Seoul to Busan (Pusan) by KTX high-speed train

Trains & ferries to, from & within South Korea...

This page explains how to travel by ferry from Russia, China or Japan to or from South Korea, then how to travel around Korea by train.

  Travel from the UK & Europe to South Korea by Trans-Siberian Railway

  Ferry travel from Russia to South Korea - Vladivostok to Donghae.

  Ferry travel from China to South Korea - Beijing to Seoul via Tianjin/Qingdao.

  Ferry travel from Japan to South Korea - 'Beetle' ferry from Hakata to Seoul.

  Train travel within South Korea - including Seoul-Busan KTX high-speed trains.

  Hotels in Seoul, Busan & South Korea

On other pages... 

  Train travel to North Korea:  Trains from Beijing & Moscow to Pyongyang.

Useful country information

Europe to Korea without flying

It's perfectly feasible to travel from the UK to South Korea overland using the Trans-Siberian Railway via either Moscow, Vladivostok and a ferry from Vladivostok to Donghae in Korea, or via Moscow, Beijing, then a ferry from Tianjin in China to Incheon in Korea.  The journey will take about 14 days.  See the Trans-Siberian page for details of the London - Vladivostok & London - Beijing journeys, then see the Vladivostok-Korea or China-Korea sections below.  You can also travel from Japan to Korea, using a ferry from Hakata to Busan.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2023:  Russia is virtually cut off due to sanctions, and travel to Russia is no longer advisable.  China remains largely closed because of its zero-Covid policy.  This route is currently not practicable.

Ferry between Vladivostok & Korea

The Trans-Siberian connection...

A weekly ferry used to link Vladivostok with Donghae in South Korea, run by DBS Ferry, www.dbsferry.com.  The ship was the 1993-built 'Eastern Dream', equipped to a good standard.  The service started in 2009.  However, in February 2020 it was reported that after being temporarily suspended during November, December & January 2019, this ferry was permanently discontinued from February 2020 onwards. 

In 2022, it appears that the ferry has resumed under new ownership, between Vladivostok & Donghae.  The alternative is to divert via Beijing and take a ferry from China to South Korea.

Ferries between China & Korea

There are several ferry services from China to South Korea, including one from Tianjin to Incheon twice a week, and one from Qingdao.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2023:  China is largely closed because of its zero-Covid policy.  Check the latest situation.

Beijing ► Seoul via Qingdao

• There are now a range of fast daytime D-category trains from Beijing South station to Qingdao taking just over 5 hours.  To get the ship the same day, allowing for check-in time, take the train which leaves Beijing South at 07:10 arriving Qingdao at 12:22.  You can check times at www.china-diy-travel.com.

• The ship sails from Qingdao at 16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Incheon at 10:00 next day. The one-way fare for the most basic berth is about 110,000 won or 750 RMB.  The operator is Weidong Ferry - see www.weidong.com for sailing dates and fares and check-in times.

• Traveller Wendy Bishop reports:  "It seems to be impossible to buy the Qingdao-Incheon Weidong ferry tickets in Beijing, but it feels a bit risky turning up in Qingdao and hoping to be able to get tickets there.  However, we didn't have any problems buying tickets 4 hours before departure though (late August) - the ferry company sells the tickets from its office 100m or so from the terminal."

• Trains link Incheon and Seoul frequently, 39km, journey time 58 minutes.

Seoul ► Beijing via Qingdao

• Trains link Seoul & Incheon frequently, 39km, journey time 58 minutes.

• The ship sails from Incheon's 2nd International Ferry Terminal at 18:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays arriving Qingdao at 09:00 next day.  The one-way fare for a bed in a 4-berth business class cabin is about 88,000 won or 750 RMB.  The one-way fare with carpet space in a shared area is 76,000 won.  The operator is Weidong Ferry, www.weidong.com for sailing dates and fares.

• There are a whole range of fast daytime D- and G-category high-speed trains taking just 5½ hours to Beijing South station.  You should be able to make the train leaving Qingdao at 13:45 arriving Beijing South at 18:05.  You can check times at www.china-diy-travel.com.

Beijing - Seoul via Tianjin

• Air-conditioned high-speed trains link Beijing and Tianjin frequently, taking just 30 minutes, see details here.  However, the port is actually at Tanggu, some 50 km east of Tianjin itself, so it's better to take a direct train from Beijing South to Tanggu, journey time 55 minutes, with trains every hour or two.  Beijing to Tanggu costs 92 RMB soft seat, 78 RMB hard seat.  You can check train times at www.china-diy-travel.com.  Bus 102 runs from Tanggu station to the ferry terminal, journey time 50 minutes.

• Ferries run by Jinchon Ferry sail from Tanggu International Ferry Terminal (50 km east of Tianjin) to Incheon twice a week, taking 25 hours.  Departure from Tanggu is at 11:00 on Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Incheon at 14:00 next day.  In the other direction, the ferry sails from Incheon at 13:00 on Tuesdays arriving Tanggu 14:00 Wednesdays and at 19:00 on Fridays arriving Tanggu 20:00 Saturdays. For sailing dates and times, try byferryfrom2japan.com/en/korea-china.  The ferry operator's own site (www.jinchon.co.kr) is only in Korean.  The ferry fare in economy class is 888 RMB + 60 RMB tax.  You should arrive at the ferry terminal 2-3 hours before sailing time.

• Trains link Incheon and Seoul frequently, 39 km, journey time 58 minutes.

Ferries between Japan & Korea

There are several ferry services between Japan and South Korea.  The suggested options are:

• Japan Kyushu Railway Beetle service from Fukuoka (Hakata) to Busan, www.jrbeetle.com (for the English version click Menu).  The Beetle is a fast jetfoil, taking only around 3 hours and running 2-5 times a day.  Fares start at around 4,000 Yen ($45, £35) one way in standard class, or 7,000 Yen in a green seat (1st class) if you book in advance.  On the day, a full-flex fare is around 14,000 Yen (£98).

• Kampu Ferry Service (www.kampuferry.co.jp) from Shimonoseki (international port terminal) to Busan.  These are conventional ferries with cabins, sailing overnight and departing daily at 18:00 arriving 08:30 next morning.  Fares around 9,000 Yen 2nd class (with tatami mat sleeping place), 12,000 Yen (£92) 1st class (with bed in a western-style or Japanese-style cabin with shower & toilet), deluxe cabins and suites also available.  It's 10% cheaper to buy a return ticket, but still reportedly cheaper to buy another one-way ticket back when you get to Korea.

• Camellia Line between Hakata & Busan by conventional ferry, www.koreaferry.co.kr (English button top right).  Sails overnight (22:00-06:00) in one direction, by day (12:30-18:00) in the other.  One-way fares from 80,000 Won, or from 1000,000 Won with cabin berth.  You can book online.

• Tip:  You may find it easier to book these ferries in plain English at the Seat61 ferry shop.  First simply select Japan or South Korea as your departure country.

• Traveller Andy Bridges reports (2019):  "The Beetle ferry worked really well booking through Direct Ferries and it was a great trip - definitely recommend.  Travellers should be aware of a number of departure taxes:  1500 Yen (new price from 1/8/2019) fuel tax per person can be paid by cash or card.  1000 Yen visitor tax per person can only be paid by cash.  500 Yen terminal usage fee - ticket bought from machine at check in - cash only."  It's reported that from 2020, some of these fees may now be included in the price if you book online, although not the port tax when leaving Japan, which must be paid at one of the machines.

To reach Korea from Japan...

• Take a train across Japan to Hakata-Fukuoka or Shimonoseki.  Hakata is the end of the high-speed shinkansen line from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima - see www.hyperdia.com (English button upper left) for train times and fares within Japan.

• Take the Beetle from Hakata to Busan or the overnight ferry from Shimonoseki to Busan.  To check Beetle times and fares, see www.jrbeetle.com and click Menu to switch to English.  It can be easier to book in English at the Seat61 ferry shop.

• For train service between Busan and Seoul, see www.korail.go.kr.

The Beetle ferry between Hakata in Japan and Pusan in South Korea.  The Beetle is a fast Boeing jetfoil, which rises out of the water on hydrofoils when it gets up to speed.  Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Train travel in South Korea

All major towns and cities in South Korea are linked by an efficient railway.  For train times and fares visit www.korail.com.

In addition, Seoul and Busan (the older spelling is Pusan) are linked by a new high-speed train service known as KTX.  The KTX runs on a new high-speed line built using French TGV technology.  Trains run frequently, taking just 2 hours 35 minutes.  The fare is 45,000 won (£25) one way 2nd class, 63,000 won (£35) 1st class.  For times, fares and online booking of KTX trains, see www.korail.com.

Right:  The high-speed KTX train from Seoul to Busan.  Photos courtesy of Shigeyuki Kaneko.

For times, fares & tickets see www.letskorail.com or 12go.asia.

• The official Korail site is www.korail.com (click 'ENGLISH' top centre for English) but to buy tickets or a Korail Pass, go to their sub-site www.letskorail.com and use the 'LANGUAGE' selector top right to switch it to English.

• Booking opens 1 month before departure.  Ignore the KR Railpass booking page that appears and click 'Rail tickets' at top left then 'Book online'.  When buying tickets, UK travellers will find the UK listed as 'England', just bite your lip if you're Scottish, Welsh or from Northern Ireland...

• The high-speed KTX trains between Seoul and Busan are highlighted in pink.  But if you are not in a hurry, the much slower non-high-speed Saemaul or Mugunghwa trains are cheaper and use the old route winding around the hills rather than through them.

• After booking, you must exchange your internet confirmation for a ticket at the station before departure.  You will need to show your passport.

• You can buy tickets at the station, but trains are busy on Fridays and Sunday evenings, so buying in advance is a good idea.  Trains are also busy around the two main 3-day national holidays, the lunar new year and Chuseok (meaning harvest, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) as people travel home at these times.

• It can be easier to order tickets online from reliable train & bus booking agency 12go.asia.  They confirm within 24 hours.

KTX first class...		KTX second class...

The South Korean Railpass...

• Believe it or not, there a railpass for Korea, giving unlimited travel over the whole Korail network, including both their high-speed KTX and regular trains (but excluding tourist trains & city metro trains).  For details and to buy a pass online, see www.letskorail.com, select English top right then click for the Korail Pass.

New private operator Seoul-Busan:  Super Rapid Train (SRT)...

• A new private high-speed operator called Super Rapid Train (SRT) started operating in December 2016 in competition with the existing State-owned Korail trains between Seoul & Busan and Seoul & Mokpo.  In Seoul, trains are currently using an out-of-the-centre station at Suseo, an hour by metro from central Seoul.

• See www.srail.co.kr for info - it's currently only in Korean.

Hotels in Seoul & South Korea

Other hotel sites worth trying...

• Check reviews on Tripadvisor.com's South Korea page.

• www.booking.com is my own preferred hotel booking system (Hotels Combined being a search/comparison system).  It has a simple interface, a good selection in most countries worldwide, useful online customer reviews of each hotel, and decent prices, usually shown inclusive of unavoidable extras such as taxes (a pet hate of mine is systems that show one price, then charge you another!).

Backpacker hostels...

• www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & VPN...

Always take out travel insurance...

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & covers you even if the FCDO advises against non-essential travel.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com.

You can use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves foreign transaction fees...

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then charge you a currency conversion fee.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:  1. Download the app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  VPNs & why you need one explained...

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi.  In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions.  And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN.  VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank...

With so much now held on your mobile phone (tickets, reservations, vaccination records, etc) I recommend carrying an Anker powerbank.  This can recharge your phone several times over if you're on the move and can't get to a power outlet.  I never travel without one.

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