KTX or bus from Seoul — what does it really cost?
For most routes the choice is simple: KTX is 1.5–2× the bus fare and roughly 40% faster station-to-station; buses win on price and often on terminal location (Jeonju, Sokcho). Pick a destination and party size below — fares are representative, sourced, and dated, not live quotes.
Seoul → Busan, 2 travelers
from ₩53,400≈ $38
| Option | Time | / person | total ×2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ●Standard busSeoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu) | 4h 19m | ₩26,700 | ₩53,400 |
| Excellent (udeung) busSeoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu) | 4h 19m | ₩39,700 | ₩79,400 |
| Premium busSeoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu) | 4h 19m | ₩51,600 | ₩103,200 |
| ●KTXSeoul Station | 2h 43m | ₩59,800 | ₩119,600 |
● cheapest · ● fastest (KTX) · representative one-way fares, verified 2026-08-12
SRT (from Suseo Station, southeast Seoul): 52,600 KRW, about 2h10m–2h30m — ~10% cheaper than KTX if Suseo is convenient.
GMP→PUS flights exist (~1h in the air) but prices are dynamic — not included here. Add airport access/security time when comparing.
KTX times: 2h37m–2h49m typical, fastest 2h18m. Bus: about 4h19m, ~32 departures/day.
Sources for Seoul → Busan
- KTX fare (standard class)₩59,800서울역 철도운임요금표(2025-09 갱신, 국토부·언론 교차검증)verified 2026-08-12
- Bus farespremium ₩51,600 · excellent ₩39,700 · standard ₩26,700고속버스 운행정보(공공데이터포털 TAGO 기반, 2026-08-11 갱신)verified 2026-08-12
- USD reference rate₩1,415 = $1서울외국환중개(주) — 매매기준율verified 2026-08-12
Questions travelers actually ask
Do KTX trains sell out? When should I book?
Weekends, holidays and Friday evenings do sell out — book a few days ahead on the Korail app/site (foreign cards accepted) or buy at the station for weekday off-peak. Fares are fixed by distance, so booking early doesn’t change the price, only seat availability.
What about SRT instead of KTX?
SRT (from Suseo Station, southeast Seoul): 52,600 KRW, about 2h10m–2h30m — ~10% cheaper than KTX if Suseo is convenient.
Which terminal do buses leave from?
Most express buses use the Seoul Express Bus Terminal / Central City complex (subway 3·7·9); Sokcho and other east-coast intercity buses leave from Dong Seoul Terminal (subway line 2, Gangbyeon). Check the “via” line in the table.
Is flying to Busan worth it?
Gimpo→Gimhae takes about an hour in the air, but adding airport access, security and the ride into Busan usually makes door-to-door time similar to KTX. Flight prices are dynamic, so this tool doesn’t list them.
Are these fares exact?
They are representative base fares: KTX standard class (first class ~40% more, weekday discounts exist) and weekday adult bus fares (late-night runs +20%). Treat them as planning numbers and check the booking apps for your exact departure.