This bullet train journey is something Australians can only dream of
Route Seoul to Busan
Distance 417 kilometres
Operator KTX (Korean Train Express)
Class Standard class
Frequency 55 times a day (for the KTX)
The journey
From Seoul Central Station to Busan Central on board the KTX bullet train, with a scheduled time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and a top speed of 330km/h. Linking South Korea's two largest cities, it's one of the busiest train routes in the country. The trip takes you through unappealing industrial towns between the two cities, though there are some more scenic views along the way of the hilly countryside and local farms. The ride is exceedingly smooth. Indeed it often feels like we're barely moving at all, never mind zipping along at more than 300 km/h. Seats can be reserved but if you buy a non-reserved ticket at short notice you can still board – if there's no seat available you'll just have to hang out between the carriages, which quite a few passengers are doing on this trip.
The seat
There are two classes to choose from: standard and first. The standard cabin offers a two-two configuration, while the first class seats are larger with more legroom and a one-two layout. I'm in standard for this journey and there's plenty of legroom and space for my 182-centimetre frame. Standard class is available from about $59 one way or about $82 for first class. It's relatively easy to book tickets via the korail.com site (once you switch the language to English) but in my case the tickets have been arranged by my tour guide from Inside Asia (who also helpfully insists on taking responsibility for getting our luggage on board).
Boarding
Departing from Seoul means the train sits at the platform for a while before it's time to leave, so boarding is a leisurely affair (but don't dawdle – the train leaves exactly on time). Luggage safely stowed on board, I have time to walk up to the engine and snap a pic of the train's sleek nose before walking back to my carriage and finding my seat.
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