Domestic travel in Korea during Chuseok

Su-hyeon: Hey, long time no see. It's been ages since I've seen all of you due to the coronavirus.

Jessie: How are you? Did you guys go on vacation this summer?

Huong: I planned to go to Busan for the Chuseok holidays last week but all train and airplane tickets were sold out.

Su-hyeon: Ah, that's because many Koreans usually visit their parents on Chuseok and Seollal (Lunar New Year).

Jacques: You mean many people want to buy tickets around those times?

Su-hyeon: Yes, that's a big reason. Another is that there's a certain period to make travel reservations for holidays.

Huong: I didn't know that. Where did you get this information?

Su-hyeon: The notice is posted on the website of Korea Rail Corp. (KoRail) a month before each major holiday. It was much harder to get tickets this year because only window seats were available due to social distancing. So what do you know about taking the train in Korea?

Huong: When reserving a ticket, I found that riding the Mugunghwa-ho train takes twice as long as the KTX (Korea Train Express) bullet train.

Su-hyeon: Yes, but the Mugunghwa-ho is half the price of the KTX. The fastest and most expensive trains are, in descending order, the KTX, ITX (Intercity Train Express)-Saemaeul-ho and Mugunghwa-ho.

Jessie: Do all of the trains depart from the same station?

Su-hyeon: Yes, Seoul Station is the main station where most trains pass. A more limited selection of routes is at Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations. Most trains at Yongsan Station go to the Honam region, whose destinations include Gwangju and Mokpo, Jeollanam-do Province. Cheongnyangni Station has lines headed toward the East Sea like Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

Jacques: So what's SRT (Super Rapid Train)?

Su-hyeon: SRT departs only from Suseo Station in southern Seoul. The KTX leaves from Seoul and Yongsan stations.

Jacques: Then the only difference between the KTX and SRT is the station of departure?

Su-hyeon: No, SRT is different from the KTX though their speeds and prices are almost the same and they share a few routes. Even their reservation websites are different.

Huong: That's right. Both types of trains also have separate reservation systems.

Su-hyeon: Yes. SRT's homepage is where you buy tickets for SRT, while those for the KTX, ITX-Saemaeul-ho and Mugunghwa-ho are available on KoRail's site.

Jessie: I see. How did you get your ticket this time? Any tips?

Su-hyeon: I barely got one. I used to buy tickets offline but couldn't this year because of COVID-19.

Jacques: It must've been tougher this year.

Su-hyeon: Getting a ticket due to a last-minute cancellation is another choice if you’re lucky.

Jacques: Su-hyeon, I live near Express Bus Terminal in Seoul so I usually take an intercity express bus. Do buses also have a reservation period for holidays?

Su-hyeon: Of course. Reservations this year started from Aug. 24. Holiday seasons can see changes in point of departure, route and bus.

Jessie: How can I reserve a ticket?

Su-hyeon: It's the same as the train. Just see if your departure and arrival dates are available on the website or app and then make a reservation.

Huong: I went to Express Bus Terminal to take a bus last winter. It's very big, isn't it?

Su-hyeon: Yes, it is. In Seoul, Express Bus Terminal is the main hub for intercity bus travel, just like Seoul Station is where most people go to ride the train. The city also has Nambu, Dong Seoul and Sangbong bus terminals. Just be sure to check in advance because each terminal has different destinations.

Jacques: What's cheaper and more convenient, the train or an express bus?

Su-hyeon: The KTX and SRT are definitively faster but more expensive than the bus. I recommend choosing the option closest to your house. In my case, I mostly take the train at Yongsan Station since it's the closest to my home.

Jacques: Wow, the websites for train stations and intercity bus terminals have information in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Huong: Oh, that's great.

Jessie: It's nice how the information is neatly organized. Thank you so much.

Written by Kim Minji
Translated by Cho Ahyoung and Ju Eunjin
Illustrated by Yuhaill
kimmj7725@korea.kr