Korea train
Apr 16, 2009, 4:41 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 103
Sure it's great. Fast, simple, convenient. Ride takes about 3 1/2 hours. Go here for more info.
www.korail.com For some reason the site seems to work best with Internet Explorer. Good Luck
www.korail.com For some reason the site seems to work best with Internet Explorer. Good Luck
Apr 17, 2009, 10:47 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 166
While I have no experience with the product, I can research for you if you have any particular question. This posting seems to be out of place, maybe mod can move it to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia-460/ ?
I do not believe ktx serves ICN airport yet, so you'll need an alternate ground transportation to a train station in Seoul if you are flying in.
If you are curious about general experience, have you tried google search?
I do not believe ktx serves ICN airport yet, so you'll need an alternate ground transportation to a train station in Seoul if you are flying in.
If you are curious about general experience, have you tried google search?
Apr 17, 2009, 10:55 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Brisbane
Programs: *G
Posts: 497
Expect the most uncomfortable train seat in the world. I'm being a little cynical here but seats are just not comfortable at all. I would take Air Busan from GMP to PUS. But if you insist on taking KTX, make sure you take seats facing forward (direction in which train is heading) not backward !!!
The reason why korean webs are working best with IE is those webs needs ActiveX which koreans do seem to love which I do not understand myself as a Korean living abroad.
The reason why korean webs are working best with IE is those webs needs ActiveX which koreans do seem to love which I do not understand myself as a Korean living abroad.
Apr 17, 2009, 7:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, SPG Gold
Posts: 120
The trains are comparable to most other high-speed trains (shinkansen, ICE, eurostar, etc). The ride from seoul station to busan takes a little under three hours. One thing, the seat pitch is very tight in the standard class (much tighter seat pitch than shinkansen, for example). So, even if you're of average height, it's worth the extra W20,000 for 1st class.
May 2, 2009, 11:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Yes, like all TGV based trains the KTX has rather limited space in standard class. Look out for web specials as those can get particular good prices for 1st class tickets.
Sep 1, 2009, 1:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 47
I'm not sure about first class, but there are definetely no power outlets in the regular class. Seoul to Busan should be at or just less than 3 hours - hopefully you'll have enough juice. Also if you plan on doing the Seoul to Busan trip, it may be well worth it to buy a 3 day saver pass, even if you are only making one round trip.
BTW if you end up in a standard seat and feel extremely cramped, you can always try moving to the "jump" seat - they are located in-between trains.
Sep 1, 2009, 10:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
The prices are not bad as there is still fierce competition from Asiana and Korean Air. Best is to book 1st over the web as most Koreans do (book over the web, not travel 1st)
As a note of caution, Busan bound trains run from Seoul station while Gwangju and Mokpo can be reached from Yongsan. Do not mix up the two major stations, although closely located.
As a note of caution, Busan bound trains run from Seoul station while Gwangju and Mokpo can be reached from Yongsan. Do not mix up the two major stations, although closely located.
Sep 1, 2009, 11:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,652
I took this last week. Very nice and on time. Wifi Is available for a fee (1000w/hr ??) I didn't use it tho. No problems with the seat pitch either... tho not as nice as the Japanese Shinkansen.
Sep 1, 2009, 11:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 2,262
Actually, KTX has even more limited space than other TGV-based trains. Since KTX and Eurostar are the only TGV-based trains that are configured 20-car as one trainset, have KTX compared to Eurostar. Although they are both roughly 400m long and have 18 passenger cars per trainset, KTX has about 950 seats per trainset while Eurostar has 750 seats per trainset.
Power outlets = no AFAIK
Wi-Fi = yes
A total of six hot-spots available per trainset, so each hot-spot covers three passenger cars.
In April 2009, they had wi-fi, but for a nominal fee. It might be difficult to access without working knowledge of the payment system, i.e. Korean language and/or Korean credit card. If I recall, it was less than 3000 won for access.
I'm not sure about first class, but there are definetely no power outlets in the regular class. Seoul to Busan should be at or just less than 3 hours - hopefully you'll have enough juice. Also if you plan on doing the Seoul to Busan trip, it may be well worth it to buy a 3 day saver pass, even if you are only making one round trip.
BTW if you end up in a standard seat and feel extremely cramped, you can always try moving to the "jump" seat - they are located in-between trains.
I'm not sure about first class, but there are definetely no power outlets in the regular class. Seoul to Busan should be at or just less than 3 hours - hopefully you'll have enough juice. Also if you plan on doing the Seoul to Busan trip, it may be well worth it to buy a 3 day saver pass, even if you are only making one round trip.
BTW if you end up in a standard seat and feel extremely cramped, you can always try moving to the "jump" seat - they are located in-between trains.
I used this service once in April 2008 when they were offering it for free during promotional period. Not so fast, probably comparable to EDGE or 3G connection at most. AFAIK, they sell cards with username and password at vending machines. IIRC, the rate is KRW1000 for either a half hour or an hour and KRW2000 for 24 hours. There are few public computers available for this paid Wi-Fi connection.
Last edited by N227UA; Sep 2, 2009 at 12:52 am
Sep 2, 2009, 12:01 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Thanks for all the replies. We ended up booking a last minute flight on KE instead and canceling our KTX tickets for $.66, since our hotel was on the GMP subway line in Seoul and we didn't want to deal with a 3 hour train ride (and of course, KE flights earn us EQMs!).