Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While airlines the world over boost prices during times of peak demand such as hol-
idays, in South Korea they've got it down to an art, and the peak periods tend to last
longer—virtually the entire summer (July-September) and winter (December-February)
school vacation periods, with a few others in between. Even with the high fares, tickets dis-
appear quickly, so it pays to plan and book any vacations early.
By Train
South Korea has a well-developed rail network that has expanded rapidly since the first
train lines linked Seoul with the port of Incheon more than a century ago. The government-
owned Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) runs all the country's long-distance rail ser-
vices as well as some commuter lines that feed into the Seoul metropolitan subway network.
Two major lines, the Honam and Gyeongbu, connect Seoul with the southwestern port of
Mokpo and Busan, respectively, with branch lines extending to virtually all sizable towns
nationwide.
Trains are punctual and comfortable, but—with the glaring exception of the high-speed
Korea Train Express (KTX) service—often slower than express buses, particularly when
highway traffic is relatively light. That said, many prefer the more relaxed pace of rail
travel, as well as the amenities offered on longer train routes—washrooms, dining cars, and
even wireless Internet access.
TYPES OF TRAINS
Long-distance trains in South Korea are divided into three classes ( ho ); four if the KTX
bullet train is included. Tonggeun, previously known as Tongil or “unification” class trains,
are short no-frills commuter services usually linking a few small towns to larger hubs. They
typically have no assigned seating and a layout that's only a few steps up from the average
subway car.
Mugunghwa trains, named after South Korea's hardy national flower, are a substantial
step up, with air-conditioned cars, individual reclining seats, and usually dining and first-
class sections. These are the workhorses of South Korean rail travel, stopping most fre-
quently along longer routes. Saemaul or “new village” trains are the highest class and
fastest of standard train services; they have larger, more comfortable seats than their Mu-
gunghwa counterparts and make fewer stops, completing the Seoul to Busan journey—one
of the nation's longest—in under five hours.
 
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