Korea Travel 101

A one-way KTX ticket from Seoul to Busan typically costs between 59,800 KRW and 81,000 KRW depending on seat class, train type, and time of booking, with standard economy seats around 59,800-64,400 KRW and premium first-class seats around 81,000-86,000 KRW as of 2026. The competing SRT service runs the same route at slightly lower prices, typically 5-10% cheaper. Prices fluctuate based on demand, advance purchase discounts, and weekend surcharges, so the figures above are a general guide only. This article explains how KTX and SRT pricing works, what seat classes you actually get for the money, where to book tickets as a foreigner, and whether the alternatives such as intercity buses or slower Mugunghwa trains make sense for your trip. Photo: Jpbarrass / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 At a glance Standard KTX fare Roughly 59,800-64,400 KRW for economy; check Korail.com or the app for live prices First-class fare Roughly 81,000-86,000 KRW; wider seats, fewer passengers per car Journe...

You cannot tap a foreign credit card directly on Korean city bus card readers the way you might in London or Sydney. Almost all city buses in Seoul, Busan and other Korean cities require a rechargeable transport card such as T-money (티머니) or Cashbee (캐시비), or exact-change cash payment. Some intercity and express buses allow you to buy tickets with a credit card at the terminal counter or online, but on-board payment still defaults to the transport card. After reading this guide, you will know which payment methods work on city buses, intercity coaches and airport limousine buses, how to buy and reload a transport card, and when you actually need cash or a Korean-issued card. Photo: Camins / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 At a glance City buses Require T-money, Cashbee or other rechargeable transport card; foreign credit cards do not work on card readers. Intercity & express buses Tickets purchased at terminal counters or online often accept international credit cards; on...

Busan has warm, humid summers, mild winters and two distinct shoulder seasons that often offer the best balance of weather and visitor numbers. The peak tourist window runs June through August when beaches are busiest, accommodation prices climb and temperatures regularly exceed 30°C with high humidity. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) deliver comfortable temperatures for walking, fewer crowds at major sites and hotel rates 20-30% lower than summer. This guide breaks down every season so you can match Busan's climate, event calendar and pricing to what matters most for your trip. Photo: Mobius6 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 At a glance Peak season June-August: beach weather, highest prices, heaviest crowds at Haeundae (해운대) and Gwangalli (광안리) Best weather months April-May and September-October: 15-25°C, lower humidity, comfortable for temple hikes and city walking Rainy season Late June to late July: monsoon brings heavy downpours, some flooding in ...