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    Riding South Korea’s 300km/h Bullet Train | Everything you need to know about the KTX



    Riding South Korea’s 300km/h Bullet Train | Everything you need to know about the KTX

    Ride South Korea’s Korea Train Express (KTX) from Seoul to Busan, stopping in the ancient city of Gyeongju, as I explore one of the world’s most impressive high-speed rail networks. In this journey, I travel on two generations of KTX trains — the second-generation KTX Sancheon and the original first-generation KTX, based on the French TGV.

    Along the way, I break down how South Korea’s high-speed rail works, what first class and economy is like on the KTX, ticket prices, standing tickets, and how the experience compares with Japan’s Shinkansen. You’ll also see scenery, stations, tunnels, and learn surprising facts about the history and future of Korean high-speed rail — including plans for 370km/h trains.

    If you’re planning travel in South Korea, love trains, or are curious about high-speed rail around the world, this is the ultimate Seoul–Busan KTX guide.

    🚉 Train: KTX
    🚉 Operator: Korail
    🚉 Locomotives: KTX Sancheon and KTX-I (TGV-K)
    🚉 Seat: Car 3, Seat 9A (window)
    🚉 Route: Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan
    🚉 Distance: 417km
    🚉 Class: First class
    🚉 Travel dates: April 2024

    Support the channel by becoming a YouTube channel member. You’ll get early access to new videos and other perks:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2JOJLAYqW0muUdvC1oqLrA/join

    EQUIPMENT:
    🚉 Cameras: iPhone 15 Pro Max, DJI Osmo Pocket 3, DJI Mini 3 Pro

    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction: South Korea’s High-Speed KTX
    01:00 Travelling to Seoul Station by Metro
    02:07 Seoul Station: history, layout & ticketing tips
    04:21 KTX explained: train types, fares & booking advice
    06:49 Boarding the KTX Sancheon (2nd generation)
    07:20 First Class and Economy tour on the KTX Sancheon
    08:35 Departing Seoul & crossing the Han River
    11:40 Entering the high-speed line (up to 300km/h)
    12:20 Seats in first class
    13:50 High speed rail history in South Korea
    16:03 First class vs economy and toilet tour
    18:10 Daejeon, Gimcheon & Daegu
    22:00 Approaching Gyeongju & arrival
    23:40 Exploring historic Gyeongju
    24:19 Gyeongju Station (Gyeongjuyeok)
    25:58 Boarding the original KTX (1st generation / TGV-based)
    27:00 Onboard the first-generation KTX to Busan
    28:08 How standing tickets and jump seats work
    29:05 Train fares and rail passes
    30:27 KTX-I toilet tour
    31:45 Ulsan Station (Tongdosa)
    32:20 Arriving in Busan & final thoughts
    35:45 Busan Station
    36:30 What to see in Busan & channel wrap-up

    Music
    I use Artlist for high quality, licensed audio. If you sign up using my referral link below, you will get two extra months for free.
    https://artlist.io/Adam-3542584

    Information sources include:
    https://www.korail.com/global/eng/passengerGuide/info/trainFleet#
    https://en.namu.wiki/w/KTX(차량)?from=KTX(1세대)
    https://en.namu.wiki/w/부산역
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbu_high-speed_railway
    https://korass.or.kr/_img/web/ebook_fileen.pdf

    Image credits:
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39642218
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tsukamoto_Seoul_station-1924.jpg
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korail_KTX-Cheongryong,_Guro_(20241103a)_(54220770284).jpg
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-2487786.jpg
    https://en.namu.wiki/w/산천어

    Map credits:
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gyeongbu_High_Speed.svg
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Rapid_Train#/media/File:SR_SRT_Routemap_EN_Normal.png

    Follow me on social media:
    https://www.instagram.com/_fromthewindowseat/

    https://facebook.com/adamjoycetravels

    KTX, Korea Train Express, South Korea high speed rail, Seoul to Busan train, KTX Sancheon, Gyeongju train, Korean rail travel, first class train Korea, high speed trains Asia, bullet train

    #tripreport #slowtravel #koreatravel

    32 Comments

    7. @TassieEV on

      Fantastic Adam, you're back! Another train trip as well. My Overland trip went well other than my hay fever and it was the season in rural Vic which I overlooked as it hadn't hit in Tassie at that time.

    16. @cjnet26 on

      Welcome back Adam. Watching this video now. YT has already crammed three ad breaks in and I’m not even half way through. The first was just over one minute in!

      When I saw Busan on screen I immediately thought of Train To Busan (will have to watch that again soon). Glad you didn’t get a biting on your trip.

      Another excellently filmed and presented video.

    17. @MrSvenovitch on

      This is interesting…but you don't have the face for a mustache dude 😉 I don't have the face to not have facial hair so we all have our challenges haha

    18. @tomsonliao6331 on

      Bro you should try australis suite or aurora suite on the holiday package from Perth to Brisbane great Southern and indian pacific spoiler alert you might go broke after this you might have to wait till April cause they will add it in April instead if you can't wait maybe try the Ghan .indian pacific and great Southern in that class

    20. @EamonAdams on

      Enjoyed the video, thanks. You really did your research and I liked your added facts and information. As someone who lives in Korea and travels regularly by rail I have to say the rail system is excellent and works very well. Great job!

    21. @ravendranrasalingam490 on

      Thank you so much for a great video. The Mrs and I are traveling to Korea specifically to visit Busan in May. I was planning to fly to and fro, Seoul / Busan. However, based on the video will probably do the Busan to Seoul on the KTX. BTW are we allowed to eat on the train?

    22. @CB-sx8xh on

      Have you thought about checking out the high speed trains in China? I've had 2 trips to Japan and absolutely loved the Shinkansen but they have hiked the price of the JR pass so much 😢

    25. @shapke on

      Thanks for this great and informative video. I am planning to make this trip myself in a few weeks from now. So, this comes in very handy for the planning.

    29. @Bogieking78 on

      My father's destroyer was based in Japan during the Korean war. He told me they were off of Busan (Pusan?) lots at the start as the Army had been pushed all the way there. I had a chance to be stationed there but chose West Germany instead. Love them high speed trains-thanks!

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