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While in Korea

Domestic Travel in Korea During Chuseok

Su-hyeon and her friends get together for the first time in a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While talking about summer vacation, she discusses travel within Korea during the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays and useful tips for getting tickets.

Written by •  Kim Min-ji      Translated by •  Cho Ahyoung, Ju Eunjin
Illustrated by •  Yuhaill

1

Su-hyeonHey, long time no see. It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve seen all of you due to the coronavirus.

JessieHow are you? Did you guys go on vacation this summer?

HuongI planned to go to Busan for the Chuseok holidays but all train and airplane tickets were sold out.

Su-hyeonAh, that¡¯s because many Koreans usually visit their parents on Chuseok and Seollal (Lunar New Year).

JacquesYou mean many people want to buy tickets around those times?

Su-hyeonYes, that¡¯s a big reason. Another is that there¡¯s a certain period to make travel reservations for holidays.

HuongI didn¡¯t know that. Where did you get this information?

Su-hyeonThe notice is posted on the website of Korea Rail Corp. (KoRail) a month before each major holiday. It was much harder to get tickets this year because only window seats were available due to social distancing. So what do you know about taking the train in Korea?

HuongWhen reserving a ticket, I found that riding the Mugunghwa-ho train takes twice as long as the KTX (Korea Train Express) bullet train.

Su-hyeonYes, but the Mugunghwa-ho is half the price of the KTX. The fastest and most expensive trains are, in descending order, the KTX, ITX (Intercity Train Express)-Saemaeul-ho and Mugunghwa-ho.

JessieDo all of the trains depart from the same station?

Su-hyeonYes, Seoul Station is the main station where most trains pass. A more limited selection of routes is at Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations. Most trains at Yongsan Station go to the Honam region, whose destinations include Gwangju and Mokpo, Jeollanam-do Province. Cheongnyangni Station has lines headed toward the East Sea like Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

2

JacquesSo what¡¯s SRT (Super Rapid Train)?

Su-hyeonSRT departs only from Suseo Station in southern Seoul. The KTX leaves from Seoul and Yongsan stations.

JacquesThen the only difference between the KTX and SRT is the station of departure?

Su-hyeonNo, SRT is different from the KTX though their speeds and prices are almost the same and they share a few routes. Even their reservation websites are different.

HuongThat¡¯s right. Both types of trains also have separate reservation systems.

Su-hyeonYes. SRT¡¯s homepage is where you buy tickets for SRT, while those for the KTX, ITX-Saemaeul-ho and Mugunghwa-ho are available on KoRail¡¯s site.

JessieI see. How did you get your ticket this time? Any tips?

Su-hyeonI barely got one. I used to buy tickets offline but couldn¡¯t this year because of COVID-19.

JacquesIt must¡¯ve been tougher this year

Su-hyeonThat's right. So I bought a ticket because of a last-minute cancellation. That happens sometimes.

3

JacquesSu-hyeon, I live near Express Bus Terminal in Seoul so I usually take an intercity express bus. Do buses also have a reservation period for holidays?

Su-hyeonOf course. Reservations this year started from Aug. 24. Holiday seasons can see changes in point of departure, route and bus.

JessieHow can I reserve a ticket?

Su-hyeonIt¡¯s the same as the train. Just see if your departure and arrival dates are available on the website or app and then make a reservation.

HuongI went to Express Bus Terminal to take a bus last winter. It¡¯s very big, isn¡¯t it?

Su-hyeonYes, it is. In Seoul, Express Bus Terminal is the main hub for intercity bus travel, just like Seoul Station is where most people go to ride the train. The city also has Nambu, Dong Seoul and Sangbong bus terminals. Just be sure to check in advance because each terminal has different destinations.

4

JacquesWhat¡¯s cheaper and more convenient, the train or an express bus?

Su-hyeonThe KTX and SRT are definitively faster but more expensive than the bus. I recommend choosing the option closest to your house. In my case, I mostly take the train at Yongsan Station since it¡¯s the closest to my home.

JacquesWow, the websites for train stations and intercity bus terminals have information in English, Chinese and Japanese.

HuongOh, that¡¯s great.

JessieIt¡¯s nice how the information is neatly organized. Thank you so much.

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