Korea Transport Guide · Beyond Seoul
Every way to leave the capital for the rest of Korea, from the KTX to a slow ferry between islands. Pick one here; the journal has the step-by-step.
A note before you leave Seoul
Seoul is only the beginning. Korea has so many beautiful places beyond it.
The blue beaches of the east coast, Seoraksan under snow, the islands scattered along the south coast, and the good people who have made their lives there. Every region has its own character, and if you have the time, many of them are well worth the trip.
Unlike Japan, Korea has very cheap motorway tolls, and the roads are well kept. (Sorry, Japan, for bringing up your transport prices again.) If you get the chance, I’d recommend renting a car and exploring the country’s corners at your own pace.
Once you leave Seoul, the dense web of lines thins out quickly, and getting around can feel a little less convenient. But it’s nowhere near as sparse as in the US, and with a bit of time you can reach almost anywhere.
I hope you enjoy every corner of this beautiful country.
Jisup Shin
Platform 1 · Road
Often cheaper than the train and sometimes the only way to smaller towns.
No. 01 · City & town
시외버스 · 고속버스 · siwoe / gosok beoseu
Buses from Seoul’s big terminals to almost every city and town in Korea, from non-stop express (gosok) runs to Busan to slower routes into the small towns near temples and national parks.
No. 02 · Around the capital
광역버스 · gwangyeok beoseu
Red commuter buses from central Seoul to the cities around it, such as Suwon, Incheon and Paju. No ticket: tap your T-money.
Platform 2 · Rail
All of them are booked in one app now, KORAIL+. Check which Seoul station your ticket leaves from.
No. 03 · High speed
케이티엑스 · up to 300 km/h
The bullet train, and the quickest way to Busan, Gyeongju, Gangneung or Mokpo.
Since 1 September 2026 the SRT is part of the KTX. Trains from Suseo in Gangnam still run, now under the KTX name.
No. 04 · Express
ITX-새마을 · ITX-마음 · ITX-청춘
The middle option: cheaper than the KTX, faster than Mugunghwa. ITX-Cheongchun is the easy one for a day trip to Chuncheon and Gapyeong.
No. 05 · Slow train
무궁화호 · mugunghwa-ho
The old, cheap train that stops at small stations. It is slowly being replaced by ITX-Maum, so ride it while you can.
Platform 3 · Air
No. 06 · Fly
국내선 · gungnaeseon
For Jeju you’ll almost certainly fly: Gimpo to Jeju is about an hour and one of the busiest air routes in the world. Flights also go to Busan, Yeosu, Ulsan and a few other cities, but the train usually wins on the mainland.
How far is far?
The same 400 km trip, to give you a feel for each one.
Station to station, approximate
The dashed part is getting to Gimpo, check-in and security. It usually wipes out most of the time the plane saves.
Platform 4 · Sea
No. 07 · Sail
여객선 · yeogaekseon
Korea has thousands of islands, and ferries link them to the mainland and to each other, especially along the south and west coasts. Slow, windy and often the best day of the trip.
Many routes run car ferries, so you can bring your car across and drive around the island. It makes an island trip far more fun.
Along the way
By bus
Long bus trips stop for about 15 minutes at a hyugeso. Snacks there are a small Korean tradition of their own.
By train
Pick up a dosirak (lunch box) at a convenience store or the station before you board. Eating at your seat is normal on Korean trains, and a dosirak with a drink is how most people pass a long ride.
FAQ
The trains are, but the name is not. On 1 September 2026 the SRT was merged into the KTX. Trains from Suseo Station keep running and are booked as KTX in the KORAIL+ app.
The KTX, at about 2 hours 40 minutes from Seoul or Suseo Station. Flying is shorter in the air but rarely faster once you add the trip to the airport and check-in.
Yes. Foreign visitors need their passport to board domestic flights and passenger ferries in Korea.
Most people fly from Gimpo Airport. The flight takes about an hour and there are departures all day. You can also take the train to Mokpo or Yeosu and continue by ferry, which takes most of a day but lets you bring a car.
Most long-distance buses leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Gangnam, Dong Seoul Bus Terminal next to Gangbyeon Station, or Seoul Nambu Terminal. They are far apart, so check which one your ticket is from.
Yes. Many island routes use car ferries, so you can drive on and explore the island yourself. Book vehicle space ahead in peak season, and if the car is a rental, check that the company allows ferry crossings.
Times are approximate and services change often, last checked September 2026. Verify before travel.