The Best Way To Get From Seoul To Busan: A Simple Guide
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea, visiting both Seoul and Busan is a must. Many locals from Seoul to Busan to escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul. Who else wouldn’t want to relax by the beach and enjoy the pleasant ambiance? While there are various ways to travel between these two cities, the train is arguably the easiest, most convenient, and preferred option.
If you’re a fan of the zombie movie Train to Busan, you’ll probably want to take this cool train to say you survived the actual train to Busan (haha). While I can’t promise any zombie sightings on your real-life KTX journey, it’s still an exciting and memorable way to travel between these two iconic South Korean cities. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through how to take the KTX train from Seoul to Busan.
Why Take the Train from Seoul to Busan?
There are numerous reasons why you should take the train from Seoul to Busan:
- Convenience: The KTX train is fast, reliable, and comfortable, making it the easiest way to travel between Seoul and Busan. Many trains are servicing this route daily, usually leaving every 5-15 minutes, and are all direct—no transferring required.
- Scenic Views: The train ride offers breathtaking views of the Korean countryside, with mountains, rivers, and forests along the way. Take advantage of the large viewing windows and soak in all the scenery.
- Cost-Effective: While the train ticket price varies depending on the time of day and whether you opt for a first-class or standard seat, it’s generally cheaper than other modes of transportation, which I’ll explain later on.
- Fast: The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, with speeds reaching up to 300 km/h. Once you get on the train, you’ll be in Busan before you know it! You can watch a movie, read a book, or take a nap in that amount of time.
What Stations Does the Seoul to Busan KTX Train Depart From?
There are four options: Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Cheongnyangni Station, and Yoeungdongpo Station. Seoul Station is the main central station and is in the heart of the city. Thankfully, no matter which station you depart from, the Seoul to Busan train will always end at Busan Station. All train stations in Korea are readily accessible by taxi or public transit, like the bus and subway.
Seoul to Busan Train Schedule
About 55-56 KTX trains are going from Seoul to Busan daily.
| DEP. TIME (SEOUL) | ARR. TIME (BUSAN) |
|---|---|
| 5:12 | 7:49 |
| 05:17 | 08:15 |
| 05:27 | 08:15 |
| 05:57 | 08:42 |
| 06:02 | 08:48 |
| 06:32 | 09:21 |
| 06:56 | 09:38 |
| 07:27 | 10:09 |
| 07:49 | 10:19 |
| 07:57 | 10:45 |
| 08:11 | 11:32 |
| 08:34 | 11:03 |
| 08:57 | 11:15 |
| 09:27 | 12:16 |
| 09:32 | 12:48 |
| 09:57 | 12:45 |
| 10:11 | 13:34 |
| 10:27 | 13:13 |
| 10:57 | 13:41 |
| 11:57 | 14:41 |
| 12:24 | 15:02 |
| 12:57 | 15:47 |
| 13:07 | 16:23 |
| 13:17 | 15:58 |
| 13:48 | 16:24 |
| 13:57 | 16:34 |
| 14:14 | 16:38 |
| 14:18 | 16:49 |
| 14:27 | 17:11 |
| 14:57 | 17:39 |
| 15:39 | 18:11 |
| 15:44 | 18:20 |
| 15:57 | 18:41 |
| 16:02 | 19:20 |
| 16:28 | 18:58 |
| 16:57 | 19:40 |
| 17:12 | 20:15 |
| 17:22 | 20:11 |
| 17:57 | 20:35 |
| 18:12 | 20:54 |
| 18:23 | 21:13 |
| 18:40 | 22:00 |
| 18:52 | 22:13 |
| 18:57 | 21:38 |
| 19:34 | 22:09 |
| 19:57 | 22:37 |
| 20:12 | 22:41 |
| 20:27 | 23:00 |
| 20:48 | 23:57 |
| 20:57 | 23:45 |
| 21:27 | 00:04 |
| 21:37 | 00:47 |
| 21:57 | 00:42 |
| 22:27 | 01:03 |
| 22:27 | 01:03 |
How to Take the KTX Train from Seoul to Busan
Step 1: Choose Your Train
Several KTX trains run between Seoul and Busan, with varying prices and departure times. You can choose to purchase individual tickets or a KTX train pass if you plan on making multiple trips.
Step 2: Purchase Your Ticket
You can purchase your KTX train ticket online, at the station, or through a travel agency. However, I recommend buying the ticket ahead of time online for peace of mind, especially during peak travel seasons, to ensure availability. You can choose from an economy or first-class seat.
Step 3: Arrive at the Station
On the day of your trip, arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. The central train stations are large and can be confusing to navigate, especially if it’s your first time there. The trains leave on time and never late, and you don’t want to miss your train. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the next one and potentially pay for another ticket. Make sure to bring your passport or ID and your printed or electronic ticket.
Step 4: Board the Train
Once you arrive at the correct platform, board the KTX train and find your reserved seat. If you’re traveling with luggage, overhead compartments and storage space are at the end of each car.
Step 5: Enjoy the Ride
The KTX train ride from Seoul to Busan takes approximately 2.5 hours. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views on the way to Busan. Most trains have free wifi you can connect to and restrooms at the end of each cart. If you get peckish, you can either buy snacks from the convenience stores inside the station or look for vending machines on the train.
How Much Does it Cost to Take the KTX Train from Seoul to Busan?
The cost of a KTX train ticket from Seoul to Busan varies depending on the time of day and whether you opt for a first-class or standard seat. Generally, prices range from 50,000 to 84,000 won. A cool hack I found on Reddit for some KTX trains is that you should pick seats in Cab 5. When KTX trains were first built, Cab 5 was the first class car, but it became economy seats due to a lack of demand. As a result, seats in Cab 5 should have more legroom and better seats. I’ll have to try this out next time I take the KTX train!
How to Buy KTX Tickets
Buy all your KTX train tickets online from the Korean Rail (Korail) website. It’s easy to use and straightforward—it beats buying tickets in person! It saves both you and the train station time. Once you purchase your tickets, you’ll get an email confirmation with your train ticket QR code. Take a screenshot of your ticket if you don’t have wifi before boarding, or your phone runs out of battery. It’s also good practice to print tickets if you can access a printer, just in case.
You can check train schedules on the Korail website and purchase tickets up to one month in advance.
KTX vs. SRT High-Speed Train
There’s actually another high-speed rail company in Korea called the Super Rapid Train. The train speeds are similar, but the main difference is that SRT trains do not service Seoul Station. Its main service station is Suseo Station, which goes to Busan. SRT trains also do not take the Korail pass, and because KTX and SRT are different companies, you have to purchase SRT trains on a different website. If your accommodation is nearer to Suseo Station, then SRT trains may be a better high-speed train option for you.
Other Ways to Get From Seoul to Busan
While the KTX train is the easiest and most convenient option, there are other ways to travel between Seoul and Busan. Keep in mind that the Seoul to Busan distance is 320 km.
Slow Train
If you’re looking for a more leisurely trip, you can take the slow train from Seoul to Busan. While this option takes (much) longer than the KTX train, it’s a more affordable option, with prices ranging from 24,000 to 43,000 won. The slow train takes approximately 5-6 hours to travel between Seoul and Busan and has frequent stops along the way.
This option is best for someone traveling on a budget, as it’s much cheaper than the high-speed train. Two types of slow trains service the Seoul to Busan route. Both of them travel at different speeds—the slower the train, the cheaper it is:
- ITX: 4 hrs 40 min from 40,500 won (30 USD)
- Mugunghwa: 5 hrs 24 min from 24,300 won (18 USD)
While the slow trains are cheaper, the downside is that they take more travel time and come less frequently than the high-speed KTX train. The Mugunghwa is also the oldest train in Korea, so the conditions of the carts are poorer than other trains. It’s not the most comfortable, but it has great coverage because it stops at every station. It is more of a sightseeing train! Like the KTX, you can purchase tickets and view train schedules on Korail.
Flying
Several airlines operate flights between Seoul and Busan, with flight times averaging 1 hour. This option is more expensive than taking the KTX train or slow train, with prices ranging from 66,000 to 100,000 won ($50-75) roundtrip, depending on the airline and time of day. However, flying may be the best option if you’re short on time and want to get to Busan quickly.
You can fly out of two airports in Seoul: Gimpo International Airport (GMP) or Incheon International Airport (ICN). All flights from Seoul to Busan land at Gimhae International Airport (PUS). All airports in South Korea are accessible by taxi or public transportation, like the bus and subway.
While flying is the quickest way to travel between the two cities, it is not the most convenient. Even though it’s a short flight, you’ll have to get to the airport an hour or two before your flight to walk through the airport and get through security. After accounting for travel time to and through the airport and flying to your destination, you spend more time traveling than taking the KTX train.
You also have to get from Busan airport to your accommodation as well, which takes even more time. The Busan station is in the heart of the city, making it extremely convenient to get to your accommodation. On my trip to Busan in June of this year, I only took 7 minutes to get to my hostel! And I walked from the train station!
Bus
Buses are another popular option for travel between Seoul and Busan, with departures available from various bus terminals in Seoul. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on traffic and the time of day. Bus fares start at around 25,000 won, and both standard and deluxe bus options are available. Fortunately, all long-distance buses are large coach-style buses! The buses that you normally use to go on a tour or transport athletes. These buses are also commonly used for longer bus rides outside the main cities. Here’s a great resource if you’re trying to navigate buying bus tickets in Korea.
You can purchase bus tickets on the Korean Bus websites or in person at the bus station. The main bus terminal in Seoul is Seoul Central Bus Terminal. If you take a bus to Busan from there, you can end up at Busan Central Bus Terminal station. You can get to Seoul Central Bus Terminal easily by public transportation. I recommend arriving 30 minutes before your departure, as you must find the correct bus stand from which your bus departs. It can get confusing when multiple similar-looking buses are lined up right next to each other. You want to make sure you get on the right one.
Car
If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car in Seoul and make the journey to Busan on your own. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on traffic and the time of day. However, remember that driving in a foreign country can be challenging and stressful, especially if you have never driven in Korea. Additionally, the cost of renting a car and paying for tolls and gas may be more expensive than taking the KTX train or other options. Is the road trip worth the stress and anxiety?
Table Comparing Seoul to Busan Transportation Methods
| Method | Type | Time | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTX | High speed train | 2 hrs 15 min | From 50,000 won / 37 USD | 55 daily departures |
| ITX | Express train | 4 hrs 40 min | From 40,500 won / 30 USD | 7 daily departures |
| Mugunghwa | Intercity train | 5 hrs 24 min | From 24,300 won / 18 USD | 13 daily departures |
| Airplane | Flying | 1 hr | From 66,000 won / 50 USD | 10-18 daily departures |
| Car | Driving | ~ 4 hrs 30 min | N/A | N/A |
| Bus | Bus | ~ 4 hrs | From 25,000 won / 18 USD | Depends |
A Note on Navigating Around South Korea
South Korea uses its own navigation apps. Unfortunately, Google Maps is not supported in South Korea, and the directions are very inaccurate. While locations on Google Maps are accurate, the transportation methods are not. If you use Google Maps for directions, you will get lost. Please download either Kakao Maps or Naver Maps if you are traveling to South Korea! Either option is good to use—I use them interchangeably depending on which user interface I’m in the mood for.
Take the Train to Busan
Traveling between Seoul and Busan is best done by high-speed train. While there are various ways to make the journey, the KTX train wins against any other method. With its fast, reliable, and comfortable service, you’ll arrive at your destination hassle-free. Plus, the scenic views along the way are simply breathtaking. Whether you’re a fan of Train to Busan or just looking for a memorable travel experience, the KTX train from Seoul to Busan is not to be missed. Happy travels!
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