Getting to Busan

Getting there from Seoul.

Seoul to Busan is one of the easiest long-haul hops in Korea: a 2.5-hour bullet train end to end, or a short flight.

By train (KTX / SRT)

KTX · Seoul → BusanAbout 2 hours 30 minutes, from around ₩60,000 one-way in standard class.
SRT, from SuseoSame corridor from southeast Seoul, slightly cheaper.
Reserve in peak seasonBoth need a seat reservation when it's busy, so book ahead.
Busan Station = old townNampo, Jagalchi market and metro Line 1 are all walkable or one stop away.
Book KTX tickets & Korea Rail PassReserve the Seoul to Busan run in advance.

By air

Gimhae International (PUS)Connects to the city centre by light rail and limousine bus.
vs the KTXA short domestic hop, but door-to-door with transfers it rarely beats the train on time.

Getting around Busan

T-money / CashbeeThe same rechargeable card you use in Seoul works here, the easiest way around.
Coastal sights need a busHaedong Yonggungsa and the Gijang side need a bus or taxi from the nearest station.

Busan metro at a glance

Line 1 · Nopo - DasaBusan Station, Nampo, Jagalchi, Seomyeon
Line 2 · Jangsan - YangsanHaeundae, Gwangan, Seomyeon, Kyungsung Univ
Line 3 · Suyeong - DaejeoSuyeong, Mandeok, Gangseo
Line 4 · Minam - AnpyeongDongnae, Myeongjang
Also usefulThe Donghae Line runs up the east coast to Osiria (near Yonggungsa), and the Gimhae Light Rail links the airport.

Which line for each area

Now you're here