We highly recommended the KTX (speed train), it’s the best way to travel between Seoul and Busan!
Our first KTX ride from Busan to Seoul was with our small Yorkie because we couldn’t find the dog sitter during Korean Thanksgiving week (4th week of September).
We were lucky to get the KTX tickets before it was all sold out!
We bought KTX tickets at http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfTicketSearch.do, they have an English version website.
It’s a one-way ticket, so if you want to buy a round-trip ticket, you have to do it 2 times.
From the website, Kids under 3 years old and pets are free of charge!
There are so many trains available every day -it looks like every 10-30 mins! But it depends on when you are booking – during holidays, you may have to book months in advance!
There are 2 classes of tickets, First class, and Economy Class. It’s about 23,900 won ($23) difference in price, so we bought the First Class tickets!
The First class is a bigger seat and more leg room!
But it doesn’t matter what class you ride, you will have to take care of all your stuff, they don’t limit how big or how many bags you want to take with you. But you are on your own!!!
To travel with our dog, we don’t have to call or let anyone know in advance. But be prepared, please bring the vaccine record with you (the hotel requires it anyway).
We did bring our dog’s vaccine record with us – no one on the KTX train asked for it, but we needed it for the Hotel in Seoul.
You should arrive at the KTX station at least 15 mins before your departure time.
KTX in Busan is at BUSAN STATION. It’s about 35-45 mins or 20,000won taxi ride from Haeundae beach to the station.
You don’t have to show your ticket to anyone in KTX station, just look up your train and time to be called.
Busan Station (KTX) has food, bakery, and coffee shops. You can take all the food and drink with you in the KTX but it’s just 2 hrs ride, don’t try to bring a real meal – it’s smelly!
There is an English speaking guide at the information desk but I felt like you have to be “DARK, TALL & Handsome” to get good service with her! Just saying ….
On the way from Busan to Seoul, there was a couple with a baby and a dog. But they were very polite – never bothered us or another on the train at all.
Different from the way back from Seoul to Busan, there was a middle age couple that sat in front of us, and they were rude!
So….It doesn’t matter which class you are but it does matter who you travel with!
After we boarded and got in in our seats – the train moved and they distributed some KTX complementaries.
After we boarded in our seats – when the train moved, they will distribute some KTX complementaries.
BUT NO ONE ASKED TO SEE OUR TICKETS!!!
We were surprised that nobody checked our tickets at all for the whole trip!
There is free wifi on the train, and it’s really very good connection, so don’t’ forget to bring your earphone then you can watch youtube all the way to your destination!
Both chargers and plugs are available right next to your window as well.
There are also toilets available in the train, and it’s separated for Men and Women (it’s not separated on the airplane!!!)
KTX is a high-speed train at 265-300kph (165-185mph), so it will take about 2hrs from Busan to Seoul!
Seoul station is in the heart of Seoul, it’s way better than flying because the domestic airport is about 50mins away from here!
There is a taxi line in front of Seoul station, no extra charge but you have to have your destination (hotel) address ready and it’s better if you have it in the Korean language!
You can see that Seoul Station is in the heart of Seoul (It’s in BLUE LINE SUBWAY).
Same as Busan Station, it’s in Busan city (GREEN LINE SUBWAY).
First class for KTX is cheaper than any classes for air ticket and it’s more convenient!
So we really liked to travel with KTX so much.
KTX is passing by so many cities, we wish to travel to more cities by KTX very soon!
Total fares:
BUSAN to SEOUL 83,700 won per person – DOG IS FREE!
SEOUL to BUSAN 83,700 won per person – DOG IS FREE!
Round trip = 167,400 won per person or $149.45 per person (exchange rate on the traveled date)
After reading the post I have got to know about the small dogs which will be helpful for travel purpose really if you have a big size pet then you might face problem while traveling.