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Korea’s High-speed Train (KTX) is open for business

Korea’s High-speed Train (KTX) is open for business

On April 1, 2004, Korea’s new high-speed train (called the KTX) opened for business. This new high-speed train has been designed to reach speeds of 350 km per hour. It currently operates around 300 Km per hour, cutting travel time almost in half. In the past, traveling by train to Busan took approximately four hours and ten minutes. Thanks to KTX, the travel time for this trip is reduced to two hours and forty minutes.

State-of-the-art video and audio systems, vending machines for beverages and snacks, luggage compartments, and bathrooms have been designed with comfort in mind. The first class second car has been specially designed to aid physically challenged passengers with a handicapped accessible bathroom, two seats designated for handicapped passengers, and a storage area for wheelchairs. Physically challenged passengers will receive a 50% discount on tickets.

Seoul Station and Yongsan Station have become the major hubs for the KTX in Seoul.

Seoul Station
This is the best station for those traveling between Seoul and Busan. How to get there: Take the Seoul subway system’s line one or four and get off at Seoul Station.

Yongsan Station
For those travelers going between Seoul and Mokpo, the Honam line is ideal. How to get there: Take the Seoul subway system’s line one to Yongsan Station.

KTX Fares and Travel Times

• The fares and travel times below have been based on those journeys from Seoul.

From Seoul Station

Gyeongbu Line	Gwangmyeong	Cheonan/Asan	Daejeon	Dongdaegu	Miryang	Busan
Standard	8,100	13,600	22,900	41,100	39,700	44,800
First Class	12,700	19,000	32,100	57,500	55,600	62,700
Times	15 min.	37 min.	59 min.	1hour 47 min.	2 hours 19 min	2 hours 58 min.

*Monetary unit: Korean won

From Yongsan Station

Honam Line	Cheonan/Asan	Seodaejeon	Iksan	Gwangju Songjeong	Naju	Mokpo
Standard	13,300	22,700	29,600	37,500	38,900	43,300
First Class	18,600	31,800	41,400	52,500	54,500	60,600
Times	35 min.	59 min.	1 hour 51 min	2 hours 41 min.	2 hours 51 min.	3 hours 17 min.