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 Gyeongju by train, booked in one conversation.
Tell us when you're travelling. We'll find your KTX seats to Gyeongju — and add hotels or things to do there only if you want them.
- Fastest
- 1h 57m
- Distance
- 335 km
- Trains a day
- ~28
The journey
Travelling from Seoul to Gyeongju by KTX
The fastest KTX from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station takes 1h 57m, direct, covering 335 km. Trains run from about 05:13 to 21:33.
The KTX for Gyeongju runs the length of the Gyeongbu high-speed line, arriving at Gyeongju Station — the KTX station formerly called Singyeongju, a name many booking sites and older maps still use — rather than in the historic centre itself. Fast services make only a few stops along the way, cutting a journey that once took most of a day down to a little over two hours.
Flying is not really an option here — Gyeongju's nearest airports both require their own transfer — while the KTX drops you within a short bus or taxi ride of Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and the royal tombs of Tumuli Park.
Standard and First class are both sold, in the same 2+2 and 2+1 layouts as the rest of the KTX fleet. Gyeongju Station sits about 10 km from central Gyeongju, so budget 20 to 30 minutes and a bus or taxi fare for the last stretch — it is not a walk-in station like Seoul or Busan.
| Departure station | Seoul Station |
|---|---|
| Arrival station | Gyeongju Station (KTX) |
| Train | KTX, operated by Korail |
| Fastest journey | 1h 57m, direct |
| Classes | Standard and First |
| First and last train | 05:13 and 21:33 |
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 Gyeongju, 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 Gyeongju? 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 Gyeongju
Only need the ticket? That's fine. If you want a bed or a plan at either end, add it to the same conversation.
Gyeongju
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty for close to a thousand years, and its royal tombs, temples and observatory sit scattered across the city rather than boxed into one quarter. The KTX station, Singyeongju, is about 10 km from the historic centre, so a bus or taxi covers the last stretch to Bulguksa Temple and the Tumuli Park tombs.
Where to stay
Hotels in Gyeongju
Arriving late or staying a few nights? Add a hotel in Gyeongju to the same conversation as your KTX tickets.
When you arrive
Things to do in Gyeongju
Tours and sights we can arrange in Gyeongju. Add one to the same conversation as your KTX tickets, or skip them — the ticket stands on its own.
The Royal Tombs of Daereungwon Park
As you walk in Gyeongju, you won’t miss these large dunes that have slightly weird shapes. Actually, those are tombs called “tumuli”!
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The Ancient Temple of Hwangnyongsa
Hwangnyongsa was a very important Buddhist temple at the time of the Kingdom of Silla, one of the most important religious centers at that time, actually.
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The Hanok Village
There’s a traditional district not far from the observatory, with ancient houses and typical Korean architecture. It’s like traveling in time!
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The Donggung Palace
The Donggung Palace is also a must-see attraction in Gyeongju. It’s actually a set of wooden buildings around a nice artificial pond called Wolji Pond.
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The Seokguram Caves
Once in Seokguram, you will find many temples and a large statue of Buddha carved on the rock and facing the sea.
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The Cheomseongdae Observatory
The Cheomseongdae Observatory is probably the most famous place in Gyeongju. The very first astronomical observatory in East Asia.
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Common Questions
Seoul to Gyeongju trains, answered
How long is the train from Seoul to Gyeongju?
The KTX to Gyeongju Station takes about 1 hour 57 minutes on the fastest services, with most trains closer to 2 hours 15 minutes depending on stops.
Is there a direct train from Seoul to Gyeongju?
Yes. KTX trains run direct from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station with no change of train.
Which station do I arrive at for Gyeongju?
KTX trains use Gyeongju Station, on the Gyeongbu high-speed line about 10 km from the historic centre. It is the station formerly named Singyeongju — many booking sites still list it under that name. Local buses and taxis cover the rest of the way to Bulguksa Temple and Tumuli Park.
Do I need to book Seoul to Gyeongju KTX tickets in advance?
There are fewer daily departures than on the main Seoul to Busan run, so book as soon as your date is fixed, especially for weekends and Korean holidays.
Can foreign visitors buy KTX tickets to Gyeongju online?
Yes. Tell us your date, the number of passengers and the class you want; we find the train, send a secure payment link and email the tickets — no Korean phone number needed.
How do I get from Gyeongju Station into central Gyeongju?
A local bus or taxi covers the roughly 10 km into the centre in about 20 to 30 minutes. We can flag this transfer for you when you book.
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