KTX Seoul to Gyeongju: Price, Time and Getting From the Station
How long the train takes, what it costs, why the station is now called Gyeongju (not Singyeongju), and how to get from it to Bulguksa and downtown.
The KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju takes about 2 h – 2 h 20 min and costs about ₩44,600 one way in standard class. Gyeongju sits on the Seoul–Busan high-speed line, so you board the same trains as for Busan and get off before Ulsan. What confuses most visitors is not the train but the station: Gyeongju's KTX station is outside the city, and it used to have a different name.
Quick answers
- KTX Seoul to Gyeongju: about 2 h – 2 h 20 min, about ₩44,600 one way
- Roughly 29 direct trains a day from Seoul Station, more from Suseo
- Get off at Gyeongju station — the former Singyeongju
- The station is outside town: bus 700 to Bulguksa takes about 55 minutes
KTX Seoul to Gyeongju price and time
| From Seoul Station | From Suseo | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare (standard) | about ₩44,600 | same fare level |
| Time | 2 h – 2 h 20 min | similar |
| Trains per day | about 29 | fewer — not every Suseo train stops |
Fare and train count from a Korean timetable summary (August 2026). Korail cut high-speed fares by about 10% on September 1, 2026, so the booking screen may show a slightly different price.
First class adds roughly 46% to the fare, the same ratio as on the Busan route. Children aged 6–12 get a 50% discount. As on every KTX route, there is no round-trip discount.
For comparison, the full ride to Busan costs ₩54,400 and takes about 2 h 44 min — see KTX Seoul to Busan price and time. Many travellers combine both: Seoul → Gyeongju → Busan in one trip.
Singyeongju is now Gyeongju station
Until 2021 Gyeongju had two stations: Singyeongju (the KTX station, outside town) and Gyeongju (the old station downtown, for slower trains). In late 2021 the downtown station closed and the KTX station took over the name Gyeongju.
- On Korail, search for Gyeongju (경주). "Singyeongju" no longer appears.
- Blogs and maps from before 2022 call it Singyeongju — it is the same place.
- The station is in Geoncheon, west of the historic centre. You need a bus or a taxi to reach the sights.
From Gyeongju station to the sights
| Option | Where it goes | Time / cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 700 | Wolji Pond → Bomun lake → Bulguksa temple | about 55 min to Bulguksa, about ₩1,500 |
| City buses | Downtown and the intercity bus terminal (tombs, Hwangnidan-gil) | several lines, about ₩1,500 |
| Taxi | Anywhere | about 30 min / ₩31,000–37,000 to Bulguksa |
Bus 700 runs roughly hourly. City bus fares are flat, and T-money transit cards work. Check current times at the stop outside the station.
If you are staying downtown, drop your bags at the hotel first. Bulguksa and Seokguram are the furthest sights from the station; the downtown tombs, Cheomseongdae observatory and Wolji Pond are close together and easy on foot or by bike.
Three ways to fit Gyeongju in
| Plan | Route | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip from Seoul | Early KTX → Gyeongju → evening KTX back | Possible, but 4+ hours on trains |
| Stop on the way to Busan | Seoul → Gyeongju (1 night) → Busan | Most popular — no backtracking |
| Day trip from Busan | Busan → Gyeongju (about 30 min) → Busan | Easiest if you are based in Busan |
How to book
- Use Korail's English website or the Korail+ app in English — ordinary tickets need only an email address, your passport name and a card.
- Search Seoul or Suseo → Gyeongju.
- Luggage: up to 2 pieces per person, each within 158 cm and 32 kg.
- Weekends fill up — book a few days ahead for Friday and Saturday trains.
Fares change by train and date — the booking screen shows the final price
Frequently asked questions
How much is the KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju?
About ₩44,600 one way in standard class for an adult. The exact fare depends on the train, so check the Korail booking screen.
How long is the KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju?
About 2 h – 2 h 20 min from Seoul Station, with roughly 29 direct KTX trains a day.
Is Singyeongju the same as Gyeongju station?
Yes. The high-speed station called Singyeongju was renamed Gyeongju in late 2021, when the old downtown Gyeongju station closed. Older guides and maps still use the old name.
How do I get from Gyeongju station to Bulguksa?
Bus 700 runs from the station to Bulguksa temple in about 55 minutes, passing Wolji Pond and the Bomun lake resort. A taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly ₩31,000–37,000.
Can I visit Gyeongju as a day trip from Busan?
Yes, and it is easier than from Seoul. The KTX from Busan to Gyeongju takes about 30 minutes, so you can see the main sights and be back in Busan the same evening.