment slip to the counter and pay in cash—including ticket fare and service fees—within 10 minutes. Failure to pay within this window may result in automatic cancellation of the booking.

In short, while convenience store kiosks can indeed serve as an effective alternative to bypass app congestion during peak times, it’s vital not to forget the final payment step. Otherwise, the hard-earned seat may be released back into the system.