5 Days in Korea: Seoul and Busan by KTX
Spend two days in Seoul, take the KTX south on day three, and use three days in Busan. The train takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes and costs about 55,000 to 60,000 won each way in standard class. Book early, and check palace closing days before you fix the order.
- Days 1 to 2
- Seoul: palaces, markets, Namsan
- Day 3
- KTX to Busan, then Nampo and Jagalchi
- Days 4 to 5
- Gamcheon, Haedong Yonggungsa, Haeundae
- Official info
- Korail ticket reservation
What should I know before I plan five days?
Details checked October 8, 2026
Split the trip as 2 nights in Seoul, then 3 nights in Busan, and let the KTX ride take half of day 3. The Gyeongbu Line linking the two cities is 447.1 km long, and KTX trains reach up to 330 km/h, according to VisitKorea. Everything below is a plan built from official listings, not a record of a trip.
- Worth knowing: Busan Station sits directly below the KTX terminal and is on Metro Line 1, so you can ride straight to your hotel area, per a Busan metro guide.
- A common mistake: Booking the return train last. Korail now sells tickets up to two months ahead, so reserve both directions together (see our KTX booking guide).
- Local tip: Carry a T-money card in Busan. The same guide reports that contactless credit cards and international bank cards do not work at the metro gates.
What should I do in Seoul on days 1 and 2?
Use day 1 for the historic core and day 2 for a second palace, Dongdaemun and Namsan. Our Seoul in 3 Days guide covers each stop in detail; this five-day plan keeps its first two days and drops the third.
- Day 1 morning: Gyeongbokgung. Visit Seoul lists it as closed on Tuesdays, with adult entry for foreigners at 3,000 won (Visit Seoul: Gyeongbokgung). If day 1 is a Tuesday, swap in Changdeokgung.
- Day 1 afternoon: Bukchon and Insa-dong. Walk the hanok lanes quietly, since people live there, then browse tea houses and craft shops.
- Day 1 evening: Gwangjang Market. The Food Alley is listed daily from 09:00 to 23:00 (Visit Seoul: Gwangjang Market).
- Day 2 morning: Changdeokgung. Listed as closed on Mondays (Visit Seoul: Changdeokgung).
- Day 2 afternoon and evening: Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Namsan. Finish with the city view along the Namsan Rampart walking route, then pack for the morning train.
Practical example: a traveller who lands on a Thursday can do day 1 on Friday and day 2 on Saturday, which avoids both palace closing days, then ride south on Sunday.
How do I get from Seoul to Busan on day 3?
Take a morning KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station, which takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes, and spend the afternoon and evening around Nampo. KTX departs from Seoul, Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations and Busan Station is the line's southern terminus (VisitKorea). Reserve on the Korail reservation page.
| Option | Time | Fare | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTX, standard class | About 2 hours 15 minutes | About 55,000 to 60,000 won | Figures from our KTX guide |
| Busan Station to Nampo | A short Line 1 ride | 1,600 won base fare with T-money | Busan Station is on Line 1 |
Afternoon plan: check in, then head to Jagalchi Market (listed 05:00 to 22:00, closed the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month) and walk to BIFF Square, a 428-metre street of cinemas, shops and street food that VisitKorea describes as the heart of Busan's film district (VisitKorea: BIFF Square). Both are in the Nampo area on Line 1.
What should I do in Busan on days 4 and 5?
Use day 4 for Gamcheon and the old market streets, and day 5 for Haedong Yonggungsa and Haeundae before the train home. VisitKorea’s Marketplace and Hillside Village course links Jagalchi, Gukje Market, Bupyeong (Kkangtong) Market, Bosu-dong Book Street and Gamcheon Culture Village over about 3.45 km.
- Day 4 morning: Gukje Market, Kkangtong Market and Bosu-dong Book Street. All are in Jung-gu and within walking range of each other, per the VisitKorea course.
- Day 4 afternoon: Gamcheon Culture Village. A hillside village of pastel houses and wall paintings. The Busan metro guide says to take Line 1 to Toseong, then a 10 to 15 minute bus up the hill, or a taxi.
- Day 5 morning: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. A seaside temple in Gijang, open 04:30 to 19:20 with free admission and last entry at 18:50 (VisitKorea: Haedong Yonggungsa). VisitKorea gives no public transit route, so check a map app or use a taxi.
- Day 5 afternoon: Haeundae Beach. A white-sand beach about 1.5 km long and free to enter (VisitKorea: Haeundae Beach). On Line 2, it is a five to eight minute walk from Haeundae station.
- Day 5 evening: KTX back to Seoul. Book a train that leaves with a buffer, especially if you fly out the next day.
Our Busan area guide helps you choose where to sleep: Haeundae for the beach, Seomyeon for a central base, or Nampo for the markets.
How much will the main transport cost?
Budget about 110,000 to 120,000 won for the round-trip KTX, plus 1,600 won per basic Busan metro ride. Sight admissions are small: the two palaces list 3,000 won, and Haedong Yonggungsa and Haeundae Beach are free.
| Item | Cost | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Seoul to Busan, one way | About 55,000 to 60,000 won | Our KTX guide; confirm on Korail |
| Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung | 3,000 won each, adult foreigner | Visit Seoul |
| Busan metro, base fare | 1,600 won with T-money | Busan metro guide |
| T-money card deposit | 2,500 won | Busan metro guide |
| Haedong Yonggungsa, Haeundae | Free | VisitKorea |
Seoul bus and subway costs are not included; see our Seoul bus guide and subway guide. Set up payment and maps first with the essential apps guide.
FAQ
How do I get from Seoul to Busan?
By KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station in roughly 2 hours 15 minutes, with a standard-class fare of about 55,000 to 60,000 won. Busan Station connects directly to the Busan metro.
Is 5 days enough for Seoul and Busan?
Yes for the highlights. Two full days in Seoul, one travel day with an evening in Busan, and two more days in Busan cover the main palaces, markets, coast and temples without rushing.
Should I book the KTX in advance?
Yes. Korail sells tickets up to two months before departure from October 1, 2026, and popular Friday and Sunday trains can sell out, so reserve once your dates are fixed.
Can I use a foreign credit card at Busan metro gates?
Not reliably. A Busan metro guide reports that contactless credit and international bank cards do not work at the gates, so carry a T-money card or cash.
Which day should I avoid for Seoul's palaces?
Gyeongbokgung is listed as closed on Tuesdays and Changdeokgung on Mondays, so plan the palace days around those closures.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Prices and hours above are approximate; verify on these pages.
- Korail ticket reservation KTX booking for visitors, English
- VisitKorea: train travel and KTX KTX stations, top speed and Gyeongbu Line length
- VisitKorea: Marketplace and Hillside Village course Jagalchi, Gukje, Kkangtong, Bosu-dong and Gamcheon
- VisitKorea: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple hours, admission and history of the seaside temple
- Visit Seoul: Gyeongbokgung palace hours, closing day and admission
- Busan metro guide fares, T-money and routes (independent guide)
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