So, you want to go to Busan. Excellent choice. It is the Miami of Korea, but with better food, steeper mountains, and cheaper beer. To get there, you need to take the KTX (Korea Train eXpress). It travels 325km across the country in just 2.5 hours.
However, buying a ticket isn’t as simple as walking up to the counter 10 minutes before departure. If you underestimate the Seoul to Busan KTX popularity, you will face a painful reality.
Welcome to the Busan Cheat Sheet. Before we get to the tips, let me share the tragic story of how I started my vacation smelling a train toilet for three hours.
Level 1: The Nightmare of Standing Tickets
Flashback: Last Summer. Seoul Station.
It was a beautiful Friday morning. I packed my sunglasses and swimsuit, dreaming of the ocean breeze. Since I didn’t book online, I arrived at Seoul Station 30 minutes early, thinking, “It’s just a train, right? How full can it be?”
I walked up to the ticket kiosk. The screen was a sea of red text: “Sold Out.” Panic started to set in. My friends were waiting in Busan. I couldn’t miss this trip. Finally, after refreshing the page, I found one ticket left for the 10:00 AM train. Surprisingly, it was cheaper than I expected—about 15% less! I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.
However, my happiness died exactly 5 minutes after boarding. I walked to Car 5, Seat 12A. A man was already sitting there, eating a boiled egg. I confidently showed him my ticket. He looked at it, shook his head, and pointed to the Korean characters “입석 (Ip-seok)”.
I used a translation app. It didn’t say “Economy Class.” It said “Standing Ticket.”
Consequently, the reality hit me. I didn’t have a seat. For the next 2.5 hours, I was stuck in the narrow space between the train cars. I sat on my suitcase. My legs went numb. Every time the automatic door opened, the smell of the toilet wafted out. People stepped over my feet to get to the bathroom. When the snack cart came by, I had to squeeze myself against the wall like a poster to let it pass. By the time I arrived in Busan, I was sweaty, exhausted, and my legs were jelly. I swore I would never make this mistake again.
Level 2: The Booking Strategy
I arrived in Busan looking like a zombie and met Ssam. He scolded me immediately. “Alice, the KTX on a Friday is a war zone. You cannot just show up. You need a strategy.”
Here is how to unlock a comfortable seat:
1. Use the “KorailTalk” App
Don’t use third-party sites that charge extra fees.
- Download: Search for “KorailTalk” (It has an English interface).
- Timing is Key: Tickets open 1 month before departure. For weekends (Fri-Sun), you must book at least 2 weeks early. If you wait until the day before, you will be standing next to the toilet like me.
2. KTX vs. SRT (Choose Your Station)
Did you know there are two high-speed trains?
- KTX: Departs from Seoul Station (North of the river). Best if you stay in Myeongdong or Hongdae.
- SRT: Departs from Suseo Station (Gangnam area). Best if you stay in Gangnam or Jamsil.
- Tip: SRT is slightly cheaper and has more legroom, but KTX goes straight to the city center.
3. The “Korail Pass” Hack
If you plan to visit multiple cities (e.g., Busan + Gyeongju + Jeonju), buy a Korail Pass. It offers unlimited KTX rides for 2 to 4 days. It saves you a ton of money compared to buying single tickets.
Level 3: Busan’s Hidden Gems
Now that you have arrived comfortably (in a seat!), where should you go? Ssam recommends these 3 spots for the perfect Busan vibe.
1. Gwangalli Beach (The Night View)
Haeundae is famous, but Gwangalli is where the locals go.
- Why: The view of the Gwangan Bridge (Diamond Bridge) lighting up at night is breathtaking.
- Activity: Grab a beer at a beachfront pub or buy fireworks from a convenience store. It is the most romantic spot in the city.
2. Gamcheon Culture Village (The Photo Spot)
Often called the “Machu Picchu of Busan.”
- Why: Colorful houses are stacked on a steep hill like Lego blocks. Every corner is an Instagram spot.
- Mission: Find the “Little Prince” statue. (Warning: There is always a line for photos).
- Wear: Comfortable shoes. It involves a lot of walking and climbing stairs.
3. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (The Sea Temple)
A rare temple built right on the ocean cliffs.
- Why: Most temples in Korea are deep in the mountains. This one overlooks the crashing waves.
- Best Time: Go at sunrise. The golden light hitting the water and the statues is a spiritual experience.
Level 4: Ssam’s Secret Map
(Don’t get lost. Click these links to survive.)
Ready to book your trip? Use these direct links to save time.
Ticket Booking
- Official KTX Site: LetsKorail (English)
- Discount Pass: [Book Korail Pass (Klook/Trazy)]
Recommended Locations
- Gwangalli Beach: Click for Naver Map
- Gamcheon Culture Village: Click for Naver Map
- Haedong Yonggungsa: Click for Naver Map
Alice’s Bottom Line: Book Early, Sit Down
Busan is amazing, but standing for 3 hours will ruin your mood before you even see the ocean. Therefore, respect the Seoul to Busan KTX popularity. Book online, grab a window seat, and buy a boiled egg (traditional train snack) for the ride.
Survival Hangul: Train Station Edition
- “입석이에요?” (Is this a standing ticket?)
- “부산행 티켓 주세요.” (One ticket to Busan, please.)
- “창가 자리로 주세요.” (Window seat, please.)
Read This Next (Before You Make Another Mistake)
Arrived in Busan? Now enjoy the food.