South Korea
Getting around South Korea: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights
Use the KTX or SRT for every mainland leg over 150 km (93 mi) — Seoul to Busan is 2 h 20–2 h 45 for ₩52,000–60,000. Fly only to Jeju. Take express buses to towns off the rail line, and skip a rental car in Seoul; it pays off on Jeju and in Gangwon.Use the KTX or SRT for every mainland leg over 93 mi (150 km) — Seoul to Busan is 2 h 20–2 h 45 for ₩52,000–60,000. Fly only to Jeju. Take express buses to towns off the rail line, and skip a rental car in Seoul; it pays off on Jeju and in Gangwon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideSouth Korea
Key facts
- Default for long legs
- KTX or SRT high-speed train, 2 h 20 – 2 h 45 Seoul – Busan
- KTX vs SRT stations
- KTX from Seoul or Yongsan; SRT from Suseo in south-east Seoul
- Ticket price bandcheck
- ₩52,000–60,000 standard class Seoul – Busan (2026 estimate)
- Only practical way to Jeju
- Flight, about 1 h from Gimpo
- Express buscheck
- Seoul – Busan about 4 h 15, ₩25,000–45,000 (2026 estimate)
- Seoul subway base farecheck
- ₩1,550 with T-money since June 2025
- Rental carcheck
- ₩60,000–120,000 per day; needs an IDP under the 1949 Convention
- Subway hours
- About 05:30 to about 00:00; night buses and taxis after that
Which mode, by trip and by month
Match the mode to the trip you are actually taking. A Seoul-only week needs no intercity transport at all. Add Busan and the train wins. Add Jeju and you fly. Add Sokcho, Andong or Tongyeong and you take a bus.
Season changes the booking, not the mode. Trains and buses run all year; the pressure is on seats around Seollal and Chuseok, when tickets open weeks ahead and sell out fast, and on summer weekends to the coast. Snow can slow mountain roads in Gangwon, and typhoon season can cancel Jeju flights.
| Trip or month | Best mode | Cost (2026 estimate) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul only, any month | Subway, bus, taxi | ₩1,550 base subway fare | Tap out to get transfer discounts |
| Seoul + Busan, 3+ nights | KTX or SRT | ₩52,000–60,000 | Book the right station: Seoul/Yongsan vs Suseo |
| Seoul + Jeju | Flight from Gimpo | ₩40,000–120,000 one way | Weekend and holiday flights sell out |
| Towns off the rail line | Express or intercity bus | ₩25,000–45,000 | Check which Seoul terminal your route uses |
| Jeju or Gangwon by road | Rental car | ₩60,000–120,000 per day | IDP under the 1949 Convention required |
| Seollal or Chuseok | Any mode, booked early | Same fares, scarce seats | Tickets open weeks ahead and vanish in minutes |
Step by step: booking and riding
For trains, buy at Korail or SRT counters, ticket machines or online; foreign cards sometimes fail on Korean booking sites, so a counter or a travel agent is a fallback. Reserved seats come with a carriage and seat number — check the board for your platform, as some stations serve both KTX and slower trains from the same concourse.
For buses, go to the terminal named on your route. Seoul has several, including Express, Dong Seoul and Nambu, and they are not interchangeable. Buy at the window or online; premium seats cost more and recline further.
In cities, get a T-money card at any convenience store, top it up there, and tap in and tap out on every subway and bus ride. Some Seoul buses no longer take cash. Taxis are metered; order through Kakao T or Uber so the destination is in the app, and expect a night surcharge from 22:00 to 04:00.
For a rental car, bring your home licence plus an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Convention. Speed cameras are everywhere and fines reach you through the rental company after you fly home.
- Buy train tickets as soon as your dates are fixed for holiday travel.
- Keep your T-money card — the balance carries between Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju.
- Screenshot your seat and carriage number; station signage moves fast.
- Allow an hour between a domestic flight and a train connection at Gimpo.
Notes and traps
The KTX and SRT are different operators on partly different lines. From central Seoul, KTX leaves Seoul Station or Yongsan; SRT leaves Suseo in the south-east. Booking the wrong one can add an hour of cross-city travel.
Gimpo – Jeju is among the busiest air routes in the world, so cheap seats exist but weekend and holiday flights still sell out. Domestic flights from Gimpo to Busan are fast but rarely beat the train door to door once you add airport time.
Rental cars make sense on Jeju and in Gangwon, and are a liability in Seoul, where parking is scarce and expensive. Driving is on the right. Some navigation apps work poorly for foreign users; download an offline map before you pick up the car.
Taxis may refuse short fares late at night, and deluxe black taxis cost about double. If you are unwell or your trip involves driving or ferries, see what travel insurance covers before you go.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around South Korea?
The KTX or SRT high-speed train for any mainland leg over 150 km: Seoul to Busan takes 2 h 20–2 h 45 for ₩52,000–60,000. Fly only to Jeju. Use express buses for towns off the rail line, and city subways inside Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju.
Do I need a car in South Korea?
No for Seoul, Busan and the rail corridor — trains, subways and buses cover them. A rental car pays off on Jeju and in Gangwon, where sights are spread out. You need your home licence plus an IDP under the 1949 Convention.
Are there rail or bus passes for South Korea?
Korail sells multi-day rail passes aimed at foreign visitors, and some regional bus passes exist, but point-to-point KTX tickets are often cheaper for a short trip. Compare the pass price against your actual legs before buying (check current pass prices).
How do I pay for the subway and buses?
Get a T-money card at a convenience store, top it up there, and tap in and tap out. The Seoul base subway fare is ₩1,550 with T-money since June 2025. Some Seoul buses no longer accept cash.
How early should I book KTX tickets?
For ordinary dates, a few days ahead is usually enough. For Seollal, Chuseok and summer weekends, book the moment sales open for your date — popular trains sell out in minutes.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the train from Seoul to Busan?
Usually the train. KTX standard class is ₩52,000–60,000 and takes 2 h 20–2 h 45 city centre to city centre. Flights can be cheaper but add airport transfers at both ends.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialKorail (official rail operator)
- officialSRT (Supreme Railways)
- officialIncheon International Airport
- officialKorea Tourism Organization – Visit Korea
- secondaryWikivoyage – South Korea