THE ART OF TAKING TRAINS IN KOREA
by
JH
- Thursday, April 25, 2013
My thoughts on taking trains in Korea after having spent 14 days there? Seriously, it was not as bad nor confusing as compared to Tokyo, Japan. I found Korea's train system to be fairly easy to navigate.
What about you? Let me know what you think by commenting below.
What about you? Let me know what you think by commenting below.
KORAIL Pass Or Not?
I reached Seoul in the evening and had planned to take a KTX train to Dongdaegu at night. As a foreigner, you can enjoy train privileges with a KTX pass spanning from 1 to 7 days. KTX and now, the KTX-Sancheon trains, are high-speed trains, being the most comfortable and fastest amongst all.I bought the 7 days pass and totally enjoyed travelling via KTX. Conventional trains such as Mugunghwa and Saemaeul (As of 2015, there's also the V and O-trains which journeys through certain scenic locations) are also part of the ridership package.
Book online at KORAIL Korea. You have to book in advance online or from a travel agency and cannot purchase them at the counters.
Want to get savings for your KR Pass?
Want to get savings for your KR Pass?
I was hesitant at the beginning, wondering if buying a KORAIL (KR) PASS would be worthy as it was quite expensive. KR passes are priced up to 195,000 won each, depending on the pass usage days. Thankfully, it turned out to be a good "investment" since I travelled to different regions outside of Seoul in consecutive days.
Where to Exchange For KR Pass
When arriving at Seoul Station from the airport, look out for the KTX pass counter (as shown below), which is different from the normal train ticketing queues.
It will be best that you activate your pass activation on the day of your outbound travel from Seoul. Once you exchange for activation, it goes towards a day's worth. So plan wisely.
It will be best that you activate your pass activation on the day of your outbound travel from Seoul. Once you exchange for activation, it goes towards a day's worth. So plan wisely.
Hand over your confirmation printout with your passport at the counter and you will be handed your pass. Bring it along with you everywhere so that you can get train tickets on the spot, at any stations, in any regions — with or without KTX operations, major or 'localised' stations. With the KTX Pass, you will want to utilise its worth and take the KTX trains whenever possible. However, there are some areas which KTX does not serve and you will have to take their 'local' trains — Mugunghwa and Saemaeul (cheaper and not as clean)
The 'local' trains though slower than KTX, are relatively quick, just that they stop at more places along the way. However, these trains are as spacious as KTX and you will have plenty of leg-room. I consider the seats to be more spacious than budget airlines.
Accommodations Near Seoul Train Station:
Seioso Hotel Seoul
24 Guest House Seoul Station
Hotelette Seoul station
Maru Guesthouse Seoul Station
KR Pass And Train Tickets
This pass bears your name, age, nationality and the validity ( In my case, 7 days' worth)Don't lose it. Ever.
These are the paper train tickets you will receive every time you want to have a train ride.
Simply show your pass at the counter and get this tickets "for free".
Conveniences
The train system is very flexible so you do not have to make reservations or purchase tickets in advanced. Just know where you are heading to and the timing you want to board the train, be at the ticketing counter some 15 mins or so earlier ( if there is no long queue), show your KTX pass card and you will get the train ticket to your destination.Oh yes, it is possible to purchase multiple tickets in advance. Say you want to take a train from Dongdaegu Station early in the morning and would like to get hold of your ticket the day before? Sure you can, as long as you have the time and date in mind, you can get the paper ticket first and keep it for the next few days.
Simple!
Seats allocations will be done and if you prefer window seats just tell the staff.
Seats allocations will be done and if you prefer window seats just tell the staff.
With a KR PASS, you need not dig out our coins or notes every time you want to purchase a ticket, so it is very convenient.
Interior of the KTX
The Recap
Here are some stations I went to on my 14-days trip.
Dongdaegu station is the place I frequented most during my 5 days stay in Daegu.
Frequencies
For places like from Busan to Seoul or Dongdaegu etc. there are many frequent KTX trains available, so you need not need worry if you fail to catch a train on your intended timing. If you missed your train you can always get another ticket at the counter, so relax~~ But sometimes if you can make it, the staff will still issue you tickets 5 mins before departing, so run to the boarding platform!! ^^
However if you are travelling to more remote areas like Jinhae or Andong and not via KTX, you have to be aware of the timing for the trains.
Experience 1
At Masan station going on to Jinhae station,
Posters for the Jinhae festival
Here is the train platform at Masan station.
For this leg of the journey there is no KTX and we boarded the conventional trains — Mugunghwa.
For this leg of the journey there is no KTX and we boarded the conventional trains — Mugunghwa.
There are cafe bars in some train cabins on the Mugunghwa trains.
Jinhae Station
Experience 2
In another instance, I was going to Andong's Hahoe Folk Village. From Dongdaegu to Andong, there were only 3 train slots per day- morning, afternoon and evening (updated 2017: It seems there are only 2 train slots left now, morning and evening). Make sure you catch that morning 6:15 train! Else it will be 15:33 for the next slot. Can you imagine how early I woke up on that day?
Thankfully, the inter-city subway trains in Daegu operates early so you can be sure you can take the subway from whichever station towards Dongdaegu Station to catch the Mugunghwa train.
Dongdaegu Train Station in the early morning at 545am.
Vacant.
Vacant.
Sunrise along the way gradually.
Experience 3
I went to Gyeongju for the famous historical and UNESCO world heritage sites and Gyeongju Station is where you can alight at.
Alternatively, you may also take a KTX to Singyeogju Station, since it is way worth your dollars if you are with a KR Pass. Read how to travel from Seoul to Gyeongju.
A huge, new and nice station.
Facilities
At mega stations like Seoul. Dongdaegu, Busan for example, there are many eateries and facilities available so you can catch a bite too. This is not the same for smaller, suburb train stations.
Travelling by train is awesome as you can see the beautiful scenery along the way and discover another charming side of your travels. With the KR Pass, travelling to all the many pretty places outside of Seoul is made simpler. Purchase KR Pass and save!
Share with me in the comments below if you have anything to share of ask, fire away
