The Ultimate 2026 Guide to the Alishan Forest Railway: Fares, Booking Tips, and How to Choose the Right Route

The Alishan Forest Railway is Taiwan’s most iconic mountain railway experience. Best known for the famed “Five Wonders of Alishan,” it draws hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors every year, departing from Chiayi and climbing all the way to Alishan at an elevation of 2,216 meters. But for many first-time travelers planning an Alishan rail trip, two questions tend to cause the most confusion: “How to book alishan forest railway tickets?” and “How much does the Alishan Forest Railway cost?”

To make things even trickier, a new ticketing policy took effect in 2026. The old system where you could pay within two days after booking no longer works. Many travelers still follow outdated guides, only to have their reservations canceled without any chance to fix it.

This article brings together the questions alishan forest railway travelers ask most often: fares, step-by-step booking instructions, how to choose among the three branch lines, and whether same-day tickets are available. Read this article once before your trip, and you’ll be fully prepared.

【Quick Highlights】

• The alishan forest railway train currently runs 2 uphill departures daily: one from Chiayi at 09:00 and one at 10:00 / and 2 downhill departures daily: one from Alishan at 11:50 and one from Shizilu at 13:21

• The full journey from Chiayi to Alishan takes about 5 hours, and a full-fare ticket on the Alishan Express is approximately NT$600 (based on the official railway fare formula)
• Starting March 2, 2026: payment must be completed immediately after booking, with no grace period
• Online booking opens up to 14 days in advance and is available daily from 06:00 to 24:00
• Branch line fares: the Zhushan Line (for sunrise viewing) is NT$150 full fare; the Sacred Tree Line and Zhaoping Line are NT$100 each

10-Second Decision Guide: Is the Chiayi–Alishan Little Train Worth It?

If you’re still wondering whether the alishan forest railway garage park is worth adding to your itinerary, here’s the most straightforward way to decide.

The alishan forest railway route is the signature experience of the Alishan Forestry Railway. Starting from Chiayi City at just 30 meters above sea level, it climbs all the way to Zhushan Station at 2,451 meters, covering an elevation gain of 2,400 meters, making it one of the most spectacular mountain railways in Taiwan. This journey is much more than simply taking a train to Alishan. Along the way, you pass through tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate zones. From the lowland scenery around Zhangnaoliao, to the misty charm of Fenqihu, and finally to Alishan Station surrounded by conifer forests, the views outside the train window alone are worth the price of admission.

If any of the following applies to you, the Alishan little train is absolutely worth including in your trip:

1. It’s your first time visiting Alishan and you want to experience its century-old railway heritage
2. You’re traveling with seniors or children and want an easy, comfortable way to get around
3. You plan to catch the sunrise and need to take the Zhushan sunrise train
4. You want to visit Fenqihu for its famous railway lunchboxes and the relaxed pace of its mountain old street

That said, if you’re short on time and only want to reach the mountain as quickly as possible, highway buses or a private car transfer are faster. The real charm of the Alishan little train lies in the journey itself, not just the destination.

The Alishan Forestry Railway currently starts from Chiayi Station, passes through Beimen, Zhuqi, Fenqihu, other stations, and ends at Alishan Station, covering a total distance of 71.6 kilometers. The main line is now fully operational, and all three branch lines (Zhushan, Sacred Tree, and Zhaoping) are also open, so you no longer need to worry before your trip and ask, “Does Alishan still have the forest railway?” It does, and it runs every day.

How Much Does the Alishan Forest Railway Cost? 2026 Fare Guide at a Glance

Fares for the forest railway alishan are divided into two systems: the “main line” and the “branch lines.” Once you understand the difference, booking becomes much less confusing.

Main Line Fares (Chiayi → Alishan)

Main line fares on the Alishan Forest Railway are calculated by distance. According to the official ticketing information from the Alishan Forestry Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture:

• Alishan Express reserved seating car with air conditioning: NT$8.33 per kilometer, with a minimum charge of 6 kilometers
• Local train: NT$7.50 per kilometer, with a minimum charge of 6 kilometers
• Child tickets (for passengers between 115 cm and under 150 cm), senior tickets (age 65 and above), and disability concession tickets (for passengers holding a disability certificate) are all charged at half fare.

Here are some reference fares for the most common routes:

The above figures are reference estimates based on the official fare formula. Actual prices are subject to the fares displayed in the official Alishan train booking system.

Branch Line Fares (The Three Branch Lines Departing from Alishan Station and Their Timetables)

After arriving at Alishan Station via the main line, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket if you want to continue exploring the area on one of the branch lines. According to the official fare information:

👉🏻 Here’s a quick estimate: for a family of four, the full main line journey (about NT$600 per person) plus the Zhushan Line (NT$150 per person) comes to about NT$750 per person, or roughly NT$3,000 total for four people. Compared with the cost of fuel, parking, and the fatigue of driving up mountain roads, the little train is actually very reasonably priced, especially since the ride itself is one of Alishan’s biggest attractions.

How to Book the Alishan Little Train: The Full Process from the Official Website to 7-Eleven Pickup

Booking alishan forest railway tickets is a bit like booking Taiwan High Speed Rail, you need to plan ahead. This is especially true during long weekends or cherry blossom season, when booking even a little earlier makes a big difference.

Steps for Online Booking

1. Go to the official Alishan Forestry Railway booking website (afrch.forest.gov.tw) and click “Online Booking”
2. Select your travel date, departure and arrival stations, and train number
3. Enter your ID number (each ID can book up to 6 tickets per day; if booking both outbound and return trips at the same time, the maximum is 12 tickets)
4. After confirming your order, complete online payment immediately (this became mandatory starting March 2, 2026; see the next section for details)
5. Once payment is complete, choose your ticket collection method: e-ticket or paper ticket

When Online Booking Opens

• Tickets can be purchased from 1 day to 14 days before the travel date
• Booking is open daily from 06:00 to 24:00

📌 Pro tip: Every Friday, the system allows advance booking for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the following week beyond the standard booking window, giving you a bit more flexibility.

Ticket Collection Methods

After completing payment for an online booking, there are two ways to collect your ticket:

• E-ticket: Open it directly on the booking website and scan it on your phone at the station gate (currently available on the main line only at Chiayi, Beimen, Zhuqi, Jiaoliping, Fenqihu, and Shizilu stations)
• Paper ticket: Collect it at ticket counters at Alishan Forestry Railway stations or at ibon kiosks in 7-Eleven stores throughout Taiwan, any time before departure

E-tickets are not available for the branch lines (Zhushan, Sacred Tree, and Zhaoping). These must be collected as paper tickets.

Buying Tickets in Person

If you prefer not to book online, you can purchase tickets at station ticket counters. Ticket office hours are as follows:

• Alishan Forestry Railway Chiayi Station, Beimen Station, Zhuqi Station, Jiaoliping Station, and Fenqihu Station: 08:00–17:00
• Alishan Station 2F: 08:30–16:30

In-person ticket sales open 12 days before the travel date, which is two days later than online booking. For popular travel dates, online booking is strongly recommended.

【Alishan Forestry Railway Booking Tip】

Did you know? At certain times, the online booking system opens ticket reservations for long holiday periods in advance, such as Tomb Sweeping Festival, Labor Day, and the Dragon Boat Festival. If you’re planning to visit during cherry blossom season or a holiday weekend, set your alarm for Friday at 06:00. Your chances of getting tickets are significantly better than waiting until Monday. See the special holiday booking schedule here.

Can You Buy Alishan Little Train Tickets on the Same Day? The 2026 Policy Change Will Save You a Wasted Trip

The answer is not quite the same as it used to be in 2026, so this is worth explaining clearly.

The Reality of “Same-Day Tickets”

Technically, same-day tickets do exist for the Zhushan Line. At Alishan Station 1F, same-day tickets go on sale 30 minutes before the Zhushan Line departure time. However, quantities are limited, and during long weekends or cherry blossom season, they are often sold out almost immediately.

Same-day tickets for the main line (Chiayi → Alishan) are even scarcer. With only two departures per day and a limited number of seats, most tickets for popular dates are largely sold out within hours of online booking opening. Seeing “No available trains found” on the booking website is a common frustration for many travelers, but it’s not a system error. The tickets really are gone. Many travelers have shared their own dissapointing experiences and that you really shouldn’t expect to buy tickets on the spot.

New Policy from March 2, 2026: Immediate Payment Required After Booking

According to an official announcement issued on February 23, 2026 by the Alishan Forestry Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, a new “book now, pay immediately” policy officially took effect at 06:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Key Rules Under the New Policy:

• Old system: payment could be completed within 2 days after booking
• New system (starting 2026/3/2): payment must be completed immediately at the time of booking; unpaid reservations will not be held
• If you accumulate 3 overdue unpaid bookings within 1 month, your account will be suspended for 6 months

This change was introduced because too many travelers used to reserve large numbers of tickets online and then fail to pay on time. As a result, popular dates appeared fully booked even though actual empty seats remained at departure, making it harder and harder for travelers who genuinely wanted to ride the Alishan little train to secure tickets. Strictly speaking, the new system was designed to solve exactly this problem, which also means the chances of waiting for tickets to be released on the day are now even lower.

For travelers, the biggest takeaway is this: before booking, make sure your itinerary is finalized and your payment method is ready, or you may not be able to complete the booking process.

How Many Days in Advance Is Safest?

• Regular weekdays: 3 to 7 days in advance
• Weekends: 7 to 10 days in advance
• Cherry blossom season (late March) or long holidays: book the moment tickets are released (14 days in advance)

So if you’re hoping to grab Alishan train tickets the day before departure, there’s a much higher chance your plans will fall through. If you can’t get tickets, it may be worth considering a direct private transfer through tripool instead.

How Should You Choose Among the Three Branch Lines? Which One Is Best for You?

Many first-time visitors arrive at Alishan Station only to realize there are three different branch lines, then find themselves standing on the platform unsure which one to take. Here’s a clear breakdown so you can decide right away when you get there.

Alishan Station, at 2,216 meters above sea level, is the common starting point for all three branch lines. According to official railway information, the elevations and distances of each station are as follows:

• Alishan Station: elevation 2,216 m (starting point)
• Zhaoping Station: elevation 2,274 m, 1.3 km from Alishan
• Duigaoyue Station: elevation 2,405 m, 4.9 km from Alishan (intermediate stop on the Zhushan Line)
• Zhushan Station: elevation 2,451 m, 6.25 km from Alishan (highest point)
• Sacred Tree Station: elevation 2,138 m

Zhushan Line: The Highest Point and the Top Choice for Sunrise

Zhushan Station sits at 2,451 meters above sea level and is the best place in the Alishan area to watch the sunrise. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the station to the sunrise viewing platform, where the open views are spectacular. Of the three branch lines, this is the one that reaches the highest elevation. The ride takes about 25–30 minutes, and the full fare is NT$150.

That said, departure times for the Zhushan sunrise train vary by season. Trains typically depart between 05:00 and 05:30 in the early morning, and the last return train is usually around 07:20, after sunrise. Exact departure times are subject to the official same-day announcement by the railway, which is posted at 4:30 p.m. the day before.

👉🏻 If your itinerary includes watching the sunrise in Alishan, the Zhushan Line is absolutely not to be missed. The day before, make sure to check the sunrise schedule for the Zhushan viewing platform, and most importantly, book your Alishan sunrise train ticket in advance, and don’t wait until that morning to line up and hope for the best.

Sacred Tree Line: Easy Access to the Sacred Tree Trail

Sacred Tree Station sits at 2,138 meters above sea level. The ride takes about 10 minutes, and a full-fare ticket costs NT$100. From the station, it’s just a short walk to the Sacred Tree area, where you can admire Alishan’s ancient red cypress trees.

👉🏻 This line is ideal for travelers with limited time or for seniors with reduced mobility, since you can reach the Sacred Tree area without a long walk.

Zhaoping Line: A Must During Flower Season and Great for Old Station Photos

Zhaoping Station, at an elevation of 2,274 meters, is Alishan’s historic old station, originally built in 1914. During the spring blossom season, the route is lined with blooming Taiwan cherry trees and Yoshino cherry blossoms, making the Zhaoping Line the best way to soak in the sea of flowers. The full alishan forest railway tickets price for this branch is NT$100.

According to an announcement issued by the railway office on February 13, 2026, the special cherry blossom trains are making a strong comeback in 2026, with limited-edition themed trains added during blossom season. Travelers visiting during this period are strongly advised to book Zhushan Line tickets and Zhaoping Line tickets as early as possible.

Comparison of the Three Branch Lines

👉🏻 If time allows, the best combination is “Zhushan + Zhaoping,” which covers both the sunrise and the cherry blossom highlights. The Sacred Tree Line works well as a return option after walking through the Sacred Tree area.

How to Take the Alishan Little Train: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide from Chiayi

Alishan forest railway map | Image source: Alishan Forestry Railway official website

The Alishan Forestry Railway starts from Chiayi Station, but many first-time visitors are confused about the difference between “Chiayi Station” and “Beimen Station.” Here’s a clear step-by-step guide on how to take the Alishan little train.

Step 1: Get to Chiayi

After arriving in Chiayi from Taipei, Taichung, or Kaohsiung by Taiwan Railways or High Speed Rail, you can transfer as follows:

• Chiayi HSR Station → Take a bus or book a private transfer to Beimen Station or Chiayi (Forestry Railway) Station
• Chiayi TRA Station → Walk or take a taxi to Beimen Station

Step 2: Confirm the alishan forest railway schedule

According to the official alishan forest railway timetable (effective from January 10, 2025), the main line Alishan train schedule is as follows:

Two uphill departures:

Two downhill departures:

• Alishan Express Train No. 2: departs Shizilu at 13:21 and arrives in Chiayi at approximately 16:51
• Alishan Express Train No. 8: departs Alishan at 11:50 and arrives in Chiayi at approximately 15:45

📌 Editor’s recommendation: If you choose Train No. 5 departing at 10:00, you’ll have time to enjoy the famous lunchbox in Fenqihu and still arrive in Alishan in the afternoon with time left for sightseeing. But if you want to get there faster, go with Train No. 1 at 09:00.

Step 3: Important Boarding Tips

• Please arrive at the platform at least 15 minutes before departure
• The main line Alishan Express uses reserved seating, so be sure to check your car number and seat assignment on the ticket
• If you purchased an e-ticket, open the ticket page on your phone before entering the station
• You’ll need to handle your own luggage, and storage space is limited, so traveling light is recommended
• The full train ride from Chiayi to Alishan takes about 5 hours, and there is no dining car onboard, so bring your own food and water

📌 Friendly reminder: There is no direct public transportation between Chiayi HSR Station and Beimen Station on the Forestry Railway, so traveling with luggage usually means making two transfers. If you’re coming from another city by High Speed Rail and already know your travel date, you can also check tripool’s transfer service in advance. With tripool, you can book a point-to-point service or a charter service, either way, it saves you a lot of time and energy!

How to Enjoy the Alishan Little Train: Must-See Sights and Best Photo Spots Along the Way

Travelers who have ridden the Alishan Forestry Railway often say that the scenery outside the train window is the real highlight of the journey. Once you leave Chiayi, the landscape shifts dramatically roughly every 10 to 15 minutes.

Dulishan Spiral Railway

Image source: Alishan Forestry Railway official website (Mr. Lai Guohua)

After leaving Zhangnaoliao, the train begins its spiral ascent, looping its way around Dulishan and passing through 9 tunnels along the route. Emerging from one of the tunnel exits reveals a breathtaking overlook. Many railway photography enthusiasts come specifically to this stretch to capture the famous looping train shot, and the Dulishan section is widely regarded as one of the best photo spots along the Alishan little train route.

Fenqihu: Mountain Old Street and Railway Lunchboxes

About 45 kilometers from Chiayi City, Fenqihu Station sits at an elevation of 1,403 meters and is the most important intermediate stop on the Alishan Forestry Railway route. Train No. 5 stops here for about 65 minutes, just enough time to hop off, enjoy the famous Alishan railway lunchbox, stroll through the old street, and then return to the platform to continue up the mountain.

Fenqihu Old Street is lively and charming, filled with wooden crafts and local food shops. The mountain walking trail here is about 1.5 kilometers long, making this one of the best stops on the entire journey for getting off and exploring on foot.

Misty Mountain Scenery and Conifer Forests

After passing Fenqihu, the train enters the high-altitude forest zone. Along the way, you’ll see clouds and mist drifting through the valleys, and the temperature drops noticeably. If you visit in winter, you may even catch a glimpse of snow from the train, it's an entirely different kind of beauty from the lowlands.

Blossom Season: When Is the Alishan Little Train at Its Most Beautiful?

Alishan’s cherry blossom season usually runs from late March to early April, with Yoshino cherry blossoms and Taiwan cherry blossoms as the main highlights. However, the exact bloom conditions depend on the weather, so it’s best to follow official railway updates during the 1 to 2 weeks before your trip.

During blossom season, the railway also runs special Alishan cherry blossom trains (limited-edition themed trains), which means even fewer tickets are available. On the first day tickets go on sale, they tend to disappear quickly. If your trip falls during blossom season, the Alishan little train is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary, especially since the Zhaoping Line is particularly stunning at that time of year.

Taking the Alishan Little Train with Kids: Child Fares, Facilities, and the Best Itinerary

The Alishan little train has always been highly rated for family travel. Sitting in the wood-style train cars, with constantly changing scenery outside the window, kids rarely get bored or restless. I’ve also put together the child fare rules and a recommended itinerary below for families traveling with children.

Official child fare rules: children who are at least 6 years old but under 12 years old on the day of travel, or who are at least 115 cm tall but under 150 cm tall, may purchase a child ticket upon presentation of valid identification.

For Alishan child tickets, height is the primary criterion and age is secondary:

👉🏻 Important note: children who ride free of charge (those under 6 years old on the day of travel, or under 115 cm tall) may not occupy their own seat, and each passenger may bring a maximum of 2 fare-free children.

Recommended 2-Day Family Itinerary in Alishan

Many travelers say that trying to do Alishan with kids in just one day feels rushed, so a basic two-day, one-night itinerary is highly recommended:

Day 1:

• Take Alishan Express Train No. 5 uphill at 10:00 a.m.
• Have lunch in Fenqihu (with a 65-minute stop, this is often one of kids’ favorite parts)
• Arrive in Alishan in the afternoon and explore Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, a walking trail, or the Sacred Tree Line
• Stay overnight in Alishan (so you don’t have to rush the next morning)

Day 2:

• Take the Zhushan sunrise train at around 05:00 to watch the sunrise
• After returning, have breakfast near Alishan Station
• Continue with the Zhaoping Line or the Sacred Tree Trail in the morning
• Take Train No. 2 or No. 8 downhill in the afternoon

This kind of itinerary gives kids enough sleep while still letting you experience the sunrise and the branch lines. And of course, if you’d like to explore more hidden spots and local food around Alishan, tripool’s 2-to-12-hour charter service can be a great transportation solution. With help loading and unloading luggage and local drivers who know hidden gems and food stops, you can enjoy a perfect Alishan trip in sunshine or rain alike.

What’s the Best Way to Plan Transportation to Alishan? What Do Travelers Recommend Most?

After covering so much about the Alishan little train, let’s talk about one of the biggest practical concerns: if you’re traveling from somewhere other than Chiayi, what’s the easiest way to get directly to Alishan?

After taking High Speed Rail from Taipei or Taichung to Chiayi HSR Station, there’s no direct public transportation all the way up, and if you have luggage, what should you do?

Don’t worry. we’ve also put together a detailed guide covering 7 major transportation options to Alishan, including how to arrange a one-day private charter trip:

For a family of four, once the cost of a tripool private charter to Alishan is split, the per-person cost is not much different from taking a taxi. But the flexibility is completely different. You can adjust stops according to your itinerary, such as making a breakfast stop in Chiayi City before heading straight up to Alishan, or stopping by Fenqihu Old Street for a walk and a lunchbox meal on the way back down.

Many travelers who previously chose private transfer services later shared the same thought: what they regretted most wasn’t paying for the ride, but failing to arrange transportation in advance, then ending up standing by the roadside with luggage for half an hour waiting for a taxi. Locking in your transfer early is what really lets you relax on the day of travel.

If you already know your Alishan little train travel date, you can book tripool’s transfer service now and still modify your itinerary for free up until 06:00 a.m. the day before departure. Check the schedule and price first, then decide, no pressure at all.

Common Alishan Little Train Questions from Dcard and PTT

Q: Does Alishan still have the little train? Has the Mianyue Line resumed service? 

Q: What if I can’t get tickets for the Alishan little train? What are the backup options? 

Q: How are senior fares calculated for the Alishan little train? Are there discounts for passengers with disabilities? 

Q: Is there a refund fee for Alishan little train tickets? 

Q: Are there themed trains on the Alishan little train? What is the Xuyue Train? 

Q: Do I need to arrange accommodation for the Alishan little train? Do I have to stay overnight on the mountain? 

Q: What’s the best way to plan a self-guided Alishan little train trip? One day or two days? 

Q: How long is the Alishan little train ride? Is it comfortable for the whole trip? 

Q: Can I bring pets on the Alishan little train?

A Final Word from the tripool Editor: Ride the Beautiful Century-Old Alishan Little Train and Experience the Beauty of Taiwan

This century-old Alishan little train is truly one of a kind in all of Taiwan. The 71.6-kilometer journey from Chiayi to Alishan, climbing more than 2,000 meters in elevation, is enough to make you see the meaning of “slow travel” in a completely new way.

The one thing to keep in mind is that after the new 2026 booking policy took effect, the cost of delaying your booking has become much higher than before. It’s not just a matter of missing out on tickets, you could even have your account suspended for overdue unpaid reservations. We're not saying this to scare you, just to offer one sincere piece of advice: as soon as your travel plans are set, book your tickets right away!

If you’re still planning transportation for Chiayi attractions or need a private Alishan charter itinerary that includes nearby stops, feel free to calculate the cost with tripool first and decide afterward. You can still modify or cancel free of charge up until 6:00 a.m. the day before departure, so you can finalize your trip with complete peace of mind.