Major city · Taiwan
Kaohsiung高雄
Go to Kaohsiung for a warm, relaxed port city with art zones, harbor views and night markets: 2 nights, about 1 h 40 min from Taipei by high-speed rail, and the best base for the far south.
Kaohsiung is southern Taiwan's largest city and its main port. Old harbor warehouses have been turned into art and design zones, and the city has a metro, a light rail loop and a long harbor promenade. It is less compact than Tainan, so plan by neighborhood. Add it to a west-coast rail trip after Tainan, or use it as the starting point for Kenting and the southern beaches.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (dry, warm)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, typhoons)
- Airport
- KHH
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kaohsiung110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English)0800-011-765
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kaohsiung, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyVery safe by global standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 0800-011-765 Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKHH Kaohsiung International (Red Line MRT runs from the airport to Kaohsiung Main Station and Formosa Boulevard in about 20–25 min…
- Getting aroundThe MRT (Red and Orange lines) and the Circular Light Rail cover the main areas; single rides are about NT$20–60 (≈ US$1–2) (2026 estimate).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KHH Kaohsiung International (Red Line MRT runs from the airport to Kaohsiung Main Station and Formosa Boulevard in about 20–25 min; taxi about NT$250–400 (2026 estimate).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Aug (18 rain days), driest Nov (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kaohsiung: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The MRT (Red and Orange lines) and the Circular Light Rail cover the main areas; single rides are about NT$20–60 (2026 estimate). Buy an EasyCard or iPASS to tap on the MRT, light rail, buses and the Cijin ferry. Taxis start around NT$85–100 (check) and ride-hailing works. Public YouBike bikes are common along the harbor.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fo Guang Shan
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus from Kaohsiung Main Station or Zuoying, about 1 h
Large Buddhist monastery and Buddha Memorial Center; go in the morning.
Cijin Island
goDoor to door: About 45 min
MRT to Sizihwan, then a short ferry (about 10 min)
Seafood, beach and a bike loop; crowded on weekends.
Tainan
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
High-speed rail from Zuoying to Tainan, about 15–20 min, then the Shalun train
Easy day for temples, forts and street food; see the Tainan page.
Kenting
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus from Zuoying or Kaohsiung, about 2–2.5 h
Beaches and national park; long for a day trip, stay a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Kaohsiung Main Station
Rail, MRT Red Line and the long-distance bus terminal; easiest if you arrive with bags or move on by train.
Sanduo Shopping District
Central and lively, with department stores, food streets and Orange Line and light rail access.
Yancheng / Pier-2
Walkable to the art zone, harbor promenade and cafes; quieter at night than Sanduo.
Zuoying (HSR station)
Only if you have an early train; the station is about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the main sights, connected by the Red Line.Only if you have an early train; the station is about 6.2 mi (10 km) from the main sights, connected by the Red Line.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$700–1,100 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$1,100–2,200 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- High
- NT$2,200 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Summer is hot and humid; typhoons can close transport and cancel flights, so allow slack in your schedule from July to October.
- Scooters crowd crossings and park on pavements; use the crossing signals and do not step out between them.
- Night-market food stalls may not take cards and prices are not always posted; carry small cash.
- The MRT bans eating, drinking and chewing gum inside stations and carriages, with fines.
- The Cijin ferry is busy on weekends and holidays; go early or use the light rail and MRT link.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Taiwan Tourism Hotline (24 h, English)
- 0800-011-765
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kaohsiung. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar (dry, warm) · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, typhoons) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed and Zuoying-to-bed checks with last MRT times field-verified.
- Neighborhood clusters with rescue anchors: Main Station, Sanduo, Pier-2 and Cijin.
- Place and eat pages with verified closing days (night markets, Fo Guang Shan, Pier-2).
Sources
- officialTaiwan Tourism Administration
- secondaryWikivoyage — Kaohsiung
Ask about Kaohsiung
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