Travelling Korea by train: KTX, SRT, ITX, Mugunghwa, booking and the Korail Pass

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Korea's railways are fast, punctual and easy to use in English, and for most trips between cities the train beats both flying and driving. The confusing part is that there are several kinds of train, two operators and four main stations in Seoul. This guide sorts that out.

The trains, from fastest to slowest

KTX: the high-speed train run by Korail. It runs from Seoul and Yongsan to Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Mokpo, Gangneung and more. Seoul to Busan takes roughly two and a half hours.
SRT: also high-speed, but run by a separate company (SR). It starts from Suseo station in south-east Seoul and runs to Busan and Mokpo along the same tracks as the KTX for most of the way. Handy if you are staying in Gangnam.
KTX-Eum: a newer, slightly slower high-speed train on lines such as Cheongnyangni to Andong and the central inland routes. It stops at more stations than the main KTX.
ITX trains (ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum, ITX-Cheongchun): intercity expresses that are slower than KTX but faster than the old stopping trains. ITX-Cheongchun is the quick way to Chuncheon and Gapyeong, for Nami Island.
Mugunghwa: the slowest and cheapest, stopping at small towns. Comfortable, roomy and good for scenic routes when you are not in a hurry.

Seoul's main stations

Seoul Station: the main hub for KTX to Busan and the south-east, plus AREX to Incheon Airport.
Yongsan: KTX and other trains towards Gwangju, Mokpo and Yeosu (the Honam and Jeolla lines), and the ITX-Cheongchun.
Suseo: SRT only, linked to Seoul subway line 3 and the Suin-Bundang line.
Cheongnyangni: trains to the east, including KTX to Gangneung and KTX-Eum to Andong, plus ITX-Cheongchun.

Check which station your train leaves from before setting off; Seoul and Yongsan are close, but Suseo and Cheongnyangni are on opposite sides of the city.

Booking tickets

Korail (letskorail.com and the Korail Talk app) sells KTX, KTX-Eum, ITX and Mugunghwa tickets. The website has an English booking section for foreign visitors, and you can pay with a foreign card.
SRT tickets are sold on SR's own website and app, which also have an English option, although foreign-card support has been patchier.
Tickets open a few weeks before travel. Weekends, Friday evenings and holidays like Chuseok and Seollal sell out fast, so book as soon as booking opens for those dates.
Your ticket is on your phone. There are no ticket barriers; a conductor checks on board.
If a train is sold out, look for standing tickets or seats on a slightly earlier or later train, or check again nearer the day as people cancel.

Seat types

Standard (일반실): perfectly comfortable for a few hours.
First class (특실): wider seats and more legroom, worth it for a long trip if the price difference is small.
Many trains sell standing or free-seat tickets on busy days. On the KTX there are some fold-down seats near the doors, first come, first served.
Seats are assigned. Some face backwards on the KTX; if that bothers you, check the seat map when booking.

The Korail Pass

The Korail Pass (KR Pass) is for foreign visitors only. It gives unlimited travel on Korail trains, including the KTX, for a set number of days, either consecutive or chosen within a window. Points to know:

It is not valid on the SRT, or on city subways.
Residents of Korea cannot buy it, and you show your passport.
Seat reservations are made through Korail after you buy it.
Korail has also launched a Pass Plus that combines the pass with a rechargeable transport card for buses and subways.

Whether it saves money depends on how many long trips you make in its window. A single Seoul to Busan return rarely justifies it; a loop through Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju and Gangneung might. Compare it with single tickets on the Korail English site, which lists current pass types, prices and terms.

Practical tips

Arrive ten minutes early; trains leave on time and platforms are announced on screens.
Large suitcases go in racks at the end of each carriage.
Food is fine on board. Stations have convenience stores and bakeries; buy before you board.
Many KTX routes are covered in our guides to day trips from Seoul, Busan and Gangneung.

Which route are you planning, or which train surprised you? Ask or share in the comments.