Your First KTX Trip: How to Buy Tickets, Board and Ride Korea’s Bullet Train
About KTX Train
Taking the KTX for the first time? Here’s everything you need to know. KTX (Korea Train Express) is South Korea’s high-speed rail network, and for a first-time visitor a KTX train is the simplest way to cross the country: Seoul to Busan takes a little over two hours, your seat is assigned, and there’s no airport-style security. Since September 2026, Korail KTX and the former SRT trains from Suseo have run as one KTX network, with fares about 10% lower. Below you’ll find the main KTX routes, travel times, seat classes and how to book your tickets. Not sure you need the KTX at all? Korea’s slower ITX trains cost less and still serve many of the same cities, so they’re worth a look if your schedule is flexible. Our train classes guide compares the two.
Fast City Connections
Seoul to Busan in about 2 hours 15 minutes
Smooth & Quiet Ride
Relax with minimal noise from departure to arrival
Onboard Perks
Wi-Fi, restrooms, and space for large bags
Punctual Schedules
Trains every few minutes at peak times on the Seoul–Busan line
KTX Schedule & Ticket Prices
Train Route | Travel Time | Starting Price | Distance | Trains per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seoul ⇄ Daegu (Dongdaegu) Train | from 1h 41m | €23 | 290 km | 90+ |
Seoul ⇄ Busan Train | from 2h 15m | €33 | 417 km | 74 |
Seoul ⇄ Daejeon Train | from 52m | €13 | 160 km | 113 |
Seoul ⇄ Gyeongju Train | from 1h 57m | €27 | 335 km | 29
|
Seoul ⇄ Gangneung Train | from 1h 51m | €17 | 225 km | 13 |
Seoul ⇄ Pohang Train | from 2h 15m | €29 | 386 km | 16 |
Seoul (Yongsan) ⇄ Jeonju Train | from 1h 44m | €19 | 237 km | 7 |
Note: Seoul–Busan fares are the same in both directions, and the fastest train takes 2h 18m. Some Busan trains leave from Suseo Station instead of Seoul Station, so check the station on your ticket. Every seat is assigned. Prices are standard-class adult fares after the September 2026 fare cut, converted from Korean won, so the exact amount depends on the exchange rate. The number of trains per day varies by date, so check the timetable for your day when you book.
Step Inside the High-Speed KTX
The KTX is a Korean high-speed train that runs at up to 300 km/h, yet the ride is smooth and quiet enough to read, work or sleep. On every KTX train, standard class has two seats on each side of the aisle, while first class has wider seats in a 2+1 layout. Newer KTX trains have power outlets at each seat, and onboard Wi-Fi is available on several routes, though speed varies. There's no dining car, so bring food and drinks with you or buy them at the station before you board. Trains on the main routes leave throughout the day, and Seoul–Busan has more departures than any other line. Small bags fit on the rack above your seat, and larger suitcases go in the luggage space at the end of each car. Your ticket shows a car number and a seat number, so check the car number on the side of the train before you step on. There are no ticket gates at KTX stations, so keep your ticket on your phone or printed out, because staff may check it on board. On busy weekends and holidays seats sell out quickly, and a standing ticket may be the only option left. Toilets are at the ends of the cars, and passengers are asked to take phone calls in the area between cars to keep the cabin quiet. Announcements are made in Korean and English, and screens above the doors show the next stop. The doors close soon after the train stops, so have your bags ready a few minutes before you reach your station.
How to Buy KTX Tickets: Step by Step
You can get KTX tickets online or at the station, and every option sells the same seats at the same fares. Booking online is easiest for most visitors.
Step 1: Choose Where to Buy
Book online through a booking partner, such as the search form on this page, or on Korail’s English website. A partner is handy if a Korean site declines your card. Stations also have ticket counters and machines with an English menu. For weekend and holiday trips, book a few days ahead.
Step 2: Have Your Details Ready
You’ll usually need your passport details and a payment card. Your ticket arrives as a mobile ticket, so there’s no need to print it.
Step 3: Pick Your Class and Seat
KTX tickets come in two classes: standard (shown as “General room” when you book) and first class, which has wider seats. You can usually choose a window or aisle seat and which way you face. Your ticket shows the train, car and seat number, which is all you need to board.
KTX Train Classes
Explore the different KTX train classes and find the travel experience that suits you best
KTX Economy Class
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Before booking, it's worth knowing the KTX train rules and luggage policy, along with what to expect onboard:
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Comfortable standard seating with good legroom
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Clean, modern cabin suitable for all travelers
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Overhead storage space for luggage
KTX First Class
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Wider seats with extra legroom
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Quieter cabin with fewer passengers
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Reclining seats designed for long-distance comfort
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Power outlets available at most seats
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Calm, comfortable atmosphere ideal for work or rest
Boarding the KTX
Which station to go to
In Seoul, KTX trains leave from several stations, so always check the one printed on your ticket. Seoul Station serves Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gyeongju and Pohang. Yongsan Station serves the southwest, including Jeonju, Gwangju and Mokpo. Most Gangneung trains leave from Cheongnyangni. Suseo Station in Gangnam used to be the SRT terminal; since September 2026 its trains run as KTX too, so a ticket to Busan may now depart from Suseo instead of Seoul Station. In Busan, all KTX trains use Busan Station in the city centre.
Tips for Your First KTX Trip
Forward-facing or backward-facing seats
On older KTX trains, seats can’t be turned, and about half the seats in each standard car face backward. On the newer KTX-Sancheon, seats can be turned to face the direction of travel. The seat map shows which way each seat faces when you book. If riding backward makes you feel unwell, book early. On weekends and holidays, forward-facing seats on the Seoul to Busan train sell out first.
Which side of the train has the best views
On the KTX Seoul to Busan line, much of the route runs through tunnels and between noise barriers, so neither side is clearly better. A window seat still gives you glimpses of rice fields and wooded hills between the tunnels. The coastal KTX-Eum route between Busan’s Bujeon Station and Gangneung is the exception. Going north to Gangneung, sit on the right for views of the East Sea. Going south to Busan, sit on the left.
Food, drinks and quiet etiquette
There’s no dining car on the KTX, so bring your own. Snacks, coffee, drinks and a dosirak (a packed lunch box) from a station convenience store are fine to eat at your seat. Choose food without a strong smell, and take your rubbish with you when you get off. KTX cars are quiet, and passengers expect them to stay that way. Set your phone to silent, use headphones, keep conversations low, and take phone calls in the area between cars.
Korail Pass or single tickets: which is the better deal?
The Korail Pass gives foreign visitors unlimited rides on 2, 3, 4 or 5 travel days, with up to two reserved seats a day. In 2026 an adult pass costs about $89 for 2 days, $127 for 3, $159 for 4 and $187 for 5. A one-way Seoul to Busan ticket is about $37, so for a simple round trip (about $74), single tickets are cheaper. The pass pays off when you fit three or more long rides into your travel days.
FAQ: What to Know About KTX Train
1. What is the KTX?
KTX (Korea Train Express) is South Korea’s high-speed rail network, run by Korail, the national railway. Its bullet trains link Seoul with Busan, Gyeongju, Gangneung, Gwangju and other cities at up to 300 km/h. ktxtrains.com is an independent travel guide and isn’t connected with Korail.
2. Where can I buy KTX tickets?
You can book KTX tickets online, including through the booking form on this page, or buy them at ticket counters and machines in KTX stations. Booking online is easiest for most visitors, and tickets arrive as mobile tickets.
3. How long does the KTX take from Seoul to Busan, and how much does it cost?
The fastest KTX from Seoul to Busan takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. A standard-class ticket costs ₩54,400 (about $37) after the September 2026 fare cut. First class costs more, and trains run throughout the day.
4. Which station in Seoul does the KTX leave from?
Most KTX trains to Busan leave from Seoul Station. Since September 2026, former SRT trains from Suseo Station in southern Seoul also run as KTX, so check the departure station on your ticket. Trains to Jeonju and the southwest usually leave from Yongsan, and trains to Gangneung leave from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni.
5. How far in advance can I book KTX tickets?
Since October 2026, KTX tickets go on sale at 7:00 a.m. Korea time, two months before the departure date. Same-day tickets are often available, but trains fill up at weekends, on public holidays and during peak travel seasons, especially on the Seoul–Busan line. If you’re traveling at those times, book as early as you can.
6. Can I pay for KTX tickets with a foreign credit card?
Usually yes, though some foreign cards get declined on Korean booking sites. If your card doesn’t work, try another booking channel or buy your ticket at a station ticket counter.
7. Do I need a printed KTX ticket?
No. KTX stations have no ticket gates, and a mobile ticket on your phone is enough. Staff may check it on board, so keep it ready. If you booked through a partner, follow the ticket instructions in your confirmation email.
8. What happens if I miss my KTX train?
Your ticket is only valid for the train printed on it, so you can’t board a later train with it. Go to a station ticket counter as soon as possible: you can get a partial refund until your original train reaches its destination, then buy a ticket for a later train. Once the train has arrived, there’s no refund.
9. How do KTX refunds work?
The refund fee depends on how close to departure you cancel. Cancelling two or more days ahead is free from Monday to Thursday and costs a small fee at weekends and on holidays. The fee rises as departure gets closer and again after the train leaves. Before departure, you can cancel where you booked; after departure, go to a station ticket counter.