KTX from Seoul to Busan South Korea
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Walk with Cham inside KTX from Seoul to Busan.
After our freezing episodes in Seoul for 6 days it was time to move to a different and warmer city (new year, new city!) Busan is located in the southern part of South Korea so during winter season the weather is more tolerable in Busan. Busan was also our exit point going back to Manila so if you have the same itinerary as ours (Manila- Incheon -Busan -Manila) and want to try the same thing that we did, here is the detailed course we took from Seoul to Busan.
How to go to Busan from Seoul
There are several ways in going to Busan from Seoul
There are several ways in going to Busan from Seoul
Via Bus - cheapest and longest travel time. This option is advisable if you are not in a hurry, want to save money and if the bus will stop in the area near the place you are staying.
Via Plane - the most expensive but has the same amount of time you will take via train (considering the travel from airport & waiting time of departure)
Via Train - this is the second most expensive option but the most convenient for us so this was our preferred transportation for a number of reasons:
1. Faster than Bus. Its travel time from Seoul to Busan is 2 1/2 hours as compared to the 5 hour travel time via bus.
1. Faster than Bus. Its travel time from Seoul to Busan is 2 1/2 hours as compared to the 5 hour travel time via bus.
3. KTX station is a walking distance from our Busan Airbnb.
How to purchase KTX ticket
Securing your ticket before the actual departure date is really important especially if your destination is a tourist spot. Booking in advance can guarantee you a sure seat unlike if you book on the same day, chances are you won't get your preferred schedule or you'll be forced to stand during the whole course of the travel (not a good idea). So for the benefit of everyone I made a step-by-step procedure on how to book your KTX ticket online from Seoul to Busan.
1. Visit the Korail Online Booking
You can check train schedule and purchase ticket one month in advance
2. Fill in the following details
- Travel Category | choose Normal Type
- Travel Type | choose Direct
- Departure time | indicate date of your preferred departure
- Departure/Arrival | Seoul & Busan
- Train | choose KTX
- Passengers | indicate number of passengers (Adult/child)
- Click INQUIRY
3. Select the Train Number of your choice
You will be directed to the list of Train Numbers and its available schedule for the chosen date
- Click the Select button to choose the train schedule, first class or economy
- We chose KTX Train Number 135 / departure time is 12:30 pm / Economy Class
- You can click on the train number to check the number of train stop stations and the arrival time for each station. For KTX 135 it has 4 stops.
4. Fill in the following fields
- Name, gender, passport number, nationality and email
Take note that they require no space in between when typing each field
Kindly double check the information. Providing the incorrect information will cause your ticket to be denied.
5. Pay via Credit Card
Accepted credit cards are Visa, Master, Amex, JCB and Diners
- Fill in your credit card number and expiry date
- Click next and it will be paid instantly
- Our fare was 59,800 won (P2,400) each one way
6. Print your reservation details
It's important to print your reservation details to exchange it for the actual ticket at any Korail Station before departure time.
1. Visit the Korail Online Booking
You can check train schedule and purchase ticket one month in advance
2. Fill in the following details
- Travel Category | choose Normal Type
- Travel Type | choose Direct
- Departure time | indicate date of your preferred departure
- Departure/Arrival | Seoul & Busan
- Train | choose KTX
- Passengers | indicate number of passengers (Adult/child)
- Click INQUIRY
3. Select the Train Number of your choice
You will be directed to the list of Train Numbers and its available schedule for the chosen date
- Click the Select button to choose the train schedule, first class or economy
- We chose KTX Train Number 135 / departure time is 12:30 pm / Economy Class
- You can click on the train number to check the number of train stop stations and the arrival time for each station. For KTX 135 it has 4 stops.
4. Fill in the following fields
- Name, gender, passport number, nationality and email
Take note that they require no space in between when typing each field
Kindly double check the information. Providing the incorrect information will cause your ticket to be denied.
5. Pay via Credit Card
Accepted credit cards are Visa, Master, Amex, JCB and Diners
- Fill in your credit card number and expiry date
- Click next and it will be paid instantly
- Our fare was 59,800 won (P2,400) each one way
6. Print your reservation details
It's important to print your reservation details to exchange it for the actual ticket at any Korail Station before departure time.
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| Reservation detail |
Getting your ticket
Present the printed reservation details at any Korail Station. We got ours at Seoul Station 30 minutes before our departure time. Show the printed reservation together with your passport.
Present the printed reservation details at any Korail Station. We got ours at Seoul Station 30 minutes before our departure time. Show the printed reservation together with your passport.
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| Ticket Booth at Seoul Station |
Seoul Station
The main station that connects Seoul to other key South Korean provinces or cities, it is also connected to Incheon International Airport. The most popular destination it caters is from Seoul to Busan and vice versa. Seoul Station is not as chaotic and strict as the railway stations in Beijing - read Sleeper Train from Beijing to Xi'an China. Seoul Station is clean, less crowded and smaller than in Beijing plus they are very lenient that no one even inspected our luggages upon entering.
Directions
Alight Seoul Station (Subway Lines 1, 4, AREX and Gyeongui Lines), Exits 1 and 14.
The main station that connects Seoul to other key South Korean provinces or cities, it is also connected to Incheon International Airport. The most popular destination it caters is from Seoul to Busan and vice versa. Seoul Station is not as chaotic and strict as the railway stations in Beijing - read Sleeper Train from Beijing to Xi'an China. Seoul Station is clean, less crowded and smaller than in Beijing plus they are very lenient that no one even inspected our luggages upon entering.
Alight Seoul Station (Subway Lines 1, 4, AREX and Gyeongui Lines), Exits 1 and 14.
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| Seoul Station |
Reading your ticket
Kindly see the picture below
Kindly see the picture below
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| My Seoul-Busan Ticket |
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| Our train - KTX 135 12:30pm departure track number 7 |
Looking for our train was a breeze and because we were there 30 minutes before the departure we immediately checked in and stored our luggages at the luggage compartment. Good thing we came in first as the luggage compartment was not that big, it was just right for all our 4 big luggages (too bad I forgot to take a photo). So if you have many luggages it's better to be there early so you won't be having a hard time looking for a place to store your luggage.
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| KTX Train |
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| Look for the sign above as to not get lost |
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| Car or carriage number and seat number are indicated outside the train near each door. |
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| Economy class |
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| Me and Mama |
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| Seatmates |
Toilet
The toilet close resembles an airplane toilet, compact, has water and toilet paper. Each carriage is equipped with a toilet.
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| Toilet |
KTX Magazines are available for your reading needs and food trolley for light snacks are available too. I bought a piece of bread for 3,000 won (P120).
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| KTX Magazine |
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| Food Trolley |
The 2 1/2 hours passed by quickly, good thing we were able to rest during the trip. The scenery was nice as well. Oh I love train rides <3
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| My view <3 |
At 3pm we were already at Busan KTX Station. John, our Airbnb host was already waiting for us at Busan Station (which is just a quick walk from KTX station). So we weren't able to roam around the station anymore instead followed their detailed direction going to Busan Station.
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| Busan KTX Station |
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| KTX Station |
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| My traveling family |
After walking for a few minutes, we saw our Airbnb host waiting for us at Busan Station Exit 3 - blog about Busan Airbnb here - Green Dark Airbnb at KTX Station Busan South Korea
Check out our Winter Wonderland adventure on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfaRGbFNwWo
Check out our Winter Wonderland adventure on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfaRGbFNwWo
12 comments
Hi, Here is more tips for taking a KTX. If you are between 2 and 5 people, you can buy the 'saver pass'. There are some different types of 'Korail Pass'. If you are between 13 and 25, you can buy the 'youth pass'. With 'Korail pass', you ca take all KTX whenever you want. If you are interested in travelling to out of Seoul like Busan, Singyeongju, Dongdaegu etc. , I strongly recommend to buy this pass. You can get more information and make a reservation from 'http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do'. Check this homepage if you want to buy the 'Korail pass' Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the additional input, Zhenying!
DeleteHi Estrera,
ReplyDeleteI am planning to travel to busan this year june. May i ask if the ticket that you purchase is a one way trip? Means if i will like to travel (eg from 11 jun and come back on 12 jun) i will have to submit 2 transaction? Could i check with you if you have purchase ktx ticket travelling back to busan to seoul?
Hope to hear from you.
Thank you!
I think it is best to make 2 transactions. We didn't go back to Seoul :)
DeleteHi! reading your blog, i realised that there is an option for the train timing. it is however, when i booked my ticket online, they did not ask for our preferred timing. did you choose your timing at the counter or online? and do you know the train schedule ?
ReplyDeleteYes you can indicate the travel time you prefer :)
Deletehello. would you be able to advise where did you stay in Busan? many thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at an Airbnb. Check it out here - http://www.walkwithcham.com/2016/01/green-darak-at-ktx-station-busan.html
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteDid it require you to enter all the information of the passengers? I'm stuck in a page where after I enter my information it is already requiring me to enter the credit card info. Do I need to enter the other passengers info?
Please help! :D
Not sure but if you included there the right number of passengers I think you're good to go :)
DeleteHey there.. I have booked the KTX normal pass and had indicated that 4 people are going.. when i print out the 4 tickets online.. all the names are the same.. is it normal?..
ReplyDeleteI think its just fine :)
Delete