The KORAIL PASS is a rail pass for foreign visitors only — not for Korean nationals. On the official About page (checked 19 Sep 2026), the Adult 2-day Select costs KRW 131,000, Youth (ages 13–27) 105,000, Child (6–12) 66,000, and Saver (2–5 people) 121,000 per person. Select passes let you pick travel days inside a 10-day window; Consecutive passes run 3 or 5 days in a row.
This is not a guide for resident single tickets or the domestic Naeilro pass. Figures follow the official KORAIL PASS About page and the Korail press release (5 Aug 2026) on Seoul–Busan KTX fares.
What types and fares does the KORAIL Pass offer?
For Adults, expect KRW 131,000 (2-day Select) · 165,000 (3-day Consecutive) · 234,000 (4-day Select) · 244,000 (5-day Consecutive). Youth prices are lower; Saver is a small per-person discount when 2–5 travelers share the same date, time, and itinerary. Select = choose 2 or 4 days within 10 days from the first travel date. Consecutive = use 3 or 5 days straight from that start date.
| Type | Adult (28+) | Youth (13–27) | Child (6–12) | Saver (2–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-day Select | 131,000 | 105,000 | 66,000 | 121,000 |
| 3-day Consecutive | 165,000 | 132,000 | 83,000 | 155,000 |
| 4-day Select | 234,000 | 187,000 | 117,000 | 224,000 |
| 5-day Consecutive | 244,000 | 195,000 | 122,000 | 234,000 |
Prices are in KRW and can change — always re-check the checkout screen. Some travel blogs call every product “flexible,” but the official table still lists Select 2/4 and Consecutive 3/5 side by side as of 19 Sep 2026.
Age bands and Saver rules
Adult starts at age 28, Youth is 13–27, Child is 6–12. Children under 6 ride free (one child per fare-paying guardian aged 13+). If ages in your group differ, separate Adult/Youth/Child passes may fit better than forcing one Saver booking. Match passport birth dates to the fare tier before you pay.
Is a Seoul↔Busan round trip enough to break even?
An Adult 2-day Pass at KRW 131,000 costs more than a Seoul↔Busan KTX round trip alone. From 1 Sep 2026, the Adult Seoul–Busan KTX one-way fare is KRW 54,400 (was 59,800), so a round trip is 108,800. That leaves the Adult Pass about 22,200 more expensive for RT-only travel. A Youth 2-day Pass at 105,000 beats the same RT by about 3,800.
| Comparison | KRW | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Seoul↔Busan RT | 108,800 | Single tickets |
| 2-day Pass Adult | 131,000 | RT alone +22,200 |
| 2-day Pass Youth | 105,000 | Beats RT by 3,800 |
| 2-day Pass Saver | 121,000 | RT alone +12,200 |
The Adult Pass makes more sense when you add another long-distance KTX day or ride trains on multiple days. We do not invent other city-pair fares here — price your own itinerary on Korail first, then compare. Saver needs the same itinerary for everyone; splitting dates usually breaks the group rate.
How do you buy, activate, and reserve seats?
Buy via BOOK KORAIL PASS with a valid passport and credit card. You cannot change the name or pass type after purchase; you may change the first travel date once before it starts. For Select (2/4-day) passes, assign travel days inside the 10-day window before you search for seats. Align the start date with your flight schedule so unused days do not fall after you leave Korea.
Seat reservation tips
- Reservations open one month before departure; up to two reserved seats per person per day.
- If seats sell out, you may board as a standee with a valid Pass and passport (official guidance).
- First Class costs an extra 50% of the first-class seat price for that route.
- You cannot reserve the same journey twice on the same date — cancel first to change times.
- Around Seollal or Chuseok, Pass seat booking may open on a special announced date.
Station counters ask for a printed Pass plus passport. Online, open My Reservation with your Pass number, then Seat Reservation. Select (FX) users add the travel date under Details first. Board with the valid Pass (mobile screen OK), passport, and seat ticket if reserved. A screenshot alone is not valid.
Refunds and cautions
Refunds are allowed only before the first travel date — not from that date onward. Official wording says a return one day before the first travel date (Korean time) does not bill a cancellation fee. Online: My Reservation → Detail → Refund. Agency or station purchases must be refunded where you bought. Cancel reserved seats before refunding the Pass. Starting the Pass and then “not using a day” does not create a refund right.
The Pass is non-transferable. Selling or lending it can trigger extra fares. Misuse may bring the standard fare plus an additional charge of 10 to 30 times that fare. The About page excludes SRT, metropolitan railway (metro), and temporary tourist trains. After the 1 Sep 2026 high-speed integration, former SRT trains were renamed (e.g. KTX-Sancheon) — confirm covered trains on the live booking page. If you only ride AREX or Seoul subway, look at transit cards or short-term city passes instead.
FAQ
Q. Can Korean nationals buy a KORAIL Pass? A. No. The official About page states Korean nationality is not eligible. It is for foreign visitors.
Q. Does an Adult 2-day Pass (KRW 131,000) beat a Seoul↔Busan round trip? A. Usually not. From 1 Sep 2026 the Adult Seoul–Busan KTX one-way is KRW 54,400 (RT 108,800), about 22,200 cheaper than the Adult 2-day Pass. A Youth 2-day Pass (105,000) beats that RT by about 3,800.
Q. What if reserved seats are sold out? A. Official guidance allows boarding as a standee with a valid Pass and passport. Reserve up to two seats per person per day from one month before departure when you need a reserved seat.
Q. Until when can I get a refund? A. Only before the first travel date. From that date there is no Pass refund, and reserved seats must be cancelled first.
Fares and rules can change. Re-check the official About page and the booking screen before you pay.
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