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johnnyrook
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:09 pm Post subject: New KTX line open from today-including Suwon! |
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Just thought I'd give a heads up about this to anyone who might be interested. There hasn't been any english language information released about this but the new KTX line running through Gyeonju and Ulsan to Busan has its first services running today and the good news for those of us living in Suwon (and there seems to be a fair few) is that it runs through here, which makes visiting places down south much more convenient and a lot quicker (no more transferring at Daejeon or Cheonnan/Asan- cuts about an hour off travel time to Busan).
Even for those of you who aren't in Suwon the opening of this line makes it much easier to head down to Gyeongju to see the sights (although a glance at the schedule shows that only two trains from Seoul per day stop at Shingyeongju, a morning one and an evening one).
Also, you can go to Ulsan!
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jonpurdy
Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, I've been waiting for this for two years.
50,000원 from Ulsan to Seoul, two hours and twenty minutes travel time.
Previous option: 29,000원 for the bus (4.5~5 hours) or 80,000원 for the plane (45 minutes, but Gimpo is a bit far from downtown and you have to check-in and such). |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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It might be worth pointing out here that whilst on the new KTX timetable, SOME trains will be running via Suwon, it's not actually that many - about 4 or 5 a day I think.
The opening of the new, KTX only section between Dong-Daegu and Busan is obviously a big plus with the new stations in Gyeongu and Ulsan and the slightly faster journey time from Seoul to Busan. The Ulsan station is a KTX only one, however and it's quite a way out of town. I think it's full name is "Ulsan (Tongdosa)". Still, it'll have frequent trains to Seoul taking not much over 2 hours, plus it's only about 20 mins from there to Busan. |
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shifter2009

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Location: wisconsin
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know anything about the line running through Changwon? They are building a brand new station and line for the city but I have been having a hard time finding details about where it will service ect |
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Yaya

Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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They say the new section will raise tourism in Ulsan, but I was like, uh, whatever. |
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sallymonster

Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:27 am Post subject: |
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I noticed the KTX signs on the platform at Suwon Station yesterday. My question is, will it get me to Seoul faster than the Mungunhwa? I'm guessing not. |
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Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:49 am Post subject: |
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sallymonster wrote: |
I noticed the KTX signs on the platform at Suwon Station yesterday. My question is, will it get me to Seoul faster than the Mungunhwa? I'm guessing not. |
I'd say yes, but it would run less frequently and cost a lot more. You're best off sticking with the mugunghwa. |
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jonpurdy
Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:00 am Post subject: |
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Yaya wrote: |
They say the new section will raise tourism in Ulsan, but I was like, uh, whatever. |
There's a lot of cultural things to see out in the country areas of Ulsan. Since the KTX station is way out there and not in the city, theoretically people from Seoul might be more inclined to go and see it.
Unfortunately it just makes it more difficult for everyone in Ulsan city to actually get to the station. I'm hoping they have enough parking that I could drive there and leave my car there from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening when I return. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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sallymonster wrote: |
I noticed the KTX signs on the platform at Suwon Station yesterday. My question is, will it get me to Seoul faster than the Mungunhwa? I'm guessing not. |
Actually, it won't get you there much faster, if at all. Over that kind of distance it wouldn't make much difference anyway, and it'll run on the same track as the saemaeul and mugunghwa trains, on which it can't go at faster KTX speeds.
So you'd be paying a lot more to get there in the same time and therefore it's probably a good idea to AVOID the KTX to/from Suwon from/to Seoul. That shouldn't be very difficult because, as I said above, there are only 4 or 5 KTXs between Suwon and Seoul over a whole day. |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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By Changwon do you mean the light rail bit that is running from Sasang out to the airport and beyond? That is scheduled to open April 2011. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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JBomb wrote: |
By Changwon do you mean the light rail bit that is running from Sasang out to the airport and beyond? That is scheduled to open April 2011. |
Probably not, because that's only going as far as Gimhae.
Not sure of the answer to that question about Changwon, but I think a new train line down towards the new Busan container port is being built, which might also go in the direction of Changwon. Maybe there's some upgrade of the line along the south coast happening too. |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010 Location: Victoria, Canada.
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shifter2009

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Location: wisconsin
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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b-class rambler wrote: |
JBomb wrote: |
By Changwon do you mean the light rail bit that is running from Sasang out to the airport and beyond? That is scheduled to open April 2011. |
Probably not, because that's only going as far as Gimhae.
Not sure of the answer to that question about Changwon, but I think a new train line down towards the new Busan container port is being built, which might also go in the direction of Changwon. Maybe there's some upgrade of the line along the south coast happening too. |
Well there is a whole knew train station building being built with a KTX sign on it and I have heard people say it's going to bring KTX to changwon but I haven't be able to ascertain what exactly that will mean. That light rail info is interesting. |
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allovertheplace
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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Taking the train from Suwon to Seoul takes more time than the bus. 45 minutes to Gangnam - bus from Yeongtan or Buk Suwon. More comfortable as well (sometimes anyways) KTX to Busan though is awesome. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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shifter2009 wrote: |
b-class rambler wrote: |
JBomb wrote: |
By Changwon do you mean the light rail bit that is running from Sasang out to the airport and beyond? That is scheduled to open April 2011. |
Probably not, because that's only going as far as Gimhae.
Not sure of the answer to that question about Changwon, but I think a new train line down towards the new Busan container port is being built, which might also go in the direction of Changwon. Maybe there's some upgrade of the line along the south coast happening too. |
Well there is a whole knew train station building being built with a KTX sign on it and I have heard people say it's going to bring KTX to changwon but I haven't be able to ascertain what exactly that will mean. That light rail info is interesting. |
I know a few people in that area so I was curious and did some digging around a few Korean news sites. All in Korean, so I'll just summarize what I found out rather than provide links.
Basically, there's a new section branching off from the old Daegu - Busan KTX line just after Miryang down towards Changwon & Masan. A couple of news sites I found suggested it was due to open towards the end of this year. There'll be stations in Jinyeong, Changwon and Masan which will be directly connected to the Gyeongbu KTX line to Seoul. No idea how often they will run there, however. |
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