Korea Rail Pass

Korea Rail Pass

The Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass) is a discounted ticket allowing unlimited rail travel throughout South Korea (Republic of Korea) over a 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 consecutive day period. It is only available in 2nd class, however 1st class travel and overnight sleeper travel is possible upon payment of a supplement, usually half price of the regular fare. The pass is valid to travel anywhere in South Korea, on all services run by Korail, including the modern and fast KTX trains.

Please allow 5 business days for us to process your pass and as soon as it has been confirmed we will be in touch via email.

Please note: You can only buy a youth pass if you have a valid ISIC Student Card. If you are an adult student you are not entitled to a youth pass and must buy an adult pass.

* Adult aged 25+
** Youth aged 13 - 24
*** Child aged 4 - 12

SAVER Pass (2-5 people together, prices are person)

* Adult aged 25+

The KR Pass provides the visitor to South Korea with convenience and great savings if used wisely, and even if some restrictions on trains do apply, there are no restrictions on date or season. Please note that there is no similar pass available within Korea, and if travelling with any Korean friends or family, or any non-Korean people not entitled to use the pass, they will have to purchase full-price tickets.

It is also mandatory, if purchasing a youth pass, to provide your ISIC Student Card number when making your booking. If you cannot provide this at the time of making your booking then you will not be able to purchase or use the Youth pass and will have to purchase an Adult pass.

All trains operated by Korail, the national railway of South Korea, are included. KTX, Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains can be used in 2nd class travel (also known as general or standard seating).

Non-KTX trains are called the Saemaeul, Mugunghwa and Tonggeun corresponding roughly to express, semi-express and local services.

Saemaeul trains are a little pricier than buses, while Mugunghwa are about 30% cheaper. However Saemaeul trains are extremely comfortable, having seats that are comparable to business class seats on airplanes. Unfortunately since the introduction of the KTX, there are much fewer Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services.

Tonggeun, formerly Tonggil, are the cheapest, but long-distance, non-aircon services have been phased out and they're now limited to short stopping commuter services. Most long-distance trains have an entertainment car with a small cafe/bar, computers with internet access and a few trains even have private compartments with coin-operated karaoke machines!

KR Pass holders can  also access the Cinema coach on KTX trains, at a discounted rate of 7,000 Korean Won.

• Pass entitlement
• What am I buying?
• What's not included?

Pass entitlement
The Korea Railpass is available to travellers entering the Republic of Korea on a non-Korean passport with "Temporary Visitor" entry status, who stays in South Korea for a period no longer than 6 months.

It is very important to note that Korean citizens resident abroad can use the KR Pass only if they have a permanent residency status in a foreign country. It is up to the individual Korean citizen to present/declare full proof of his/her status when buying the rail pass and when exchanging the railpass voucher once in Korea.

What am I buying?
The Korea Rail Pass is sold as an Exchange Voucher only outside South Korea, by appointed agents across the world. On arrival in Korea the customer must exchange the voucher for the actual rail pass at any Korean Railway Station and proceed to make reservations for specific trains, which are free of charge.

The voucher must be exchanged within 180 days from the date it was issued - failure to do so, will mean that the voucher is automatically cancelled by the system and therefore no longer valid.

What's not included?
The KR Pass is not valid for travel in 1st class and ovenight sleepers. However, if a passenger wishes to travel in 1st class he/she is allowed to do so paying only 50% of the cost.  At present, the 1st class upgrade can only be made in Korea.

The KR Pass does not include travel on subway/underground services and tourist trains.

Seat reservations in 2nd class, are usually available free of charge but are not available to KR Pass holders if travelling during South Korea main holiday periods, i.e., Lunar New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, summer holiday, etc. However, customers can still board the trains with the KR Pass, even without a specific reserved seat.

Download our Korea Rail Pass leaflet.

Please click here for full terms & conditions of the Korea Rail Pass.