I don't ask where the roads lead; it's for the journey that I depart.
Anne Hébert
Let's say you're in Seoul and you want to know the easiest route to Busan. That's a valid question because you have several ways to get from one to the other city. By plane, train, coach and car, to be exact. How you get from Seoul to Busan comes down to your preferences and budget.
via the Korea Train Express (KTX) train system.
As the second largest city in South Korea, Busan is very well connected, most notably to this nation's capital, Seoul. Air routes take travel time between the two cities down to one hour. More environmentally conscious travellers prefer boarding the train, clocking their journey in at two hours and 30 minutes, at least. This article covers all of the information you need for a hassle-free Seoul-Busan voyage.
| Transport | Price | Trip Duration | Company |
| Train | $50 base price | 2h30m to 5 hours | Korail |
| Plane | $50 base price | 1 hour | Jeju Air, Korean Air, Jin Air |
| Bus | $25 base price | 4 hours | Chunil Express, Samhwa, Dongyang Express, Joongang Express |
| Car | Depends on rental company and mileage | 4 to 5 hours | Lotte rent a car, Avis, Alamo rent a car, Holiday Autos |
The Train From Seoul to Busan
Travel time: 2h30m
(KTX)
Company: Korail
Fare: starting at $50
Trains are the easiest way to get from Seoul to Busan. In South Korea, Korail is the national rail transport company. But for your Seoul - Busan trip, you may choose your train type.
Plan your journey on the Gyeongbuseon line, one of the main rail lines in the country, which extends for more than 440km.
Beware that it's also the most travelled line because it links South Korea's two biggest cities, as well as many smaller tourist towns along the way.
South Korea has Inter-city express trains and regular ones, high-speed rail and other commuter rail programs. These are the different types of trains you might take for your journey from Seoul to Busan:
- KTX: this acronym stands for Korean Train Express. KTX is South Korea's high-speed rail system; it's a lot like ours. It reaches speeds up to 300km/h.
- ITX-Saemaul: also classified as high-speed rail, the ITX-Saemaul typically travels at an average speed of 165km/h. Their iconic red-and-black cars make travel aboard an ITX-Saemaul car a comfortable ride.
- Mugunghwa: this interurban train system completes its Seoul to Busan run in about five hours. These trains are the longest of South Korean rail companies. Your travel may take longer but that's a minor inconvenience, considering the tickets cost far less than high-speed rail tickets.
Your budget and schedule dictate your journey. Depending on your situation, you may choose to travel on a KTX train or the ITX-Saemaul line. If you prefer a slower pace, the interurban Mugunghwa train is your best option.
In Korean, the word for high-speed rail is 고속 철도 (gosok cheoldo).
Busan is 부산 and Seoul is 서울.
A Ride on the KTX
The high-speed KTX trains are the best options for those in a hurry to get to Busan. You can make it there in two and a half hours and you have many departure times to choose from. We counted at least 20 departures a day from Seoul's train station.
This trip's real advantage lies in it being a straight shot; you won't have to change trains between Seoul and Busan. This makes the KTX the ideal way to start enjoying the Busan sights as soon as possible. And you'll travel as comfortably as quickly.
To reserve your train ticket online, you can access Korail's website: https://www.letskorail.com/ (with English version) or any other rail ticket reservation platform, such as Rail Ninja.
To avoid Seoul train station crowds, you should reserve your ticket online. South Korea's capital boasts a very busy train station, especially during peak hours. Buying your ticket online will save you time; you can then sail into the train station at your leisure and find your departure track stress-free.
From Seoul to Busan By Air
Travel time: 1 hour
Companies: Jeju Air, Korean Air, Jin Air
Ticket prices: starting at $50 for economy
Many airlines fly daily routes between Seoul and Busan. It comes as no surprise that flying is the fastest way to get from one to the other city. You'll spend about one hour in the air and you have more than a handful of airlines to buy tickets from. The three mentioned above are the most popular but you may also look for a good fare with T'Way Air or Air Busan.
To get to Busan from Seoul by air, prepare to spend at least $50 for a one-way ticket. Ticket prices range between that minimum and $165, depending on the airline, the time of departure and whether you're flying during peak season.
From Seoul, flights to Busan take off from Gimpo International Airport to land at Gimhae Airport in Busan.
Seoul's Gimpo Airport is easily accessible from the city centre. You can spend 22 minutes on the train from Seoul Station to the airport or 40 minutes riding the metro's Line 5. You can also get there by taxi; it takes about 20 minutes to cover the 18km distance. On your way, you can think about where in Busan you'll stay.
Make Your Seoul - Busan Journey by Bus
Travel time: 4 hours
Bus companies: Chunil Express, Samhwa, Dongyang Express, Joongang Express
Fares: $25-96 one way
A long-distance bus is one of the most economical ways to travel between Seoul and Busan. You may choose between an express line - a long-distance coach, or an intercity bus. These buses connect smaller cities across the country. This travel plan is ideal for those who have a lot of time and prefer getting off the beaten path.
If your time is limited, the express bus is your best option. You should figure on four hours of travel time, unless your coach gets snarled in traffic. Buses that run between Seoul and Busan operate daily, around the clock. One such bus departs roughly every 30 minutes.
You can buy your ticket online at https://www.kobus.co.kr/; the site offers an English language option.
You have several transport companies to choose from. You may also select your desired comfort level: economy, excellent and premium. The express buses are generally very comfortable in South Korea, even if you opt for an economy coach. These buses are a great way to get around the country; they are often less expensive than other means of transport.
You should budget for between $25-50 per one-way ticket to get to Busan from Seoul. The price variety comes from the type of bus you choose, the bus company and your departure time. Keep in mind that prices are higher for nighttime travel in South Korea.
From Seoul to Busan by Car
Travel time: 4 hours
Rental companies: Lotte Rent-a-Car, Avis, SK Rent-a-Car, Holiday Autos
Fees depend on the rental agency and mileage
A car is your final option for travel between Seoul and Busan. Driving isn't South Koreans' preferred mode of travel but it's still a means of reaching your Busan destination.
Driving in South Korea has a bad reputation. Native drivers who operate their cars as though they were on a racetrack are the least of the reasons why. Multi-lane roads and traffic snarls often result in drivers arguing amid the stalled cars. These are reasons enough to discourage driving in South Korea but we Brits have yet another.
You may find it easier to practise your right-side driving outside of the city. There, you'll find that South Korea's bad reputation for driving is mostly undeserved. Outside the big cities, traffic is calm and orderly. Indeed, there's hardly any traffic at all.
With that in mind, we can say that travelling by car in South Korea makes it easy for you to get off the beaten path. Why not discover true freedom of movement? Busan may be your destination but nobody says you can't explore a little along the way.
A straight-shot trip from Seoul to Busan is 390km long. It takes between four and five hours to get there if you don't run into traffic, construction or other road blockages.
Unless you're driving to Busan with someone who already has a car, you will have to hire one. Considering the state of inner-city driving in South Korea, it might be best for you to rent from an agency on the city's outskirts. Besides the ones mentioned at the start of this segment, you may also rent from international brands like Hertz and Avis. You can compare prices online and reserve the car that fits your needs and budget.
You must be at least 21 years old and have a B-permit for at least a year. You must also have an international driving license. The agency will ask you to show your passport and provide a credit card number as a deposit.
Car rental prices vary depending on where you rent - both the rental company and the geographical location. They also depend on the make and model vehicle you hire, how long you'll use it and how many miles you'll drive. You should count on higher prices during peak travel seasons and national celebration days, too.
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