Transportation in Hualien

Hualien's transport is built around the train station downtown, it's your hub for reaching Taroko Gorge and the coast. The local bus network radiates from here, with routes clearly marked in English and Chinese. For flexibility, rental scooters cluster near the station; they're cheap and the fastest way to reach beaches north of town, but you'll need an international license. Taxis are plentiful but a splurge, use them for late returns from Taroko when buses thin out. From Hualien Airport, the shuttle bus drops you downtown in 20 minutes for a fraction of a taxi fare. Skip the touts outside arrivals. The official taxi queue is metered and honest. If you're heading straight to Taroko, some hotels arrange pickups, check when booking. First-timers often waste time trying to bus directly to the gorge entrance; instead, take any Taroko-bound bus from the train station, validate your EasyCard when boarding, and sit on the right side for ocean views.