Korea’s high-speed rail system is one of the easiest ways to travel between major cities. KTX and SRT trains reach speeds of around 300 kilometers per hour, serve centrally located stations, and offer reserved seating, multilingual information, restrooms, Wi-Fi on most services, and other passenger amenities.

1. Understanding KTX and SRT

KTX — Korea Train eXpress

KTX is operated by KORAIL, Korea’s national railway operator. Most KTX services use Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Cheongnyangni Station, Gwangmyeong Station, or other regional terminals, depending on the route. KTX connects Seoul with Busan, Gyeongju, Daegu, Pohang, Gwangju, Mokpo, Jeonju, Yeosu, Gangneung, Andong, Jinju, and many other destinations.

SRT — Super Rapid Train

SRT was traditionally centered on Suseo Station, in southeastern Seoul, with additional boarding at Dongtan and Pyeongtaek-Jije. It serves the Gyeongbu corridor toward Busan and the Honam corridor toward Gwangju and Mokpo, with selected trains continuing toward Yeosu, Jinju, and Pohang.

Important 2026 change

Korea began trial cross-operation between the two systems in 2026. Some KTX trains now use Suseo Station, while selected SRT trains use Seoul Station. Therefore, do not assume that every KTX leaves from Seoul Station or that every SRT leaves from Suseo. Always follow the departure station and train number printed on your ticket.

2. Which Seoul station should you use?

Seoul Station

This is the most common departure point for trains traveling south on the Gyeongbu corridor toward:

Daejeon
Dongdaegu
Gyeongju
Ulsan
Busan
Pohang
Changwon and Jinju on selected services

Seoul Station is connected to Seoul Subway Lines 1 and 4, the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, and AREX airport trains.

Yongsan Station

Yongsan is traditionally the most convenient station for western and southwestern Korea, including:

Iksan
Jeonju
Gwangju-Songjeong
Mokpo
Suncheon
Yeosu-Expo

Some trains begin at Seoul Station and stop at Yongsan, so check the exact station shown on the ticket.

Cheongnyangni Station

Cheongnyangni is commonly used for trains toward:

Pyeongchang
Gangneung
Donghae
Wonju
Jecheon
Yeongju
Andong
Central and eastern Korea

KTX-Eum services on the Jungang and Gangneung corridors commonly serve this station.

Suseo Station

Suseo is convenient for travelers staying in Gangnam, Jamsil, Songpa, Seongnam, or southeastern Seoul. It is the principal station for SRT, although selected KTX services also use it under the 2026 cross-operation program.

3. Main KTX train lines

A. Gyeongbu Line: Seoul–Busan

Typical route:
Seoul → Gwangmyeong → Cheonan-Asan → Osong → Daejeon → Gimcheon-Gumi → Dongdaegu → Gyeongju → Ulsan → Busan

Not every train stops at every station. This is the most popular high-speed route and is useful for visiting Daejeon, Daegu, Gyeongju, Ulsan, and Busan.

Approximate travel times:

Seoul to Daejeon: about 50–70 minutes
Seoul to Dongdaegu: about 1 hour 35 minutes–2 hours
Seoul to Gyeongju: about 2 hours
Seoul to Busan: about 2 hours 15 minutes–3 hours

The exact time depends on how many stations the train serves.

B. Honam Line: Seoul/Yongsan–Mokpo

Typical route:
Seoul or Yongsan → Gwangmyeong → Cheonan-Asan → Osong → Gongju → Iksan → Jeongeup → Gwangju-Songjeong → Naju → Mokpo

This route is useful for Gwangju, Mokpo, Naejangsan-area travel through Jeongeup, and southwestern Korea.

C. Jeolla Line: Seoul/Yongsan–Yeosu

Typical route:
Seoul or Yongsan → Iksan → Jeonju → Namwon → Gokseong → Guryegu → Suncheon → Yeocheon → Yeosu-Expo

This line is ideal for Jeonju Hanok Village, Namwon, Suncheon Bay, and the coastal city of Yeosu.

D. Gangneung Line: Seoul/Cheongnyangni–Gangneung

Typical route:
Seoul or Cheongnyangni → Yangpyeong → Manjong or Wonju area → Pyeongchang → Jinbu → Gangneung

Some services continue to Jeongdongjin, Mukho, and Donghae. It is particularly useful for East Coast beaches, winter resorts, and Pyeongchang-area attractions.

E. Gyeongjeon Line: Seoul–Jinju

Typical route:
Seoul → Daejeon → Dongdaegu → Miryang → Jinyeong → Changwon-Jungang → Masan → Jinju

This route provides access to Changwon, Masan, and Jinju in southeastern Korea.

F. Donghae and Pohang services

Some KTX trains travel from Seoul through Dongdaegu to Pohang.

A newer KTX-Eum East Coast service also connects Bujeon Station in Busan with Gangneung, stopping at locations such as Taehwagang, Gyeongju, Pohang, Yeongdeok, Uljin, Samcheok, Donghae, Mukho, and Jeongdongjin. The complete Busan–Gangneung journey takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes.

G. Jungang Line: Cheongnyangni–Andong and Bujeon

KTX-Eum services connect the Seoul area with Wonju, Jecheon, Danyang, Yeongju, Andong, and destinations farther southeast. Some services now continue between Cheongnyangni and Bujeon in Busan.

4. Main SRT lines

Gyeongbu SRT

Typical route:
Suseo → Dongtan → Pyeongtaek-Jije → Cheonan-Asan → Osong → Daejeon → Gimcheon-Gumi → Dongdaegu → Gyeongju → Ulsan → Busan

This is often convenient for travelers staying in southern or southeastern Seoul.

Honam SRT

Typical route:
Suseo → Dongtan → Pyeongtaek-Jije → Cheonan-Asan → Osong → Gongju → Iksan → Jeongeup → Gwangju-Songjeong → Naju → Mokpo

Selected SRT services also operate on branches toward:

Jeonju and Yeosu-Expo
Changwon, Masan, and Jinju
Dongdaegu and Pohang

These branch services are less frequent, so advance timetable checking is important.

5. Representative KTX fares

These are typical adult Standard Class one-way fares.

Route	Approximate fare
Seoul → Daejeon	₩23,700
Seoul → Dongdaegu	₩43,500
Seoul → Gyeongju	Approximately ₩49,300–₩54,500
Seoul → Busan	₩59,800
Seoul → Gangneung	From approximately ₩27,600
Seoul/Yongsan → Mokpo	Approximately ₩53,100
Yongsan → Yeosu-Expo	Approximately ₩46,000–₩47,200
Cheongnyangni → Andong	Approximately ₩27,700

Current timetable and fare data show ₩23,700 for Seoul–Daejeon, ₩43,500 for Seoul–Dongdaegu, and ₩59,800 for many Seoul–Busan KTX services.

Gyeongju fares can differ according to the train’s routing and stopping pattern. Gangneung services commonly begin around ₩27,600, while current Mokpo, Yeosu, and Andong services show the representative amounts listed above.

First Class or Superior Class costs more but usually provides wider seats, more legroom, and a quieter cabin. The price difference varies by route and train type.

6. Representative SRT fares

Route	Approximate fare
Suseo → Daejeon	₩20,100
Suseo → Dongdaegu	Approximately ₩37,500
Suseo → Busan	Approximately ₩52,200–₩52,600
Suseo → Mokpo	Approximately ₩46,500–₩46,800
Suseo → Yeosu-Expo	Approximately ₩43,800

Current SRT information shows a ₩20,100 base fare between Suseo and Daejeon, approximately ₩37,500 to Dongdaegu, roughly ₩52,000 for Busan, and around ₩46,500–₩46,800 for Mokpo.

SRT is often slightly less expensive than a comparable KTX trip, but the best choice depends on whether Seoul Station, Yongsan, Cheongnyangni, or Suseo is more convenient for your hotel.

7. How to buy a ticket

Option 1: Book KTX online

Use KORAIL’s official international website or the KORAIL Talk mobile application. The official system allows travelers to search schedules, choose a train, select the passenger count and seat class, and pay for the ticket. KORAIL tickets are normally available up to one month before departure.

Option 2: Book SRT online

Use the official SRT website or SRT application. SRT tickets are generally released at 7:00 a.m. one month before departure. Website sales normally continue until 20 minutes before departure, while app purchases may be available until five minutes before departure when seats remain.

Option 3: Buy at the station

Tickets can be purchased at:

A staffed ticket counter
A ticket vending machine
A station customer-service center

English-language options are available at many major stations and machines.

Recommended booking information

Prepare the following:

Departure station
Destination station
Travel date
Preferred departure time
Number of adults and children
Standard or First/Superior Class
Window or aisle preference, when available

Important warning

Use the official KORAIL or SRT platform to see the railway operator’s actual fare. Some third-party booking services add substantial service or processing fees.

8. How to read the ticket

A high-speed train ticket usually shows:

Train type and train number
Departure station
Arrival station
Departure time
Arrival time
Car number
Seat number
Seat class

For example:

KTX 021 — Car 8 — Seat 6A

This means you must find Car 8 and sit in Seat 6A.

T-money is not used to board KTX or SRT. These trains require a separate reserved or valid rail ticket purchased through KORAIL, SRT, or a station ticket office.

9. Boarding the train

Arrive at the station approximately 20–30 minutes before departure, especially when using the station for the first time.

Inside the station:

Check the electronic departure board.
Match the train number and destination with your ticket.
Find the platform or track number.
Go to the platform before boarding begins.
Look for the sign showing your car number.
Wait near the correct car position.
Board promptly when the train arrives.
Place your luggage in the appropriate storage area.
Sit in the car and seat printed on your ticket.

Train doors close promptly. Do not rely only on the final destination displayed on the train because several trains may be using the same platform within a short period.

10. Luggage and onboard facilities

Small and medium bags can usually be placed on the overhead racks. Large suitcases should be placed in the luggage areas near the ends of the passenger car when space is available. Keep passports, money, electronics, and other valuables with you.

KTX and SRT services generally provide restrooms, free Wi-Fi on most trains, vending machines on certain services, nursing facilities, and diaper-changing facilities. Wi-Fi quality may vary during tunnels or high-speed sections.

There is usually no airline-style luggage check-in, so travelers are responsible for loading, storing, and removing their own bags.

11. Transfers and destination stations

Check the destination station carefully because the high-speed station may not be in the traditional city center.

Examples:

Dongdaegu Station is the principal high-speed station for Daegu.
Gyeongju Station is outside parts of the historic center, so a local bus or taxi may be necessary.
Gwangju-Songjeong Station is the principal KTX/SRT station for Gwangju.
Bujeon Station and Busan Station serve different areas of Busan.
Suseo Station and Seoul Station are on opposite sides of Seoul.

Allow enough time for subway, bus, or taxi travel after arriving.

12. Changes, cancellations, and missed trains

Tickets should be changed or canceled before departure whenever possible. Cancellation charges depend on the day, how close the cancellation is to departure, and whether the train has already left.

For SRT, online refunds are available until the departure time shown on the ticket. After departure, passengers generally need to visit a station, and no refund is available after the train reaches the ticketed destination. Cancellation penalties increase after departure.

A ticket for a missed train normally cannot simply be used on the next train. Visit the ticket counter immediately for assistance.

13. KORAIL Pass for international visitors

Travelers planning several long-distance trips may consider a KORAIL Pass. It covers KORAIL-operated trains, including eligible KTX services, but it does not cover SRT, metropolitan subways, or certain temporary tourist trains. Seat reservations remain necessary for guaranteed seating.

Current adult individual prices include:

Pass	Adult price
2-Day Select Pass	₩131,000
3-Day Consecutive Pass	₩165,000
4-Day Select Pass	₩234,000
5-Day Consecutive Pass	₩244,000

The two-day and four-day Select Passes allow the traveler to choose travel days within a ten-day period. A passport is required, and the pass should be compared with the cost of individual tickets before purchase.

For example, a standard Seoul–Busan round trip costs about ₩119,600. A two-day KORAIL Pass costs ₩131,000, so the pass becomes more attractive when an additional eligible train journey is included.

14. Best practical choice

Choose KTX from Seoul Station when staying around Myeongdong, Seoul Station, Hongdae via AREX, Jongno, or central Seoul and traveling toward Daegu, Gyeongju, or Busan.

Choose KTX from Yongsan when traveling toward Jeonju, Gwangju, Mokpo, Suncheon, or Yeosu.

Choose KTX from Cheongnyangni when traveling toward Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Donghae, Wonju, or Andong.

Choose SRT from Suseo when staying around Gangnam, Jamsil, Songpa, or southeastern Seoul.

Because cross-operation is expanding in 2026, the final rule is simple:

Trust the operator, departure station, train number, car number, and seat number printed on the ticket.

Korean Heritage Unveiled

How to Use Korea’s High-Speed Trains