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South Korea

Seoul

Old and new Seoul face each other across the Han River, tied together by one of the world's largest metro networks.

KTX / SRT (high-speed rail)

No ticket gates: buy a ticket and walk straight to the platform. KTX runs from Seoul and Yongsan stations, SRT from Suseo on the Gangnam side. Overseas cards work in SRT's app; for KTX the letskorail site is safest.

Updated on July 30, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Pick your departure station
    Downtown side: KTX from Seoul or Yongsan Station. Gangnam side: SRT from Suseo (Line 3, Suin-Bundang Line, GTX-A).
  2. 2
    Book your ticket
    Book SRT via its app or website, KTX on the letskorail site or at a counter. Weekends and holidays sell out days ahead.
  3. 3
    Consider the KORAIL PASS
    Doing several intercity trips? Consider the KORAIL PASS - SRT is excluded, and you reserve a seat for each ride.
  4. 4
    No gates - walk straight to the platform
    No gates, nothing to tap. Platforms go up on the boards 15-20 minutes before departure - board with your app QR or paper ticket.
  5. 5
    Take your assigned seat
    Sit in your assigned seat - conductors check tickets against seat data on handheld devices.
  6. 6
    Exit straight out
    No gates at arrival either - just walk out. Continue onto the subway or buses with T-money (or your KORAIL PASS+).

Fares

Single fares3

KTX Seoul-Busan (standard)
Frozen since 2011. The fastest KTX-Cheongryong costs the same; first class costs extra.
59,800 KRW ≈ $44
SRT Suseo-Busan (standard)
About 10% (7,200 won) cheaper than KTX on the same corridor.
52,600 KRW ≈ $39
Conventional rail Seoul-Busan (Mugunghwa / ITX-Saemaeul)
Mugunghwa 28,600 / ITX-Maum (Saemaeul class) 42,600 won. Around 5 hours - the budget option
28,600〜42,600 KRW ≈ $21–32

Passes & multi-ride1

KORAIL PASS (unlimited)
Covers KTX and conventional rail. 3-day 186,000 / 4-day 234,000 won
131,000〜275,000 KRW ≈ $97–200

Add-ons & fees1

KORAIL PASS+ transit card add-on
Works on subways, buses and in stores. Issued at NAMANE kiosks (Incheon Airport, Seoul Station etc.)
8,000 KRW ≈ $6

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

Seats are assigned, with booking open from 1 month ahead (extending to 2 months from October 2026). Fridays through Sundays and holidays sell out days ahead - book early. Same-day tickets are sold at counters, machines, and apps until departure.

Payment

Tap to ride
No tap-to-ride - you need a ticket
IC card
T-money doesn't work on intercity trains - it's for city transit
App tickets
SRT takes overseas cards; for KTX the letskorail site is safer
Paper tickets
Sold at counters and machines - counters are safest for overseas cards
Cash
Accepted at counters and ticket machines

Quick facts

Hours
~5:15–24:00
Frequency
Every 10-30 min to Busan
Fares from
59,800 KRW+

Heads-up

  • A trial KTX from Suseo and SRT from Seoul Station

    Since February 2026 one daily KTX runs from Suseo and one SRT from Seoul Station on a trial basis - the basic split (Seoul Station = KTX, Suseo = SRT) still holds for now.

Timetable

Operating hours ~5:15–24:00
Typical duration Seoul to Busan takes about 2h20m on KTX or SRT (the fastest KTX-Cheongryong does it in 2h17m)
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka