How to use the Tmoney card in Korea: Guide for Malaysians
Check out our guide on the Tmoney card Korea including how to use, where to buy and more.
Travelling in Korea? Busan is over 400 kilometres south of Seoul - but with the KTX Seoul to Busan train, you can do the journey in as little as 2 hours 15 minutes.
This guide to taking the train from Seoul to Busan covers all you need to know, including the Seoul to Busan train price and some practical details of how and when to book tickets. We’ll also touch on a smart option for low cost card payments in Korea and around the world: Wise.
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You’ve got plenty of choices if you’re wondering how to go to Busan from Seoul, including driving, taking a bus or hopping on a flight. However, for many people travelling in South Korea, the easiest way is using the KTX or high speed rail1.
You can pick up tickets easily online, to ride economy or business class, and cover the journey in under 3 hours in many cases. That’s quick, convenient and a great way to see the country without worrying about flight delays or traffic jams.
The Seoul to Busan train price varies depending on the specific train you ride on and the type of seat you want. Usually, the Economy Class Seat price starts from 59,800 KRW (about 185 MYR) per ticket, and from 83,700 KRW (about 260 MYR) per ticket for a 1st Class Seat, which includes better seats and more legroom.
Typically, reserving your seat with Korail directly is the cheapest, while using external platforms or third-party services to purchase train tickets often incur an additional surcharge or inflated prices. It's always advised to compare prices between multiple sites before making your booking.
The time to travel from Seoul to Busan can be less than 3 hours traveling by KTX trains - in fact, the fastest trip takes only 2 hours 15 minutes. Bear in mind though that the travel time varies depending on the specific train and can be up to 5 hours or more.
To give a comparison, the flight from Seoul to Busan is usually about one hour - but remember that you also need to be at the airport several hours before your departure. Driving can take 4 or 5 hours, subject to traffic conditions.
✈️ Wondering about restrictions and requirements when travelling to Korea? Check out our handy guide on visiting Korea from Malaysia |
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The easiest and most flexible way to book a train ticket from Seoul to Busan is online. It’s cheapest to book your ticket direct from the rail company Korail1, although there are also other sites you can use. Here’s an outline of how to book a ticket directly through Korail and travel from Seoul to Busan, as an example;
Book your Seoul to Busan train tickets online through Korail up to 1 month in advance2 - the Korail website is also available in English for convenience.
You can book tickets at a counter in the train station up to 1 month in advance of your journey. As tickets can sell out, particularly at peak times, you’ll need to make sure you book as soon as you can to get the train you want.
You’re advised to book tickets for the most popular routes in advance of travel. You can reserve online or in person at a train station for train journeys up to a month in advance. On weekends and in summer, tickets do sell out quickly so make sure you book well in advance.
Check out the Wise card as a simple way to make Chip and PIN, contactless and mobile payments in Korea and 150+ other countries around the world.
Wise digital accounts support 40+ currencies, allowing you to add money in MYR and exchange to KRW for overseas spending during your trip. Or, just leave your money in ringgit and let the card do the conversion for you. You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees whenever you spend or exchange, with no foreign transaction fee to worry about.
Use your linked Wise card to pay for train tickets, meals, or your next clothes haul with the same low fees³ and at the rate you see on Google. You can even get up to 3 virtual cards for secure online and contactless spending while abroad. Make it easier to manage your money when you travel, with Wise.
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*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Check out our guide on the Tmoney card Korea including how to use, where to buy and more.
Check out our guide on the Climate card Seoul including how to use, where to buy and more.
Wondering what essentials to pick up in Korea before going back to Malaysia? Find out what food, snacks, and souvenirs are worth bringing back.
Everything you need for seamless travel from Malaysia to Korea. Updated entry requirements, travel tips, and essential apps for a worry-free journey.