Day 12. Taking the Korail train from Seoul to Busan

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Asia, South Korea, South Korea 2018

It was hard to believe that our stay in Seoul had come to an end.  There were so many interesting places to visit that our days sped by all too quickly. We enjoyed one last breakfast in the Holiday Inn Express Euljiro which had been an excellent choice for our stay in Seoul. Well equipped comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfast and just a few steps from a metro station ticked all the boxes for us.

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Euljiro
Breakfast room, Holiday Inn Express Euljiro

It was around 9.30 a.m. when we checked out of the hotel ready to embark on the second part of our South Korean adventure.  Although the Euljiro 3 metro station was literally on the doorstep, we crossed the road so that we could use Exit 12 (opposite) as this entrance had a lift.  Getting to Seoul station took a little longer with our luggage but wasn’t too difficult.

Seoul Station
Departure board for our train to Busan

We arrived into the station at 10.15 a.m. timing our arrival to perfection as five minutes later our KTX train to Busan appeared on the board.  This gave us plenty of time to stow our luggage at the end of the carriage and settle into our reserved seats before our 11.00 a.m. departure.  Before leaving home we had bought a 2 day flexible Korail Pass valid for one month, costing 91,000 Won per person (£63.60) which offers good value for overseas visitors.  A two day flexible pass for one passenger costs 102,000 Won but reduces to 91,000 Won if a party of between 2 and 5 people are travelling together.

Korail KTX service from Seoul to Busan
On board the Korail KTX service from Seoul to Busan

After purchasing the pass, tickets can then be selected on-line up to one month before departure.  Using the website to book tickets was easy and although passengers are allocated reserved seats these cannot be selected.

Korail KTX service from Seoul to Busan
Ample legroom between seats on our Korail KTX train

We were fortunate to find our seats were facing forward, could be reclined and had plenty of leg room.  Our journey to South Korea’s second city on the south east coast took 2 hours 45 minutes, stopping several times.  The train was very smooth and it didn’t feel as if we were travelling so fast.  We enjoyed viewing the ever changing landscape from the windows as we whizzed along.  Overhead screens displayed travel information, train speed and were interspersed with occasional travel videos.  Neither buffet cars nor at seat trolley services are provided but vending machines are located at the end of each carriage for drinks and light snacks.

Arban Hotel, Busan
Reception, Arban Hotel, Busan

As the train edged into Busan it started drizzling and as we disembarked the air felt cooler than in Seoul.  Passing through the modern station we picked up a metro map and some leaflets from the tourist information kiosk.  We then trundled our heavy luggage along to the metro station which is located a short distance from the station.

Arban Hotel, Busan
Our room at the Arban Hotel, Busan

The T Money cards we had purchased on our arrival in Seoul were also valid on Busan’s public transport network so we had topped up our balances before departure from Seoul.  It was then just six stops on one line to Seomyeon Station followed by a five minute walk to our accommodation for the next five nights at the Arban Hotel.

Arban Hotel, Busan
View of our room, Arban Hotel, Busan

This independently owned hotel is located in the heart of the vibrant Seomyeon district and occupies the upper floors of a tall building.  Taking the lift to the reception which is located on the 13th floor we were attended to promptly and were soon settling into our deluxe room on the 10th floor.  The room was spacious with a 55″ television at the foot of the huge bed, a large illuminated wardrobe and numerous drawers for our belongings.  I like hotel rooms with plenty of storage as so often this is lacking necessitating us to leave some things in our suitcases.

Arban Hotel, Busan
Jacuzzi bath with glass panel to bedroom

The marble bathroom contained a separate shower room and a jacuzzi bath visible through glass from the main bedroom but with a roller blind if one preferred privacy.  There was also an electronic toilet with heated seat and numerous other options similar to the one we had in our room in Taipei last year.

Street food, Seomyeon, Busan
Stall where we bought some fried prawns, Seomyeon, Busan

After unpacking our belongings we set off for a walk through Seomyeon which was filled with shops, cafes and street food vendors.  From one of the stalls we were tempted into buying some large fried prawns which were freshly prepared and tasted delicious.  After our tasty snack we continued on to the Lotte Department Store for a spot of shopping and a visit to its roof top terrace which was unsurprisingly deserted due to the continuing drizzle.

Seomyeon, Busan
Neon lights of Seomyeon, Busan

Later, we found a very attractive small restaurant where we shared a huge dish of steaming Bulgogi hot pot, a Korean style marinated beef dish accompanied with numerous side dishes including the ever present kimchi (fermented vegetables) which I was by now getting quite used to.

Beef Bulgogi in Busan
Enjoying Beef Bulgogi in Busan

After returning to the hotel I relaxed in the jacuzzi bath adding the strawberry coloured grains provided which produced pink bubbles.  We then ended the day with bedtime drinks whilst watching the news on our huge television.

If you have enjoyed reading this post you may also like:

Taejongdae Park, Busan and a visit to Nampo

Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea

Suggested accommodation in Busan:

Arban Hotel, Busan, South Korea

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53 thoughts on “Day 12. Taking the Korail train from Seoul to Busan”

  1. Pingback: Day 16.  The Grand Hotel & Martyrs’ Shrine, Taipei – Love Travelling Blog

  2. Pingback: Arban Hotel, Busan, South Korea – Love Travelling Blog

  3. Pingback: Day 5. Travelling Emirates from Bangkok to Hong Kong – Love Travelling Blog

  4. Gwendoline Chia

    You’re so right! We were delighted with Arban Hotel. The guest room, toiletries and room amenities were so well thought out. The roof garden made a pretty backdrop for our photos and the location was excellent for a foodie couple like us. We even ate eomuk, tteokbokki and soondae at the very same shop that you had your large fried prawns – what a find! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of your blog for more travel tips and insights. Happy travels, Lil’ Miss Traveller.

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  5. Gwen

    Hi there. Your blog is very helpful, especially since I’ll be staying at the Arban Hotel in Busan, in about 2 weeks. It’s our first visit to Busan, Korea and we’re looking forward to feasting and shopping and sightseeing there. Can’t wait!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Gwen, it’s so nice to hear from you and I’m pleased you are finding my blog helpful. You will really enjoy visiting Busan and I’m certain you will be happy with the Arban Hotel! Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

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  14. silveryew

    Thank you for showing the train journey it looks easy enough to do and the trains look clean and well maintained. And it didn’t sound too expensive either with a travel pass!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. This is huge, to me. We loved taking the Korail, from Seoul to Busan. As it happens, my son is stationed with the U.S. Navy, in Busan. He ate his first solid Korean food, from a market stall in Seomyeon, when he was 18 months old. Now, he’s 30.

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  18. I’ve only taken a bus to Busan from Seoul and that usually in the dead of winter. I can remember staying in one of those typical Korean hotels where there is a heated floor and the bed is close to that level so you can be warm at night. Korean winters are brutal but the Korean people shrug it off. It’s only us Westerners who navigate the brutal cold outside with warm underwear and greatcoats. LOL. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

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  19. That train looks so clean and that jacuzzi in the hotel near the bed, wow! The only city I know of in South Korea is Seoul, so thank you for sharing this post about another city in South Korea that one should visit. Safe travels .

    Liked by 2 people

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