How to Get to Busan from Seoul
At a Glance: Fares and Travel Times (Seoul → Busan)
| Transport | One-way Fare | Travel Time | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTX (Seoul Station) | Approx. ₩54,400 | About 2 hr 30 min | Seoul Station | Busan Station |
| SRT (Suseo Station) | Approx. ₩54,400 | About 2 hr 30 min | Seoul Station | Busan Station |
| Express Bus | Approx. ₩26,700 | About 4–4.5 hr | Seoul Express Bus Terminal | Busan Central Bus Terminal |
| Premium Express Bus | Approx. ₩43,900–52,600 | About 4–4.5 hr | Seoul Express Bus Terminal | Busan Central Bus Terminal |
| Mugunghwa Train | Approx. ₩28,600 | About 5–6 hr | Seoul Station | Busan Station |
| Flight | Approx. ₩40,000–80,000 | About 1 hr in the air | Gimpo Airport | Gimhae Airport |
If you want the fastest and most convenient option, KTX or SRT is usually the best choice. Both can take you from Seoul to Busan in around two and a half hours, making them especially convenient for short trips.
If you’re traveling on a budget, an express bus is a more affordable alternative. The journey takes longer, but the lower fare can make a noticeable difference if you’re trying to keep your travel costs down.
Practical Ticket Options for International Travelers
| Transport | How International Travelers Can Buy Tickets |
|---|---|
| KTX (departing from Seoul/Yongsan) | You can book your ticket through the official KORAIL website or the LACHA app. If you are using an international credit card, additional authentication such as 3D Secure may be required. |
| KTX (departing from Suseo, formerly SRT) | You can book together on the same Korail+ platform. The old SRT app and the SR website (etk.).srail.kr ended on August 31, 2026, so don’t look there |
| Express Bus | The official Kobus has a high failure rate because of Korean number verification and restrictions on overseas access. You can use the LACHA app, or the on-site ticket booth or automatic ticket machine at the terminal |
| Alternative Booking Option | At terminal or station ticket booths (with passport), or by using the LACHA app |
Overall, KTX and SRT are the most convenient choices for getting to Busan, while express buses offer a more budget-friendly alternative. If you have trouble booking online, tickets can also be purchased at the station or bus terminal.
Day 1: Exploring Busan
First Stop: Yeongjin Pork Soup Main Branch
📍 Location: Yeongjin Pork Soup
Address:39 Hasinbeonyeong-ro 157beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
[View on Google Maps]
Our Busan trip started with a hearty bowl of pork soup at Yeongjin Pork Soup Main Branch. After traveling from Seoul, we stopped here for our first meal before continuing to explore Busan.
Waiting Tips
As a popular local restaurant, Yeongjin Pork Soup can have a wait during busy hours. Reservations are not available, so you need to wait in line on-site.
There are chairs available for customers waiting outside, and staff members usually take orders while you wait. This means your food can be served shortly after you are seated.
It is a good idea to check the menu and decide what you want to order before you arrive.
DADAE DE LA: A Cafe Near Dadaepo Beach
📍 Location: DADAE DE LA
Address:19 Morundae 2-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
[View on Google Maps]
After exploring Busan and enjoying a local meal, we headed to DADAE DE LA, a cozy cafe near Dadaepo Beach. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and is a nice place to take a break while exploring the area.
One of the things that makes DADAE DE LA interesting is that it is more than just a cafe. Along with coffee and desserts, there is also a small gift and lifestyle goods area where you can browse various items.
Coffee, Desserts, and a Relaxed Atmosphere
DADAE DE LA offers a variety of coffee, beverages, and desserts, making it a convenient place to take a break while exploring Dadaepo Beach.
The cafe features a warm and slightly vintage interior with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for a short coffee break or a leisurely dessert stop.
Located near Dadaepo Beach, the cafe can be easily included in a Busan travel itinerary, especially when exploring the Dadaepo area.
A Small Shop for Gifts and Lifestyle Goods
Another fun part of DADAE DE LA is the small shop area inside the cafe.
You can browse a selection of small gifts, lifestyle items, and souvenirs while waiting for your drinks or after having dessert. It doesn’t take long to look around, but it adds something different from a typical cafe visit.
If you’re looking for a cafe near Dadaepo Beach where you can enjoy dessert and browse a few unique items, DADAE DE LA is worth adding to your itinerary.
Huinnyeoul Culture Village: A Scenic Coastal Walk in Busan
Huinnyeoul Culture Village is one of the most scenic places to visit in Busan, known for its colorful hillside houses, coastal views, murals, and small local shops.
Located along the coast of Yeongdo, the village has a unique atmosphere where narrow streets and small alleys meet the blue sea. Visitors can walk through the village, discover colorful murals, and browse the many small gift shops, souvenir stores, and local boutiques along the way.
Explore the Small Shops and Murals
One of the highlights of Huinnyeoul Culture Village is exploring its small shops and colorful streets.
Many of the shops sell unique souvenirs, handmade goods, accessories, and other small items, making the village a good place to browse for gifts or travel souvenirs.
The village is also known for its murals and photo spots. Walking through the narrow alleys reveals different views of the sea and hillside buildings, so it is worth taking your time rather than visiting only one viewpoint.
Enjoy Huinnyeoul Culture Village at Sunset
📍 Location : Huinnyeoul Culture Village
Address : 273 Huinnyeoul-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
[View on Google Maps]
Huinnyeoul Culture Village is particularly beautiful around sunset.
As the sun begins to set over the sea, the sky changes color and the coastal scenery takes on a completely different atmosphere. A sunset walk through Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a great way to enjoy the scenery after exploring the shops and murals.
For travelers planning a Busan itinerary, Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a good choice for the late afternoon or early evening, especially if you want to combine sightseeing, shopping, photography, and a coastal walk in one stop.
Tip: Allow enough time to walk through the village rather than rushing between individual attractions. The scenery and small shops along the route are part of the experience.
Yeongdo Pojangmacha Street: Outdoor Dining by the Sea
📍 Location: Yeongdo Pojangmacha Street
Address:50 Bongnaenaru-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
[View on Google Maps]
Yeongdo Pojangmacha Street is a popular spot in Busan for enjoying Korean food and drinks in an outdoor street-food atmosphere. The area features outdoor stalls where visitors can sit outside, order drinks and Korean-style dishes, and enjoy the lively evening atmosphere.
Unlike a typical restaurant, the open-air setting is one of the main attractions. It is a good option for travelers looking for a more casual and local-style nightlife experience in Busan.
Opening Hours and Payment Tips
Opening hours vary by stall, but most pojangmacha generally begin operating around 5:00–6:00 PM and remain open until approximately 1:00–2:00 AM.
Payment methods can also vary between individual stalls. Some establishments may not accept credit cards, so international travelers are advised to carry some Korean cash (KRW) when visiting.
Yeongdo Pojangmacha Street is best visited in the evening, when the outdoor stalls become lively and the surrounding lights create a unique Busan nightlife atmosphere.
Final Thoughts on This Busan Itinerary
Busan offers a great mix of local food, coastal scenery, cafes, and unique neighborhoods. From Dadaepo Beach to Huinnyeoul Culture Village and Yeongdo Pojangmacha Street, this itinerary combines some of the city’s different experiences in one trip.
If you’re planning a trip to Busan, these spots are worth adding to your itinerary.
