How to get from Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station

Liuhe Night Market sits just a short walk from Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5), and Kaohsiung Main Station (R11) is only one stop away on the Red Line. For most travelers, the fastest and easiest choices are walking (if you have light luggage) or a 1-stop MRT ride; taxis and ride-hailing are convenient late at night or with bags. If you need onward rail connections, check Taiwan Railway (TRA) schedules before leaving the market area.
At A Glance (Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station)
| Mode | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🚶 Walk (Direct Street Route) | ~10–20 min (depending on your position in the night market) | Budget travelers, light luggage, pleasant weather |
| 🏷️ Cost: Free | Useful if you want a quick stop at the Dome of Light / station guide area | ||
| 🚇 MRT (Formosa Boulevard R10 → Kaohsiung Main Station R11) | ~2 min train ride (+ 5–10 min station access/waiting) | Fastest overall, easy navigation, most travelers |
| 🏷️ Cost: Usually low city-fare range (Kaohsiung MRT fares are distance-based) » timetable / station list | tourist pass listings (alt.) | ||
| 🚕 Taxi / Ride-Hailing | ~5–10 min (traffic/light conditions) | Late night, heavy luggage, groups, rain |
| 🏷️ Cost: ~NT$100–200 typical short-hop range (meter/traffic-dependent) » private transfer option | pre-book car alternative | ||
| 🚌 City Bus (Short Local Hop) | ~10–25 min total (route/wait dependent) | Flexible travelers if a bus arrives first |
| 🏷️ Cost: Low local fare; check stop signage/app in real time » local transport overview | ||
Which Option or Route Should You Choose?
- Fastest / Most Convenient (most travelers): Option #2 — MRT. It is only one stop from Formosa Boulevard (R10) to Kaohsiung Main Station (R11), with frequent service and clear English signage.
- Cheapest / Most Economical: Option #1 — Walk if you are staying nearby and carrying light bags.
- Best in Rain / With Heavy Luggage / Late Night: Option #3 — Taxi / Ride-Hailing (also practical for families or groups).
- Flexible If a Bus Comes First: Option #4 — City Bus, but check route direction carefully because the trip is very short and waiting time can exceed walking/MRT time.
How to Book and Practical Tips
- MRT: Use a single-journey token/ticket machine or tap a stored-value card (e.g., iPASS/EasyCard-compatible options shown in KRTC fare tools). Check the Kaohsiung Metro train schedule page if you are traveling late.
- TRA onward trains: If you are heading beyond Kaohsiung (Tainan, Pingtung, etc.), confirm your departure time on the Taiwan Railway official site before leaving the market.
- THSR connections: Taiwan High Speed Rail uses Zuoying (not Kaohsiung Main Station). If your train is THSR, check THSR timetable & fare search and allow extra transfer time.
- Luggage strategy: If you want to explore the market before heading to the station, compare luggage storage in Kaohsiung or use station lockers (availability varies).
- Hotels near the station: If you have an early train, checking Kaohsiung hotels near Kaohsiung Main Station can make departure morning easier.
- Ride-hailing alternatives: In Kaohsiung, travelers commonly use Uber and local taxi dispatch apps/services (availability may vary by hour). For fixed-price transfers, GetTransfer and Welcome Pickups are alternatives.
🚶 Option #1 — Walk (Cheapest, Very Easy if You Have Light Bags)
Free Simple route Weather-dependent
- Overview: Liuhe Night Market is in central Kaohsiung and is close enough to Kaohsiung Main Station for a straightforward walk. Depending on where you start within the market and your pace, expect roughly 10–20 minutes.
- How to do it (cost): Free. Use a map app and head toward Kaohsiung Main Station / 高雄車站. If you are near Formosa Boulevard Station already, you can also follow signs and decide whether to continue on foot or switch to the MRT option.
- Pros: No waiting, no fare, flexible. Cons: Less ideal in rain/heat, with large luggage, or if you are rushing for a train.
Step-by-step: Walking route
- Identify your position in the market (many travelers start near the MRT side around Formosa Boulevard Station).
- Open your map app and search for Kaohsiung Main Station / 高雄車站.
- Follow major roads with sidewalks; keep an eye out for station signage and the large station complex.
- If you need a restroom, ticket machine, or more reliable wayfinding, enter Formosa Boulevard Station and switch to the MRT for one stop.
Getting to the main embarking points (Liuhe Night Market walking start points)
- Main start area: The market stretches along Liuhe 2nd Road; choose the end closest to Formosa Boulevard Station if you want the shortest walk toward the station corridor.
- Best for travelers with bags: Start from the market side nearest big roads/taxi pickup points to avoid weaving through crowds.
- Backup plan: If sidewalks feel crowded or it starts raining, flag a taxi or switch to Option #2 (MRT).
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚇 Option #2 — MRT (Fastest for Most Travelers, Best Overall)
Fast Easy signage Need station access
- Overview: Walk to Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5), then take the Red Line one stop north to Kaohsiung Main Station (R11). The in-train ride is about 2 minutes, and total time is often around 7–15 minutes including walking into the station, waiting, and exiting.
- How to book (with price): Buy a single-journey token/ticket at the station or tap a transit card. KRTC fares are distance-based; this is a short trip and typically in the low fare range. Check station and timetable details on Kaohsiung Metro timetable and guide maps. Travelers comparing tourist transport products can also browse Klook Kaohsiung transport listings or Trip.com rail/travel tools for broader Taiwan planning.
- Pros: Very fast, frequent, weather-protected, simple. Cons: Slight station walking; not ideal if you are already in a taxi with heavy luggage.
Step-by-step: MRT (Formosa Boulevard → Kaohsiung Main Station)
- From Liuhe Night Market, walk to Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5) entrance (many entrances are nearby around the market area).
- Follow signs for the Red Line toward Kaohsiung Main Station (R11).
- Buy a single-journey token at the machine or tap your transit card at the gate.
- Board the next Red Line train (service is generally frequent; local tourism guidance notes typical urban intervals around several minutes).
- Ride one stop to R11 Kaohsiung Main Station.
- Exit toward the TRA/rail station area and onward platforms; if you have a booked TRA train, confirm platform info on station displays or via the TRA official website.
Getting to the main embarking points (Formosa Boulevard Station entrances)
- Closest metro hub: Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5), the interchange of the Red and Orange lines, is the main MRT access point nearest Liuhe Night Market.
- Wayfinding tip: If you see signs for the Dome of Light, you are in the right station complex; then follow Red Line signs to R11.
- Late-night timing: Check last-train times on the KRTC timetable page if you are leaving the market close to closing time.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚕 Option #3 — Taxi / Ride-Hailing (Best for Luggage, Rain, or Late Night)
Door-to-door Great with luggage Higher cost
- Overview: A short taxi ride from Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station usually takes about 5–10 minutes depending on traffic lights and your pickup point.
- How to book (with price): Street taxis are common around central Kaohsiung; fares are meter-based and a short trip is often around NT$100–200 (time/traffic dependent). For pre-booked drivers, compare Welcome Pickups in Kaohsiung or GetTransfer Kaohsiung. Ride-hailing alternatives commonly used in Taiwan cities include Uber (availability varies by area/time).
- Pros: Easiest with bags, children, or bad weather; direct drop-off. Cons: Costs more than MRT/walking and may be only slightly faster than MRT for such a short route.
Step-by-step: Taxi / Ride-Hailing
- Move to a clear roadside pickup point on or near Liuhe Night Market (avoid blocking crowded stalls).
- Show the destination name Kaohsiung Main Station / 高雄車站 on your phone.
- Confirm meter use or quoted fare if using a private transfer; if using an app, verify plate number before boarding.
- Ask to be dropped at the side/entrance closest to your onward rail or hotel access.
- If you are connecting to TRA, double-check departure platform inside the station or on the TRA official site.
Getting to the main embarking points (Taxi pickup spots around Liuhe Night Market)
- Best pickup points: Main-road corners just outside the densest food-stall section tend to be easier for drivers to stop safely.
- Peak-hour tip: Move a block away from the busiest stretch if the market is crowded to reduce pickup delays.
- Alternative for scheduled trips: If you have a very early departure and want guaranteed pickup, pre-book via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚌 Option #4 — City Bus (Possible, but Usually Not Faster Than MRT/Walking)
Low fare Many routes in city center Wait time can erase time savings
- Overview: Local buses operate through central Kaohsiung and can connect the Liuhe/Formosa Boulevard area to the Kaohsiung Main Station area, but for this short trip they are usually a backup rather than the best option.
- How to book (with price): Pay local bus fare via accepted payment methods/cards (varies by operator/route). Use stop signage, local transit apps, or Kaohsiung travel resources such as the Kaohsiung local transport page to understand the city transport network. For broader Taiwan trip planning (not usually needed for this short hop), some travelers compare on 12Go.
- Pros: Cheap and useful if your bus arrives immediately. Cons: Route complexity and waiting time; not ideal if you are unfamiliar with local stop names or in a hurry.
Step-by-step: City bus short hop
- Find the nearest bus stop on a main road around Liuhe Night Market / Formosa Boulevard area.
- Check route direction carefully to ensure it goes toward Kaohsiung Main Station / 高雄車站.
- Board and pay with a transit card or accepted payment method.
- Watch for stops near Kaohsiung Main Station and exit promptly.
- If no suitable bus is arriving soon, switch to walking or MRT to save time.
Getting to the main embarking points (Nearby city bus stops)
- Where to start: Use bus stops on major roads around the market perimeter rather than the inner pedestrian-heavy market stretch.
- Language tip: Keep the destination in Chinese on your phone: 高雄車站.
- Best use case: When the weather is poor and a bus arrives before the next MRT access is practical.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
FAQ (Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station)
What is the easiest way to get from Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station?
For most travelers, the MRT (Option #2) is the easiest and fastest overall: walk to Formosa Boulevard Station, then ride one stop on the Red Line to Kaohsiung Main Station.
Can I walk from Liuhe Night Market to Kaohsiung Main Station?
Yes. The route is short enough for many travelers, and walking (Option #1) is often the cheapest and simplest choice if you have light luggage.
How long does the MRT take?
The actual train ride from Formosa Boulevard (R10) to Kaohsiung Main Station (R11) is about 2 minutes, but total time is usually longer once you include station access, waiting, and exits.
Is Kaohsiung Main Station the same as the Taiwan High Speed Rail station?
No. THSR serves Zuoying, not Kaohsiung Main Station. If you are taking high-speed rail, check the THSR timetable and fare search and allow transfer time.
Are taxis easy to get near Liuhe Night Market?
Usually yes, especially around major roads near the market. If you prefer fixed arrangements, use Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer; ride-hailing apps like Uber may also be available.
What if I have large luggage and want to explore before heading to the station?
Consider station lockers or compare Kaohsiung luggage storage options, then return for your onward train.










