How to Book KTX Tickets as a Foreigner

By Dragon Kim · Updated October 4, 2026 · 6 min read

When can I book KTX tickets?

Since October 1, 2026, Korail has sold railway tickets up to two months before departure instead of one month. The Korea Times and SBS News both report the change, and the Korea Times says it is meant to help foreign visitors plan itineraries. The old rule was one month in advance.

• Sales opening time: Older VisitKorea wording gives 07:00 as the usual opening time and says tickets can be bought until about 20 minutes before departure, or later in apps. I could not confirm the opening time under the new two-month rule, so check the booking screen.
• Peak holidays: For Chuseok, Seollal and other long weekends, plan to book on the first day your date becomes available.
• Language support: The Korea Times reports that the foreigner booking site supports seven languages today, with French, German and Mongolian planned by the end of the year.

How do I book a KTX ticket step by step?

Create an account on the Korail English page or app, search your route, choose a train and seat class, pay by card and save the e-ticket. Screens change, so use the steps as a guide and follow the Korail ticket reservation page for the current layout.

1. Open the booking site or app. Use the Korail global site or the Korail app in English. Korail recommends Chrome, Samsung Internet or Safari and a stable mobile network on its notice page.
2. Sign up with your passport details. The English pages ask foreign visitors for passport details, according to guides for visitors; follow the prompts on screen.
3. Search your trip. Enter departure and arrival stations, the date and a time, then compare departures.
4. Choose class and seat. Pick standard or first class and your preferred seat, then confirm the fare on screen.
5. Pay before the deadline. A reservation is held only for a limited time, and unpaid bookings are released. Use the time limit shown after you reserve.
6. Save the e-ticket. Keep the QR code or booking number on your phone and take a screenshot as a backup.
7. Arrive early. Find your platform, check the car and seat number and board before departure.

What if my foreign card is declined?

Korail's English booking page accepts overseas Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay, and wallet payments such as WeChat Pay and Alipay are under development. The Korea Times and SBS News report these payment details.

• Try another channel: If the website declines a card, try the app, or another card, as guides for foreign visitors suggest. Tell your bank you will pay a Korean merchant online.
• Check card verification: Some overseas cards fail at the extra cardholder-verification step. Contact your issuer if this happens.
• Use a station as a fallback: VisitKorea lists kiosks and ticket offices as booking channels, plus an English customer line at +82-1599-7777, open 08:00 to 20:00 daily.
• Money basics: For cards and cash elsewhere in Korea, see the cash or card guide.

How much does KTX cost, and is a Korail Pass worth it?

A one-way standard-class Seoul to Busan ticket costs roughly 55,000 to 60,000 won, and a Korail Pass only pays off if you take several long rides within a few days. Published fares differ by source and by day, so confirm the exact price on the booking screen.

Practical example: a traveler planning Seoul to Busan and back, plus one more intercity ride, should add up three single tickets and compare the total with the pass price before buying. For a plan built around the train, see the Seoul in 3 days itinerary and the Seoul subway guide for getting to the station.

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