Getting from Seoul to Busan in 3 hours or less 🤗
South Korea has more than just great local food and K-pop — they’ve got some of the world’s best high-speed trains too! Chugging at a lightning speed of 330 kilometers per hour, Korea’s KTX trains will send you zooming straight from Seoul to Busan in just 3 hours or less! Depending on your route, you can get from Seoul to Busan in as fast as 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Sounds fast and fuss-free? We think so too! The easiest way to travel around Korea by train is with a KORAIL PASS! This bang-for-your-buck pass grants you unlimited train travel from 2, 3, 4, and up to 5 days.
Here’s how you can save BIG on your next trip to Korea and everything else you need to know about the pass:
1. What is the KORAIL PASS?
The KORAIL PASS is an all-in-one travel ticket made for international tourists and visitors to explore discover routes in South Korea. This pass allows you to hop on and off from city to city, anytime and anywhere. The best part? You can get to multiple destinations with UNLIMITED rides in general seating during the entire chosen duration of your pass.
In a nutshell, think of it as the golden ticket to South Korea’s hidden gems and places outside Seoul. Thanks to the KORAIL PASS, you can seamlessly hop on and off the KTX (Korea Train eXpress), ITX-Cheongchun (Intercity Train eXpress), ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa, and Nuriro trains – easy travel in Korea from Seoul to Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju, Gangneung, and many more with just one pass. Forget about having to pay for and hold on to multiple tickets for each ride you’ll be taking. Simply show your pass, and you’re good to go!
2. What are the different types of KORAIL PASSES?
Before you hop on another Train to Busan (here’s your sign to rewatch it for the nth time 🤭), get to know the different types of KORAIL PASSES you can choose from:
- Consecutive: Enjoy non-stop rides for either up to 3 or 5 days in a row. This pass is perfect if you plan to travel to different cities or provinces in Korea from 3 to 5 days.
- Flexible: If you’re a firm believer in taking your time touring each site, then the Flexible pass is your best match. By choosing this option, you get to enjoy 2 or 4 days of unlimited train rides within 10 days.
- Saver / Regular: Since traveling is more fun with friends and loved ones, a Saver Pass will help your group of 2 to 5 bundle up and match itineraries. You can choose between a flexible or consecutive option for this to see the best sights. You can also opt to get an individual pass if you’re traveling solo.
Klook Tip: If you book a Saver/Regular KORAIL PASS as a group of two or more, each person receives a discount of KRW 10,000 (~7 USD).
3. Where can I use the KORAIL PASS?
A KORAIL PASS covers all your Korean travel needs from Seoul to Mokpo, the southernmost tip of the peninsula!
With the pass, you can ride the KTX trains (aka the high-speed railway system), the ITX trains that bring you to Gapyeong City where Nami Island and Petite France are, and the tourist trains that make for scenic rides.
Important Reminder: What this pass does NOT cover are metro subways and the SRT.
4. Where can I buy a KORAIL PASS?
The passes are available on the official website, on any KORAIL stations, or best yet, from Klook! Enjoy hassle-free booking, group discounts, and instant confirmation.
Important Note: You can start using your pass on the date that you selected upon booking.
5. How much is the KORAIL PASS?
Regular Adult | Regular Youth (13-27) | Regular Child (6-12) | Savers Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 Day Flexible | 95.85 USD* | 76.85 USD* | 48.29 USD* | 88.55 USD* |
3 Day Consecutive | 120.75 USD* | 96.59 USD* | 60.75 USD* | 113.45 USD* |
4 Day Flexible | 171.25 USD* | 136.85 USD* | 85.60 USD* | 163.89 USD* |
5 Day Consecutive | 178.55 USD* | 142.69 USD* | 89.29 USD* | 171.25 USD* |
Things to Note:
*Prices may vary depending on the exact currency exchange rate. Please see the KTX Train Ticket page for more timely price updates and flash discounts.
**Children below 6 can avail of the pass, free of charge
6. How to book a KORAIL PASS?
Step 1 - Book your KORAIL PASS on official channels
Head to the Klook website or app to book your pass and select the date of your pass activation. The date that you select should be the date that you plan to start using the pass. After selecting your starting date, you can then pick whether you want a Regular (single passenger) or Saver pass (group of 2-5). Once done, choose between a consecutive or flexible pass:
1. Consecutive Pass: 3 or 5 days
2. Flexible Pass: 2 or 4 days
Compared to booking on the KORAIL website where you’ll be required to pay with a credit card and with only three languages available (English, Chinese, and Japanese), you can pay through your desired payment system using your preferred language if you choose to purchase your pass on Klook instead!
Step 2 - Reserve your seats
Reserving your seat is not required but highly recommended. If you reserve your seat after booking, you’ll be able to avoid long queues upon boarding the train. There are two ways to reserve your seats:
1. At the train station counter - Present your printed or mobile KORAIL PASS and passport
2. Reserve online (up to 30 days in advance) - Follow these steps to reserve your seat on the KORAIL website:
Step 3 - Make sure to have your printed pass or mobile voucher and passport with you at all times
Photo Credit: @epuleusoff on Instagram
And you’re all set! With your printed pass or mobile voucher and passport in hand, it’s finally time to wander! Korea is bursting with countryside views, fantastic beaches, and dazzling places to see and experience.
7. Are KORAIL PASSES worth it?
Yes, especially if your South Korea travel plans involve crossing to the countryside. Instead of shelling out about 110 USD for one single KTX ticket from Seoul, the KORAIL PASS grants you unlimited train travel starting at 88 USD. With this price, you can reach Ulsan’s seaside parks and back to Seoul. Now that’s a steal!
If you’re not yet convinced, we’ve included a side-by-side breakdown of the two — KORAIL PASS versus roundtrip tickets on the KTX:
KTX Individual Tickets | KORAIL PASS (Saver-2 Day Flexible) | |
Seoul > Busan | 59,800 KRW | 121,000 KRW (Total for Pass) |
Busan > Jeonju (Via Osong) | 58,800 KRW (Busan > Osong 42,200 + Osong>Jeonju 16,600) | Included in Pass |
Jeonju > Seoul | 32,900 KRW | Included in Pass |
Total Cost | 151,500 KRW | 121,000 KRW |
Rides | 4 times | Unlimited |
Trian Coverage | KTX | KTX, ITX, Tourist Trains |
Things to note: *Prices may vary depending on the exact currency exchange rate. Please see the KTX Train Ticket page for more timely price updates and flash discounts.
So if your trip consists of visiting at least two cities apart from Seoul, then the KORAIL Pass is definitely worth considering for a much more cost-effective option. Think about a trip from Seoul to Busan, then from Busan to Jeonju via Osong, then afterwards you plan on going all the way back to Seoul from Jeonju – this would amount to KRW 151,500 (USD 109) if you get individual tickets.
BUT with the KORAIL Pass, your total will only be KRW 121,000 (USD 87)! Apart from that, the total amount will stay the same if you decide on covering other cities besides those that we mentioned in the example AND we can't stress enough... UNLIMITED RIDES.
Now that you know how to explore the best of Korea with just one pass to get around, go book your KORAIL PASS and hop aboard for an unforgettable journey!
Now that you’ve got your Korea cross-country plans covered, make sure you’ve got all your other Korea travel essentials!
🇰🇷South Korea Essentials🇰🇷
🚄Trains & Airport Transfers
🚇Transportation & Prepaid Cards
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