Fastest ~55-70 min by train + bus
| 🚌 Bus | ~1h-1h30 | Direct 1062 from Taipei City Hall; simple but traffic-dependent |
| 🚆 Train | ~55-70 min | TRA to Ruifang plus local bus; steadier on weekends |
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Jiufen, a former gold-mining town clinging to a mountainside above Taiwan's north-east coast, is famous for its narrow lantern-lit alleys, stacked teahouses and sweeping sea views — and for being uncomfortably crowded if you time it badly. Getting there from Taipei takes roughly an hour to ninety minutes, either on a direct bus or by train with a short connecting bus at the other end, and both use the same EasyCard you're probably already using around the city.
The direct bus (1062)
Bus 1062 runs directly from Taipei City Hall bus station, near the Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT interchange, straight to Jiufen Old Street with no changes needed. It's the simplest option on paper, but journey time is at the mercy of road traffic, particularly on the approach to Jiufen itself, and can stretch well past an hour on weekends and holidays when both the road and the parking areas near the village get congested.
Train to Ruifang, then a local bus
The alternative is a TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, on the line heading towards the north-east coast and Yilan, taking around 40–50 minutes. From Ruifang station, a short local bus (or a quick taxi) covers the remaining stretch uphill to Jiufen in about 15–20 minutes. It's one extra step compared with the direct bus, but trains run on a fixed schedule unaffected by road traffic, which can make this route more predictable overall.
Which is faster?
On a quiet weekday, the direct bus is usually simplest and about as quick as the train-and-bus combination. On weekends, public holidays and during any special lantern events, road traffic to Jiufen can back up badly, and the train-plus-bus route — with its fixed rail schedule for the first leg — often ends up more reliable, even if it involves an extra change.
The EasyCard
Taiwan's EasyCard works across the TRA train, the city and intercity buses, and the connecting local bus from Ruifang, making it by far the simplest way to pay for the whole trip without juggling separate tickets. See our EasyCard in Taipei guide if you haven't picked one up yet — it's worth having regardless of which route you choose.
Weekday vs weekend timing
Jiufen's Old Street is a single narrow lane lined with food stalls, teahouses and souvenir shops, and it simply cannot absorb the crowds that descend on weekends and holidays — expect a slow, shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle rather than a relaxed wander at peak times. Visiting on a weekday, or arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon into evening when the red lanterns are lit, makes an enormous difference to how enjoyable the visit is. If a weekend trip is unavoidable, going right at opening time is the best way to get a head start on the crowds.
What to see in Jiufen
Beyond the Old Street itself, Jiufen's real charm is in its steep, narrow side alleys and the red-lantern-strung teahouses built into the hillside, several with terraces looking out over the coastline towards Keelung — a coffee or tea stop here as the lanterns come on at dusk is the town's signature experience. The town's atmosphere is often linked to Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, though the connection is more folklore than confirmed fact and the film's director has said it wasn't a direct model; either way, the comparison draws a steady stream of visitors regardless. Jiufen also sits close to Ruifang's other attractions, including the sky-lantern town of Shifen and a scenic waterfall, worth combining if you have a full day and are already routing through Ruifang by train.
Which should you choose?
The direct bus 1062 suits a straightforward weekday trip when traffic is light. The train to Ruifang plus a local bus is the steadier choice on weekends or when you want a predictable schedule, and it opens up an easy stop at Shifen along the way. Either way, an EasyCard makes payment simple, and timing your visit for a weekday or the early morning matters more than which route you pick. If you're continuing around Taiwan, see our Taiwan by train guide, our Taipei to Kaohsiung guide for the high-speed line south, or our ferries in Taiwan guide if you're heading to the outer islands. First time in the city? Start with Taipei airport to the city.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Taipei to Jiufen?
Either the direct bus 1062 from Taipei City Hall bus station, or a TRA train to Ruifang followed by a short local bus. Both take roughly an hour to ninety minutes depending on traffic and timing.
Can I use my EasyCard to get to Jiufen?
Yes, the EasyCard works on the direct bus, the TRA train and the connecting local bus from Ruifang, covering the whole journey with one card.
When is the best time to visit Jiufen?
Weekday mornings or early evenings, when the lanterns are lit but crowds are thinner. Weekend afternoons and holidays are extremely congested on the narrow Old Street.
Is Jiufen really the inspiration for Spirited Away?
The connection is widely repeated but not officially confirmed, and the film's director has said it wasn't a direct model — the town's lantern-lit atmosphere just invites the comparison.
Sources and further reading:
- Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) — timetables for the Ruifang line.
- Taipei City Government — city and intercity bus routes.