Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is one of Nantou’s top attractions and Taiwan’s largest natural lake. Like other famous landmarks in Taiwan, getting to Sun Moon Lake is actually quite easy. Whether you’re spending a few days in Sun Moon Lake or planning a quick day trip there to enjoy all of the very best things to do in Sun Moon Lake, there’s a transport option for you. And in this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung!
Since Taichung is the main gateway to this charming scenic area, I’ve used that as the starting point. But, I’ve also included a couple of alternative routes below if you’re coming from elsewhere in Taiwan so that you can find the easiest way to travel for you!
Ready to find out how to get to Sun Moon Lake? Let’s go!
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First Things First
If you’re not in Taichung yet, the first thing you need to do is get yourself there. The fastest and most straightforward way to do so is via high-speed train. The high-speed rail (THSR) only runs along the western coast of Taiwan, with Taichung’s HSR Station in Wuri District, just on the city’s outskirts.
If you plan to get to Taichung via high-speed train, remember to book a discounted HSR ticket* well in advance as trains fill up quickly. It’s also possible to check schedules and book a seat (up to 28 days in advance) directly on the THSR website.
For more tips, be sure also to read my detailed guide on getting to Taichung.
*Note: Discounted HSR tickets sold on Klook are not eligible for domestic use. Remember to bring your passport (incl. a valid tourist visa) with you to the station to redeem your tickets.
Klook.comHow to Get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung
Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful alpine area tucked away in the mountains of Nantou County. The lake sits roughly 750 meters above sea level, and mountains filled with thick forests surround it.
Due to Sun Moon Lake’s unique geographical location, no trains run all the way to Sun Moon Lake. As a result, the only way to get there is by car or bus.
To help you find the right transport option for you, I’ve mapped out the best ways to go to Sun Moon Lake from every departure point in Taichung below.
Taking the Bus to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung
The Sun Moon Lake bus frequently runs from several departure points in Taichung, namely Taichung HSR Station, Taichung Station, Gancheng Station and Taichung Airport.
Here’s what you need to know about each of them.
From Taichung HSR Station
- Bus 6670
- Departure Point: Exit 5, Taichung HSR Station
- Arrival Point: Shuishe Visitors Center, Sun Moon Lake
- Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hrs
- Cost: NTD 197 (one-way), NTD 360 (return)
- Buses run from 7:45 am to 8:10 pm, calling every 30 minutes.
The Nantou bus ticket booth and bus stop are located at Exit 5 of the Taichung HSR station. The station is huge, so it can be a bit confusing to find the right exit if you’re a first-time visitor. However, just follow the signboards; you need to take the escalator (or elevator) one level down. Once you get to the first floor, it’s easy to spot the Nantou Bus counter.
The Nantou Bus goes to Sun Moon Lake roughly every 30 minutes, between 7:45 am and 8:10 pm, so you’ll never have to wait too long to catch a bus. See the full bus schedules here.
However, you’ll want to take direct Sun Moon Lake bus 6670 B for the fastest route. The direct bus has the least stops along the way and should get you to SML in about 1.5 hrs. The first bus leaves at 7:45, and the last one is at 16:45.
A Sun Moon Lake bus ticket costs NTD 197 for a single trip, and a round-trip tickets costs NTD 360.
Insider’s tip: The final stop is marked as Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) on the schedule, and the bus stops right in front of the Shuishe Visitors Centre (see map). Know that if your accommodation is not in the main tourist village, you’ll need to take a boat, local bus or taxi to get there. It’s all pretty easy, so don’t worry.
From Downtown Taichung
- Bus 6670
- Departure point: Gancheng Station (map) or Taichung Station (map)
- Arrival Point: Shuishe Visitors Center, Sun Moon Lake
- Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hrs
- Cost: NTD 197 (one-way), NTD 360 (return)
- Buses run from 7:20 am to 7:48 pm, calling every 30 minutes
If you’re spending a few days in Taichung, Nantou Bus 6670 calls at Taichung Station and Gancheng Station approximately every 30 minutes between 7:20 am to 7:48 pm.
- Gancheng Station (map): first bus 7:20 am / last bus 7:45 pm
- Taichung Station (map): first bus 7:23 am / last bus 7:48 pm
It’s good to know that Nantou Bus 6670 has several codes (B, F, A, D, E, and C), but basically, the only difference between them is the route – bus 6670 B and 6670 F are slightly faster, while bus 6670 A and 6670 E stop in Puli and bus 6670 C travels via the Chung Tai Chan Monastery.
Don’t get confused with the codes; all of them go to Sun Moon Lake, and the traveling time is basically the same. See the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle website for more info on the various routes.
The bus ticket costs NTD 197 for a single trip and NTD 360 for a return trip. You can pay in cash or use an Easy Card or even the Sun Moon Lake Pass if you have one. The ride usually takes around 1h45, but if you’ve taken one of the buses that also stop in Puli, it might take a little longer.
Insider’s tip: It’s worth getting one of the Sun Moon Lake Passes if you’re planning to do lots of touristy things in Sun Moon Lake or want to save money on bus tickets. In general, you can save quite a bit of money with the pass, but it’s only really worthwhile if you’re going to make good use of it. Here’s a complete breakdown of all the Sun Moon Lake Passes.
From Taichung International Airport
- Bus 6670 E
- Departure point: Bus terminal, Taichung International Airport
- Arrival Point: Shuishe Visitors Center, Sun Moon Lake
- Travel time: 2 hrs
- Cost: NTD 231 (one-way)
- One direct bus a day at 3:10 pm
If you’ve arrived at Taichung International Airport and want to go to Sun Moon Lake directly, there are several options to do so.
The easiest option is to book a private transfer, but you can also use public transport to access the area.
If you want to take the bus, you can take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 6670 E via Taichung HSR Station to Sun Moon Lake. The journey takes just under 2 hours and costs TWD 231 if you pay in cash and TWD 201 with an Easy Card. However, you should know that this bus only runs once a day at 3:10 pm.
If that doesn’t work for you, you’ll need to catch a bus into Taichung and then get the Nantou Bus to Sun Moon Lake. Bus 156 runs to Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, while bus 30 calls at Taichung Station and Gancheng Station. Both buses run frequently, and the ride takes about 40-50 minutes on each. From there, follow the steps highlighted above.
Klook.comJoining a day tour from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is one of the best day trips from Taichung. If you don’t want to plan a thing, joining a day tour is a great stress-free alternative.
And, this 10-hour Sun Moon Lake tour from Taichung is the perfect option. It includes round-trip transfers to and from your hotel and stops by the most famous attractions in Sun Moon Lake, including the Shuiwatou Trail, Xiangshan Visitor Center, Ita Thao, Ci’en Pagoda, and Wenwu Temple. What’s more, it also includes a delicious lunch and a fun 1-hour boat cruise on the lake!
Taking a Transfer to Sun Moon Lake
Another stress-free way to get from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake is to book a transfer. This option is ideal if you’re traveling in a group or don’t feel like taking public transport.
There are both private and shared transfers to Sun Moon Lake. The fastest option is to arrange a private transfer to pick you up directly at your hotel and drop you off at your preferred location in Sun Moon Lake. Just a heads up, before booking this transfer, it’s wise to check the details carefully as there are several pick-up points. These include downtown Taichung, the train stations, and the airport.
While a private transfer is by far the fastest way to travel between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake, it’s not the cheapest option.
Therefore, if you are traveling on a tight budget and would still prefer to go to Sun Moon Lake by car, this shared transfer is a great alternative. It’s a lot cheaper than a private transfer, and the ride is just as smooth and comfortable. The only downside is that it might take a little longer to get dropped off as you’ll be traveling with other passengers with different drop-off locations.
Not sure where to stay in Sun Moon Lake? Read my guide on the very best hotels in Sun Moon Lake!
Driving to Sun Moon Lake
If you’re looking for a stunning road trip route in Taiwan, then driving to Sun Moon Lake is for you! The distance between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake is only about 80km, meaning you can easily reach the lake in less than 2 hours, depending on the traffic.
If you don’t have a car, you can rent a car here via Klook. Making a booking is super easy, and you can choose exactly where to pick up and drop off the vehicle.
Several roads can get you from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake. And the easiest way to find the right route for you is to use Google Maps. Alternatively, follow one of these recommended routes to get there.
Getting to SML from elsewhere in Taiwan
While Taichung is undeniably the easiest access point, there are a few other options to get to Sun Moon Lake for those coming from elsewhere in Taiwan.
- Taipei to Sun Moon Lake: You can go directly from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake with a private transfer or by joining this Sun Moon Lake Tour from Taipei if you are short on time. More independent travelers can also take Kuo-Kuang bus 1833 from Taipei Bus Station directly to Sun Moon Lake. The journey takes about 4 hours and costs NTD 470. It’s not the fastest way to travel to Sun Moon Lake, and I really wouldn’t recommend this option for day trippers. So, if you must take this bus, know that it would really only be worthwhile if you’re planning to stay overnight.
- Alishan to Sun Moon Lake: If you’re spending a few days in Alishan and want to squeeze Sun Moon Lake into your Taiwan itinerary, you can take the direct Yuanlin Bus 6739. Only two buses run this route per day, so make sure to plan well in advance. The first bus leaves Alishan at 1 pm and the second one is at 2 pm. The ride takes about 3 hours and costs NTD 336. You can buy a bus ticket at the 7-Eleven next to the Alishan bus station.
- Cingjing to Sun Moon Lake: Cingjing Farm, a dreamy mountaintop resort, is only about 1.5 hrs from Sun Moon Lake. A shared shuttle runs between these two tourist spots, but it’s also possible to book a private transfer here via Klook.
- Xitou to Sun Moon Lake: Xitou is another popular tourist area in Taiwan, famous for its Instagrammable Xitou Monster Village and dreamy Sun Link Sea Forest. Nantou bus 6801 runs from Xitou to Sun Moon Lake several times a day, departing at 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. (See the full schedule here).
Taichung to Sun Moon Lake in Conclusion
As you can see, getting to Sun Moon Lake is pretty straightforward if you know where to start. I hope this guide has helped you figure out the best way to go to Sun Moon Lake for you! Have a great trip!
Well, that wraps up this Sun Moon Lake transport guide. What’s your favorite way to travel from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake? Let me know in the comments below.
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