< FAQ >

Q1. What is the difference between express buses and intercity buses in Korea?

A. Korea's long-distance buses are divided into two types. Express buses travel exclusively on expressways for long-distance routes without stopping in any cities along the way. Fares vary by comfort level (standard vs. premium seating), and extra charges apply during late-night hours. Intercity buses use both expressways and national highways and make intermediate stops at cities along the route. Some intercity routes use only national highways. Intercity buses cover a wider range of destinations than express buses - including smaller regional cities - and also come in standard and luxury classes, with late-night surcharges. Some terminals serve both types, while in certain areas the express and intercity terminals are located separately.

Q2. How do I buy tickets for Korean express or intercity buses?

A. Bus tickets can be purchased online through official ticketing websites, mobile apps, or affiliated booking platforms such as Klook and Hanpass, or in person at ticket offices and kiosks inside bus terminals. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card, or mobile pay. If you bought your ticket online, confirm your booking before traveling - depending on your destination and booking method, you may need to print your ticket at the terminal's ticket office before boarding. At the terminal, check the departure platform number on the screen in the waiting area and board 5 to 10 minutes before departure. Express bus tickets: www.kobus.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese). Intercity bus tickets: txbus.t-money.co.kr or www.bustago.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese).

Q3. Are there restrooms on Korean long-distance buses?

A. Korean long-distance buses do not have onboard restrooms. Instead, mid- to long-distance routes include scheduled stops at highway service areas (called hyugeso) along the way. These rest areas are clean and well-equipped, featuring public restrooms, nursing rooms, tourist information centers, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and electric vehicle charging stations. Many have become popular stops in their own right, known for Korean roadside snacks such as sotteok-sotteok (sausage and rice cake skewers), potato corndogs, and hotteok (sweet pancakes). Some service areas also operate themed food markets or leisure facilities.

Q4. Where are the main express bus terminals in Seoul?

A. Seoul has four main long-distance bus terminals: (1) Seoul Express Bus Terminal (subway Lines 3, 7, 9 - Express Bus Terminal Station): serves eastern and southeastern Korea including Gangwon State, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do/Daegu, and Gyeongsangnam-do/Busan. Website: www.exterminal.co.kr. (2) Central City Express Bus Terminal (same subway station): serves southwestern Korea including Chungcheongnam-do, Jeonbuk-do, and Jeonnam-Gwangju. Website: www.shinsegaecentralcity.com. (3) Seoul Nambu Terminal (subway Line 3 - Nambu Terminal Station): intercity buses to parts of Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon State, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsangnam-do. (4) Dong Seoul Terminal (subway Line 2 - Gangbyeon Station): both express and intercity buses to Gangwon State, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Gyeongsang-do, and Jeonbuk-do. Website: www.ti21.co.kr. Note: express and intercity buses for the same destination may depart from different terminals.

Q5. Which Seoul bus terminal should I use to travel to major Korean cities?

A. The terminal you need depends on your destination. For Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, and Pohang (southeastern Korea): use Seoul Express Bus Terminal. For Gwangju, Jeonju, Mokpo, Suncheon, and Yeosu (southwestern Korea): use Central City Express Bus Terminal. For Gangneung, Sokcho, and most Gangwon State destinations: both Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal serve this region. For smaller cities in Gyeongsangnam-do such as Jinju and Tongyeong: Seoul Nambu Terminal has direct intercity routes. For cities in Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong, and eastern Gangwon: Dong Seoul Terminal covers the widest range of destinations. Check www.kobus.co.kr for express buses and txbus.t-money.co.kr for intercity buses to confirm which terminal serves your specific destination.

Q6. Can I book Korean express bus tickets online in English?

A. Yes. The integrated express bus booking website at www.kobus.co.kr is available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Note that regional restrictions may affect access from certain countries. You can also book through affiliated international platforms: Klook at www.klook.com/korea-bus and Hanpass at go.hanpass.com, both available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. For intercity bus tickets, the websites txbus.t-money.co.kr and www.bustago.or.kr support Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. When booking online, confirm whether you need to print your ticket at the terminal before boarding.

Q7. Do buses go to places trains don't reach in Korea?

A. Yes - one of the main advantages of buses in Korea is that they reach many destinations not served by the railway network. Intercity buses in particular cover smaller regional cities and towns that do not have train stations, connecting them directly with major cities. There are also direct intercity bus routes between smaller cities, which would otherwise require a transfer via Seoul or another major hub by train. If you are traveling to a smaller destination in Gangwon State, the Chungcheong provinces, or rural areas in Jeolla or Gyeongsang, check whether a bus route offers a more direct connection than the train. Use www.bustago.or.kr or txbus.t-money.co.kr to search intercity routes.