The 4-day National Day holiday is coming soon！Peak traffic hours in Yilan and a lazy guide to traffic controls

▲ Yilan Kiwi Station. (Photo / Reporter Cai Wenjun)

Reporter Cai Wenjun / Comprehensive Report

Yilan tourism has flourished in recent years, making Yilan the backyard garden of northern Taiwan. With the 4-day National Day holiday starting on the 7th, a large volume of traffic is expected to flow into Yilan. The Yilan County Government has released this year’s “Daily Peak Traffic Periods During the National Day Holiday” as well as traffic control information for public reference. It also advises road users to plan their travel itineraries early, avoid peak hours or take alternative routes, and to consider traveling to Yilan by train or intercity bus.

October 7
Peak southbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Peak northbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: Smooth

October 8
Peak southbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Peak northbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

October 9
Peak southbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Peak northbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)

October 10
Peak southbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: Smooth
Peak northbound traffic periods on Freeway No. 5: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

▲ Yilan Railway Station (Photo / Reporter Cai Wenjun)

The following are the traffic control details:

I. Expressway Control Measures:
High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) restrictions at entrances:
1. On October 7 and 8 from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, HOV restrictions will be implemented at the southbound Freeway No. 5 entrances (Nangang System, Shiding, and Pinglin).
2. From October 8 to 10 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, HOV restrictions will be implemented at the northbound Freeway No. 5 entrances (Su’ao, Luodong, Yilan, and Toucheng). The end time for northbound HOV restrictions on Freeway No. 5 may be adjusted flexibly based on traffic conditions.
2. From October 8 to 10, from 15:00 to 20:00, high-occupancy vehicle restrictions will be implemented on the National Freeway 5 northbound (entrances at Su'ao, Luodong, Yilan, and Toucheng). Additionally, the end time of the high-occupancy vehicle restrictions on the National Freeway 5 northbound will be adjusted flexibly based on traffic conditions.
(2) Toll-free period at night: 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM.
(3) During this National Day holiday, a trial daytime off-peak discounted toll measure will be implemented. On October 7 (Day 1) from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on October 10 (Day 4) from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, tolls on both directions of the national freeway will be charged at a 30% discount.

II. Railway Transport:
During the holiday period, three round-trips of direct express regional trains will be operated daily between Shulin, Yilan, and Hualien, totaling 24 services. Discounted fares are offered: NT$100 for Taipei to Yilan and NT$200 for Taipei to Hualien.

III. Expressways and City Buses:
(1) Trial temporary expressway bus routes will be launched between Metro Sanchong Station and Luodong Transfer Station, as well as a direct route from Banqiao to Luodong Transfer Station. Some existing routes will also be extended to the Traditional Arts Center.

(2) To achieve seamless connections between public transport and tourist attractions, the Yilan County Government continues to operate local passenger transport sightseeing shuttle buses (red trunk routes + green attraction shuttles).

(3) In line with the traffic management measures for this Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday period, from 12:00 noon on October 3 to 24:00 on October 10, national highway bus routes will offer an average discount of approximately 15% on regular fares. Additionally, for the first time, a transfer discount is being implemented where passengers transferring from national highway buses to local passenger transport services using an electronic ticket can enjoy free rides on either highway buses (basic fare of NT$21) or urban buses (single segment fare). Detailed information on discounts and how to apply can be found on the website of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Highway Bureau.

(4) The half-price discount for the "Taiwan Tourist Shuttle" electronic ticket has been extended until October 15.

IV. Temporary Parking Lots:
(1) To meet the parking demand in Nanfang’ao during the holiday period, the Yilan County Government and Su’ao Township Office have coordinated with Su’ao Harbor to allocate Piers 12 and 13 as temporary parking areas.
(2) During the holiday period, the Yilan County Government’s Education Department has coordinated the opening of 21 schools under its jurisdiction to provide temporary parking spaces in response to increased parking needs.