Question 1

How do I get to Jiufen from Taipei?

Accepted Answer

Two main ways.

Direct bus: Keelung Bus (基隆客運) route 1062 runs from the MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing (忠孝復興) station, Exit 2, through Ruifang and Jiufen Old Street up to Jinguashi (金瓜石) / Quanji Temple. It takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, longer in traffic.

Train + bus (often better on weekends): take a TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (瑞芳), about 30–60 minutes, then any uphill bus (788, 827, 965 or 1062) for the last 10–15 minutes to Jiufen. The train avoids the road congestion that slows the direct bus on busy days.

Question 2

Where does the bus queue form in Taipei?

Accepted Answer

The route 1062 queue forms about 50 metres south of MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Exit 2, on Fuxing South Road. Note that the exact stop has moved more than once over the years, so look for the Keelung Bus 1062 sign and the line of people. On long weekends the queue here — and at Ruifang — can be long, and several full buses may pass before you board. Bus 965 (from the Banqiao/Taipei side) is often promoted as a lower-queue alternative to the 1062.

Question 3

What is the last bus home? (This is the one to plan around.)

Accepted Answer

On route 1062 (the direct Taipei line), per the operator's published timetable:

• From Taipei (Zhongxiao Fuxing) toward Jiufen: first bus 07:00, last bus 21:10.
• From Ruifang / Jinguashi back toward Taipei: first bus 05:55, last bus 21:35.

These are scheduled times on a mountain tourist route, and Taipei-side timings in particular are estimates once traffic is heavy. Always check the posted time at the stop, and give yourself a comfortable margin — being stranded on the ridge after the last bus is a real risk. Other routes (788, 827, 965) also run into the evening, but their exact last-bus times are not confirmed here; check the live timetable before relying on them.

Question 4

What does the bus cost?

Accepted Answer

On route 1062 from Taipei (cash / EasyCard):
• To Ruifang: NT$78 cash / NT$76 EasyCard
• To Jiufen: NT$95 cash / NT$90 EasyCard
• To Jinguashi: NT$106 cash / NT$100 EasyCard

If you go via Ruifang by train, the train is roughly NT$49–76 and the uphill bus is around NT$15–20. Bus 788 from Ruifang is the inexpensive workhorse (around NT$30); bus 965 from the Taipei side is around NT$90. Operator information line: 02-2433-6111.

Question 5

How often do the buses run?

Accepted Answer

Route 1062 runs roughly every 10–15 minutes at peak times and every 15–20 minutes off-peak. From Ruifang, bus 788 is frequent and reliable (the local workhorse up the hill), with 827, 965 and 1062 also serving the route. Frequencies are dependable; specific minute-by-minute schedules are best checked on the live timetable linked below.

Question 6

Should I drive, and where would I park?

Accepted Answer

Driving is discouraged, especially on weekends and holidays. Core paid lots run roughly NT$200–300, with some private lots around NT$150 for 3 hours; on-street parking right by the Old Street is effectively unavailable. Cheaper or free spots exist only further uphill (for example near Fushan Temple), with a walk back down. On national holidays the Jinguashi / Gold Museum area runs traffic control that diverts private cars to the No. 9 lot or the Shuinandong lot, with a shuttle bus up. On busy days, taking the train to Ruifang and a bus the rest of the way is genuinely easier than driving.

Question 7

Is Jiufen accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, no. Jiufen is steep and built around staircases: Shuqi Road (豎崎路) is a long stone stairway, and Jishan Street (基山街) is a narrow covered lane. There is no step-free route through the town. It is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs, and visitors with limited mobility should plan carefully and expect a lot of steps. In wet weather the stone steps also get slick.

Question 8

How long does the trip take, end to end?

Accepted Answer

Budget roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way from central Taipei, plus queueing time on busy days. The direct 1062 bus is about 1–1.5 hours in good conditions but stretches well past that in weekend traffic. The train-to-Ruifang route is more predictable: about 30–60 minutes by rail plus 10–15 minutes uphill by bus. Either way, leave early and watch the clock for the last bus down.

Getting to Jiufen & the Last Bus Home

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