Taiwan Railways’ “Cruise-style Train” Defies the Odds, Creating a New Blue Ocean in Railway Travel

▲A Taiwan Railways “cruise-style train” with a specially painted carriage. (Photo / Courtesy of Taiwan Railways Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)

Travel Center / Taipei Report

Planning a weekend getaway but still deciding between driving or taking a bus? Why not try a two-day, one-night train trip? Taiwan Railways’ “cruise-style train” package tours operate much like a cruise ship, stopping at each station for sightseeing before continuing to the next. The package includes transportation, meals, accommodation, attraction visits, and guided tours, offering a worry-free travel experience. This style of travel has gained popularity among many tourists, with many hot itineraries selling out well in advance.

Over six years ago, when the high-speed rail began operations, Taiwan Railways faced a crisis of deficits. To address its financial challenges, Taiwan Railways proposed the concept of cruise-style trains—transporting passengers to scenic spots where they could disembark and explore, then boarding again to head to the next destination. The itinerary included transportation, meals, lodging, and sightseeing, giving rise to a new form of tourism.

In recent years, Taiwan Railways has designed “cruise-style trains” with carriages that differ from regular trains—vintage blue trains paired with colorful paintings, adding a youthful vibrancy. However, the most unique lately has been the steam locomotive. The national treasure-level steam locomotive CK124 ran two special services this month for the Old Mountain Line Cultural Festival, taking passengers on a nostalgic journey through charming little stations, such as the Shengxing Station—the highest on the Western Trunk Line—and the Tai’an Station, which was rebuilt after being damaged in the 1935 Hualien-Taitung Earthquake.

Taiwan Railways’ “cruise-style train” itineraries are quite diverse. For example, the “Whale & Butterfly Summer, Hualien Hot Air Balloon 2-Day Tour” departs from Wurih, Taichung. The first stop is a visit to the Peitou Historic Block in Wanhua, Taipei. Lunch is served on the train via a railway lunchbox. In the afternoon, passengers go whale watching by boat, spend the night at a hotel in Hualien, and those who enjoy night markets can explore the famous Ziqiang Night Market for local street food. On the second day, the focus is on ecology—travelers can choose a leisurely forest walk to enjoy nature’s serenity or opt for a relaxing hot spring experience. Finally, the “cruise-style train” follows the original route to bring all passengers back, eliminating any worries about travel fatigue.

In addition, Taiwan Railways has also planned one- or two-day “cruise-style train” itineraries to match various regional travel events. Whether you want to take a hot air balloon ride in Taitung, go treasure hunting along the coastal route to Jiufen and Jinguashi, or embark on a historical journey in the ancient town of Lukang, you can search on Taiwan Railways’ official website.Cruise-style TrainSearch.