1. KTX vs SRT Overview
- KTX (KORAIL): Departs from Seoul Station and Yongsan Station serving major nationwide trunk lines (Gyeongbu to Busan, Honam to Gwangju/Mokpo, Gangneung to East Sea).
- SRT (SR Rail): Departs from Suseo Station in southeastern Seoul, offering high-speed connections to Busan and Mokpo.
2. Advance Booking Timeline
- Tickets open exactly 30 days prior to departure date at 07:00 KST.
- Major holiday peak periods (Lunar New Year Seollal and Chuseok) hold specialized lottery bookings. Book regular weekend travel at least 2 weeks in advance.
3. Foreigner-Friendly Official Booking Channels
- KORAIL Official English Portal: letskorail.com (No registration required; pay with international Visa, Mastercard, JCB).
- KORAIL Pass (Unlimited Rail Pass): 2-day to 5-day consecutive/select passes for international tourists offering unlimited KTX rides.
- Seat Reservations: Seat assignments are included with tickets; QR codes sent via email serve as your valid boarding pass without physical paper ticket redemption.