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highstreet
Joined: 13 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 2:43 am Post subject: Trains to Busan |
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I was wondering if anyone has taken any of the cheaper, slower trains to Busan?
Im assuming the KTX trains are the nicest/fastest, but was curious about the other ones. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| They're fine, it just takes awhile, and you definitely don't want to get stuck taking one of those with standing room only on a big day. |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| just take the KTX. It really isn't that much more expensive. |
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toniyellow
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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I think the Saemul trains have nicer seats in economy that economy KTX seats. Wider, and a long recline. I sleep so well on the Saemul.
Unless you're in a hurry for an event, a cheap train and some videos on a laptop and you're set. I have no idea why people would pay double for the KTX, especially when they come by and yell at you if you talk above a whisper. |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007
Location: ples bilong me
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| Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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You should factor in where you want to be in Busan. It takes me nearly an hour to get to Busan Station, when you include waiting time, that's well over an hour just there. I've never taken a slower train to Seoul, I should have given it a go from Haeundae.
Things are pretty rigid on the KTX, I was told to lower the volume on my MP3 player, I did have an era blockage at the time so the things was probably cranked. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:08 am Post subject: |
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| The KTX only runs at top speed to Daegu, therefore it takes 3 hours to get to Busan. two hours to Daegu, one hour from Daegu to Busan. The regular train (slowest nonexpress) takes 5 and a half hours. So it might be better just to get up real early and take the regular train. The price difference is pretty significant with the regular train less than half the price of the KTX. The regular train is a nice train too. It's sort of whether the two hour difference is enough to you to buy a KTX ticket. |
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Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 2:11 am Post subject: |
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Mugunghwa class: 5 hours 30 minutes, 26500 Won
Saemaul class: 5 hours, 39300 Won
KTX: from 2 hours 8 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes depending on the stops assigned, 51800 Won |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Jake_Kim wrote: |
Mugunghwa class: 5 hours 30 minutes, 26500 Won
Saemaul class: 5 hours, 39300 Won
KTX: from 2 hours 8 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes depending on the stops assigned, 51800 Won |
51,800 won would be for first class. Economy class seating is also available as well as standing at cheaper rates.
I'm guessing 40,000 for economy Seoul Station to Busan Station but don't quote me. |
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Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:03 am Post subject: |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
| Jake_Kim wrote: |
Mugunghwa class: 5 hours 30 minutes, 26500 Won
Saemaul class: 5 hours, 39300 Won
KTX: from 2 hours 8 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes depending on the stops assigned, 51800 Won |
51,800 won would be for first class. Economy class seating is also available as well as standing at cheaper rates.
I'm guessing 40,000 for economy Seoul Station to Busan Station but don't quote me. |
51800 Won is for 2nd cl. w/ seat reservation. Without it, it's 49200.
1st class seating is 72500.
Those are standard fares before any reduction from advance purchase or railcards or commuter pass. |
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bossface
Joined: 05 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:09 am Post subject: |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
| Jake_Kim wrote: |
Mugunghwa class: 5 hours 30 minutes, 26500 Won
Saemaul class: 5 hours, 39300 Won
KTX: from 2 hours 8 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes depending on the stops assigned, 51800 Won |
51,800 won would be for first class. Economy class seating is also available as well as standing at cheaper rates.
I'm guessing 40,000 for economy Seoul Station to Busan Station but don't quote me. |
there is no standing on the KTX. |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| The KTX only runs at top speed to Daegu, therefore it takes 3 hours to get to Busan. two hours to Daegu, one hour from Daegu to Busan. The regular train (slowest nonexpress) takes 5 and a half hours. So it might be better just to get up real early and take the regular train. The price difference is pretty significant with the regular train less than half the price of the KTX. The regular train is a nice train too. It's sort of whether the two hour difference is enough to you to buy a KTX ticket. |
The new fast track to Daegu is open now. Chops thirty minutes off the time. It is pretty sweet. |
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TravelinSig
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| They're fine, it just takes awhile, and you definitely don't want to get stuck taking one of those with standing room only on a big day. |
I took a standing room only midnight train over Buddha's Birthday from Suwon to Busan. When I first got on it was shoulder to shoulder and took 10 minutes to snail my way through 1 car. However with Korea being so small the crowd started to thin out within an hour. By hour two my group and I were able to spread out on the floor. Personally I had no issues with this since the ride was less than 5 hours. If it was an 8+ hour ride then I probably would of made sure I had a seat. Also, having taken the KTX I would second everyone else and say that unless you're in a major hurry take the slow trains. Much cheaper, seats are equally as nice and your fellow travelers (and staff) are less snobby. |
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