Seoul to Busan
Last checked: October 2026
The KTX high-speed train is the easiest way from Seoul to Busan: about two and a half hours, station to station. This guide also covers coming straight from Incheon Airport and landing at Busan's Gimhae Airport.
- KTX standard fare
- 54,400 won
- Travel time
- About 2.5 hours
- Leaves from
- Seoul Station or Suseo
- Book on
- Korail website or Korail+ app
KTX and SRT merged on September 1, 2026. The SRT trains from Suseo are now called KTX-Sancheon, fares dropped by about 10%, and one app (Korail+) books trains from both Seoul Station and Suseo. Many guides still show the old 59,800 won fare.
By KTX
Which station?
- Seoul Station: the main departure point, and the end of the AREX line from Incheon Airport. Convenient if you stay north of the river (Myeongdong, Hongdae, Jongno).
- Suseo Station: in southeast Seoul. Convenient if you stay in Gangnam or Jamsil.
Line 1Line 4AREX Seoul Station
Line 3Suin-Bundang Line Suseo
Fare and booking
- Seoul to Busan, standard class: 54,400 won (since September 2026).
- Book on Korail's English website or in the Korail+ app. Weekend and holiday trains sell out, so book a few days ahead.
- You can change your ticket without a fee up to 30 minutes before departure. If the train arrives 90 minutes or more late, you get 75% of the fare back; 120 minutes or more, the whole fare.
Korail Pass
An unlimited rail pass for foreign visitors, covering KTX and other Korail trains (not city subways).
| Pass | Adult price |
|---|---|
| 2 days | 131,000 won |
| 3 days | 186,000 won |
| 4 days | 234,000 won |
| 5 days | 275,000 won |
- A Seoul–Busan round trip costs about 109,000 won, so the pass only pays off if you take at least one more long train ride.
- For 8,000 won more, "Korail Pass Plus" adds a prepaid transit card you can use on subways and buses nationwide.
- Whether the pass covers the former SRT trains from Suseo hasn't been announced. Check when you book.
K-Tour Pass (new in October 2026)
A 15,000 won pass for foreign visitors. It gives 40% off a one-way KTX or express bus to Busan (up to 24,000 won) and 50% off the AREX Express (up to 6,000 won) from Incheon Airport, plus free entry to one of 35 Busan attractions. It's sold on Klook and Webtour, and the card can be picked up at Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae airports and at Seoul and Busan stations.
From Incheon Airport straight to Busan
- AREX + KTX (most common): take AREX to Seoul Station (see Incheon Airport to Seoul), then the KTX. Allow about 4 hours in total, including the transfer.
- Connecting flight: Korean Air runs Incheon–Gimhae flights that you can only book as part of an international ticket. Check this when you book your flight.
- Direct bus: intercity buses run from the airport to Busan (Haeundae and the central bus terminal) and take about 5½ hours.
- There is no KTX from Incheon Airport anymore. That service ended in 2018.
Arriving at Busan Station
Busan Line 1 Busan Station
An underground passage connects the KTX station to Busan Metro Line 1, so you don't need to cross the plaza. Line 1 reaches Nampo and Jagalchi in two to three stops. It also goes to Seomyeon, where you change for Haeundae.
Gimhae Airport to the city
Get a T-money card first. The airport limousines don't take cash, and the transfer discount works only with a card. If you don't have one from Seoul, buy one at a convenience store and top it up with cash.
Light rail (BGL)
Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Airport
- Take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail to Sasang (change to Line 2 for Seomyeon and Haeundae) or Daejeo (change to Line 3).
- 1,600 won with a transit card. Since September 2025 there's no extra charge for transferring between Busan, Gimhae, and Yangsan, but you get the transfer discount only with a card.
- At Sasang you tap out of the light rail and tap in again for Line 2. They're separate systems.
Airport limousine bus
- Limousine 1 to Haeundae: 9,500 won, about 90 minutes. Stops at Centum City, BEXCO, and Haeundae Beach.
- Limousine 2 to Seomyeon: 6,000 won, about 50 minutes.
- Tickets are at the kiosk by Gate 4 on the 1st floor. No cash: pay with a transit card or credit card, or book in the Bustago app.
- There is no limousine to Busan Station. Use the light rail and metro.
Next steps
FAQ
How much is the KTX from Seoul to Busan?
54,400 won in standard class since the KTX and SRT merged on September 1, 2026.
How long is the KTX from Seoul to Busan?
About two and a half hours from Seoul Station or Suseo.
How do I get from Gimhae Airport to Haeundae?
Airport limousine 1 goes to Haeundae for 9,500 won in about 90 minutes. It doesn't take cash, so pay with a transit card or credit card.