Guide of Korean Train Tickets

Where to Book Korean Train Tickets?

Korea is a beautiful country, boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Exploring it on a train is one of the best ways to see the natural marvels it has to offer, as well as among the fastest and most convenient ways to get around. And every rail journey starts with purchasing rail tickets. One of the options is to get them at the train station. Although nowadays this way is loosing ground in terms of popularity, it's still a valid choice.

​The upside is that it does allow you to purchase the desired rail ticket, but the downsides are quite significant. Lines at the ticket desks, possible language barrier, and the need to arrive significantly earlier, for example. Plus, the tickets for popular routes, such as Busan - Seoul get sold-out fast and you just risking to leave the station with no tickets and big disappointment. No, hardly the best way.

Booking online, on the other hand, can be done from anywhere in the world and in a matter of a few minutes, so it's no wonder that this way is much more popular. Korail doesn't allow an option of booking on their official website, but you can download their app and do it from there. However, keep in mind that you need to create an account to do that and quite a few security checks. And even when you completed them all, the and if you don's use app for some time, it gets blocked.

​The only way to unblock demands your physical presence on a train station, which is not always easy to do if you are not a local. So, the smartest way is to use the third-party booking platforms. Our choice is Rail Ninja. It is available in seven languages, boasts user-friendly interface, allows to get your tickets in a matter of a few mouse clicks and up for a year in advance. Don't take out word for it, check out Rail Ninja reviews and judge for yourself. Below, you can find a guide of how to use the platform.

Book Korean Train Tickets

Rail Ninja: Review of the Booking Process

FIRST STEP: SELECT DESTINATIONS

1. Go to the Rail Ninja booking platform and select the type of your trip: one-way or round.

2. Choose the destinations you are planning to travel between.

3. Select your travel date/s.

4. Choose how many people are traveling, and indicate kids if any.

5. Press "Continue".

Train prices and types

SECOND STEP: SELECT A TRAIN

1. Select the type of train depending on your preferred departure or arrival time.

2. Press the "Select Seats" button.

Timetable on RN

THIRD STEP: SELECT A TRAIN

​1. Select the travel class that works best for you as well as preferred tariff (Flexible/Super Flexible).

2. Press the "Continue" button.

RN Train seats classes

FORTH STEP: FILL IN PASSENGER DETAILS

1. Add your passenger and payment details (or choose to add them later).

2. Receive your e-ticket to the inbox.

3. Print it out.

Rail Ninja content

How to Read KTX Tickets

As you can see, the ticket is very easy to read. The most important information is in English, and you won't have any problems understanding it even if you don't know a single word in Korean. The information indicated on the tickets in the boarding date, destinations you travel from/to, number of the train, assigned seat and travel class, and the total cost in South Korea's currency, Won.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The time on the tickets is indicated in 24-hour format, not a.m./p.m. style, usual for United States residents. And don't forget that the departure and arrival times are indicated in local time!
Plus, a good idea to check your gate number at the station to be sure that the information indicated on your ticket is the same displayed on the board.
Korail train ticket