KTX Trains and Routes

KTX Trains and Routes

The Korea Train express (KTX) is Korea's high-speed train operated by Korail. KTX trains connect Seoul Station to Busan via Daejeon and Daegu on the Gyeongbu Line and Gwangju and Mokpo from Yongsan Station on the Honam Line. Both Seoul and Yongsan stations intersect with the Seoul subway system.

KTX trains came into service in 2004 and can reach speeds of 350kph, though speeds are limited to 300kph for safety reasons. KTX trains connect Yongsan to Mokpo (with a spur line to Gwangju) in around 3 hours, 15 minutes and Seoul to Busan in 2 hours, 40 minutes. With the planned completion of high-speed track from Daegu to Busan via Ulsan running time Seoul-Busan will be just over 2 hours.

Around 160,000 people on average use KTX trains on a daily basis.

The KTX design is based on the French TGV trains. The first 12 KTX trains were built in France with all other trains now made in Korea by Hyundai Rotem.

Jobs as KTX train drivers or as part of the train's female crew are very prestigious in Korea and highly sought after.

Some useful facts about the KTX:

• Total Vehicle Length: 388 m
• Total Weight: 771.2 tons (with passengers onboard)
• Seats: Special Compartment-3 seats per row (127 seats)
  General Compartment - 4 seats per row (808 seats)
  Total Seats- 935 per vehicle
• Maximum: 300km/h
• Traction Power: 13,560KW (18,200 horsepower)
• Acceleration Capacity: 6 minutes and 8 seconds to reach 300km/h
• Breaking Distance: 6,400m (2 minutes and 32 seconds)