How to Get From Seoul to Gyeongju

Seoul and Gyeongju are two of the most popular cities for tourists to visit while in South Korea. Many tourists travel from Seoul to Gyeongju and then onto Busan (that is the route I took).

Travelling within Korea is incredibly simple and easy for tourists, and the trip from Seoul to Gyeongju is no exception!

There are three main ways to get to Gyeongju from Seoul: train, bus, and plane. This post will take you through the three main modes of transportation from Seoul to Gyeongju. It will also help you choose what transportation option is best for you!

Pre-order your wifi egg to pick up at Incheon Airport to save time when you arrive in Korea. Korea is one of the few countries where getting a wifi egg is significantly cheaper than getting an esim.

Getting to Gyeongju by Train

Types of Trains and Where They Stop in Gyeongju

There are two different types of train in Korea. The slow trains are called Seamaeul, and the fast trains are called KTX.

When I first wrote this article, both the Seamaeul and KTX trains stopped in Gyeongju, and the Seamaeul was the more convenient option because it dropped you off in the heart of Gyeongju, and you could walk to your hotel.

Unfortunately, Gyeongju Station when the Seamaeul train used to stop is now closed, so your only option is to take the KTX train to Singyeongju Station. Singyeongju Station is outside the city centre, so you have to take a bus or taxi to get to your hotel.

I did this in 2023 when I visited Gyeongju for the second time. It wasn’t an issue even though it was a little annoying to take my luggage on the bus.

The buses are quite busy though, so you may have to wait to get on one. I didn’t get on the first bus and had to wait for a second one.

The buses come on a regular basis, so you won’t have to wait long even if you can’t get on the first bus that arrives.

You may want to look into get a Korail pass if you’re planning on taking a day trip to Gyeongju from Seoul or using the intercity train frequently during your visit to Korea.

Bulguksa Temple Gyeongju South Korea

The KTX and Getting Off at Singyeongju Station

The KTX is the quickest train option and doesn’t require a transfer. It only takes approximately 2 hours from Seoul to Singyeongju. The KTX to Singyeongju Station from Seoul costs 40000 Won or $34USD.

You can purchase tickets at Seoul Station on the day you depart or buy them online from the Korean Rail website. I recommend using the website to purchase your ticket. It is easy to use, and you’ll be sure to have your ticket in advance in case it is busy and fully booked on the day you want to depart. The website is in Korean, but you can use the translation feature in Chrome to easily convert the webpage to English.

If you purchase tickets at Seoul Station, you are able to purchase them either at a ticket machine or at a manned ticket counter. The machine has the option of purchasing tickets in English, and the staff at the ticket counter should be able to speak basic English. So you don’t have to worry about a language barrier. You will be able to purchase your ticket easily without having to use a translator.

You can book first class or economy tickets. Economy seats are quite nice, so you don’t need to splurge to upgrade to first class if you’re on a tight budget.

Be sure to print your ticket if you purchase it online as you are required to have a paper ticket when boarding the train. A mobile ticket is not accepted.

Getting to Gyeongju from Singyongju Station

Once you get off the KTX, you have to take a city bus to Gyeongju city centre. The bus rides is approximately 15 minutes, and you are able to use your transportation card if you got one in Seoul.

You can get on the following buses:

  • 50
  • 60
  • 61
  • 70
  • 203
  • 700

The bus fare is 1300 Won or $1.10USD. You get a 50 Won discount if using your transportation card!

You can ask the bus driver to drop you off at Express Bus Terminal (Gosok Teominal) if you aren’t certain where exactly your hotel is. The bus station has wifi that you can connect to, so you can pull up Google Maps and figure out how to get to your hotel.

The Express Bus Terminal is centrally located, so you shouldn’t have that far of a walk to your accommodation if you’re staying in the heart of Gyeongju.

You will probably need to catch another local bus if you are staying outside the city centre.

Taking a taxi is also another option if you have a lot of luggage or don’t want to take the bus. Taxis are very inexpensive in Korea (especially compared to nearby Japan!), so taking a taxi into the city centre won’t cut into your budget too much.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul South Korea how to get from Seoul to Gyeongju

Advantages of Taking the KTX

  • It is an hour quicker
  • The ticket costs slightly less than the combination method
  • There is designated luggage storage for the entire journey

Disadvantages of Taking the KTX

  • You have to get off a few kilometers out of Gyeongju and take a different form of transportation to the city center/your hotel
  • You may be forced to take a taxi rather than a local bus if you have a lot of luggage

The Bus from Seoul to Gyeongju

From Seoul City Centre

Taking the bus from Seoul to Gyeongju is by far the most cost-effective method. But it is also the longest. The bus costs 20400 Won (about $20USD) and takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. This is assuming there is no traffic. If you run into a traffic jam, your journey could be much longer!

The bus leaves from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal and arrives at the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. They depart approximately even 40 minutes, so it is great for travellers who like to wing things and not have to book ahead. You can just show up and wait for the next bus.

Buses is Korea are quite nice. They are comfortable and always clean, so that is a nice bonus! The buses are equipped with shades at each window, so you can easily keep the sun out of your eyes. Most buses also have USB charging stations at each seat, so you don’t have to worry about running out of battery on your device!

If you choose to take the bus, you will have a comfortable and carefree journey!

From Incheon International Airport

You also have the option of taking a limousine bus directly from Incheon International Airport to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. This is great for people who are landing in Korea and need to go directly to Gyeongju without stopping in Seoul first.

The fare is 39000 Won ($33USD), and the trip takes approximately 5 hours. The buses from from just after midnight until 9:30pm, so you are able to catch a bus basically no matter when you land.

Technically, it could be faster to take a limousine bus into Seoul and then get on the KTX train, but that is a bit of a hassle. It is nice to have the option of getting on a bus right at the airport and not having to get off until you reach Gyeongju.

Is Taking the Bus to Gyeongju Worth It?

I personally don’t think taking the bus is the best option. It is the least expensive option, but it is also the longest option. To me, it is worth paying a little bit more to take the train and cut a few hours from the journey time.

You are only paying $10-15USD more to take the train over the bus, so you’re not saving much money by taking the slower option. The difference in price isn’t worth sitting on a bus for a few extra hours compared to the train.

That being said, I think taking the bus straight from the airport to Gyeongju Station is a great option. It is far more convenient than taking the bus into Seoul and then transferring to a train.

Anapji Pond Gyeongju South Korea 72-Hours in Gyeongju

Flying from Seoul to Gyeongju

The final option to get from Seoul to Gyeongju is to fly. You fly from Seoul to Busan and take a bus from Busan to Gyeongju. Yeah, it is a bit of a trip.

You fly from either Incheon Airport or Gimpo Airport in Seoul and land in Gimhae Airport in Busan. A one-way flight is normally less than $75USD. The flight takes an hour, so it is quick and easy!

You can take a bus directly from Gimhae Airport to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. It costs 11000 Won or approximately $8USD. The bus ride takes an hour, and the bus leaves the airport 20 times a day. The first bus leaves at 6:45am, and the last bus leaves at 10:45pm.

Taking a flight is, obviously, the most expensive and time consuming way to get from Seoul to Gyeongju. You need to get to the airport early enough to get through security, fly from Seoul to Busan, get out of the airport, and catch the bus from the airport to Gyeongju. Once you add up all that time, it ends up being longer than taking the bus.

Should You Take a Flight to Gyeongju?

I wouldn’t recommend taking a flight from Seoul to Gyeongju to the average traveler. The only people I could see this being a good option for people who are flying into Korea and landing in Seoul and needing to go Gyeongju right away.

If you’re already at the airport, it might be more convenient to get on another flight rather than getting on a bus. That, of course, would depend on how long you would have to wait to get on a flight to Gyeongju and if flying is worth the added cost.

I personally would still take a bus from the airport in Seoul to Gyeongju, but that is just my preference. I prefer taking ground transportation over flying whenever possible. You may find it easier to fly rather than take the bus.

So What is the Best Way to Get to Gyeongju to Seoul?

Now it is time to answer the question you have been waiting for. Which of the three methods should you use to get from Seoul to Gyeongju?

I think it is pretty obvious from the article so far, but I think the train is the best way to get from Seoul to Gyeongju.

It is the quickest and is also relatively inexpensive. The best of both worlds! The fact that it only costs a few more dollars than the bus and takes a lot less time than the bus. It is also far more convenient than flying- especially if you’re already in the city of Seoul and not the airport.

As previously discussed, both train options are great, and it really depends on your preference on which option you choose. No matter which train route you take, it will be superior to either the bus or a plane.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul

Conclusion

To end, I want to reiterate how amazing of a city Gyeongju is. I highly recommend making the trip from Seoul to Gyeongju. It is relatively quick, and Gyeongju is so different from Seoul that it is almost like being in a different country.

Gyeongju is one of my favourite cities in Korea, and I would recommend it to anybody who is looking for recommendations on where to visit in Korea.

As you learnt in this article, it is extremely easy and quick to get from Seoul to Gyeongju, so there is no reason for you not to make the trip!