Introduction
The Korea Train Express (KTX) is South Korea's high-speed rail system, connecting major cities like Seoul and Busan. It reaches speeds up to 305 km/h (190 mph), making travel quick and efficient. Launched in 2004, the KTX has revolutionized transportation with its punctuality and comfort. It's a popular choice for both locals and tourists. Enjoy scenic views and a smooth ride on the KTX.
This document covers specific ways you can take the KTX to the rest of Korea quickly and easily.
How to purchase the KTX ticket
There are three ways for you to buy KTX tickets. You can purchase tickets directly from a staff member at the ticket office, purchase tickets through the Lets Korail app or website, and finally purchase tickets from a crew member on the train.
Because explaining everything here would make the document too long, detailed instructions on how to use the Lets Korail application or website will be covered in a separate document at this link.
Naturally, it is easiest to purchase KTX tickets from the ticket office staff. All you have to do is ask which city you want to go to, what time the fastest train with reserved seats departs, and ask for a seat. In most cases, this won't be difficult as there are staff who can speak English.
Find your destination, estimated travel time, and fare in advance from the list of cities where KTX arrives at this link. Now here are some important things you need to know.
- You cannot purchase tickets in foreign currency at the KTX ticket office. Submit your original currency or submit your credit card.
- Domestic travel of koreans is fully active on Saturdays and Sundays, so it may be difficult to purchase tickets for the time slot you want if you do not reserve in advance.
- On Friday evenings, KTX trains from Seoul to the provinces are almost sold out as Koreans return to their hometowns after work. Conversely, on Sunday evenings, KTX trains from rural areas to Seoul are almost sold out due to Koreans traveling from their hometowns to Seoul.
- If your travel schedule includes weekends, we strongly recommend reserving KTX tickets 2-3 days in advance.
How to board the KTX
You can take the KTX from Seoul Station and Yongsan Station, fastest. You can also board the KTX from a few lower-grade stations, such as Yeongdeungpo Station and Gwangmyeong Station, but these are not major stations. Anyway, the stations where you can use KTX smoothly are Seoul Station and Yongsan Station, and the system is the same.
Read your KTX ticket
There are two types of tickets for KTX.
In the photo above, the paper ticket is on the left, and the mobile ticket is on the right.
- Paper tickets: Can be issued directly at the ticket window at Seoul Station or Yongsan Station.
- Mobile tickets: Book and issue tickets anytime, anywhere through the Lets Korail app
Let me tell you one important thing. Paper tickets and mobile tickets are generally not subject to ticket inspection. As long as you are sitting in the correct seat, the KTX attendant will not ticket you.
This is because the reservation details for all seats are already updated on the terminal they carry around to check seats. The only reason flight attendants will ticket you is if you are sitting in the wrong seat or if you are sitting in an unsold seat. Therefore, it is not good idea about free riding on KTX.
All KTX trains consist of multiple carriages. The carriage and seat you must board among each carriage is specified on your ticket.
Whether you received a ticket in English or Korean, it will most likely look like this.
- Train number: It is marked something like "KTX 703". This is the KTX train number you will board.
- Carriage number: It is marked something like "Car 5" or "5호차". This is the carriage number of the KTX you will board.
- Seat number: It is marked something like "5C". This is the seat number inside the Carriage where you should sit.
In other words, the example ticket above instructs you to find the KTX 703 train, then get on the carriage called Car 5 of that train and sit in seat 5C. It's not difficult at all. If so, I will guide you on where to actually find the train number, carriage number, and seat number.
The only additional information you now need to know to board the correct KTX at Seoul Station or Yongsan Station is information about the "ride", i.e. the train boarding platform. Of course, everything we have told you so far also applies to all other KTX stations and even SRT stations operated by different companies. In the case of SRT, only the letters "KTX" are changed to "SRT" and everything else is the same.
Find platform and departure time
First, look for the large electronic display board at the relevant KTX station. You can easily find it anywhere. This large electronic display board provides information about the KTX train that is about to depart and the boarding platform.
- For example, the departure time of "KTX 164" train is 18:11 and the boarding platform number is No.12.
There is no need to find the location of the carriage and seat in advance here; you can find them after entering the platform.
The platform number (ex: No.9) can be found very easily once you enter the KTX boarding area. The large number attached to each platform is the platform number. The platform numbers for all trains are announced on the electronic display board 15 minutes before boarding, so it is very easy to find them if you look for them on time.
You cannot find the platform number on the paper ticket; you must find it on the electronic display board. However, your mobile ticket will start displaying your platform number 15 minutes before boarding. please refer to this.
Find carriage number and seat number
If you have entered the correct platform, you can easily check whether you are on the correct train by looking at the small electronic display on each platform or the train number indicator on the side of the train. Now, it is time to find your seat according to the carriage number and seat number.
The easiest way is to look to the side of your train waiting on the platform. You can check the carriage number right here, and you can also check the direction in which the seat number is arranged in the carriage.
If you are in the correct carriage on the correct KTX train, the seat number is written on the top of the seat, similar to trains in most other countries, although it is small and hard to see in the picture. Just look at this, find the seat number written on your ticket, and sit there! Now enjoy your trip.