High-speed trains in Korea, aka KTX, make travels outside of Seoul fast and convenient. It takes around 5 hours to reach Busan on a bus from Seoul, but KTX takes you there in 2.5 hours. The only downside of KTX is that ticket prices tend to be expensive. It costs around 60,000KRW for a ticket to Busan, taking up a huge part of a traveller's budget.
The KR Pass allows you to take KTX rides freely within a certain time period. The pass is perfect for those who want to explore different parts of Korea. The Select Pass allows you to choose the dates of your KTX rides. Pick and choose depending on your travel needs.
Korail Pass (KTX)
Things to Keep In Mind
As of December 11, 2025, the products have been reorganized. Korail Passes purchased before the effective date (December 10, 2025 at 23:59:59) will be subject to the existing operating standards.
The KR Pass can be used only by foreigners (Those with a Korean passport cannot use this)
Be sure to check the types of trains available. KR Pass cannot be used on AREX, SRT, and subway.
It can only be used by the person making the reservation. If the name on the pass is different from the name on the passport, it cannot be used.
The voucher must be held by the person making the reservation. If you are a group, please save your own voucher before boarding.
Please enter carefully as the information cannot be edited after booking.
You can also purchase tickets on-site, but we recommend that you book online as they are often sold out and you have to wait in line.
The select pass must be used within 10 days from the date of reservation (the first boarding date). Expired tickets cannot be used.
All passes are limited to reserved seat seating twice a day. If you use the KR Pass more than 3 times a day, you must use it as a standing seat from the 3rd boarding date.
Age is calculated as the age on the day of boarding.
Before purchasing a ticket, we recommend that you check first whether there are available seats on the desired train.
KR PASS tickets can be replaced with either a printout or a mobile screen, but please prepare the seat reservation voucher in print.
When you are checked at the gate, please show your ticket, seat reservation voucher, and passport.
For those who haven't made advance seat reservations, on the reservation date, please present your passport and the printed KR PASS ticket or the mobile screen at the TRAVEL CENTER to reserve your seat.
Train reservations can be made 30 days in advance.
Seat reservations may not be available on public holidays and during the peak summer season. In this case, the KR pass can be used as a standing seat.
Seat reservations are also available at the Travel Center at each train station, but we recommended reserving online in advance due to the long waiting line. (Seat reservations are unavailable on the Automatic Ticket Machine/Kiosk in the station.)
For further inquiries, please contact the English KORAIL CS team (+82-1599-7777, 8am~8pm KST) or visit the Travel Center at each train station.
KR Pass (KTX) Refund Policy
A 100% refund is available if you cancel by 17:00, 3 days before the reservation.
After that, it is non-refundable.
If you cancel the KR Pass, you must cancel the seat reserved on the Korail site as well.
Types of Trains
High-speed trains: KTX, KTX- Sancheon
Regular trains: ITX- Saemaeul, Samaeul, Mugunghwa, Niruro, ITX-Cheongchun
Sightseeing Trains: A train (Jeongseon Arirang train), DMZ train, G Train (Western Gold Train), O Train (Jungbu Inland tourist train) S train (Namdo marine train), V train (Baekdudaegna Gorge Train)
KR Pass cannot be used on AREX, SRT and Subways
Types of Passes
SELECT PASS (2 Days ~ 5 Days)
This pass allows you to ride the KTX within 10 days by selecting 2 ~ 5 days from the reservation date.
It is recommended for people who want to travel freely without a plan.
For example, when purchasing a 4 day pass, you can board any day. You could board once on Jan 1, once on Jan 4, once on Jan 7, and once on Jan 10.
On selected dates, you can ride for 2 reserved seats and unlimited rides for unreserved for standing seats.
Please note that when booking, please set your reservation date as the 1st boarding date. Your pass will be valid 10 days from that day.
Prices
General Tickets
| Select Pass 2 Days | Adult - 131,000 KRW |
| Child - 66,000 KRW | |
| Select Pass 3 Days | Adult - 186,000 KRW |
| Child - 93,000 KRW | |
| Select Pass 4 Days | Adult - 234,000 KRW |
| Child - 117,000 KRW | |
| Select Pass 5 Days | Adult - 275,000 KRW |
| Child - 138,000 KRW |
*Adult: Age over 13/ Children: 6-12 years old
How to Reserve
KR PASS (KTX)
1. Please complete your reservation by selecting the first boarding date as the reservation date.
※ If you purchased multiple tickets, the individual vouchers will be sent as a ZIP file with each voucher organized into one folder.
2. Please check that the number of vouchers is correct.
3. On the Korail website(link), enter the 16-digit reservation number (KORAIL PASS NUMBER) and select your desired seat.
- Select your desired usage date under 'Starting date of duration,' click 'Save' to save it, then click on 'Seat Reservation.
- For customers to have purchased the 'select (fx) Pass ticket' must choose the desired date to choose the seats.
- Select your chosen ticket from Reservation Information then select 'Details'.
After selecting your desired travel date under 'Date of Travel,' click 'Save' to save it, then click on 'Seat Reservation'.
After all the information is filled out, select 'Inquiry'.
Select the schedule you want to make reservation and click 'Seat Selection'.
- Select the desired train car and seat number you want to make reservation and click 'Apply Selection'.
- After that, click 'Reservation' at the bottom right.
- Check the reservation information and click 'Next'.
- After verifying the information, click 'Check out'.
- Once you click 'Confirm,' the ticket will be displayed as shown below.
- Ticket issuance has been completed.
※ For those who purchased "Select Pass", for better use, recommended choosing the seats in advance.
※ For those who did not choose your seats online, you can designate a seat at the TRAVEL CENTER of KTX Station.
Korail Pass Plus is an integrated pass product exclusively for Korail Pass customers, allowing you to enjoy both KORAIL PASS and NAMANE Card benefits with a single card.
It reduces the inconvenience of carrying a separate Korail Pass and transportation card, seamlessly connecting services to match your travel flow.
* NAMANE Card : A prepaid rechargeable transportation card that can be used for nationwide buses and subways (transportation balance top-up), as well as for offline store payments (payment balance top-up).
For more details, please visit the official website. : https://korailpassplus.korailnetworks.com/?lang=en
[How to use]
STEP 1. Purchase Korail Pass Plus
- After purchasing the KORAIL PASS, apply through the link below:
- Apply here >> https://korailpassplus.korailnetworks.com/?lang=en
- Price : 8,000 KRW
STEP 2. Receive QR Code
- After completing Korail Pass Plus payment, a QR code for picking up the product at the kiosk is issued
- Check the instructions sent to the entered email
STEP 3. Pick up Product at NAMANE Card Kiosk
- Use NAMANE Card kiosks installed at Incheon Airport, major railway stations, etc.
- Check Kiosk Location
- Select KORAIL PASS+ menu at kiosk > Scan QR code received in STEP 2 and print card
STEP 4. Top up NAMANE Card
- To use NAMANE Card, you need to top up the amount
- Top up via kiosk or designed charging method, usable immediately after charging
STEP 5. Use NAMANE Card
- Use nationwide public transportation such as subways and buses
- Easily solve movement during travel
- Check Detailed Usage and Places
STEP 6. Refund Guide and Customer Inquiry
- Refund possible before product receipt at kiosk (STEP 3)
- Automatic refund if not picked up within 60 days after Korail Pass Plus payment
Stations
KTX is the fastest and the most convenient way to travel around Korea. Stations are spread throughout the nation and available even in cities far away from Seoul including Gangneung, Yeosu, Mokpo and Busan.
It takes 5 hours to get to Busan from Seoul by bus but KTX will take you there in 2.5 hours!
Pick and choose depending on your travel needs.
You can flexibly choose your train rides and you can book a maximum of 2 sitting tickets in one day so make sure you book your preferred tickets online!
If you forgot to book your ticket online, don't you worry! You can also book tickets on-site.
Korail Pass (KTX)
We hope that you can take advantage of the KR Pass when you are in Korea! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea.
