Intercity and Express Buses in Korea: How to Book
Two separate systems sell Korea's long-distance bus tickets: Kobus for express buses and Bustago or TxBus for intercity buses. Foreign-card checkout is inconsistent, so keep a terminal-counter backup. Cancel at least two days ahead for no fee under Kobus's published table, as reported by one guide; confirm on the official site.
- Express buses
- Sold on Kobus (kobus.co.kr), run by Tmoney
- Intercity buses
- Sold on Bustago and TxBus, separate systems
- Safest backup
- Staffed terminal counter, per guides
What should I know before I arrive?
Details checked October 30, 2026
Korea has two separate long-distance bus systems, and the online booking rules for foreign visitors have been changing during 2026. The Korea Herald reported on July 1, 2026 that Kobus, the integrated express bus reservation site run by Tmoney, would accept foreign-issued cards without membership from August, with a similar intercity option targeted for September. Guides written afterwards do not agree on whether it works in practice.
- Worth knowing: The Korea Herald says the Tmoney Go app keeps accepting only Korean-issued cards, so do not rely on it.
- A common mistake: Assuming one ticket works on both systems. One guide states that express and intercity buses run on separate systems and a ticket from one is not recognized by the other.
- Local tip: Search for the full terminal name, not just the city. Large cities can have different express and intercity terminals, and Naver Map helps; see our Naver Map guide.
For city buses rather than long-distance coaches, read our Seoul city bus guide. If you are comparing buses with trains on the Seoul to Busan run, see how to book KTX tickets.
What is the difference between express and intercity buses?
Express buses mainly run between major cities with few or no stops, while intercity buses use more roads and reach smaller cities and counties. One booking guide describes express buses as using expressways between major cities without city stops, and intercity buses as using expressways and national roads, sometimes stopping in intermediate cities.
- Express (고속버스): Seoul to Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and similar pairs. Some routes offer different seat classes and late-night services, according to the same guide.
- Intercity (시외버스): Routes to smaller destinations, such as Jeonju to Gyeongju in a published example.
Practical example: if you are going from Seoul to Busan, you would look on the express system; if your destination is a smaller town off the main corridor, the intercity system is the likely one. Check the route in both if the search returns nothing.
Where do I book bus tickets in Korea?
Use Kobus for express routes, Bustago or TxBus for intercity routes, and a staffed terminal counter when online payment fails. The table compares the main channels as described by the sources checked.
| Channel | Covers | What sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Kobus website | Express buses | Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese; foreign-card status unclear |
| Bustago / TxBus | Intercity buses | Search and seats in English; foreign-card payment reported unreliable |
| Terminal counter | Both, by terminal | Guides say counters accept foreign cards and cash; kiosks may reject them |
| Visitor booking services | Varies | Services such as Klook and Go Hanpass are named in guides; fees and reliability vary |
Bustago's official page lists seat availability, route information, terminal locations and automatic ticketing machine guidance. It does not explain payment or refund terms for foreigners, so check its customer service for those.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Possibly, but treat it as unconfirmed and plan a backup. The Korea Herald reported in July 2026 that Kobus would accept foreign-issued cards from August without membership. A guide checked in September 2026 reported that non-members could no longer type a card number directly since February 24, 2026, leaving only Toss Pay and Naver Pay, which need Korean identity verification, and that overseas cards can fail at the 3D Secure step.
- Conflicting reports: A Toyoni guide updated September 26, 2026 says Kobus has accepted foreign cards since August, but it is a commercial booking service and its claims could not be verified against operator sites.
- Intercity: A guide says search works in English but checkout may ask for Korean card details.
- Backup: Bring the card you used, a second card and some cash. Our cash or card guide covers what to carry.
How do I book and collect a ticket?
Search the exact terminals and date, try to pay online, and if that fails buy at the departure terminal counter.
- Name the terminals. Confirm the full departure and arrival terminal names and the date, time, seat class and passenger count.
- Pick the system. Use Kobus for express routes or Bustago/TxBus for intercity routes. If neither shows the route, ask at a terminal.
- Try online payment. If checkout rejects your card or asks for Korean identity details, stop and use the counter instead of retrying repeatedly.
- Collect the ticket if required. One guide says a Bustago card-paid ticket is collected at the departure-terminal counter with the payment card, and some terminals have ticket machines. Kobus easy-pay tickets are issued with a phone number plus a birth date or departure date, per that guide's reading of the Kobus notice.
- At the counter, show your destination and preferred departure time on your phone with the passenger count.
The ticket you receive determines whether you use a QR code, a printout or terminal collection, so read the confirmation carefully. A saved screenshot is not guaranteed to be accepted for boarding. For local calls and verification apps, see our Korean phone number guide.
What does it cost to cancel?
Under the Kobus table reported by one guide, cancelling two or more days ahead costs nothing, and fees rise from 5% to 20% close to departure. The guide checked the table on September 14, 2026; verify it on the Kobus site.
| Timing | Mon to Thu | Fri to Sun / holiday | Seollal / Chuseok |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2+ days before | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 1 day to 3 hours before | 5% | 7.5% | 10% |
| Under 3 hours before | 10% | 15% | 20% |
| After departure, until estimated arrival | 60% | 60% | 60% |
The same guide says a printed Bustago ticket must be refunded at the departure terminal and gives no Bustago fee table. Intercity fees and deadlines may differ, so check before you pay.
What should I do on travel day?
Arrive early, collect your ticket first, then match the platform on the departure board to your destination and time.
- Timing: Boarding typically begins 5 to 10 minutes before departure per VisitKorea, as relayed by a guide. Add about 20 minutes for large terminals; that is our suggested buffer.
- Toilets: Long-distance coaches generally have none onboard, so use the terminal restroom.
- Peak dates: Weekend, Friday and holiday seats, including Chuseok and Seollal, can sell out, so book ahead if you can.
- Luggage: Keep your ticket and valuables with you while bags are loaded.
Getting to the terminal by subway? Load a transit card first; our T-money guide explains how.
FAQ
Is Kobus for express buses or intercity buses?
Kobus is the integrated express bus reservation site run by Tmoney, per the Korea Herald. Intercity buses are sold on separate systems such as Bustago and TxBus, and a ticket from one is not recognized by the other.
Can foreigners pay for Kobus tickets with a foreign card?
It is unclear. The Korea Herald reported on July 1, 2026 that Kobus would accept foreign-issued cards without membership from August. Later guides disagree on whether it works, and some report 3D Secure failures, so test early and keep a counter backup.
Can I just buy a bus ticket at the terminal?
Usually yes on ordinary days. Guides say staffed counters at large terminals take foreign cards and cash, though kiosks may reject foreign cards and popular routes can sell out on weekends and holidays.
How early should I arrive at the bus terminal?
Boarding typically starts 5 to 10 minutes before departure per VisitKorea, as relayed by one guide. Add at least 20 minutes for ticket collection and finding the platform at a large terminal; that buffer is our suggestion, not an operator rule.
Do Korean long-distance buses have toilets?
Guides citing VisitKorea say long-distance coaches have no onboard toilet, so use the terminal restroom before you board.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Booking rules, payment options and fees change; verify on these pages.
- Kobus official express bus reservation site run by Tmoney, with English pages and the cancellation table
- Bustago official intercity bus service page with seat availability, routes and terminal information
- TxBus Tmoney's intercity bus booking site, reported to offer several languages
- Korea Herald: express bus booking to open to foreign-issued cards news report of July 1, 2026 on Kobus and foreign cards
- LACHA express bus guide independent guide used for September 2026 payment and counter details
- GoToKTrip Kobus or Bustago checklist independent guide used for ticket collection, boarding and the cancellation table
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) official tourism information in English
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