Seoul
Palaces and night markets sit a subway stop apart in Seoul. Most KTX trains leave from Seoul Station in the centre, so a hotel nearby turns an early departure into a ten-minute walk.
South Korea · KTX high-speed rail
Seoul to Busan by train, booked in one conversation.
Tell us when you're travelling. We'll find your KTX seats — and add hotels or things to do in Busan only if you want them.
- Fastest
- 2h 18m
- Distance
- 417 km
- Trains a day
- ~52
The journey
Travelling from Seoul to Busan by KTX
The fastest KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station takes 2h 18m, direct, covering 417 km. Trains run from about 05:13 to 22:28.
The KTX runs the length of the country on the Gyeongbu high-speed line, leaving central Seoul and arriving in central Busan without a change. The fastest services make only a handful of stops — typically Daejeon and Dongdaegu — and reach 300 km/h on the dedicated track.
Door to door, the train beats flying. Seoul Station and Busan Station are both on their city metro networks, there is no check-in or security queue, and you can board a few minutes before departure. Seats are reserved, luggage racks sit at the end of each car, and there is room overhead for a cabin-size bag.
Two classes are sold: Standard, in a 2+2 layout, and First, in a wider 2+1 layout with more legroom. SRT, a separate high-speed operator, runs the same line from Suseo Station in south-east Seoul, which can be closer if you are staying in Gangnam.
| Departure station | Seoul Station (SRT services use Suseo) |
|---|---|
| Arrival station | Busan Station |
| Train | KTX and KTX-Sancheon, operated by Korail |
| Fastest journey | 2h 18m, direct |
| Classes | Standard and First |
| First and last train | 05:13 and 22:28 |
Timetable facts checked September 2026. Times vary by day — we confirm the exact train when you book.
How it works
Tickets in three messages
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Tell us the date and who is travelling
Type it the way you would say it: "Seoul to Busan, two adults, Friday morning."
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We find the train and class
You get the best-fitting KTX departures for your day, in Standard or First. Want a hotel or something to do in Busan? Say so — or don't.
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Pay securely, get your tickets
We send a secure payment link. Once you pay, our ticketing team issues your tickets and sends them — or collection details — with clear instructions.
At both ends
Make more of Seoul and Busan
Only need the ticket? That's fine. If you want a bed or a plan at either end, add it to the same conversation.
Busan
Korea's second city trades Seoul's pace for beaches, seafood markets and hillside temples. Busan Station is on the metro, about half an hour from Haeundae Beach and the Seomyeon shopping district.
Where to stay
Hotels in Busan
Arriving late or staying a few nights? Add a hotel in Busan to the same conversation as your KTX tickets.
When you arrive
Things to do in Busan
Tours and sights we can arrange in Busan. Add one to the same conversation as your KTX tickets, or skip them — the ticket stands on its own.
Private · 6 hours
Busan Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver in the lobby to embark on a private city tour of Busan.
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Private · Full day
Gyeongju Historic Area Tour
Embark on a full day private tour to the Gyeongju Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Private · Half day
Gamcheon Culture Village
A stunning, kaleidoscopically coloured village. If it had the means, your Instagram would pat you on the back for the gift of this picture. The village it’s so pretty!
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Private
Sea Life Busan Aquarium
A visit to Sea LifeBusan Acquarium is the ideal way to discover the secrets of the depths of the ocean and learn more about some of the most misunderstood creatures in the seas.
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Private
Gwangbokdong Food Street
Taste local traditional food in Gwangbokdong Food Street. The live street market offers plenty of different types of delicacies.
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Private
Busan Tower
The 120-meter-high Busan Tower is situated at Yongdusan Park. Providing an observation desk also has a cafe and a few souvenir shops.
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Common Questions
Seoul to Busan trains, answered
How long is the train from Seoul to Busan?
The fastest KTX takes about 2 hours 18 minutes. Services with more intermediate stops take between about 2 hours 40 minutes and 3 hours 25 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Seoul to Busan?
Yes. KTX trains run direct from Seoul Station to Busan Station throughout the day with no change of train.
Do I need to book Seoul to Busan KTX tickets in advance?
Seats are reserved and sales open roughly a month before departure. Weekday trains often have space close to the date, but Friday and Sunday evenings and the Chuseok and Seollal holidays sell out, so book as soon as your date is fixed.
Which station does the Busan train leave from in Seoul?
KTX trains leave from Seoul Station in the city centre, on metro lines 1 and 4 and the airport railroad. SRT high-speed trains to Busan leave from Suseo Station in the south-east of the city.
Can foreign visitors buy KTX tickets online?
Yes. You do not need a Korean phone number or card. Tell us your date, the number of passengers and the class you want; we find the train, send you a secure payment link and email the tickets.
Is the train better than flying from Seoul to Busan?
For most travellers, yes. The flight is about an hour, but both airports are well outside the centre. Station to station, the KTX is usually quicker door to door and runs far more often.
Keep going
Popular train routes in South Korea
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