KTX Trains 케이티엑스
The Korea Train eXpress (KTX) is Korea's high-speed train operated by Korail.
KTX trains connect Seoul Station to Busan via Daejeon and Daegu on the Gyeongbu Line and Gwangju and Mokpo from Yongsan Station on the Honam Line.
Both Seoul and Yongsan stations intersect with the Seoul subway system and other routes on the Korean rail system.
KTX trains came into service in 2004 and can reach speeds of 350 kph, though speeds are limited to 300 kph for safety reasons.
KTX trains connect Yongsan to Mokpo (with a spur line to Gwangju) in around 3 hours, 15 minutes and Seoul to Busan in around 2 hours, 15 minutes for the fastest services.
The second part of the high-speed rail link to the south-west started in 2013, cutting journey times from Seoul to Mokpo in the far corner of the peninsula to around two and a half hours.
With the completion of high-speed track from Daegu to Busan via Ulsan running time Seoul-Busan was cut to just 2 hours, 15 minutes for the quickest trains.
One-way ticket prices from Seoul to Busan on KTX vary depending whether you travel on a weekday or weekend, standard-class or first-class. It is the most expensive standard-class ticket in the country. Saemaul will set you back less while taking the Mugunghwa is the cheapest but also the slowest.
Train tickets can be purchased online, from ticket offices or from ticket machines at train stations in Korea.
Around 160,000 people on average use KTX trains on a daily basis.
The KTX design is based on the French TGV - due to frosty Korea-Japan relations at the time, the Korean government did not choose implement the shinkansen bullet train technology from neighbors Japan. The first 12 KTX trains were built in France with all other trains now made in Korea by Hyundai Rotem.
Jobs as KTX train drivers or as part of the train's female crew are very prestigious in Korea and highly sought after.
KTX Train Video
Korea Rail Map
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