The KORAIL Pass lets foreign passport holders ride KTX high-speed trains and virtually all other KORAIL-operated services as many times as they like within the chosen pass window. KTX runs on dedicated high-speed lines built with French TGV technology, cutting the Seoul–Busan journey down to around 2 hours 35 minutes. The pass covers intercity express trains (KTX, ITX-Saemaeul), standard Mugunghwa regional trains, and most other KORAIL lines — making it ideal for multi-city itineraries. Seat reservations are required on KTX and can be made at any staffed KORAIL station or ticket machine after activating the pass. Metro/subway systems within cities are not included. A valid foreign passport must be presented at every reservation.
Highlights
KTX bullet train access — Seoul to Busan in roughly 2h35, Seoul to Gyeongju in about 2 hours; the flagship perk of the pass
Nationwide KORAIL network coverage — hop between Seoul (KTX stations: Seoul, Yongsan, Suseo-SRT excluded), Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Mokpo, and more on a single pass
Multiple duration tiers — choose 2-, 3-, or 5-day consecutive passes or flexible-day passes so travel days don't have to run back-to-back
Saver Pass discount — groups of 2–5 foreign travelers on the same itinerary get a reduced per-person rate on the Saver variant
Free or discounted seat reservations on KTX — pass holders typically pay a small reservation fee at the counter rather than the full ticket price
Online purchase through Letskorail — buy before you arrive, receive a voucher, and exchange it at any major KORAIL station on your first travel day
Good to know
Activation: present your foreign passport at a KORAIL ticket counter (major stations like Seoul, Busan, or Incheon Airport Terminal 1 & 2) to exchange your voucher and activate the pass on your first day of use
Seat reservations required on KTX: even with a valid pass, you must reserve a seat before boarding; this is usually free or a nominal fee depending on the train type — head to the ticket counter or a self-service machine
SRT (Super Rapid Train) is NOT covered: Seoul's Suseo-based SRT high-speed trains are operated by a separate private company and require a separate ticket even if you hold a KORAIL Pass
City metro systems excluded: subway networks in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and other cities run independently and are not covered — budget for T-money card top-ups for local transit
Frequently asked
Do I need to reserve seats separately even with a KORAIL Pass?
Yes. The KORAIL Pass covers the cost of travel but does not automatically assign you a seat. On KTX and ITX-Saemaeul trains you must make a seat reservation at a KORAIL ticket counter or self-service kiosk before boarding. Reservations are typically free or available for a small fee with the pass, and available up to 1 month in advance.
Does the KORAIL Pass cover the SRT high-speed trains between Seoul Suseo and Busan?
No. SRT (Super Rapid Train) is operated by SR, a separate private company, and is not included in the KORAIL Pass. If you want to travel on SRT trains you will need to buy a separate SRT ticket. KTX trains departing from Seoul Station and Yongsan Station are fully covered by the pass.
Where can I activate my KORAIL Pass in South Korea?
You can exchange your purchase voucher and activate your pass at staffed KORAIL ticket counters in major stations, including Seoul Station, Busan Station, and the KORAIL service desks at Incheon International Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2). Bring your original foreign passport — it is required for verification and must be shown each time you make a seat reservation.
We never show "cheapest" unless the exact option is matched. Prices are USD-baseline and converted to your preferred currency using hourly FX snapshots.
Prices refresh daily with exchange rates; the final amount is confirmed at partner checkout.
Busy periods book up fast: trains fill quickly around Lunar New Year (설날) and Chuseok in autumn; activate your pass and book seat reservations early on those days
Validity window: consecutive passes start from the first day of use; flexible-day passes (where available) let you spread travel days across a longer period — confirm the latest pass types on letskorail.com before purchasing
