Korean Job Discussion Forums

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

It looks like you have to sign up for a membership to make a reservation online, is that correct? Maybe I'm missing the obvious, but where do you sign up for a general membership? I can find information about it but not the actual signup page itself. Could someone post the link?

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

It's all in Korean and you need a Korean ID number to start with -- don't know if foreigner's Korean ID numbers work as I applied for mine in person.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

You have to apply for it in person. It costs 20,000 or something for them to issue you the card.

And you are not in Korea.... mmm... booking a train will be difficult because you must be a member and now they want you to purchase the ticket a day before your travel date, which makes things more difficult.

I could, and I do for a lot of other people on this board, book your train for you but I won't be able to purchase it for you, so it will be pointless anyway.

Are you looking to stay in Seoul for a couple of days before moving off to Busan? If so, then I can book your train for you and you can buy it while you are in Seoul?

Let me know. I will help.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Well, yeah.. except that the website is all in Korean, so unless you can read Korean, it's a bit difficult for people to apply for one. Plus you need an ID card number... if you are a foreigner coming to Korea for the first time, there's no way you can apply for one...

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

So the bottom line is I'll have to wait until I get there. I'll just schedule an extra day in Seoul, then. Am I going to have any trouble buying a Seoul-Busan bullet train ticket for a Friday afternoon on a Thursday? Also, is there someplace online that describes (in English) what the different classes are?

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Ella, Friday trains get sold out daaaaaaaays before Friday. I just booked a ticket for someone and I booked it for her on Tuesday - she got one of the last tickets!!!

There are 4 types of trains:

1. the slowest commuter train that is just for Seoul. I think it's called Tong-il.

2. The next lowest train for cross-country. It's called Mugungwha. It'll take you something like 8 hours to get to Busan from Seoul. Cheapest.

3. Saemaul. Used the be the fastest train around before KTX. About 30% cheaper than KTX. Got standard and first class. Not a lot of difference between the two.

4. KTX. Korea version of the TGV (built by TGV!). It takes just a little over 2.5 hours to get to Busan. Standard fare is about 43,000 won single. Standard and first class. Standard doesn't have a lot of leg room. First class is about 65,000 won but lots of leg room. Edited to say that in first class, they also serve you refreshments for free. These include drinks (water, coffee in a can, juice), toffee and biscuit type cookies.

My offer to reserve a ticket for you still stand. Let me know.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

It doesn't take 8 hours to get to Pusan from Seoul. Something like 5 and a half. Stop the misinformation. Enjoy.

kitekid · Last edited by kitekid on Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:01 am; edited 1 time in total

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Sorry. My mistake.

I just checked barota.

It takes around 5.5 hours on Mugungwha from Seoul to Busan. 4 hours 40 mins by Saemaul and between 2.5 and 3 hours on KTX.

I believe all the other information I gave is still correct anyhow.

juliebaas · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Location: Somewhere near Seoul

Luna · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Location: seoul suburbs

I feel silly because I posted nearly the exact same question as the OP in the general discussion forum. (bad day)

This thread has been really helpful - but I have a few more related questions.

How easy is it to apply for the membership card in person? I'm planning on going tomorrow to apply at Yongsan.

Should I bring my passport or is my alien registration card enough?

I'm not sure if I'd save a lot of money by booking online but I think it's worth paying for the convenience.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

As of this month, there is NO fee to get a KORAIL card. If you have an old card, they'll even give you a refund (if you had the previous card) when you get your new card!

This is a great site:

http://english.barota.com/

but you DO have to be a member. I don't think that you can do it from outside of Korea as you need your ARC number.

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Ajuma: just curious, where did you get that information from? Do you have a link?

Thanks