The safest way for a visitor to book the KTX is on Korail's own English website, korail.com, or in the KORAIL+ app. Tickets go on sale at 07:00 two months before your travel date, and you pay with a credit card (Korail, as of November 2026). Since 1 September 2026, the former SRT trains run under the KTX name too, and KTX fares dropped by about 10% on average, according to Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. If you plan several long trips in a few days, the Korail Pass (from 131,000 won) may be cheaper. Below: step by step booking, the pass math, refund rules and the mistakes to avoid.
KTX booking at a glance
| Question | Answer (as of Nov 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Where to book | korail.com (English), KORAIL+ app, ticket machines, station counters | Korail |
| When tickets open | 07:00, two months before departure | Korail |
| How to pay online | Credit card | Korail |
| Not sold at | Subway stations | Korail |
| Rail pass for visitors | Korail Pass: 2-5 days within 10 days, from 131,000 won | Korail |
| 2026 change | KTX and SRT merged into one KTX network; fares about 10% lower on average | Transport ministry |
| Help line | +82-1599-7777 (08:00-20:00 KST) | Korail |
What changed in September 2026
Korea used to have two high-speed train operators: Korail (KTX), mostly from Seoul and Yongsan stations, and SR (SRT), from Suseo station in southeast Seoul. The transport ministry says that from 1 September 2026 the two run as one KTX network:
- Fares: KTX fares were lowered to the old SRT level, about 10% cheaper on average.
- One app: KORAIL+, launched on 3 August 2026, replaces the separate Korail Talk and SRT apps, so you can search all high-speed trains in one place.
- More seats: about 15,000 extra seats a day on weekdays and up to about 17,000 on weekends, with about 30% more seats on the Suseo route.
What this means for you: when you search Seoul to Busan, you may see trains from Seoul, Yongsan or Suseo. Suseo is handy if you're staying in Gangnam or Jamsil. Seoul Station is easier from Myeong-dong, Hongdae or the airport (the AREX train ends there; see Incheon Airport to Seoul).
How to book a KTX ticket on korail.com (step by step)
- Go to korail.com and choose English (the English home page is korail.com/global/eng).
- On the home page, pick your Departure and Arrival stations, the date, and the number of passengers, then tap Search.
- Choose a train. You'll see departure and arrival times and the fare for each class (standard or first class).
- Pick your seats, enter your details, and set a password. Write down the email and password: Korail says you need both, exactly as typed (upper and lower case), to see your ticket later.
- Pay by credit card.
- Open your ticket under MY TICKET. On the train, show the ticket on the website or app screen.
Exact fares and journey times depend on the train and the date, so check them in step 3. Korail doesn't publish a single Seoul-Busan price on its English guide pages, and fares changed in September 2026.
Busy days sell out. Weekends, Korean holidays (Seollal and Chuseok) and Friday evenings fill up first. Book as soon as you know your dates.
Korail Pass: prices and when it's worth it
The Korail Pass is a rail pass for foreign visitors (not Korean nationals). You pick a start date, and then choose your travel days within 10 days. Prices are set in Korean won (Korail, as of November 2026):
| Pass | Adult (13+) | Child (6-12) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-day select | 131,000 won | 66,000 won |
| 3-day select | 186,000 won | 93,000 won |
| 4-day select | 234,000 won | 117,000 won |
| 5-day select | 275,000 won | 138,000 won |
One child under 6 rides free with each adult, per Korail.
What the pass covers: Korail passenger trains, including KTX. It does not cover the metropolitan subway or special tourist trains. You still reserve seats (from two months ahead, up to two seat reservations per person per day). If seats are sold out, you can stand with your pass and passport. A first-class seat costs pass holders 50% of the first-class price.
Is it worth it? Compare the pass with normal tickets: - Search your actual trips on korail.com and add up the standard fares. - If the total is less than 131,000 won (for two travel days), buy normal tickets. - A simple Seoul-Busan round trip usually isn't enough to beat the pass. Several long trips in a short time can be, for example Seoul to Busan, Busan to Gyeongju, and back to Seoul on another day. - Because the 2026 fare cut made normal tickets cheaper, redo this math even if you read older advice.
Pass rules to know: you need a passport and credit card to buy it. The name must match your passport. Refunds are possible only before the start date. A screenshot is not a valid ticket.
Refunds and changes
You can cancel online under MY TICKET before departure. After the train leaves, you must go to a station ticket counter, and after the train arrives you can't get a refund at all (Korail).
The fee depends on how early you cancel and the day of travel: - Two days or more before a Monday-Thursday train: usually no fee. - Close to departure, and after departure: a percentage of the fare. Korail's table goes up to 70% for a counter refund long after departure. - Friday-Sunday and holidays have their own fee scale, with a minimum fee even when you cancel early.
Check Korail's penalty table before you cancel, since the exact percentage depends on the day and time.
Lost ticket? Korail says you can't stay on the train, change or refund a lost ticket, unless your purchase can be confirmed by the credit card you paid with. Keep your booking email and password.
Common mistakes
- Buying from a reseller. Korail warns about unofficial sites that charge extra. In its own example, a Seoul-Busan standard KTX ticket cost 43 USD on Korail but 76 USD on an unofficial site (Korail notice, August 2025, before the 2026 fare cut).
- Forgetting the booking password. You need the exact email and password to open your ticket.
- Going to a subway station to buy. KTX tickets aren't sold at subway stations. Use the website, app, a machine or a train station counter.
- Buying the pass without doing the math. For one round trip, normal tickets are usually cheaper.
- Showing a screenshot. Korail says screenshots aren't valid. Open the live ticket.
- Going to the wrong Seoul station. Check whether your train leaves from Seoul, Yongsan or Suseo.
FAQ
Can foreigners book KTX tickets online?
Yes. Korail's English website, korail.com, sells tickets to visitors, and you pay by credit card. The KORAIL+ app is the other official option.
How far ahead can I book the KTX?
From 07:00 two months before the departure date, according to Korail's ticketing guide (as of November 2026).
How much is the KTX from Seoul to Busan?
Fares depend on the train and seat class, and KTX fares were cut by about 10% on average from 1 September 2026. Search your date on korail.com to see the current fare.
Can I use the Korail Pass on former SRT trains from Suseo?
Older Korail notices said SRT trains weren't covered. The SRT trains became part of KTX on 1 September 2026, so check which trains show up when you reserve seats with your pass, or ask Korail at +82-1599-7777.
Can I use my T-money card on the KTX?
Korail sells KTX seats as tickets (website, app, machines, counters) or through the Korail Pass, so plan on one of those. T-money is the card for subways, buses and taxis; see our T-money guide for city transport.
Final word
Book KTX tickets on korail.com or the KORAIL+ app, ideally soon after they open at 07:00 two months ahead, and skip resellers. Since September 2026, KTX and SRT are one network with fares about 10% lower, so compare the Korail Pass (from 131,000 won) with real ticket prices before you buy. Arriving in Seoul first? Read our Incheon Airport tips, and use Naver Map or KakaoMap to reach the right station. Need help in English on the road? Call the 1330 hotline.