Traveling in Taiwan is a joy for many — vibrant cities, world-class food, scenic landscapes, and efficient public transport. But how friendly is Taiwan’s transport for travellers with mobility challenges or disabilities? The short answer: Taiwan is working hard to be more accessible, and many mainstream transport options are already welcoming — with a few things to know before you go.
Arriving in Taiwan
Taiwan’s main international gateway, Taoyuan International Airport, provides free assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Support is available from check-in through to baggage claim, including wheelchair assistance, accessible toilets, and priority lanes through immigration where required. Assistance should ideally be requested with your airline in advance, but if you can find and approach staff upon arrival you may still be able to get assistance if they have enough staff to provide it.
Despite adding the DPNA code to our bookings when flying into and out of Taiwan TPE airport, it is not enough for them to turn up and provide support. It is best to contact the airline and discuss your actual needs and any help you need so you can be sure it is arranged and someone will be there to meet you. Unsure what help you need? Check out my guide to getting help at the airport.
From the airport, onward travel options include accessible taxis, the Taoyuan Airport MRT, and adapted private transfers, making it relatively straightforward to reach Taipei, Keelung and surrounding areas.
Metro Systems (MRT)
Taiwan’s metro systems form the backbone of accessible travel in its cities, particularly in Taipei and Kaohsiung.
The Taipei Metro is widely regarded as one of the most accessible metro systems in Asia. Every station offers step-free access, with elevators from street level to platforms, wide ticket gates suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, tactile paving for visually impaired travellers, and accessible toilets within stations. Trains include designated wheelchair spaces and priority seating, and station staff can provide boarding ramps where needed.
The Kaohsiung MRT follows a similar approach, with modern stations, clear signage, lifts, and barrier-free access throughout, making it another city that is easy to navigate without a car.
Metro travel is often the simplest and most reliable way to move around Taiwan’s cities, even during busy periods, although allowing extra time at peak hours is sensible. We originally planned to use the train in Taiwan to get from the airport to Ximending in Taipei, but I read up a bit on how it would be on New Years Eve when we arrived and decided it was much safer and simpler to try to use a private car instead.
Intercity Rail and High-Speed Rail
For travel between cities, Taiwan’s rail network continues to improve in terms of accessibility.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail connects major destinations including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Stations are fully step-free, with elevators, accessible toilets, and trained staff available to assist with boarding. Wheelchair spaces can be reserved, and support can be arranged in advance for a smoother experience.
The conventional rail network operated by Taiwan Railways Administration is more mixed. Larger and newer stations tend to be well equipped with lifts and accessible platforms, while some smaller or rural stations may still rely on stairs or manual assistance. Checking individual stations in advance is recommended if you plan to travel outside major cities. Don’t forget to set up Google maps to accessible mode so that you are routed via elevators instead of escalators.
Buses and Coaches
Accessible bus services are increasingly common, particularly in urban areas.
Taipei operates a large fleet of low-floor buses with ramps, priority seating, and both visual and audio stop announcements. Other cities such as Taoyuan and Kaohsiung also run low-floor buses, although coverage can vary depending on the route. Some Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible and can be a useful way to reach popular attractions without hiring a car.
In more rural areas, accessibility can be less consistent, so buses may not always be the most practical option for travellers with mobility needs.
Accessible Taxis and Private Transport
Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available in several cities, particularly in Taipei. These vehicles are typically adapted vans with ramps or lifts and can carry a wheelchair user along with family members or companions. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially at weekends or during holidays, as availability can be limited.
Private accessible transfers are also available and can be a good choice for airport journeys, cruise port transfers, or sightseeing days where public transport access may be more challenging. We have used the same driver when in Taiwan when travelling between Taipei, Keelung and the airport. You can find our driver, Gary, on Instagram as Yapit Travel.
A special mention for Keelung
If you come to Taiwan by cruise ship, you will likely port up in Keelung in the North of Taiwan. As parents of children in disability pushchairs, we found Keelung very accessible (what I mean is that I do not have experience of Keelung as a wheelchair user and therefore it may be more difficult and tiring to do it in your own wheelchair as opposed to being the parents pushing the kids).
The port in Keelung has two cruise terminal buildings, the east side and the west side. I am not sure what criteria they have for ships porting up and which side they will get but here is how it worked for us:
West Passenger Terminal (here is the Google maps link): we have used this terminal multiple times, all when on the MSC Bellissima. We both boarded and disembarked at the West Passenger Terminal on Bellissima.
East Passenger Terminal (here is the Google maps link): we used this passenger terminal, when we disembarked the Norwegian Sun.
If you want to get an idea of where your ship will dock in Keelung, it is worth browsing or following the Keelung Port Services Facebook page and seeing if they post photos or information about the ship you will be on. They post regularly about cruise ships that are docked up in Keelung.
From our experience using both of these terminals in Keelung, they are well equipped for people in wheelchairs. Do be careful using the ramp that lets you on and off the ship because we witnessed someone be thrown out of their wheelchair when trying to board. There are bumps on the floor and you have to navigate them with care to stay safe.
Once you exit the cruise terminal, on both the West and East sides, you will exit to street level. Leaving from the East side is a bit easier as there is a flat paved area from the exit and leading toward the main pavements and the Maritime Plaza. The West side is a little more difficult but still possible. There are more dips in the pavements and some of those annoying paved areas with the circles cut into the stone. They always catch our wheels and cause problems moving. In the middle of the two cruise terminals is the Maritime Plaza, this is a great spot for watching ships, spotting eagles and taking photos in the cool displays. There are two elevators you can use in Keelung from street level to get up to a higher part of the city: Keelung Tower and Xin 2nd Road Air-raid Shelter. Both of these take you from the street level to higher ground where you can use roads and walkways to visit places such as Magpie Bridge, Shoushan Pavillion and Zhongzheng Park.
The picture on the left is Keelung Tower. You enter from Yier Road where you can walk up to the bottom of the tower on either steps, or a ramp.
The picture on the right is the elevator inside Xin 2nd Road Air-raid Shelter. When you take the elevator up you will exit here: 扇形廣場.
I believe there may be a third elevator you can access along Xin’er Road, but I haven’t used it nor do I know where you’d end up if you did!
Practical Things to Know
While Taiwan’s transport systems are strong, everyday accessibility can still vary. Pavements may be uneven or cluttered, particularly outside central areas, and curb cuts are not always perfectly aligned. Historic districts and older neighbourhoods may include steps or narrow walkways even when public transport links themselves are accessible.
That said, staff across Taiwan’s transport network are generally patient, respectful, and willing to help. Awareness of disability access is improving, and accessibility legislation continues to evolve.
Taiwan is a genuinely accessible destination compared to many parts of Asia, especially when it comes to public transport. Fully accessible metro systems, improving intercity rail, expanding low-floor bus fleets, and specialist taxi services make it possible for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility to explore much of the country independently.
With a little advance planning, Taiwan offers a travel experience that is not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable for accessible travellers. To start your Taiwan travel plans, head to my Taiwan travel hub: a page full of all my Taiwan articles, destination guides, accessibility information and so much more.