This is our first post in our Busan series, and relates to taking the KTX train from Seoul to Busan. (Note this post was written in 2012, costs and other elements may have changed)
There are a number of ways to get to Busan from the Seoul area; Car, Bus, Plane but taking the train is the most popular method. A car or bus would normally take between 4 to 6 hours depending on traffic and your starting and finishing points, and can be a better option if you don’t live close to a train station. Also flying to Busan takes under an hour but you need to take into account the waiting time at the airport which as we all know can be 2-3 hours. But a KTX (high speed train) takes normally 2 and a half hours, so is the quickest method. The are other slower but cheaper trains you can take within Korea.
The Journey
Firstly you need to get to a KTX station, we traveled from Seoul Station as they have KTX trains leaving for Busan every 15minutes or so from 6am to 11pm. Next if you haven’t booked in advance you need to buy and ticket, *tip go for an allocated seat as stand for 180+ minutes is not a fun idea.* Tickets cost around ₩50,000 per person, you can get discounts if booked early or by using the Happy Rail Pass (Foreigners only).
Next find your train and seat, sit back and enjoy the ride. You travel basically straight down and so can see a great overview of the South Korean countryside as well as passing major cities such as Daegu, Daejeon, Suwon and others. Here are a few pictures, sorry about the quality the windows are a little dirty plus the train is traveling at 280kph+:
Entertainment
The on board entertainment is a magazine (all in Korean) and a TV which is silent and just shows Korean TV shows and news. So best advice bring a book, ipod, laptop etc. One advantage is there is good 3G coverage as well as free WIFI (limited to 20mb per hour).
Overall
The KTX is a get way to travel quickly, comfortably and cheaply within Korea. The main downside is that you have to travel to Seoul Station (plus a handful of others, but they have less trains) and then travel from Busan Station to wherever you need to go (Busan Station is 45minutes away from Haeundae by Bus/Subway).
For more information on tickets please check out these links:
Korean Rail English Page: http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp
KORAIL Tickets Page: http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfTicketSearch.do
Thank You
Modern Seoul
contact@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 
question: how do i get the happy rail pass? i plan to go to s. korea next year and i plan to travel from seoul to busan on our first day so we can stay in busan for about 2 days. thanks for your blog. this is informative 😀
You can reserve online http://www.korail.com/2009/htm/htm42000/w_htm42210.jsp and also the pass is great as you can use it as much or as little as you like.
Thank You.
Hi, am planning to go to Busan from Seoul from 7 -9 April 13. Is Happy rail pass the best option.
i should be buying the saver for 2-5 people, 3 days right?
Yes that’s correct, as long as the whole group are foreigners (id proof such as Passport or ARC is required) and traveling on the same schedule (same train).
Best advice is to also check with Korail:
* KORAIL Customer Service Center : 1544-7788, 1588-7788
* Information e-Mail : laeun2@korail.com
Enjoy your trip.
hi, is the 51,000 won one-way or round trip?
One way, however that is price is if you buy on the day. If you buy in advance tickets are often cheaper.
how long does it take from Busan to Seoul ? the ticket is it $50 ? thats mean is 51,000 korean won ?
It takes a similar amount of time going in the reserve direction i.e. from Busan to Seoul. The ticket price depends on when you buy it and when the train is. Normally it’s around the $50 mark but it could be more at peak times.
The Korean Rail Website lists all of the available trains and prices, link is above.
im planning to go to gimhae airport how long it takes from busan station thank you
Busan Station to Gimhae Airport:
There is a Shuttle Bus that takes around: 40mins
The Subway takes: 1 hour with 2 connections
Taxi: 30mins (depending on traffic) should cost around ₩15,000 to ₩20,000
i want to go from seoul to busan and want to take KTX just for a one time trip for a day. i saw that there is no happy rail pass for 1 day only, so is there a way i can buy the ticket cheaper? I’m with my family of 4 people. thank you
If you buy far enough in advance there are early bird discounts. It’s also maybe better so then you get seats together.
I’m not sure about Group Discounts, but if I come across any I’ll link them here.
Is there any example of how early should i buy the ticket and what is the price at that ‘early date’. Because I’m pretty short of time, probably can only buy few days before so i wonder is it worth enough to buy just few days in advance? Thanks. You’re really helping
That doesn’t sound like a great deal of time.
The KR Pass (http://www.korail.com/2009/htm/htm41000/w_htm41120.jsp) has a group saver option 2~5 people. Unlimited use for one day only 52,400 (per person). Plus you can buy online (same link). This maybe an option. It depends where you’re going to and from I guess.
I just want to take the ktx once from seoul to busan. So maybe it’s not much different from the ticket priced 54000 won u said in the article but with group saver i can save about 2000 won per person, right? Thank you!
That’s correct, that ticket is good if you’re making multiple stops along the way. However a one-way ticket to Busan from Seoul will cost about the same.
The only cheaper options are the slower trains or even slower buses.
Sorry to ask you again. I want to know about the first class ticket. How much is it? And can i have kr pass if i want to buy first class ticket? Thank you
A first class ticket normally costs around 75,000~85,000 (single trip). I’m not sure if there is a First Class Version of the KR Pass ticket, it would seem unlikely.
I want travel to busan from Seoul with my family , around 5 days how I get a happy rail , but first I will arrive from jeju island than I went to busan , what the price for adult and child 7 years old, and better make reservation before or in arrival
Thanks
You can get a Happy Rail Pass at Busan Station. The prices depend on when (date/time) and a child ticket is roughly half of an adult ticket.
Again depending when you’re traveling will affect wheather you should book in advance on not. Weekend or National Holiday book in advance otherwise you should be ok.
Hi, thank you for responding to all our questions about visiting South Korea. We want to visit Seoul, maybe go to the border with North Korea, then travel by train to Busan, and then leave to Japan with Beetle ferry (all these in 2-3 days). Please, what is the best deal on purchasing the train tickets or pass? I read something about Korea trains + ferry to Japan + Japan rail, but couldn’t understood much because was in Korean. Thank you!!
The happy rail pass maybe the cheapest option but I’m not sure if there is anything better when doing an involved trip like this. Sadly we’ve not taken the boat to mainland Japan (only Tsushima) and also never taken the train. There are however travel agents at Seoul Station who might be able to work something out for you.
Sorry we can’t be of further help.
I was talking about Foreign Railroad Traveling…Thank you!
Hi, i plan to go Busan from Seoul, will stay 1 night at Busan. What is recommened KTX rail for me? im so confused. TQ!
If you’re returning to Seoul the next day then the Happy Rail Pass is maybe the best option for you (if you’re are a non-Korean national).
Tq Modern Seoul. I checked the price at KTX website, they will increase price at 1 Mar 14 onward for Happy Rail Pass. May I know if i purchase Happy Rail Pass, I can change it on any station? For this pass, we can seat at standard class or depends on seat availability?
I have send email to them but no reply. Hope you can answer my question…Thank you so much..:)
If I’m understanding your questions correctly.
Yes, you can change trains at any station within the KORAIL network. Which is one of the benefits of the pass.
You can sit in the unreserved seats carriages, 1 or more carriages per train are left for people without seats. But at peak times there maybe none. At major stations like Seoul you can reverse seats (I think).
Okay…Thank you so much..
Which ski are u recommend at Seoul?
Ski? There is no Skiing in Seoul. Maybe Gangwon-do, but we’re not skiers / snowboarders so we’re not sure.
Thank you so much…^^
Hi modern Seoul, I understand that there is a price increase starting 1 mar 2014. I would like to know, if I do a reservation before the price increase, will I need to pay the new price when I go and collect the tickets after 1 mar 2014? Thanks!
It’s a little unclear on the website and so it could be either way. If you book in advance you could maybe argue if there was a price change.
Hello Modern Seoul,
Thank you for all the info above!!
I will be traveling with 3 friends from Seoul > Busan > Seoul this coming April, but only staying in Busan for a night.
I’m looking at the Korail passes and normal ticket prices. Normal ticket prices for KTX is about 53000won, these is only for one way right? If i get the one day Korail Pass, we can travel unlimited.. it will be much cheaper compared to buying normal tickets right?
Thank you!!
Yes and No. It is yes a lot cheaper for a single day. However in your case you’d be traveling for 2 days as you’re staying overnight. The cost per person for a happyrail pass would be 86,100 which is 20,000 cheaper.
Also remember that’s only possible for foreign nationals.
Hi Modern Seoul, hope you don’t mind me asking a few questions.
It is stated on the Korail web that for KR Pass: “Foreign travelers can freely use all the trains of KORAIL, including the general seats of KTX as well as the Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains (excluding all subways and tourist trains), without limit in terms of the travel section and the count.”
Does this mean KR Pass can be also used for ITX trains (as I see ITX-Cheongchun train under the booking page)?
My friends and I are planning to go to Seoul>Busan>Chuncheon>Seoul. (I understand that we have to return back to Seoul from Busan in order to change to the ITX train to go to Seoul.)
Lastly for the KR Pass, Youth Pass are for youths between the ages 13~25years and youths with international student identification card. Am I right to say that we would just need to show any sort of identification material (be it passport, identity card, driving license etc) to prove that we are below 25 years old?
Thank you in advance and have a great day! 🙂
We’re pretty sure you can sure the KR Pass for the ITX trains, however we have no direct experience of that situation.
An ARC or Passport would be all that’s needed to prove you’re within the Youth Pass age range.
Have a fun trip.
Hi, I plan to travel from Seoul to Busan from April 13 to 16 (4 days).
If I book online for the normal tickets, round trips (not KR pass), do I print out the confirmation email with my passport and exchange at Seoul Station on April 13 itself? Is it too rush if I want to catch 9am train? Or should I do it one day earlier?
Do I go to the Travel Centre or Ticketing Counters for exchanging ticket? Is it possible to exchange the return ticket at Seoul Station or only at Busan Station?
If I missed my train, can I go to the counter and exchange ticket for the next train without any penalty?
Sorry for many questions as I am travelling alone and first time to Busan. Kinda confused.
Thank you.
I understand it can be a little confusing and the information on the KoRail Website is also a little confusing and limited.
If you’re catching the 9am train then you should arrive in plenty of time, if you’re arriving 10mins before then that would be cutting it a little close.
There are normally plenty of information desk staff at Seoul station who’ll be able to direct you on where to go. I’d guess the ticketing counters, but it doesn’t hurt to check and not waste time.
I’m not sure about changing trains without penalty, there are so many and they come so often it doesn’t seem like it would be an issue. But you might not get a seat.
Sorry I can’t answer in more detail but every situation is different and it’s been a while since taking the KTX down to Busan.
Good luck
hi 50,000 won is for 1 way ticket from seoul to busan? if round trip how much will that be for 2 pax?
Prices actually increased on March 1st to 53,300 for an assigned seat (from Seoul) and 49,200 (from Busan). There is no difference single vs. return.
So for 2 people return (round trip) it would cost roughly 205,000. But prices change and differ depending on date and time.
Hi!
Nice blog you have here! Would like to ask a couple of questions here, hope you don’t mind.
I visited this website –> http://www.korail.com/en/ to check out about the KTX price for foreigners if we were to book beforehand, which is KR Pass and under saver’s category, it is 60,300KRW. Actually I’m quite confused by this KR Pass and booking online. Do you have any idea about it?
Thanks
Honestly we’ve never personally booked it online, however on the page where you saw the price there is a blue flashing box. If you click on that you’ll go into a reservation page. There are F&Qs and more information on the pass there.
Sorry we can’t help further, but as mentioned we’ve never done it :(.
Hi, me and my family are going to Busan next week from Manila, June 11 (eta 11pm) and will fly back on the 15th (etd 8:30pm). We would like to make the most of our time and see as much as we can of South Korea. Which would be better:
Option 1:
June 12 Busan
June 13 Busan
June 14 Seoul (travel to Seoul as early as possible)
June 15 Travel back to Busan (lunch time)
OR
Option 2
June 12 Busan
June 13 travel to Seoul as early as possible
June 14 Seoul
June 15 travel back to Busan (lunch time)
Your help would be much appreciated.
It depends a little on what you’re looking to do on your trip. Busan has the beach, bars and seafood. Seoul has bars but more tourist sites and museums.
Trains wise both Friday and Saturday morning are pretty busy.
Personally we’d go for option 2 but once again it depends on you.
Hi Modern Seoul. Thank you very much for your quick response. Option 2 it is then. 🙂
Good evening, everyone! I tried the recommended websites, but in vain. Here is one that works. http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfTicketSearch.do
Online ticket purchase is possible one month before the journey, to be more precise one month less one day… Enjoy!
HI! Informative blog! My children (2y/o and 4y/o) will be in Korea in the next 10 days, we will be going to Daegu. I am kinda confused booking a reservation online, but I still did it. I made three reservation, first for myself, then for my 2 year old I put ‘child” and that goes same with my 4 year old. Is that right? or is it better if I click the SAVER?
We will be arriving 730 pm and from the airport, we need tio ride the train going to seoul to catch the KTX right? Thank you for your help!
Not sure about which ticket is better as it’s been a few years since we took the train and we also didn’t travel with children.
In regards to traveling from the airport, there is an express train and as well as the AREX Subway line, both go to Seoul Station.
Hi, there! good writing for your traveling to Busan. Busan is also one of nice city in Korea, so I strongly recommend to visit there again. Also I want to introdue ‘Korail pass’ for you. Korail pass is KTX(high speed train connected to out of city places)pass, so if you purchase this pass, you can take all KTX line during your pass period. There are 1day, 3days, 5days and 7days pass and also you can choose normal, saver and youth pass. saver pass is when you and your friends are between 2 and 5 people, and youth pass is ages between 13 and 25. If you are interested in this pass, please visit this homepage ‘http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do’ and also you can purchase that from travel center in ICN(located in B1). Only credit card payment is available so you have to keep your credit card if you want to buy pass in ICN. Thank you.
Hi there, I like to check if we are allow to carry our luggage onto the KTX train from Seoul to Busan. If yes, are there any limit on the number of pieces we can carry on board
Yes it’s possible. But I don’t know the limits as it’s been over 5 years since I last took the KTX. Maybe check their website.