How to take KTX train from Seoul to Busan: Complete guide

Nicholas Chia

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.

Table of contents

How to go to Busan from Seoul?

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.

Seoul to Busan train price

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.

How long does it take by train from Seoul to Busan?

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

How to take the KTX from Seoul to Busan?

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;

  1. Visit the Korail website and enter details of your journey
  2. Select the train you want to ride, from the options provided
  3. Pick your seat class, and enter the passenger details
  4. Once you’ve paid, you’ll be issued an e-ticket which you can print out or use digitally
  5. On the day of your trip, go to Seoul train station - the address is 405 Hangang-daero, Bongnaedong 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
  6. To board the train you’ll need to show your e ticket and your passport - after boarding, find your seat and relax for your journey

Where to buy a ticket for the Seoul to Busan KTX?

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.

When to buy a ticket for the train (KTX) from Seoul to Busan?

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.

Make your KRW go further when you spend with the Wise card

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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Sources:

  1. Korail
  2. Korail FAQ
  3. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

*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.

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