Dragon Boat Festival Travel Guide: Extra Trains, Bus Discounts Ahead of Holiday

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation is rolling out comprehensive traffic management plans to ease congestion during the upcoming three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which begins Friday, June 19, 2026.

To accommodate anticipated surges in travelers heading home and on vacation, authorities have coordinated with railway, highway, and aviation agencies. The High-Speed Rail (HSR) will add 92 train services, while Taiwan Railways (TRA) will operate an additional 116 trains. Highway bus services will offer discounts of up to 60% on 85 routes, with further reductions of up to 42% possible when combined with the TPASS 2.0 travel card, encouraging greater use of public transportation.

Officials, including the directors of the Directorate General of Highways, the National Freeway Bureau, and the chairpersons of TRA and HSR, have personally appeared in social media videos to explain the key transportation measures. TRA Chairman Zheng Guangyuan emphasized that the additional trains aim to ensure smooth journeys for travelers. HSR Chairman Shi Zhe advised checking real-time queue status for unreserved seats via the LINE TODAY "Life Channel" to save time.

Traffic predictions indicate that southbound freeway traffic will peak on June 19, reaching 1.5 times the normal volume on National Freeway 5. Northbound traffic is expected to peak on June 21, with National Freeway 5 seeing 1.4 times its usual volume. Measures such as toll adjustments, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) restrictions, ramp closures, and shoulder use will be implemented. Travelers are advised to depart before 6 a.m. or after noon on peak southbound days, and before 9 a.m. on peak northbound days for western freeways. For National Freeway 5, early morning or late afternoon departures are recommended on peak southbound days, and before 9 a.m. on peak northbound days.

Specific measures are also in place for provincial highways. The Suhua Highway corridor will prioritize buses during certain hours and restrict heavy trucks. The Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau will manage traffic flow at key intersections and implement temporary closures to enhance efficiency. Air travel will see an increase in domestic flights, with airlines ready to add more services based on demand. Ferry services between the mainland and outlying islands are also being scaled up.