와이아오 역 (Wai'ao Station, 外澳站 )
Introduction
The best train station to conveniently access Wushigang beach, surfing area, and fishery harbor, Wai'ao is a small rural station serviced by local trains. Express trains will not stop at this station. There are no employees working at this station.
Neighboring Toucheng Station provides express services to stations all over the island, however the time saved may not be worth the extra effort transferring between trains unless traveling further than Taipei or those who prefer reserved seating. Besides taking a local train southward to Toucheng, a taxi may be preferable to cover the short distance, or walking around 30 minutes from the beach and harbor to Toucheng town area is also an option.
Located in
Address
宜蘭縣頭城鎮濱海路2段217號
No. 217, Section 2 Binhai Rd.
Toucheng Township, Yilan County
A small, local station along the Yilan Line of the train system, Wai'ao Station is most commonly used by visitors to conveniently access the volcanic, black-sand, surfer-friendly beach next to Wushigang Harbor. Nearby the beach area is the Lanyang Museum of local archaeology and a fishery harbor with many restaurants. An alternative to train service is intercity bus service between the bus stop in front of the harbor's visitor center and Nangang Exhibition Center Station in eastern Taipei City at the end of the Taipei MRT Blue Line.
Only local train service is available at Wai'ao station, taking around 2 hours from Taipei Main Station. For additional services, visitors can travel to Toucheng Station then backward one station on a local train or the quicker intercity bus which travels through the tunnel on highway NH5. Be aware that the bus may be caught in heavy traffic during peak times, whereas the train is rarely delayed.
Purchasing tickets at this rural station may be a challenge, and since only local trains are available with no option to reserve seats, passengers are highly recommended to simply use an Easycard.