How To Get From Seoul To Busan
While Seoul is the most popular place to visit in Korea, it isn’t the only place you should explore on your trip to the Korean Peninsula.
Busan is teaming with easily accessible mountains, bustling seafood markets and relaxing beaches - it is a city that has something for everybody.
In this article we will outline the best ways to get from Seoul to Busan.
We’ll cover the cheapest way to get to Busan from Seoul, the quickest way to travel between Korea’s two biggest cities and provide you with a few handy tips to make the journey from Seoul to Busan as stress-free as possible.
So, let’s dive into: How to get from Seoul to Busan
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Seoul to Busan - Quick Overview
| How to get from Seoul to Busan | Mode of Transport | How to Book? |
|---|---|---|
| Quickest Way | Plane | Compare prices here |
| Easiest Way | High Speed KTX Train | Buy tickets here |
| Cheapest Way | Bus from Seoul Express Terminal | See bus timetable here |
What’s the distance from Seoul to Busan?
The distance from Seoul to Busan is roughly 325km, or 200 miles.
Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is located in the very North of the country. It is less than an hour from North Korea's border, making it the perfect base for visiting the Korean DMZ.
Busan, on the other hand, is found on the coast in the very South of the country.
How long is the journey from Seoul to Busan?
The journey between Seoul and Busan varies depending on the mode of transport, but it is generally expected to take around 4 hours to travel from Seoul to Busan.
Visiting Busan is one of the best day trips from Seoul, so thankfully, there are plenty of transport options for journeying between the two Korean cities.
If you travel to Busan from Seoul by high-speed KTX train or a plane, your journey could take as little as 1.5-2.5 hours.
Gamcheon Culture Village - one of the best things to see in Busan
KTX Train from Seoul to Busan
Getting the KTX train from Seoul to Busan is arguably the easiest way of travelling between South Korea’s two most famous cities.
It couldn’t really be easier - you get the subway to Seoul Metro Station and walk across to the Seoul Train Station. In the station, you pick up the ticket you have reserved online and board the train bound for Busan Train Station. Simple!
How much does it cost? A return KTX train from Seoul to Busan costs KRW119600 (KRW59800 each-way), roughly £73 or US$90. It is therefore recommended to buy a multi-day KTX rail pass because prices start from as little as £69/$85 for unlimited KTX train journeys.
How long does it take? KTX train from Seoul to Busan takes around 2.0-2.5 hours
How often do they depart? The KTX train to Busan departs twice-an-hour from Seoul Station
Slow Train to Busan from Seoul
There are actually 3 different types of slow trains that travel from Seoul to Busan - ITX, SRT and Mugunghwa. All 3 are naturally slower than the high-speed KTX trains but are more affordable and allow you to see more of the Korean countryside.
Each of the slow trains from Seoul to Busan enters via the Busan Train Station - from here, it is very simple to get to the Busan subway system or hire a private transfer from Busan Station to your chosen destination.
Here’s a quick overview of each of the slow trains from Seoul to Busan:
ITX - 42000 KRW (£25/$30) - departs from Seoul Station or Yeongdeungpo Station - 4.5 Hours
SRT - 52000 KRW (£32/$40) - departs from Suseo Station - 2.5 Hours
Mugunghwa - 28000 KRW (£17/$21) - departs from Yongsan Station - 5.5 Hours
How much does it cost? Costs differ depending on which train you take, but a return slow train ticket from Seoul to Busan will cost between £18($23) - £34($43).
How long does it take? Journey time varies between the different slow trains you can take, but in general, the slow train to Busan from Seoul takes between 2.5 - 5.5 hours.
How often do they depart? All day from Seoul Station, Yeongdeungpo Station, Suseo Station and Yongsan Station.
Bus from Seoul to Busan
Buses/coaches in Korea are generally very fancy, and the bus from Seoul to Busan is no exception - on some of the nicest luxury coaches, you can even expect fully reclining seats, TV screens and even wifi!
The majority of buses from Seoul to Busan depart from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, which is reachable via Subway Line 3 (Express Bus Terminal Station).
We found the easiest way to purchase a ticket was at the self-service machines inside the terminal. You can choose from various prices and comfort levels, with each being more affordable than any other option in the article on how to get from Seoul to Busan. Alternatively, you can buy express bus tickets on the Korean bus website here.
How much does it cost? Prices for the bus between Seoul and Busan vary depending on what style of coach you choose, but roughly it will cost between KRW23000 (£14/$17) and KRW37000 (£22/$27).
How long does it take? Most buses from Seoul to Busan take around 4-5 hours.
How often do they depart? Buses from Seoul to Busan depart up to 5 times an hour from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal.
One of our handy South Korea travel tips is to use buses as much as possible when you visit the country, they are usually very fancy and the seats are always super comfortable!
Ben on the Seoul to Busan Bus - the fully reclining seats are definitely a hit!
Flying from Seoul to Busan
While we appreciate this certainly isn’t the most environmentally friendly way of travelling, flying from Seoul to Busan is undoubtedly the quickest way to travel between the two cities.
The majority of flights depart from Seoul Gimpo Airport and land at Busan Gimhae Airport around an hour later.
There are, of course, many variables that dictate the price of a plane ticket, ranging from the day of the week, time of day and the month you intend to travel on - it is generally expected, however, that flying will cost roughly the same, or more, than getting the KTX train once you factor in the cost of baggage.
We have found that the cheapest way to find flights as a couple is to book them through WayAway, and with their annual subscription, you can even earn cashback on every purchase that goes directly into your PayPal account. WayAway is a great way to save money on your Seoul to Busan flight.
How much does it cost? Prices for a flight between Seoul and Busan can start from as little as 50000 KRW (£32/$40) with budget airlines such as Jeju Air or T’Way Air
How long does it take? The flight itself only takes 1 hour from Seoul to Busan
How often do they depart? Rather staggeringly, up to 40 flights a day from Seoul to Busan are operated by 6 different airlines.
Korean Air - one of the airlines that operate Seoul to Busan flights
Driving to Busan from Seoul
The distance from Seoul to Busan is roughly 325km (200 miles), and the journey between the two should take around 4 hours if you’re driving.
Something to note is that the traffic, mainly when leaving Seoul and driving close to Daegu, can be pretty brutal, so it could conceivably take you closer to 5 hours by road.
How much does it cost? This is a little more difficult to calculate as to have to consider the cost of renting a car in South Korea and this is dependent on how many days you choose to stay in Busan
How long does it take? Typically the drive from Seoul to Busan takes around 4 hours, without taking into account any stops along the way or excessive traffic
Seoul to Busan on a private tour
Of course, there is another alternative to travelling by public transport between Seoul and Busan. A private tour is potentially the best option for those travellers with very limited time to explore the whole of Korea.
On a private day-tour of Busan from Seoul, you can see all of the highlights of Busan, while starting and ending the day in Seoul.
Included in the cost of the private tour are 2 return tickets on the KTX train, private transport around Busan and all of the entry fees for sites around the city.
As it is a private tour, it can be expensive for one or two people, so we would only recommend this option for groups that have limited time to explore Busan.
How much does it cost? Prices vary by group size but it starts from around £238/$293 per person, which includes your return KTX train ticket from Seoul and a private day-tour of Busan
How long does it take? The entire day-trip is likely to take around 10-12 hours, making a full-day affair
How often do they depart? The tours depart once-a-day, every day of the week
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - Busan’s famous ‘Temple by the Sea’
What’s the easiest way to get from Seoul to Busan?
While getting a private transfer would naturally be the easiest because you simply sit in the back of a car and get driven to Busan, we think that overall, the easiest way to get from Seoul to Busan is to ride the KTX train from Seoul Station.
The journey only takes around 2 hours, you can sit in comfort (provided you reserve a seat, which we highly recommend), and there are any different departures throughout the day.
What’s the cheapest way to get to Busan from Seoul?
The cheapest way to get to Busan from Seoul is to take a bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal. Buses to Busan start from as little as KRW23000 (£14/$17) and for only slightly more, you can get a premium bus with reclining seats and a TV screen.
What are the best things to do in Busan?
Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and there are many incredible things to do in Busan. Here is a quick overview of the main highlights in Busan:
Gamcheon Cultural Village - colourful houses on the mountainside
Jagalchi Fish Market - a considerable seafood market by the water
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - the famous ‘Temple by the Sea’
Haeundae Beach - urban beach in Busan
Busan Tower - 120m high tower offering great views of the city
There we have it folks, a complete round-up of how to get from Seoul to Busan. While many visitors to the Korean peninsula stick to the capital city, we hope this guide has made it easier for you to explore further afield and see what delights Busan has to offer.
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