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Busan to benefit from expanded rail connectivity by year's end
KTX
Travel between Korea's top ocean tourism destinations, Busan and Gangneung, is about to become significantly faster and more convenient. By the end of this year, the completion of the Pohang-Samcheok section of the Donghae Line and the operation of the ITX-Maum train will cut travel time between Bujeon Station (Busan) and Gangneung to just 3 hours and 50 minutes.
The new route means travelers will no longer have to transfer trains in Seoul, and it is significantly faster than the 8-hour journey on Korail's Mugunghwa trains, the slowest rail service and the only direct rail option currently available between the two cities. The trip, which travels along the eastern coastline, is also faster than the 5-hour journey, without traffic, by car or bus.
The ITX-Maum, which began operations in September 2023, can reach up to 150 kilometers per hour. Its speed and efficiency make it an attractive option for tourists planning rail trips in Korea. Indeed, riding trains on the Donghae Line, which offers views of the East Sea, is already a popular tourism activity.
In addition, the full opening of the Busan-Cheongnyangni section of the railway, part of the Jungang Line, and the introduction of the KTX-Eum train service will further boost rail connectivity between Busan and Seoul. By the end of the year, the travel time between Bujeon Station (Busan) and Cheongnyangni Station, located in the Dongdaemun-gu District of Seoul, will be 2 hours and 50 minutes.
The KTX-Eum, capable of speeds up to 286 kilometers per hour, will connect Busan and Seoul via Ulsan, Yeongcheon and Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. This new corridor will significantly increase accessibility for those traveling through the eastern and central parts of the country.
To accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors, the city is developing tour packages to promote rail-based tourism. These include discounts on Busan-bound train tickets and exclusive programs for international visitors exploring Busan and nearby regions.