Itinerary · South Korea
Day trips from Seoul by train: Gangneung, Jeonju or Gyeongju?
Our guides give train times from Seoul and call day trips possible for Gangneung, Jeonju and Gyeongju. Stations, journey times and sights for one day.
Published
Short answer: Gangneung about 2 hr, Jeonju about 1 hr 40 min, Gyeongju about 2 hr 10 min
Three cities in our guides have a train journey time from Seoul and are described as possible day trips: Gangneung, Jeonju and Gyeongju. The closest is Jeonju, about 1 hour 40 minutes by KTX from Yongsan Station.
This article includes only cities whose guide gives a rail or subway journey time from Seoul. The guides don't give fares, so check them with Korail.
- Gangneung: Seoul Station to Gangneung Station, KTX about 2 hr
- Jeonju: Yongsan Station to Jeonju Station, KTX about 1 hr 40 min
- Gyeongju: Seoul to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju), about 2 hr 10 min
- Fares and timetables: check Korail
Gangneung: about 2 hours by KTX from Seoul Station
The KTX Gangneung Line runs 237.7 km from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Gangneung Station, and trains also start from Seoul Station. Korea Tourism Organization puts Seoul Station to Gangneung Station at about 2 hours. Gangneung Station is in Gyo-dong in the city centre. The guide says a KTX day trip is possible, citing a Korea Tourism Organization day-trip story.
Gyeongpodae is a pavilion on raised ground with a view over Gyeongpo Lake and the sea. Open all year, free. Ojukheon, birthplace of Yulgok Yi I and Shin Saimdang, opens 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00); adults KRW 3,000.
Anmok Beach is about 15 minutes from Gangneung Station by city bus or taxi. Route numbers can change, so check at the Gangneung Station tourist information centre.
- Train: KTX Gangneung Line, Seoul Station to Gangneung Station about 2 hr
- Gyeongpodae: open all year, free
- Ojukheon: 09:00–18:00, adults KRW 3,000
Jeonju: about 1 hour 40 minutes by KTX from Yongsan Station
Take the KTX from Yongsan Station in Seoul to Jeonju Station. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, and the guide says a day trip from Seoul is possible. From the station, take a city bus or taxi to the Hanok Village.
Jeonju Hanok Village, with around 700 hanok, is Korea's largest and only urban traditional hanok village. Entry to the village is free. Inside it, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, a Historic Site founded in 1410 to hold King Taejo's portrait, costs KRW 3,000 for adults (25–64).
- Train: KTX, Yongsan Station to Jeonju Station about 1 hr 40 min
- Jeonju Hanok Village: around 700 hanok, free entry
- Gyeonggijeon: adults KRW 3,000, free on the last Wednesday of each month
Gyeongju: about 2 hours 10 minutes from Seoul, Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju)
KTX and SRT high-speed trains stop at Gyeongju Station in Geoncheon-eup. The station was renamed from Singyeongju to Gyeongju on 28 December 2023, so book tickets to 'Gyeongju'. It is about 2 hours 10 minutes from Seoul, and Gyeongju City says KTX trains from Seoul Station run about hourly. The guide says a day trip is possible, per Gyeongju City.
Cheomseongdae is an observatory about 9 m tall from the reign of Queen Seondeok; entry is free. Daereungwon, the tombs of Silla kings, queens and nobles, is free, and Cheonmachong costs KRW 3,000 for adults. From Gyeongju Station, take a city bus into town; check routes at the station's tourist information centre.
- Train: KTX or SRT, Seoul to Gyeongju Station about 2 hr 10 min
- KTX from Seoul Station: about hourly (per Gyeongju City)
- Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon: free (Cheonmachong adults KRW 3,000)
Train times given, but better with a night: Busan and Yeosu
Our Busan and Yeosu guides also give KTX journey times from Seoul: about 2.5–3 hours from Seoul Station to Busan Station, and about 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes from Seoul Station to Yeosu EXPO Station.
But the guides suggest 2 to 3 days for Busan and 2 days or more for Yeosu, so plan to stay at least one night rather than go for the day.
- Busan: Seoul Station to Busan Station by KTX about 2.5–3 hr; 2 to 3 days
- Yeosu: Seoul Station to Yeosu EXPO Station about 3 hr–3 hr 20 min; 2 days or more
Check before your day trip
For all three cities, check train timetables and fares with Korail. For Gyeongju, book to 'Gyeongju' station.
Last entry at Gangneung's Ojukheon is 17:00, and Gyeongju's Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is busy with night-view visitors, so arriving close to last entry (21:30) may mean you can't get in. Jeonju's Gyeonggijeon closes at different times by season, with last entry 1 hour before closing. Fees and opening hours can change, so check official information before you go.
- Train timetables and fares: Korail
- Gyeongju: book to 'Gyeongju' station
- Ojukheon last entry 17:00
- Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: go well before last entry at 21:30
Plan your Gangneung trip
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Plan your Jeonju trip
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FAQ
Which day-trip city is quickest from Seoul by train?
Of the three here, Jeonju: about 1 hour 40 minutes by KTX from Yongsan Station. Gangneung is about 2 hours from Seoul Station, and Gyeongju about 2 hours 10 minutes from Seoul.
How much is the KTX?
The guides don't give fares. Check timetables and fares with Korail.
Which station do I book for Gyeongju?
Book to 'Gyeongju'. The station in Geoncheon-eup was renamed from Singyeongju on 28 December 2023.
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