Intro
There are five ways to get from Seoul to Busan. These include express buses, high-speed trains, local trains, airplanes, and automobiles.
The cheapest option is to take the express bus or local trains. Express buses are cheaper than normal trains, high-speed trains, and airplanes.
The fastest order is: airplane > high-speed train > normal train = high-speed bus.
I recommend high-speed trains because, while the flight is short, the time spent going to and from the airport is a lot longer. On the other hand, Seoul Station and Busan Station, where high-speed trains stop, are located entirely in the city center, making them extremely handy and valued similarly to planes.
Things you must be careful about
One thing to keep in mind is that during Korea’s biggest holidays, the Lunar New Year (around late January to early February, varies each year) and Chuseok (around mid-September to early October, depending on each year), people want to return to their hometowns, so trains and buses from Seoul to Busan are full.
It is almost impossible to reserve a flight in these seasons. (This is not an exaggeration; even Koreans are in trouble during these holidays because they cannot make reservations.) So, I do not recommend going to Busan or other regions during these two periods.
5 ways to get from Seoul to Busan
Express buses
An express bus travels from Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to Busan Express Bus Terminal. There is also a bus to Busan from the Dong Seoul Terminal in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The trip time is around 4 hours and 20 minutes, and the cost of economy seats is 26,000 won (about $20), honor seats are 40,000 won (about $30), and premium seats are 60,000 won (about $40).
In fact, it is a cheap and time-saving method of transportation, and this route is ideal for tourists who wish to board early in the morning and travel late at night. This bus route operates in Seoul at 12 and 2 a.m., when airlines and trains are not operational. The link below takes you to the official bus reservation site, where you can reserve your ticket. Link
High-speed trains
KTX
KTX is Korea’s first high-speed train and one of the fastest routes to Busan. The KTX train to Busan departs from Seoul Station and takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The regular seating price is 60,000 won (about $50), whereas the special seat price is 80,000 won (about $70).
The advantage of KTX is that both the starting and ending stations are right in the city center, making it simple to travel back and forth. It is a better option, particularly for tourists who do not intend to stay for a long time. Reservations can be made on the official website here Link or on Naver Map.
Find out why you should use the Naver Maps app instead of the Google Maps app when traveling in Korea at the link below.
SRT
SRT is the second high-speed railway created by companies and the government. It is a newer train than the KTX. Because the train to Busan departs from Suseo Station in Gangnam, it will be an excellent choice for travelers staying in Gangnam. The trip takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, and the cost is 52,000 won (about $40) for economy class and 75,000 won (about $60) for a special seat.
It is also available at the SRT official site, Link or on the KTX reservation website. The KTX website is a nationwide integrated railway reservation system.
Local trains
The Mugunghwa is a local train. It takes roughly 6 hours to travel from Seoul to Busan, and economy-class tickets cost around 25,000 won ($20). It is inexpensive, but it takes a long time, making it unsuitable for short-term travelers. The lone advantage is that the train departing from Seoul Station stops at Yeongdeungpo Station. It will be beneficial to travelers who have accommodations near Yeongdeungpo. The destination station is Busan Station. The reservation site is identical to the KTX reservation site.
Airplanes
Flights from Seoul to Busan arrive at Seoul Gimpo Airport and depart at Busan Gimhae Airport. Prices vary greatly, but the cheapest one-way ticket is 40,000 won ($30), while the most costly one-way ticket is 100,000 won ($80). The flight lasts one hour, but with the time spent getting to the airport and waiting, it takes nearly four hours overall.
By cars
Those traveling by car can take the Gyeongbu Expressway. The meaning of the Gyeongbu Expressway itself is that it is a road connecting Seoul and Busan. It takes about 6 hours if you run without stopping.
Conclusion
I’ve mentioned various options, but the best way to get from Seoul to Busan is to take the high-speed train. It’s relatively cheap, and there are a lot of time options for travelers. I don’t believe flying is the best option because, despite the short flight time, there is still time to get to the airport.