Best Way To Get To Busan From Seoul or Pyeongtaek

While Seoul grabs all the attention as Korea’s top destination, Busan shouldn’t be missed on your Korean adventure. Busan is packed with accessible mountains, bustling seafood markets, and serene beaches, truly offering something for everyone. But Busan isn’t exactly next door to Seoul. It’s about 320 kilometers away on the southeast coast of the peninsula! Thankfully, Korea’s got a top-notch public transport system, so getting there is a piece of cake. Let’s check out all the options for getting to Busan from Seoul or Pyeongtaek!

Travel apps you’ll need for getting around Busan easier

KorailTalk (코레일톡)

As the name suggests, KorailTalk concerns itself with the entire railway system in South Korea. As such, it’s easy to find KTX, SRT, ITX, and Mugungwha trains via KorailTalk. You can check out the apps here: KorailTalk for iPhone and KorailTalk for Android

TMoneyGo (티머니Go)

TMoneyGo, part of the TMoney Company, is one of Korea’s biggest apps that encompass directions for cars, buses, trains, and bikes around Seoul.

Head over to these websites to download the TMoneyGo app: 티머니Go for iPhone and 티머니Go for Android. You can also check out the official website of TMoneyGo

BusTaGo (버스타고)

BusTaGo, literate to ‘ride the bus’ in Korean, is one of Seoul’s few apps that allows you to buy tickets for inner-city buses as well as inter-city buses. Using BusTaGo, you can look up buses departing from any bus terminal from around the country. You can also look at bus schedules and price points for different types of buses.

You can check out BusTaGo using these links: BusTaGo for iPhone and BusTaGo for Android

Korean Air My

Korean Air is many Koreans’ first choice for airlines. With Korean Air, you can travel domestically and internationally at affordable prices and at different times throughout the day. With the Korean Air My app, you can easily look up ticket prices. You can also reserve a ticket for you and your loved ones.

You can have a look at the app by clicking on these links: Korean Air My For iPhone and Korean Air My For Android. Also, check out this post for the Best Apps for Korea Travel!

How to get to Busan from Seoul

By Train

For the simplest trip from Seoul to Busan, hop on a train. It’s the preferred choice for many locals, especially on weekends when buses get stuck in traffic. Here’s a simple guide on how to travel from Seoul to Busan by train:

• Step 1: Take a subway to the departure station.
• Step 2: Purchase your train ticket at the station or have your e-ticket ready if booked online.
• Step 3: Once you have your ticket, locate the correct platform for your train. If needed, ask station staff for assistance. Remember to bring your passport and train ticket when boarding.
• Step 4: Upon arrival at Busan Train Station, proceed to Gate 2 and walk straight to reach the Busan Metro Station. From there, you can catch a subway to reach your final destination.

There are several different options if you wish to take the train from Seoul to /Busan. Before we lay out said options, you must first know about the different trains that service South Korea’s capital. Four types of trains are available, but we’ve covered you with all the details you need.

KTX (Korea Train Express)

• Ticket Price: 59,800 KRW ($43.6) (1 way)
• Duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours 
• Departs from Seoul Station, Busan Station
• Train schedule and online booking: www.letskorail.com

The fastest and simplest way to travel from Seoul to Busan is by taking the KTX train. This high-speed train in Korea can reach up to 300 km/h and completes the journey in about three hours. While tickets may be costly, the KTX offers a swift, secure, and comfortable ride between the cities.

If you plan to travel to multiple cities using the KTX train, consider getting the Korail Pass, only available to foreigners. It helps you save money compared to buying individual tickets. For more information on using the KTX and Korail Pass, check out our guide “All About Korean Trains (KORAIL) & KTX & KORAIL Pass.”

ITX-Saemaeul

• Ticket Price: 42,600 KRW ($31) (1 way)
• Duration: About 4.5 hours 
• Departs from Seoul Station, Yeongdeungpo Station, Busan Station
• Train schedule and online booking: www.letskorail.com

The ITX Saemaeul, or Intercity Train Express-Saemaeul, offers a convenient alternative to the KTX, although it’s not as fast.

Mugunghwa Train

• Ticket Price: 28,600 KRW ($20.8)(1 way)
• Duration: About 5 to 6 hours 
• Departs from Seoul Station, Yeongdeungpo Station, Busan Station
• Train schedule and online booking: www.letskorail.com

The Mugunghwa is the most affordable train for traveling between Seoul and Busan, but it’s slower than the KTX. It’s a suitable choice if you’re on a tight budget or prefer a leisurely journey. Unlike the faster KTX trains, the Mugunghwa lets you appreciate the Korean countryside more relaxedly.

SRT (Super Rapid Train)

• Ticket Price: 51,700 KRW ($37.7)
• Duration: About 2.5 hours 
• Departs from Suseo Station, Busan Station
• Train schedule and online booking: SRT site

The SRT train is a quicker and more budget-friendly option than the KTX when heading from Seoul to Busan. Remember that it only leaves Suseo Station, which might be far from downtown Seoul. 

Download Naver Map on your trip to Korea. Here, you can see the best routes to Busan and other places around Korea. Read also 18 Best Apps for Korea Travel: Easy & Convenient.

• NAVER Map, Navigation – Apps on Google Play
• NAVER Map, Navigation on the App Store (apple.com)

By Bus (Cheapest Way)

• Ticket Price: 25,400 KRW – 49,100 KRW ($18.5 – $35.8)
• Duration: ~ 4 hours
• Bus schedule and online booking: www.kobus.co.kr

Besides train stations, many express buses will take you from Seoul to Busan. The most well-known and convenient bus terminal is Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울버스터미널).  Night buses are particularly popular as they allow you to travel overnight and arrive in Busan the next morning. 

Three types of express buses are available: General, Luxury, and Premium. Korean buses are known for their luxury, with amenities like fully reclining seats, TV screens, and even Wi-Fi on some of the top-tier coaches. Tickets are easily purchased at self-service machines in terminals or online through the Korean bus website.

By a private tour

For limited-time travelers, a private tour is an excellent alternative to public transport between Seoul and Busan. With a private day tour of Busan from Seoul, you can experience all the city highlights in one day, starting and ending in Seoul.

This comprehensive tour package typically includes two return tickets on the KTX train, private transportation within Busan, and admission fees for various attractions around the city. It’s a convenient and efficient way to maximize your time while exploring Busan.

By Car 

You can, of course, hit the road in your own car. In the case that you do, we highly recommend the route that takes you from Seoul Express Bus terminal to either Busan Central Bus Terminal or Sasang Bus Terminal. If you drive to Busan, the journey will take you a little over 4 hours and cost you ₩52,430–₩80,732 in fuel and toll fees.

By Plane

For the shortest possible journeys to Busan from Seoul, check out these plane flights from Seoul to Busan. Each flight will take around an hour to reach Busan. Here’s a summary of the process:

• Booking a Flight: You can choose from several airlines operating flights between Seoul Gimpo Airport and Busan Gimhae Airport, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Busan Airlines, Jeju Airlines, and Esta Airlines. Flight prices typically range from 30,000 KRW ($21.8) to 80,000 KRW ($58) for a one-way ticket, but they can vary based on factors like the time of booking and demand.
• Check-in: Aim to arrive at the airport about 30 minutes to an hour before your flight’s departure time. This allows sufficient time for check-in, security screening, and other pre-flight procedures.
• Flight: Once boarded, the flight will take around an hour to reach Busan Gimhae Airport from Seoul Gimpo Airport. Enjoy the short journey and the views from above!
• Arrival in Busan: Upon landing at Gimhae Airport, you must go to Central Busan. The most convenient option is to take the subway, which typically takes about 30 minutes to travel from the airport to West Busan station.

How to get to Busan from Pyeongtaek

While Pyeongtaek is located in the south of Seoul, it is still a journey to get to Busan. And like Seoul, Pyeongtaek offers its residents many options in the way of public transportation, including transportation that will take you from Pyeongtaek to Busan. The distance from Pyeongtaek to Busan is 268km (166 miles).

By Train

Although there are no viable KTX trains like there are in Seoul, SRT conveniently services the city. The route for the SRT train starts from Jije Station, a couple of subway stops from Pyeongtaek Station. This route ends at Busan Station. You can expect to pay ₩45,000–₩55,000

Mugunghwa is another train system that offers its services in the city of Pyeongtaek. From Pyeongtaek Station, the journey to Busan Station takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes with a stopover at Sintanjin Station. For a Mugunghwa train, you can expect to pay ₩19,000–₩55,000.

By Car

If you wish to drive from Pyeongtaek to Busan, we recommend the route from Pyeongtaek Station to Busan Station. This journey takes around 3 hours and 37 minutes. You can expect to pay ₩46,000–₩70,000.

By Plane

While there isn’t a major airport that’s in the city of Pyeongtaek, many travelers from Pyeongtaek take a plane from Gimpo International Airport. As such, you can have a look at the aforementioned plane flights to Busan.

You arrived at your destination. What next?

After traveling to Busan from Seoul or Pyeongtaek, you need accommodations, but you don’t know how to look for and reserve a suitably priced and comfortable place. Not to worry! This article will provide some useful links that will help you look for different places of lodgings. You can also look at our article on things to do in Busan as well as the best things to do at night in Busan.

IVISITKOREA

The best way to enjoy your travel is by having a local tell you the ins and outs of the city. Find the best tours and activities from locals, ex-pats, and travelers at IVISITKOREA. IVISITKOREA is the ultimate guide to making the best choice for your unforgettable trip. This site saves you time and money by instantly comparing all the tours, attractions, and activities in one place. And best yet it is FREE to use.

To make things even easier, we built the Korea Trip Planner, a free itinerary tool designed to help you plan your trip your way. Just tell us your travel dates, interests, pace, and travel style, and the planner creates a realistic, day-by-day itinerary you can actually follow once you’re in Korea. It’s flexible, customizable, and based on real travel logic—not just AI guesses.

Airbnb

You might have heard of Airbnb. If you haven’t, the first thing you must know is that Airbnb is quickly becoming the world’s favorite way to find hostels, apartments, and houses for rent anywhere you might go. As it is not run through big hotel companies, prices may vary a lot. Nevertheless, it is one step above CouchSurfing but with much safer circumstances.

Why not check it out? You can find the official website of Airbnb here. You can also download Airbnb for iPhone and Airbnb for Android.

Agoda

With the same functionality as TripAdvisor, Agoda offers several lists of hotels and hostels around the world. Agoda also provides the price points and different services and utilities that each place has. Unlike TripAdvisor, Agoda focuses on accommodations, so they don’t have any lists concerning recommended eateries and attractions.

Nevertheless, Agoda is a preferred website of many. Check out the official website of Agoda here. You can also check out Agoda for iPhone and Agoda for Android. In addition, you can look up all of the available hotels in Busan.

Conclusion

Busan is easily one of the most visited destinations in the world. Many Koreans and foreigners alike choose to vacation there regularly. For this reason, many apps and websites dedicate themselves to providing travelers of any age and circumstance with affordable and top-notch travel options as well as accommodations. With these travel apps, including Korean-specific apps, you will not want anything else!

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