Travel Across South Korea by Train: 5 Incredible Places to Visit Outside Seoul

Left your heart at Seoul? No worries, there are still plenty of pretty places to explore outside the buzzing capital! 

Besides South Korea’s vibrant nightlife and modern bustling cities, this country is packed with picturesque vistas, rocky mountains, and wide coastlines that give off major Hawaii vibes without going far. In fact, discovering Seoul’s surroundings is a complete breeze if you travel by train! 

Most train stations outside the city are in the central locations, so it’s easy to hop on and off anytime. On top of that, the ride is part of the experience itself! How else can you catch the famous Busan sunrise, if not with a scenic train ride (zombie-less, of course)? 

Sounds exciting? We totally feel ya, but before packing up your bags, here’s everything you need to know about travelling to South Korea from Australia! 

Thanks to the Korea Rail Pass (or, the KR Pass,  for short!), your South Korea travel is made convenient and affordable. This pass allows you to take unlimited train rides for 2, 3 4, or up to 5 consecutive days of travel or 2 to 4 selected days within a 10-day period. Now that totally beats buying a single journey ticket each time you ride! 

This pass will take you all the way from Seoul to Mokpo in the South as you travel in style inside South Korea’s high-speed trains and scenic tourist trains. All you have to do is book your pass with Klook, activate it at any KORAIL station, and you’re set for adventure!

Ready to explore the Land of the Morning Calm with your pass? Scroll down to start planning your trip!

Had your fill of K-drama and K-pop during the pandemic? So did we, which is why Gangwon province is one of our top stops in this modern country. Just an hour away from Seoul via the KTX Kyungkang line, you’ll find many Hallyu spots and filming locations for your fave dramas, including Goblin: The Lonely and Great God at Jumunjin Breakwater, and  It’s Okay Not to Be Okay at Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge. 

After you’ve hit ‘em up, take a detour to Pyeonchang Station to see the breathtaking scenery of the famous Odeasan Mountain National Park, a tranquil landscape covered with maple leaves during autumn, and snow in the winter. Nearby, you can also check out the Alpensia and Yongpyong ski resorts for some skiing fun! 

If you happen to travel to Korea during the spring season, make sure to drop by Gangneum City to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms on a tour. Or, try your hand at unique cultural activities such as rice cake making, mask dance, and more! To reach this city, you can climb aboard the tracks going to Gangneung Station 20 minutes away. 

Time to head north to Gyeonggi, the land of cool cliffs, cultural villages, and nature-themed parks, two hours away from Seoul. Via the KTX Gyeongbu Line, you can reach the province’s capital city, Suwon, where you’ll get to wander around the only remaining walled city in South Korea. Spot the Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Korean Folk Village that’ll transport you back to the Joseon Dynasty!

As for our nature lovers, a trip to the Garden of the Morning Calm and Nami Island in Gapyeong will surely calm your mind. Just ride the ITX-Cheongchun train, and you’ll arrive at Gapyeong Station in a snap!

Klook Tip: A history buff? Check out the DMZ Tour and get schooled on the Korean War. Stroll through the famous Third Infiltration Tunnel and spy on the North’s capital city, Pyongyang, from afar.

Many know Incheon as the part of Korea where the airport is, but not a lot are aware that this urban metropolis is bursting with exciting activities and tasty bites! From white-sand beaches and fresh seafood to shopping and music festivals, you’ll find a treasure trove of things to do. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about getting around. The perfect stop before heading back to the airport, Incheon is very accessible from Seoul with five rail lines going to and out of the city.  

Incheon is famous for its markets, namely Sinpo International, for sweet and spicy Korean street food, and the Sorae Fish Market for its fresh catch of blue crab and salted fish to perfectly pair with your kimchi. 

For a mix of food and shopping, you can also pop over to Bupyeong Market to find fresh produce, imported goods, and the world’s largest underground shopping centre with over 1,600 stalls selling both quirky and trendy finds. 

While on the topic of shopping, put Incheon’s Chinatown on top of your list! Marked by a Paifang, a Chinese-style gateway, this block boasts great food, colourful murals at Samgukji Mural Street, and plenty of shopping to go around. 

Fun fact: Jjajangmyeon (black soybean noodles) was said to have been born in Incheon Chinatown. Today, you can taste its rich flavours at Gonghwachun, the most famous jjajangmyeon restaurant in South Korea. 

By this time, you'll probably be missing Aus’ warm and toasty beaches. A good way to get rid of that homesickness is to travel to Muuido Island’s Hanagae Beach, well-loved for its fine white sands and bathing boxes that resemble the ones in Mornington Peninsula. 

Want to experience paradise in South Korea? Check-in at Paradise City, where the couples of the hit Netflix show, Singles Inferno, spent the night in luxury.

Or if you’re more of a Squid Game fan, you can visit some of its filming locations in Incheon and Seoul—just make sure you’re ready to play the game!

Klook Tip: If you’re itching to share your South Korea travels on Insta ASAP, you’ll want to stay connected to the net all day. Lucky you, Klook offers a pay-per-day WiFi service! 

If jjajangmyeon traces its roots in Incheon, Korea’s famous mixed rice bowl bibimbap was made in the idyllic village of Jeonju. Embarking on the KTX train from Seoul station to Jeonju Station is one gastronomic journey as you drink in the sight of traditional Korean houses and prepare your taste buds for a feast once you arrive. 

The capital city of the North Jeolla province will have your bellies bursting with a range of tasty Korean dishes, from bibimbap to hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes filled with syrup). Simply stroll by the Nambu Market to hunt down these traditional treats. 

On the other hand, if you’re curious about the taste of makgeolli (fermented rice wine), make a pit stop at MakgeolliVillage in the town centre, an alleyway filled with taverns serving the alcoholic drink plus soup bowls that are said to cure hangovers! 

Fun fact: Foodies can enjoy the Bibimbowl Festival if they’re around South Korea during October. 

But food’s not all that Jeonju offers. There are plenty of cultures in the city, too! Top attractions include the colourful Mural Village and the scenic Hanok Village, where you and your best mates can dress up in a hanbok. 

In the mood for adventure, but don’t really have a destination in mind? You’re in luck! KORAIL’s O and V trains are up and running, ready to take you in for a long ride! 

Hop aboard the O-trains at Seoul Station and you’ll go as far as Chungcheongbuk, Gangwon, and Gyeongsangbuk provinces. Once you’ve basked in the marvellous sights of Dodamsambong Peaks, Woraksan, and its surrounds, time to switch it up to the V-trains at Buncheon Station. 

The V-trains circle you around the charming countryside of Cheoram. At Cheoram, you can pull down the window and breath in the fresh air! And, if you’re feeling a little cooped up, you can take this time to stretch your legs and explore the valley’s rich mining history.