KTX vs. ITX vs. Mugunghwa: Take the Mugunghwa from Seoul to Busan and Save KRW 25,800 Over the KTX

The same Seoul–Busan trip ranges from 28,600 KRW to 78,900 KRW depending on the train

Since September 1, 2026, Korail's KTX and Suseo High-Speed Rail (SRT) have been operated together as the KTX. The former SRT trains run under the name ‘KTX-Sancheon’, and KTX fares fell by 10% on average, so the Seoul–Busan standard-class fare went from 59,800 KRW to 54,400 KRW.^[4] You can now search and book high-speed trains leaving from Seoul Station and Suseo Station in one go.^[5]

The trains listed in Korail's seating charts are the KTX, KTX-Sancheon, KTX-Eum, KTX-Cheongryong, ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul, Nuriro, Mugunghwa, commuter trains, ITX-Cheongchun and ITX-Maum.^[1] There are lots of names, but when you choose, you only need to look at two things: ‘high-speed (KTX family) or regular train?’ and ‘which seat class?’^[1]

1. There Are Four Kinds of KTX: The Difference Is Seat Count and Route

The KTX (generation 1) is the longest, at 20 cars and 955 seats, and the KTX-Sancheon has 10 cars and 377 seats. Korail's English guide gives both a top speed of 330 km/h, and the Sancheon can also run coupled with two sets as 20 cars.^[2] Since September 2026, the former SRT trains also use the name KTX-Sancheon.^[4]

The KTX-Cheongryong is the newest high-speed train, in service since May 2024, with an operating top speed of 320 km/h and 8 cars and 515 seats. At first it was put into express service on the Gyeongbu and Honam lines.^[3] The KTX-Eum has 6 cars and a top speed of 286 km/h in the English guide. On the Cheongryong and the Eum, car 1 is the premium class (46 seats).^[1][2]

The KTX-Eum is in the fare tables for the Gangneung Line from Seoul and Cheongnyangni to Gangneung and Donghae, the Jungang Line from Cheongnyangni via Andong to Busan Bujeon, and the Gangneung–Bujeon route. It's the KTX you mostly meet when heading to cities off the Gyeongbu Line, like Andong, Yeongju, Danyang and Gangneung.^[7]

• When choosing a ticket, compare travel time and number of stops rather than the train's name.
• The Gangneung and Andong direction is the KTX-Eum, so there's premium class instead of first class.

2. Where Did the SRT Go: Merged Into the KTX Since September 2026

The SRT, which used to leave from Suseo Station in Gangnam, Seoul, has been operated together with Korail's KTX since September 1, 2026. Seats on Gyeongbu and Honam services from Suseo increased by 30%, and passengers on Suseo trains can now also earn 5% of the amount paid as mileage.^[4][5]

Booking has also been consolidated. The combined ‘Korail+’ app launched on August 3, 2026, and for trains from September 1, you book on Korail+ and Korail's website. It was reported that the existing SRT app will keep its booking function for the time being, but only for non-member bookings.^[6] On the fare table as of September 1, 2026, Suseo–Busan KTX standard class is 52,900 KRW and Seoul–Busan is 54,400 KRW.^[7]

• If you're staying in Gangnam, search for KTX from Suseo Station too.
• Any ‘book on the SRT app’ guidance in older posts is information from before September 2026.

3. What's Different About Regular Trains: Slower but Cheaper, and They Stop at Small Stations

The ITX-Saemaeul has a top speed of 150 km/h and the Nuriro 150 km/h. The ITX-Cheongchun is the only 2-deck train in Korea, with 2-deck sections in cars 4 and 5, and a top speed of 180 km/h.^[2] The ITX-Cheongchun is a Gyeongchun Line train running between Yongsan or Cheongnyangni and Chuncheon, and the Yongsan–Chuncheon fare is 9,800 KRW.^[7]

The ITX-Maum was brought in to replace aging Mugunghwa trains. Because deliveries were late, Korail put out a bid in June 2026 to buy 146 new cars and said it plans to bring them in from the second half of 2029 through 2030.^[8] The ITX-Maum, ITX-Saemaeul and Saemaeul use the same fare table. The Mugunghwa and Nuriro have their own fare tables.^[7]

When heading to a small city the KTX doesn't stop at, buying a single ticket that combines the KTX and a regular train gets you 30% off the regular-train fare. It applies when you transfer to an ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul or Mugunghwa within 10–50 min, and you must buy it in advance on the website, in Korail+, at ticket machines or at station counters.^[9]

• For a city the KTX doesn't stop at, bundle the transfer into one ticket to get the 30% discount.
• Search the ITX-Cheongchun first for Chuncheon and Gapyeong, and the KTX-Eum first for Gangneung and Andong.

4. How Much Do Fares Differ: The Same Route Compared by Train

We compared adult one-way standard-class fares using Korail's official fare tables (KTX and Saemaeul-class as of September 1, 2026; Mugunghwa and Nuriro from September 27, 2025). Seoul–Busan is 54,400 KRW on the KTX, 42,600 KRW on Saemaeul-class (ITX-Maum, ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul) and 28,600 KRW on the Mugunghwa. Even on the same KTX, premium class is 65,300 KRW and first class is 78,900 KRW.^[7]

Cheongnyangni–Andong is 27,700 KRW on the KTX-Eum, 21,100 KRW on Saemaeul-class and 15,400 KRW on the Mugunghwa. Yongsan–Iksan is 29,300 KRW on the KTX, 23,700 KRW on Saemaeul-class and 16,000 KRW on the Mugunghwa. Seoul–Gangneung is 27,600 KRW in KTX-Eum standard class and 33,100 KRW in premium class. This route has a temporary discounted fare until the Cheongnyangni–Seowonju section gets faster.^[7]

Even for the same departure and arrival stations, fares differ depending on the route taken. A Seoul–Busan KTX via Gupo is 49,300 KRW, and via Seodaegu it's 54,000 KRW. Check the actual fare in each train's price on the booking screen.^[7]

• If you have time to spare, the Mugunghwa costs about half the KTX fare.
• On the booking screen, compare the stops along the route for trains at the same time, and you'll find cheaper tickets.

5. Seat Classes: Standard, First, Premium, Plus Standing and Free-Seat Tickets

The KTX and KTX-Sancheon have first class. On one KTX-Sancheon type, car 3 is first class with 30 seats. The KTX-Cheongryong and KTX-Eum have premium class with 46 seats in car 1 instead of first class.^[1] On the Seoul–Busan KTX, a premium class fare of 10,900 KRW or a first class fare of 24,500 KRW is added on top of the 54,400 KRW standard-class fare.^[7] Discounts apply only to the fare, not to the first-class or premium surcharge.^[9]

A standing ticket is sold with your consent when all seats are sold out, and it's 15% cheaper than the standard-class seat fare. A free-seat ticket is used on trains that run a free-seat car during weekday (non-holiday) commuting hours, and it's 5% cheaper. For both, you must ride in the designated car, and returns by phone, reissuing of lost tickets and forwarding aren't allowed.^[9][14]

• If seats are sold out, look at standing tickets and the waitlist too.
• If you bought a free-seat ticket, ride in the free-seat car printed on your ticket.

6. Where to Book: The English Website for Foreigners, Korail+ for the Korean App

Foreign travelers can buy tickets on Korail's English website (korail.com/global/eng) without signing up as a member. Sales start two months before departure, from 07:00, and you pay by credit card. You check your ticket again with the email and password you entered when booking, so be sure to write them down. You can buy on the website until departure time, at ticket machines until 10 min before departure, and at station counters until departure time.^[10]

Cancellation fees depend on the day of the week. For Monday–Thursday trains, there's no fee up to two days before departure, while for Friday–Sunday and holiday trains, even that period carries the minimum fee. The closer to departure, and after departure, the higher the percentage fee, and refunds after departure are only possible at station counters.^[10] Since March 2026, you can also book the KTX, Saemaeul and Mugunghwa in real time in 15 languages on the travel platform Klook, with no Korail membership needed.^[11]

• Save your booking email and password in your phone's notes.
• Cancellation fees on Friday–Sunday tickets start early, so buy once your plans are set.

7. What Trips You Up When Boarding: Car Number, Two Bags, Screenshot Tickets

Your ticket has a car number and a seat number. Standing and free-seat tickets also require you to ride in the car printed on the ticket.^[9] A ticket photographed or screenshotted on a phone is invalid, and you must keep your ticket until you leave the ticket gate area at your arrival station.^[12]

You can carry on only up to 2 items that don't take up seats or aisles, and they must go in the luggage racks between cars or on the overhead shelves. Bicycles must be folded or disassembled and put in a dedicated bag, and pets must be vaccinated dogs, cats or birds under 10 kg in a carrier no longer than 100 cm. High-capacity lithium battery products over 160 Wh and vehicles powered by lithium batteries can't be brought on board.^[12]

If a KTX or regular train is delayed 20 min or more for reasons Korail is responsible for, you get back 12.5% of the fare (20–40 min), 25% (40–60 min), 50% (60–90 min), 75% (90–120 min) or 100% (120 min or more), depending on the delay. If you paid by credit card, it's automatically deducted from the next day's charge, and first-class and premium surcharges aren't included in compensation.^[13]

• With a big suitcase, board early and put it in the luggage rack between cars before the spots fill up.
• Don't clear the ticket screen until you've passed through the gate at your arrival station.

Cities worth visiting with this guide

• Gongju: 1-Hour KTX Ride from Yongsan, a 20-Minute Taxi, Then the Baekje Walls of Gongsanseong and Jemincheon Bookshop Alleys
• Gunsan 1-Night 2-Day: Take a Photo at the Studio From 'Christmas in August,' Then Cross Six Bridges Out to the Islands
• Donghae: 2h 20min on the KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni, an Emerald Lake Born from a 40-Year Cement Quarry
• Seosan: Walk Across to Ganwolam at Midday Low Tide, Watch It Float at Sunset
• Andong 1-Night 2-Day: 2-Hour KTX-Eum Ride from Cheongnyangni — Hahoe Village by Day, Lantern-Lit Woryeonggyo Bridge by Night
• Yangyang: Korea's First Surf-Only Beach, and Hongnyeonam's Floor Window onto the Waves

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