Originally Posted by
rownada
Does anyone know if I purchase a KR Pass and then use KTX services between Seoul and Busan, is there actually a charge?
According to
http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/etr/...w_etr02100.jsp
it says that:
Foreign clients can freely use all trains managed by KORAIL
including KTX
but then it says:
Seat appointment
appointed at any station in the whole country, without separate fare(
in case of using KTX, Saemaeul luxurious room or Mugungwha bedroom,
50% of exising fare is charged separately)
Assuming that I have to reserve a seat prior to boarding the KTX train, this means I only get 50% discount on KTX with the KR Pass, instead of being able to pay for a KR Pass and then have the freedom to roam around Korea for free using KTX?
I've used few KR Passes a while ago. At that time, there was no charge for reserving seat assignment on all KTX trains. They charged 50% of premium fare for first class seating only. Note that fare is broken into two categories; base fare and premium fare. Base fare is what coach class pax and first class pax both pay, and premium fare is what first class pax pays in addition to base fare. Assume that one-way base fare is KRW40000 from Seoul to Busan, and one-way premium fare from S to B is KRW10000. Coach would cost KRW40000 and first would cost KRW50000. For KR pass holders, coach would be free and first costs KRW5000 because they get 50% discount on premium fare. However this is a while ago probably around 2004-2005, so I don't know if they have changed the rules.
Just in case if they charge 50% base fare for coach seat assignment, you can take any seat in car 17 and car 18, which are designated as non-reserve seating cars.