Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I've never taken a train here in South Korea (only buses) and I'm going to Busan this long weekend coming up, Friday to Sunday. I'm planning to return to Daejeon at the end of the long weekend, on Sunday afternoon. I'll be taking the bus there, but I'd like to try the KTX for the way back and I don't want to buy a ticket in advance because I haven't decided what time I'll leave, so I'm wondering about how the full the trains usually are on long weekends. Is it usually possible to just show up at the train station and buy a ticket for the next train (or at least one within the next hour), or are they usually fully booked up, and in that case I'm better on the bus?
Thanks

[tzechuk]

Not during the weekend, no. You will need to book. Especially during a long weekend, you definitely need to book.

[genezorm]

if you are planning for this long weekend, chances are they are already booked.....if you end up taking a bus leave a bit earlier than planned, as you might have to wait for a bus and traffic won't be great either

[theatrelily]

I would definitely suggest booking ahead.

Considering that it is a long weekend, I expect that it's probably already booked solid.

I went yesterday and bought saemaeul tickets to Busan for my boyfriend and myself and it was already starting to fill up.

Traffic will be obscene. I would suggest taking a mugunghwa (slowest/cheapest train) or a saemaeul (middle ground between mugunghwa and KTX) there and back to avoid potential hell (getting stuck in traffic on a packed bus, with no bathroom).

You are best to buy tickets asap.


http://www.korail.com/en/pr/pr21100/w_pr21110.jsp


Here is a link to the Korail website. It lists the schedule and fares for the three types of trains, but it doesn't seem to show the availability of seats.

[marlow]

[acousticlive]

I tried to use the website to buy tickets to Busan from Seoul, but all it says is I can book tickets August 1st. Does that mean the train's all booked up?

[tzechuk]

I just tried it in Korean... it says something like you cannot book tickets during the busy months...

[theatrelily]

Sorry...I should have clarified. I posted the link to view the schedule. But for availability and actually buying tickets, you'll have to head into a train station and buy them directly.

....at least that's how I've always done it....

[tzechuk]

[theatrelily]