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Journal · Getting around ·

Seoul for three days. Then the train south.

How the KTX and SRT work, when a rail pass makes sense, and why we move most trips by train.

Gwangan Bridge lit up over the bay at night — Gwangalli Beach, Busan
Gwangalli Beach, Busan · Photo Shibin Joseph / Unsplash

South Korea is small, and its high-speed trains are fast, clean and on time. The KTX runs from Seoul Station and Yongsan; the separate SRT runs from Suseo in southern Seoul. Between them they reach Busan in about two and a half hours and Gyeongju in about two verify times.

Tickets and passes

Seats can be booked online in English. Popular trains sell out at weekends and holidays, especially around Chuseok and Lunar New Year, so we book ahead. Foreign visitors can buy a Korail Pass for a set number of days verify current pass types, prices and whether it covers SRT. Whether it saves money depends on the route; often it does not, and we book point to point.

Luggage

There is space at the ends of carriages, but not much. We send larger bags ahead by courier between hotels where we can verify service, so you board with a day bag.

Jeju is the exception: you fly, about an hour from Seoul Gimpo verify.

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Your teenagers will want Hongdae. Let them.

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