For most trips in 2026, normal KTX tickets are cheaper than the KORAIL PASS. In 7 of the 9 common plans below, the pass loses money — a Seoul–Busan KTX is ₩54,400 each way, and the cheapest pass is ₩131,000 for 2 travel days. It pays off only when you pack long trips into few days, such as two same-day Seoul–Busan returns (save ₩86,600). Enter your trips below — the calculator picks the cheapest mix of pass and normal tickets.
Key facts — As of 2026-10-03 · Korail official site and KTX fare table
- Since 11 December 2025 Korail sells four KORAIL PASS options for foreign visitors — 2 travel days for ₩131,000, 3 travel days for ₩186,000, 4 travel days for ₩234,000, 5 travel days for ₩275,000 (adult), each used within 10 days.
- A one-way adult economy KTX ticket costs ₩54,400 from Seoul to Busan, ₩44,500 from Seoul to Gyeongju and ₩27,600 from Seoul to Gangneung (Korail fare table, 1 September 2026).
- The KORAIL PASS covers KTX, ITX and Mugunghwa trains with up to two reserved seats a day, but not the Seoul metropolitan subway.
Per travel day the pass costs ₩65,500 (2-day), ₩62,000 (3-day), ₩58,500 (4-day), ₩55,000 (5-day) for an adult — but you pay for every day of the pass whether you ride or not.
Calculate your trip
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Fares are Korail’s economy fares on the main route between the two stations (fare table from 1 Sep 2026). Some trains on the same pair cost a few hundred won more or less. Child normal fares are counted as half the adult fare.
Buy the pass
- KORAIL PASS — KTX train pass — rail pass for foreign visitors
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Common plans, worked out
| Plan (1 adult) | Normal tickets | Best pass option | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul ⇄ Busan, a few days apart Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 4: Busan → Seoul |
₩108,800 | 2-day pass ₩131,000 | Buy normal tickets |
| Seoul ⇄ Busan return in one day Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 1: Busan → Seoul |
₩108,800 | 2-day pass ₩131,000 | Buy normal tickets |
| Seoul → Gyeongju → Busan → Seoul Day 2: Seoul → Gyeongju · Day 4: Gyeongju → Busan · Day 6: Busan → Seoul |
₩109,000 | 2-day pass ₩141,100 | Buy normal tickets |
| Seoul → Busan, Gyeongju day trip, Busan → Seoul Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 2: Busan → Gyeongju · Day 2: Gyeongju → Busan · Day 4: Busan → Seoul |
₩129,000 | 2-day pass ₩151,200 | Buy normal tickets |
| Seoul → Jeonju → Yeosu → Seoul Day 2: Yongsan → Jeonju · Day 3: Jeonju → Yeosu EXPO · Day 5: Yeosu EXPO → Yongsan |
₩92,300 | 2-day pass ₩146,300 | Buy normal tickets |
| Gangneung day trip from Seoul Day 1: Seoul → Gangneung · Day 1: Gangneung → Seoul |
₩55,200 | 2-day pass ₩131,000 | Buy normal tickets |
| Big loop: Busan, Gyeongju, Daegu, Jeonju Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 3: Busan → Gyeongju · Day 4: Gyeongju → Dongdaegu (Daegu) · Day 6: Dongdaegu (Daegu) → Daejeon · Day 7: Daejeon → Jeonju · Day 8: Jeonju → Yongsan |
₩121,200 | 2-day pass ₩166,200 | Buy normal tickets |
| Two same-day Busan returns from Seoul Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 1: Busan → Seoul · Day 4: Seoul → Busan · Day 4: Busan → Seoul |
₩217,600 | 2-day pass ₩131,000 | Pass saves ₩86,600 |
| Three long day trips from Seoul (Busan, Mokpo, Gyeongju) Day 1: Seoul → Busan · Day 1: Busan → Seoul · Day 3: Yongsan → Mokpo · Day 3: Mokpo → Yongsan · Day 5: Seoul → Gyeongju · Day 5: Gyeongju → Seoul |
₩293,800 | 3-day pass ₩186,000 | Pass saves ₩107,800 |
Pass prices (2026)
| Pass | Adult (13+) | Child (6–12) | Adult per travel day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days within 10 days | ₩131,000 | ₩66,000 | ₩65,500 |
| 3 days within 10 days | ₩186,000 | ₩93,000 | ₩62,000 |
| 4 days within 10 days | ₩234,000 | ₩117,000 | ₩58,500 |
| 5 days within 10 days | ₩275,000 | ₩138,000 | ₩55,000 |
Since 11 December 2025 Korail sells only these four “select” passes: you choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 travel days within 10 days of the starting date. One child under 6 rides free with each adult.
Normal KTX fares to compare
| Route | Economy (adult, one way) |
|---|---|
| Seoul → Busan | ₩54,400 |
| Seoul → Dongdaegu (Daegu) | ₩39,000 |
| Seoul → Gyeongju | ₩44,500 |
| Seoul → Ulsan (KTX) | ₩48,400 |
| Seoul → Pohang | ₩48,800 |
| Seoul → Daejeon | ₩21,600 |
| Yongsan → Jeonju | ₩31,600 |
| Yongsan → Gwangju Songjeong (Gwangju) | ₩42,000 |
| Yongsan → Mokpo | ₩48,000 |
| Yongsan → Yeosu EXPO | ₩45,400 |
| Seoul → Gangneung | ₩27,600 |
| Cheongnyangni → Andong | ₩27,700 |
| Busan → Gyeongju | ₩10,100 |
| Dongdaegu (Daegu) → Gyeongju | ₩7,500 |
What the pass covers
- Covered: KTX (including KTX-Sancheon and KTX-Eum), ITX-Cheongchun, ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa and Nuriro — standing and unreserved places, plus up to two reserved seats a day.
- Not covered: the metropolitan subway and temporary tourist trains. SRT was excluded in Korail’s 2024 notices; since September 2026 its trains run as KTX from Suseo and Korail has not said whether the pass now covers them.
- Not mentioned by Korail: KTX-Cheongryong and ITX-Maeum — ask at the station before relying on the pass for them.
- On board: carry the pass on Korail’s mobile web page (screenshots are not valid), your passport, and the seat ticket if you reserved one.
- Holidays: Korail says pass use may be limited on dates it announces on its site — check before Chuseok and Lunar New Year.
Who can buy it
Foreign visitors with a valid passport; not Korean nationals. Buy online on Korail’s English site with a passport and credit card — names must match the passport. When we checked the booking form, start dates up to about a month ahead were offered. Refunds only before the start date.
Plan the rest
KTX & trains from Seoul — today’s timetables · KTX Seoul to Busan · Trip cost calculator · Express buses (often cheaper)
🚄 KTX & trains from Seoul🚄 KTX Seoul ↔ Busan🧮 Trip cost calculator🚌 Express buses🏨 Where to stay in Seoul
FAQ
Is the KORAIL PASS worth it?
Usually not for a typical itinerary at 2026 prices. Of the 9 plans worked out on this page, normal tickets were cheaper in 7. The pass pays when the days you put on it are expensive — the 2-day pass (₩131,000) needs two travel days that cost more than that together, such as two same-day Seoul–Busan returns (₩217,600 in tickets). Put your own trips in the calculator above.
How much is the KORAIL PASS in 2026?
Adult (13+): 2 days ₩131,000 · 3 days ₩186,000 · 4 days ₩234,000 · 5 days ₩275,000. Child (6–12): 2 days ₩66,000 · 3 days ₩93,000 · 4 days ₩117,000 · 5 days ₩138,000. Prices are in Korean won. Each pass lets you pick that many travel days within 10 days of its start date.
Who can buy the KORAIL PASS?
Foreign visitors with a valid passport. It is not available to Korean nationals. You buy it online on Korail’s English site with a passport and a credit card, and the details must match the passport exactly.
Does the KORAIL PASS cover SRT trains?
Korail’s 2024 pass notices and VisitKorea’s August 2026 page say SRT is not covered. Since 1 September 2026 the former SRT services from Suseo run under the KTX name, and Korail has not said on its pass page whether those trains are now covered — so this calculator leaves out Suseo, Dongtan and Pyeongtaek-Jije and uses Seoul, Yongsan and Cheongnyangni.
Can I use the KORAIL PASS on the subway or AREX airport train?
No. The metropolitan subway and temporary tourist trains are excluded. For AREX, Korail lists only a discount for pass holders on the express train (₩13,000 to ₩12,000).
How many seats can I reserve with the pass?
Up to two seat reservations per person per day, opening one month before departure. If seats are sold out you can still ride standing. The same journey cannot be booked twice on the same date.
Can I get a refund?
Only before the pass’s starting date. Korail does not compensate for delays or suspended trains.
What about first class?
Pass holders pay 50% of the first-class seat price for the route, as Korail puts it. Korail’s pages do not say whether that means the surcharge or the whole fare.
Do children need a pass?
Children aged 6–12 have their own pass price (about half). One child under 6 travels free with each adult aged 13 or over.
Sources (checked 2026-10-03): Korail — About Korail Pass · Korail — Book KORAIL PASS · Korail notice — KORAIL PASS types and ages (2025-11-11) · Korail notice — PASS details (2024-11-01) · Korail — KORAIL PASS benefits · VisitKorea — Train (2026-08-07) · Korail — KTX fare table from 1 Sep 2026. Rules and prices change — the official page wins if it differs. Page rebuilt 2026-10-07.
