Ultimate Guide to Korail Pass: Price, Benefits, & Reservation

The Korail Pass provides unlimited train rides in South Korea for 2-5 days. This is for solo or group travelers who want to explore destinations outside Seoul like Busan, Daegu, Gangneung, and more. I have used the pass twice, and it helped me save money compared to buying KTX train tickets separately. See if the Korail Pass is available on your travel dates here.

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In a nutshell

  • What is the Korea Rail Pass? Also known as the Korail Pass or the KR Pass, this tourist pass in Korea provides all foreign travelers unlimited train rides in South Korea. It can be used to take the high-speed KTX trains and other trains operated by Korail.
  • How much is the Korail Pass? The Korail Pass starts at $90.5 here. Groups of 2-5 travelers can save money by booking this Saver Pass that starts at around $84 per person. To save money, use our Klook promo code TRAVLISTS to get 3-8% off.
  • Consecutive vs. Flexible. The Korail Pass comes in two options: the Consecutive and Flexible. Choose the Consecutive Pass if you want unlimited train rides for 3 or 5 straight days. Alternatively, you can also get the Flexible Pass to ride the train for any non-consecutive 2 or 4 days within a 10-day period.
  • Where can you go with Korail Pass? The pass covers over 600 rail stations, so you can easily make your way to Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Pohang, Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu, Mokpo, and more destinations. (Note that the Korail Pass cannot be used when riding the city subway.)
  • How to reserve seats. After booking, you can easily make train reservations on the Korail website with no extra fees. Simply select your dates and choose your journey (arrival and destination). Once confirmed, you will receive tickets instantly. See full instructions ➜

Quick Book

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Meet the Korea Rail Pass

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The first time I used the Korail Pass was when I went to Busan from Seoul with a friend. There are many ways to get to the coastal city from the capital, but we wanted to take the KTX train. Instead of purchasing tickets on-site, we purchased a Korail Pass to save money. Specifically, we booked this Saver Option for groups of at least 2 people (up to 5 people) so we got an extra discount.

But aside from traveling between Seoul and Busan, the Korail Pass can be used for multi-city hopping. Want to visit Jeonju one day and then Daegu or Gangneung the next? You can easily make trip reservations on the Korail website after purchasing your Korail Pass.

Korail Map and Train Routes

The Korail Pass can be used to get to the following train stations, as shown in the Korail map below:

korail-map
Map of Korea Rail.
  • KTX Stations (High-speed trains)
    • Busan
    • Changwon-Jungang
    • Cheonan-Asan
    • Daejeon
    • Dongdaegu
    • Gangneung
    • Gimcheon Gumi
    • Gupo
    • Gwangju-Songjeong
    • Gwangmyeong
    • Gyeongsan
    • Haengsin
    • Iksan
    • Jeongdongjin
    • Jeongeup
    • Jeonju
    • Masan
    • Miryang
    • Mokpo
    • Nonsan
    • Osong
    • Pohang
    • Seodajeon
    • Seoul
    • Singyeongju
    • Suncheon
    • Suwon
    • Ulsan
    • Yeongdeungpo
    • Yeosu Expo
    • Yongsan
  • Other train stations
    • Bujeon
    • Cheonan
    • Cheongnyangni
    • Chuncheon
    • Daecheon
    • Daegu
    • Donghae
    • Gimcheon
    • Gumi
    • Hongseong
    • Jecheon
    • Jochiwon
    • Namchuncheon
    • Pyeongtaek
    • Sintanjin
    • Taehwagang
    • Waegwan
    • Wonju
    • Yeongdong

Note that the Korail Pass is NOT available for use in the Seoul subway system and the Super Rapid Train (SRT).

Consecutive vs. Flexible

Once you’ve decided on where to visit, you are ready to select the Korail Pass that’s most suitable for you: Consecutive Pass or Flexible Pass.

If you plan to visit multiple cities or provinces within 5 days, the Consecutive Pass is most suitable for you. This option will give you unlimited train rides for 3 or 5 days.

If you plan to stay in and explore one city for a few days, then you can avail the Korail Flexible Pass. With this option, you can choose any 2 or 4 travel days within a 10-day period. This is ideal if you’d like to take your time to explore a particular location.

Book a Korail Pass: 2, 3, 4, & 5 Days

If you are a solo traveler, you can avail any of the following options:

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1. Korail Pass – Flexible (2 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for around $99 (for adults 28+ years old) or $79 (12-27+)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for any 2 days within a 10-day period & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).
  • BEST REVIEW: “Availed of [a 2-day] flexible pass. Just follow the instructions in [Klook since] the one [on the Korail site is] not easy. Went to Gwangju and Busan via Seoul. Need not print the physical ticket but have a mobile version in handy. If you do not [make] reservations, you will have to show [a] physical Korail Pass voucher and passport.

2. Korail Pass – Flexible (4 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for around $157 (for adults 28+ years old) or $125 (12-27+)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for any 4 days within a 10-day period & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).
  • BEST REVIEW: “Speedy. Very punctual. Do NOT be late. The train won’t wait even a second for the [latecomers]. You board and you shall arrive at your destination. Safe. No red [tape. The] toilet is as narrow as the airplane toilet. Average cleanliness. The PA announces whenever it reaches a designated stop. I got off at the wrong stop—Ulsan, that sounded like Busan. Wondered why the place looked so different from the map. Checked with the ticketing counter, and was promptly issued with a free pass to catch the next KTX train without an assigned seat. Efficiency! Yeah, [it] has been hard when every foreign word sounds almost the same to me. With efficiency, getting lost may not be quite an issue anymore.”

3. Korail Pass – Consecutive (3 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for around $112 (for adults 28+ years old) or $90 (12-27+)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for 3 consecutive days & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).

4. Korail Pass – Consecutive (5 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for around $170 (for adults 28+ years old) or $136 (12-27+)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for 5 consecutive days & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).

If you will travel as a group of 2-5 people, you can avail of any of the following Korea Rail Pass Saver options:

korail-pass-print

5. Korail Pass Saver – Flexible (2 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for only around $90 per person (minimum of 2 people required)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for any 2 days within a 10-day period & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).

6. Korail Pass Saver – Flexible (4 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for only around $157 per person (minimum of 2 people required)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for any 4 days within a 10-day period & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).
  • BEST REVIEW: “Super easy to redeem. Just show your mobile voucher to the ticketing booth worker and he’ll do all the work for you. Tickets are printed out and you just board the train without having to show anyone or scan anything. If you take a super early (5-6am) train on a random weekday, then you don’t need to make any reservations. Just show up, show your voucher, select a time and the worker will print the ticket out for you.”

7. Korail Pass Saver – Consecutive (3 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for only around $104 per person (minimum of 2 people required)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for 3 consecutive days & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).

8. Korail Pass Saver – Consecutive (5 Days)

  • PRICE: Book here for only around $163 per person (minimum of 2 people required)
  • INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides on the Korea Rail for 5 consecutive days & seat reservation fees
  • NOTE: The Korail Pass is not valid for use on national holidays and peak summer seasons (usually between late July and early August).

How to Use the Korail Pass & Make a Seat Reservation

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After booking your Korail Pass, you have the option to make an advanced seat reservation online. Here are the steps:

  1. Click here to visit the Korail Website.
  2. Under My Reservation tab, enter your Korail Pass number.
  3. Tick My Korail Pass Number, click Detail, select the date
  4. Click Seat Reservation tab at MY reservation and make a seat reservation

Alternatively, you can also reserve seats offline or directly at the train station. (You must present a printed voucher along with a passport.)

Some notes to remember:

  • Seat reservation is 30 days before the desired travel date.
  • Reservation is not available during public holidays and summer peak season.
  • If you fail to reserve a seat, you may be considered get a standing or free-seating ticket.
  • Pre-seat reservations can be made up to 2 times a day for 1 person.
  • You must have your Korail Pass, train ticket, and passport to board the train. (Inspection will be made either before riding or during the ride).
  • Youth Pass holders must also present their International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
  • KTX-Sancheon trains are equipped with rotatable seats, business compartment (desk), and power plugs!

Is the Korail Pass worth it? Check out these reviews!

With over 60,000 bookings and a 4.8/5 rating from some 4,000 Klook users, the Korea Rail Pass is definitely a highly recommended transport pass! A customer who left a review for the 2-day Flexible KR pass said that:

“[The purchase] and redemption was easy” and that she only needed to log into “the [Korail] website to reserve” their seats.

Another customer who booked the Korea Rail Saver Pass wrote the following review here: “…[It] got us to [Jeonju and Busan]. [Although] it was [tiring having] to sit for hours in the train, it was worth it cause we saved a lot! [Buying tickets] individually to [Busan] alone would cost way more than this. [I got] to cover the basics for the day trips… so no complaints here.” The Klook customer went on to add the sites that she visited including Jeonju Hanok Village, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Haeundae Beach.”

FAQ

1. Which trains can I take with the Korail Pass?

Here are the types of trains available for Korail Pass holders:

1. High-speed trains: KTX and KTX-Sancheon
2. Conventional trains: ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Cheongchun, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa, and Nuriro
3. Tourist trains: Central Inland Circle Train (O-Train), Baekdu-degan Valley Train (V-train), Jeongseon Arirang Train (A-Train), South Coast Train (S-Train), West Gold Train (G-Train), and Peace Train (DMZ-Train)

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2. I see different train types. Which one should I pick?

When making a seat reservation on the Korail website, you may see different trains available for the same route. You are free to select whatever train you choose. As an example, let’s consider how you can go to Busan via the KTX and Saemaeul Train:

Via KTX
2 hours and 18 minutes (or 2 hours and 9 minutes for nonstop trains!)

Via Saemaeul Train:
4 hours and 10 minutes

As you can see, you’re in for a bullet train ride if you choose the KTX. Of course, if you’d like to do some side-trips along the way, you can opt to take the standard (kinda old-looking) Saemaeul train, which makes multiple stops.

If you’d like to visit the city of Mokpo, which are known for its historical districts, you also have the following options:

Via KTX
2 hours and 58 minutes

Via Saemaeul Train:
4 hours and 42 minutes

3. Are there any benefits or affiliate discounts for Korail Pass holders?

With Korail Pass, you may also get discounts on Korail’s partner establishments. Check their affiliate list here.

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