Young’s I/OGuides that smooth out small travel hassles
← Arrival, payments, transportAll of Korea · Right after arrival
Compiled from travel guide materials

How to Ride the KTX: Where to Book and How Much It Costs

Book on the Korail website, the Korail Talk app, or at the station ticket machines (English, Chinese and Japanese supported). Fares and times for the main routes and cities worth visiting are summarized at a glance.

Checked on
Seoul→Busan
About 59,800 won (per the source material, varies by stops) · about 2 hr 30~40 min
Seoul→Gangneung
Standard class about 27,600 won · about 1 hr 50 min
Seoul→Yeosu
Standard class about 46,900 won · about 3 hr 30 min
Jeonju and Gyeongju
Fares and times need to be checked on the official Korail website
Pass for foreigners
Korail Pass 2-day about 104 USD · 3-day about 132 USD · 5-day about 195 USD
Payment caution
One report says only 2 machines at Seoul Station accept foreign cards. Online booking requires passport details and overseas payments enabled
Seats
Standard class is 2+2, outlets only at window seats. First class is 2+1, with an outlet at every seat

Fares and times vary by season and train. Check again on the official Korail website before you buy.

Korail official website ↗

How to do it

  1. Decide which city to take the KTX to. Busan (connects with the Fukuoka ferry), Gangneung (sea), Jeonju (hanok and food), Gyeongju (historic sites) and Yeosu (sea) are the main ones.
  2. Book with your passport on Korail Talk or the official Korail website. If overseas payment is blocked, use a station counter or a machine for foreigners.
  3. Seats on holidays such as Chuseok and Seollal, and on weekend mornings, sell out quickly, so book early.

Korean to show on the spot

서울에서 부산 가는 KTX 표 한 장 주세요.

One KTX ticket from Seoul to Busan, please.

외국인 카드도 되는 기계가 어디예요?

Where is a machine that accepts foreign cards?

Sources checked