Explore South Korea by train for a song

If South Korea is on your travel wish list, make sure you check out the train passes just for travellers and ex-pats. 

Travellers with a foreign passport can purchase a Korail Pass, valid for a specific time, and then travel freely all over South Korea within their selected period.

Getting around by rail in South Korea is fast — you can travel from Seoul to Busan, the length of the country, in around two hours on the super-fast KTX services.

Pass holders can buy tickets and make seat selections through the Korail website up to 30 days in advance.

Passes range from one, three, five and seven-day passes valid for consecutive days to two and four-day select passes, which are flexible.

A one-day pass costs about $90 (and $44 for a child). A seven-day consecutive pass will set you back about $218 (approximately $108 for a child). Groups of two to five people on the same travel schedule can save about 10 per cent. 

Children under four travel free when accompanied by a paying adult. 

Fact File

• The Korail Pass can be purchased at letskorail.com or via appointed travel agents.
• For more on visiting South Korea, see visitkorea.org.au.