Korea Tour : Railway Systems of Korea

Hi?

I am Eddie Kwon, a Korea Tour interpreter and guide.

Today, I would like to give tips about railway systems in Korea.

In fact, Korea boasts of very clean, modern and automated railway systems and you may go to many cities by them conveniently.

 

One of the most convenient ways to travel between cities in Korea is by train. Bus schedules can vary depending on traffic, but that is hardly the case for the railroad, allowing passengers to make more exact travel plans and move to destinations on time.

 

Korean trains are classified based on their speed and the amenities offered onboard. There are generally seven classifications: KTX express trains, including KTX-Sancheon, SRT (Super Rapid Train) and the non-express Saemaeul, ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Cheongchun, Mugunghwa, Nuriro and tourism trains.

 

Ticket prices depend on the classification of the train and distance traveled. There are two main railway lines in Korea: the Gyeongbu Line connecting Seoul to Busan, and the Honam Line running from Yongsan Station in Seoul to Mokpo in the southwest. Other railway lines include the Jeolla and Gyeongjeon lines, which reach as far as Yeosu and Changwon on the south coast.

 

For an affordable vacation traveling around Korea, the KORAIL Pass, an exclusive railway pass for foreign visitors, allows unlimited use of all trains, including KTX express trains, for a certain number of days (please visit www.letskorail.com for more information).

 

 

Major Train Stations in Seoul

 

1. Seoul Station 

One of the most important railway stations in Seoul, Seoul Station is the starting point of the Gyeongbu Line, a double-track line that connects Seoul to Busan.

 

2. Yongsan Station 

Yongsan Station is the start of the Honam Line, a double-track line that runs from Seoul to Mokpo.

 

3. Cheongnyangni Station 

This station is for non-express trains headed to the eastern provinces for tourist sites such as Gangneung and Jeongseon in Gangwon-do, Andong, and Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do regions, and the ITX Cheongchun train for Chuncheon. Express trains or KTXs do not pass through this station.

 

4. Yeongdeungpo Station 

Yeongdeungpo Station covers the travel needs of passengers in the southwest part of Seoul. Opened in 1990, the station is Seoul's first privately operated railway station. All non-express trains passing through Yeongdeungpo Station make stops here.

 

 

Classification of Trains

 

Korea Train Express (KTX)

On April 1, 2004, Korea's new express train, hence called the KTX, opened for business. This new high-speed train has been designed to reach speeds of 305 km per hour. Thanks to KTX, the travel time from Seoul to Busan is reduced to less than three hours (about 2 hrs. and 45 mins.), cutting the original travel time almost in half.

 

Super Rapid Train (SRT)

Super Rapid Train (SRT) from Suseo to Busan started business in December, 19, 2016. It takes about 2hrs. and 15 min. It also serves from Seoul to Mokpo, which takes about 90 mins.

 

ITX-Saemaeul

Operated on Gyeongbu, Honam and Gyeongjeon Lines, the train runs in place of regular Saemaeul trains, running at a slightly faster speed.

 

Nuriro

Nuriro serves medium- to long-distance lanes, similar to regional express trains in other countries. The Nuriro train runs between Seoul and Sinchang Stations in place of Mugunghwa.

※ For more details, visit the official website of KORAIL or call to confirm the latest information.

 

KORAIL Customer Service: +82-1599-7777 (Korean, English)

KORAIL Website: info.korail.com (Korean, English)