This is a two-hour country. Seoul to Busan is the full length of it, and the high-speed train does it in about the time it takes to watch a film.
The options
| Option | Journey time | Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTX direct | ~2 h 15 | ~59,800 won standard | The answer for almost everyone |
| KTX with stops | ~2 h 30 – 2 h 45 | Same fare | Check the timetable, not just the next train |
| Flight | Under 1 h in the air | Varies | Slower door to door |
| Express bus | 4 h + | Cheapest | Only if the saving matters |
Why the flight loses
The flight is under an hour and that is the only part of it that is fast. Gimpo is out of central Seoul, you need to arrive well before departure, and Gimhae is a further ride into Busan at the other end.
The train leaves from Seoul Station — which is on four subway lines and the airport express — and arrives at Busan Station, which is central. Centre to centre beats airport to airport over this distance.
The one thing to check before booking
Not every KTX is direct. Services that stop at Daejeon and Daegu cost the same and take fifteen to thirty minutes longer. Look at the timetable rather than taking whatever leaves next.
Gyeongju on the way
Gyeongju sits between the two and is about an hour from Busan. If you are going south anyway, breaking the journey there is a better use of a day than an out-and-back from Seoul.
