Busan to Gyeongju & Seoul: How to Get There
Compare travel time, cost, and booking for KTX, SRT, and intercity buses, so a side trip or city-to-city move from Busan is easy to plan.
Comparing Your Options
- 1
Confirm your departure and arrival stations
The high-speed rail station for Gyeongju is "Singyeongju," not downtown Gyeongju itself — it's about 10km away, so you'll need a further 20–30 minute bus or taxi ride into the city. For Seoul, choose between Seoul Station or Suseo Station (SRT only).
- 2
Pick a transport option and book
Book KTX and SRT online or through the "Korail Talk" app — book 1–2 weeks ahead during peak season, weekends, and holidays. Intercity buses can be booked through a bus-ticketing app or bought at the terminal counter, which is more flexible but can sell out on holidays.
- 3
Transfer into the city on arrival
From Singyeongju Station, transfer to a shuttle bus to reach Gyeongju's sights. From Seoul Station, you can transfer directly to Subway Lines 1 and 4, making it easy to reach other parts of the city.
Busan to Gyeongju
| Option | Travel Time | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTX (Busan Station → Singyeongju Station) | ~30 min | ~KRW 15,000–20,000 | Travelers who want to save time and do it as a day trip |
| Intercity bus (Busan Central Bus Terminal → Gyeongju Bus Terminal) | ~1 hr 10 min | ~KRW 8,000–11,000 | Budget-conscious travelers with time to spare |
Gyeongju itself has plenty to see — Bulguksa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Tomb Complex — so if you have the time, check this site’s day-trip courses from Busan as well.
Busan to Seoul
| Option | Travel Time | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTX (Busan Station → Seoul Station) | ~2 hr 40 min | ~KRW 59,000–65,000 | Travelers who want reliable timing and frequent departures |
| SRT (Busan Station → Suseo Station) | ~2 hr 20 min | ~KRW 52,000–58,000 | Travelers headed to southeast Seoul (Gangnam, etc.) |
| Express bus (Busan Central Bus Terminal → Seoul) | ~4 hr 30 min | ~KRW 25,000–30,000 | Budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind a longer ride |
Booking tips
- Book KTX and SRT online through the “Korail Talk” app (English supported) with a card — no need to pick up a physical ticket at a counter, just show your phone screen or a printout.
- Tickets sell out fast around weekends, holidays, and Korean public holidays — book at least 3–5 days ahead, or 1–2 weeks ahead for holiday periods.
- If you’ll be taking several long-distance trains, check Korail’s official site for any foreigner-only rail pass discounts before you go.
- Intercity buses take longer but run frequently and don’t require booking far in advance, which suits travelers who like to keep their plans flexible.
💰 Check before you book
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