Kaohsiung travel guide

In Kaohsiung, the metro Red Line runs from the airport straight to the city centre, so you can start on the harbour the day you arrive.

From the airport station to Formosa Boulevard is about 16 minutes with no change, for 30 TWD.

In the harbour, the Gushan–Cijin ferry costs 30 TWD per crossing, and the Pier-2 Art Center is open 10:00 to 18:00 Monday to Thursday and until 20:00 Friday to Sunday.

Check visa-exemption eligibility for your nationality and Taiwan's online arrival card on the official sources before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for Taiwan

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visa-exempt entry (eligible nationalities and conditions) (Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan)

The Pier-2 Art Center is open 10:00 to 18:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00 to 20:00 Friday to Sunday and on public holidays. It's a converted harbour-warehouse district: see exhibitions by day and walk the waterfront in the late afternoon. The ferry between Gushan and Cijin costs 30 TWD per crossing; children under 6 or under 115 cm ride free.

Cijin is an island, so crossing by ferry makes a half-day trip. Cihou Fort is open 24 hours, and the Starlight Tunnel on Miaoqian Road has no set opening hours, so you can walk through freely. Cijin Lighthouse is listed as 10:00 to 21:00, but there have been Monday-closure notices, so check Kaohsiung's tourism information before you go. Check return ferry times first so your evening doesn't slip. Lakeside sights such as Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas make a separate outing from the city. You can also use the map on Kaohsiung's tourism site.

Based on Pier-2 and the Kaohsiung City ferry operator. Check the timetable again before you go.

With 2 nights: on day one, take the Red Line into the city and walk Pier-2 and the harbour; on day two, cross to Cijin by ferry. Day three is departure, and the airport metro being close helps.

With 4 nights: add the lakeside sights and city meals on day three, and rest near your hotel on day four before leaving.

Kaohsiung International Airport station connects directly to the terminal. From international arrivals use Exit 6, from domestic arrivals Exit 2. Heading north on the Red Line, Formosa Boulevard is about 16 minutes with no change, for 30 TWD.

The Red Line links to most city hotels, so unless you have a lot of luggage the metro is quicker than a taxi. First and last trains vary by station and direction, so for late flights check the metro operator's first and last train information first. Tap in and out with an iPASS card. For the harbour, you usually change lines at Formosa Boulevard.

Plan meals in Kaohsiung around local foods such as papaya milk, seafood and Heiqiao sausages, plus the city's classic black tea. On harbour days, split one snack and one meal so they don't clash with your moves. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

Visa-exemption eligibility and length of stay depend on your nationality; check Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs before you travel, and fill in the online arrival card before arrival.

Pier-2's closing time varies by day, so arrive before 18:00 Monday to Thursday. Check return ferry times so they don't clash with your evening plans.

Before you leave Kaohsiung

• Complete the online arrival card
• Check passport validity against the official requirements
• Check Pier-2's closing time for the day
• Check the return ferry from Cijin
• Check entry requirements on the official sources

• First time in Kaohsiung: take the Red Line in and give Pier-2 and Cijin a day each.
• Airport access matters: the airport station is about 16 minutes from the city with no change, so arrival day stays light.
• Seeing the surroundings: with 4 nights, add the lakeside sights on day three.