Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan’s most visited scenic areas, and for good reason. It’s famous for lakeside temples, pretty cycling paths, cherry blossoms in spring, and the best black tea egg rolls on the island (IMO). It’s also a great add-on to any central Taiwan itinerary, especially if you’re already in Taichung or visiting nearby spots like Alishan or Cingjing.
Getting there, though, can feel a little confusing, especially if it’s your first time.
Don’t worry, though. I’ve done this trip literally dozens of times and tried all the main routes — as day trips, weekend stays, with friends, with family, and even solo. And once you know your options, it’s actually pretty straightforward.
While there’s no direct train from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake, you’ve still got a few easy options. You can take the bus, drive yourself, or join a guided tour. Here’s how each one works and how to choose the best option for your trip.
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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: TWD 197 (one-way), TWD 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 travels 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 TWD 197 for a single trip, and a round-trip tickets costs TWD 360. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance, so it’s always best to arrive at the station a little earlier to line up.
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 Google Maps). 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 (Google Maps) or Taichung Station (Google Maps)
- Arrival Point: Shuishe Visitors Center, Sun Moon Lake
- Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hrs
- Cost: TWD 197 (one-way), TWD 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 TWD 197 for a single trip and TWD 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. Please note, that you cannot reserve a seat on the bus, and you must line up.
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: TWD 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
If you only have one free day and don’t want to deal with bus schedules or driving, a guided tour is the easiest option. Everything is arranged for you, and you don’t have to think about logistics.
Since Sun Moon Lake is the most popular day trip from Taichung, there are literally dozens of tours to choose from. The best part? Most full-day tours from Taichung, like this 10-hour one, include round-trip transfers, a boat ride on the lake, and stops at main sights such as Wenwu Temple, Ita Thao, Ci’en Pagoda, and the Xiangshan Visitor Center. Some also include lunch.
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 TWD 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 TWD 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.
Need more help getting around Taiwan?
Hi can I check with u, how to go Sun moon lake from cingjing by bus.
Hey Janet, you’ll need to catch a bus from SML to Puli (bus #6289 or 6670D) and then transfer to another bus bound for Cingjing (#6658 or 6659). You’ll need to time your trip, so make sure to carefully check the schedules on Google Maps & the Nantou bus website.
Another option is to take a shared shuttle from SML directly to Cingjing. You can book it online via Klook. It will work out a bit more, but it will be much more convenient IMO.
Hey, I would like to know a few things:
1. At Taichung HSR Station, do buses get fully booked quickly, or will you always be able to get a ticket for the next bus? Also how long does it take to get a ticket?
2. Is it possible to book bus tickets in advance?
3. Are there toilet stops along the way?
4. Where can you get return tickets? Is there a ticket booth at Sun Moon Lake Visitor Center?
Hi JJ, it’s very easy to buy single or return tickets at the Nantou Bus counter at the Taichung HSR station (Exit B5). The bus works on a first-come, first-served basis, so get in line once you have your ticket. I’ve never not gotten a seat, but if it’s full, you can just wait for the next bus (you don’t need a new ticket). There are no rest stops along the way, so make sure you go before you board the bus. Hope that helps!
Update: Just finished a trip to Sun Moon Lake, and I can confirm that all the information is accurate!
I took the bus between Taichung HSR Station to Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe Visitors Center) on weekdays (Mon & Wed) and the bus was about 2/3 full. I used EasyCard to pay for the bus fare, but you can also buy tickets (including Sun Moon Lake boat tickets) at Taichung HSR.
One important thing to note is that the timetable shown on the Nantou Bus website does not reflect all of the bus stops – I took 6670D and it made a number of stops around Puli instead of just 1 stop.
About punctuality, the bus departs on time, but may arrive late. I made the mistake of booking my HSR ticket 10 minutes after the arrival time of the bus, and the bus arrived ~5 minutes late, so I had to rush up to the platform. To be safe, arrive at least 5 minutes before departure and leave at least 20 minutes for transfer.
Thanks again for the information, and hope my comment helps other travellers in the future!
That’s great, JJ – thanks for these extra tips. 🙂
Thank you for your information on getting to Sun Moon Lake. We wish to stay on Ita Thao side of the lake, how can I get from Shuishe to Ita Thao, also will have our luggage 2 x 20kg bags with us, can we take them on the buses? Thanks again.
Hey Linda – yes, u can take the luggage on the bus. You can also take the boat to cross the lake (luggage allowed too).
Hi can I know if we are able to carry our luggages with us on the bus from Taichung HSR station to sun moon lake?
Yes, that won’t be a problem. All the bases have a luggage compartment for bigger bags, and you can take smaller ones with you on the bus.
Hi, may i ask how to get from Sun Moon Lake back to Taichung Train Station? And what time do the services end for the return bus back from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung?
Hey Baey – you can catch the Nantou shuttle bus back from SML to Taichung at the Visitor’s Center in Shuishe (just marked SML on the schedule). The last bus from SML to Taichung is at 19:25, but since the schedules change from time to time, remember to check it before your trip.
Hi, I chanced upon your website when searching for info on how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung city center. thank you so much for sharing all the useful information. I have 2 questions (1) Do I need to buy the bus 6670B tickets in advance? If tickets need to be bought in advance, where do I get the tickets from? Can I simply tap my EasyCard when I get on and alight from the bus? (2) If I want to leave from Taichung Station, the exact bus stop is at the Taichung Bus Terminal (near Taichung Train Station). Is this correct?
Thank you for your time and advice.
I look forward to your reply.
Hey Will, you can’t buy bus tickets for the SML bus in advance. Simply go do the bus station and buy your ticket at the ticket office (you can pay with your Easy Card). If you’re traveling on a weekend/ holiday, it’s a good idea to get to the station a little earlier so that you can get in line, as the buses work on a “first come first serve basis”. There are now two stops where you can get on (Shuangshi Road Section 1 and Jianguo Road) – you’ll want to go to Nantou Bus Taichung Gancheng Bus Station (here on Google Maps) where the ticket office is.
Hello,
Thank you for all the info. We plan to make a day trip from Taipei via HSR Taichung. Do you know what time the last bus from SML to Taichung HSR is? We want to try and stay for the sunset and then head back to Taipei.
Thank you
Hey Seng, that sounds lovely. Yes, the last bus from SML to Taichung HSR is at 19:25. The schedule changes from time to time, so it’s a good idea to double check the Nantou Bus Schedule before you go.
Hello, thank you for this information! Really a great help for 1st time travellers to Taiwan😊
We plan on going to Xitou Monster Village 1st thing in the morning from Taipei HSR.
6:00am – Taipei to Taichung
7:30ish – Taichung Arrival
7:30 – Hop on Natou Bus going to Xitou Monster Village
9:30 – Arrival at Xitou
After Xitou, we plan on going to Sun Moon Lake ropeway only. Is there a direct bus from Xitou to SML ropeway? Can you share the bus# and timetable. As per ypur post, the Nantou bus coming from Xitou to SML is until Puli and I am confused if SML is at Puli.
Also after SML ropeway ride, what is the bus# going to Taichung National Theather? We plan to spend the resf of the day/night at Taichung town😊
What do you think? Is our day trip feasible?
Hey Frances, you can take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle #6801 from Xitou to Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe Visitors Center). From there you can take the round-the-lake bus to the ropeway.
There’s no direct bus from SML to Taichung National Theater, so you’ll first need to get back to Taichung and then from there hop in a Uber, a bus, or the MRT to get to the theater.
TBH, it might be a bit of a squeeze to fit all of this in on one day, though, as the traveling time on public transport can really cut into your day. I suggest mapping out your trip on Google Maps first so that you can get an idea of how long everything will take and then decide whether it’s feasible for you.
Hope that helps!
We are a group of 6 cyclists. Are bikes allowed on the bus from Taichung? If not, what’s the best budget transportation for both cyclista and their bikes?
Hey Teoh, I’ve never seen any bikes on the buses via Taichung, but according to the SML website some buses coming from Taipei may allow it (see here). I suggest phoning the Nantou Bus Agency directly to confirm whether or not this is possible from Taichung.