South Korea: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigationJump to search
Ticketing: KORAIL Ticket booking
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
==National railway system==
==National railway system==
===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
[https://korearailway.com/en/ Korean Railroad] (Korail).
[https://korearailway.com/ Korean Railroad] (Korail - in Korean).
 
There is a [https://info.korail.com/infoeng/index.do Site for Visitors] in English.
 
Super Rapid Train [SRT] services are operated by SR Corporation, known as [https://www.srail.or.kr/main.do?language=EN Supreme Railways], with Korail having a major shareholding.


===Infrastructure Authority===
===Infrastructure Authority===
Line 18: Line 22:


===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
The [http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfTicketSearch.do Letskorail journey planner].
The Korail [https://www.korail.com/global/eng/main English journey planner].
 
or
 
the [https://rail.ninja/korean-trains?utm_source=koreatrains.com&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=button Rail Ninja] one.


===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
Line 39: Line 47:
*[http://www.quailmapcompany.free-online.co.uk/ Quail Map Company's] Korea, North and South, Railway Map ISBN: 978 1898319 21 4 was published in 1996.
*[http://www.quailmapcompany.free-online.co.uk/ Quail Map Company's] Korea, North and South, Railway Map ISBN: 978 1898319 21 4 was published in 1996.
===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*[https://korearailway.com/en/railroad-route-map-in-south-korea/ Korail system map]. Clicking on each tab under “Railroad Route Map” highlights each separate route.
*[https://korearailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Korea-Railway-Route-Map_Enlish_2.png Korail system map] but doesn't show the Yeongdeok to Samcheok section of the Donghae Line [East Sea Line] opened in January 2025.
* [http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/images/content/160330_map.jpg More recent map in Korean characters only]
* [http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/images/content/160330_map.jpg More recent map in Korean characters only]
*[http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=936756 South Korea Railroad Map]; click on “image hosted on flickr” to enlarge the map.
*[http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=936756 South Korea Railroad Map]; click on “image hosted on flickr” to enlarge the map.


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==
Korea Rail Pass information is available on the [https://korearailway.com/en/purchasing-a-korail-pass-on-the-website/ Korearailway website]. Note that the Happy Rail Pass appears to be restricted to foreigners who live in Korea.
KORAIL Train Tickets can be booked at [https://www.korail.com/global/eng/ticket/reservation Train Tickets].
Korea Rail Pass information is available on the [https://www.korail.com/global/eng/passengerGuide/ticketTypes/korailpass KORAIL ticket website]. Note that the Happy Rail Pass appears to be restricted to foreigners who live in Korea.


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
Line 51: Line 60:


===Electrification===
===Electrification===
25kV 50Hz on all the Korail operated network except the Ilsan Line, AREX
25kV 60 Hz on all the Korail operated network except the Ilsan Line, AREX
1500V DC on all rapid transit networks including the Korail Ilsan Line
1,500 V DC on all rapid transit networks including the Korail Ilsan Line


===Rule of the road===
===Rule of the road===
Line 64: Line 73:
*[https://korea.stripes.com/travel/pedal-your-way-through-korean-nature-rail-bikes Other Rail Bikes]
*[https://korea.stripes.com/travel/pedal-your-way-through-korean-nature-rail-bikes Other Rail Bikes]
*[https://www.railpark.co.kr/index_.php?lng=e Gangchon Rail Park]
*[https://www.railpark.co.kr/index_.php?lng=e Gangchon Rail Park]
*[http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=814105 Seomjingang River] also on [http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/HD/4rivers/eng_seomjingang1.html Seomjingang River] or [https://thisiskoreatours.com/project/gokseong-train-village/ Gokseong Train Village]
*[https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/whereToGo/locIntrdn/rgnContentsView.do?vcontsId=94313 Seomjingang River] also at [https://thisiskoreatours.com/project/gokseong-train-village/ Gokseong Train Village]
 
* [https://www.bluelinepark.com/eng/beachTramCourse.do Haeundae Beach Train] at [https://www.bluelinepark.com/eng/bluelinePark.do Haeundae Blueline Park]. This ~5 km line apparently runs on part of the former route of the Donghae line.


==Metro==
==Metro==
Line 71: Line 82:
A map with the location of [https://korearailway.com/en/metro-route-map-in-south-korea/ Urban Railways] is on the Korearailway website. There are links to route maps of the city metros on the same page.
A map with the location of [https://korearailway.com/en/metro-route-map-in-south-korea/ Urban Railways] is on the Korearailway website. There are links to route maps of the city metros on the same page.


==Trams==
==Trams/LRT Systems==
None.
The 5 km Wirye Line standard gauge tramway in Seoul is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026. It will serve the Wirye New Town residential area in the south-east suburbs. The trams will be battery powered and it is the first tramway in Seoul for 57 years.


==Recent and Future Changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==
Sections of the Donghae Line [East Sea Line] opened as follows:
*The Yeongdeok - Samcheok section opened 1 January 2025, completing 166 km of new alignment between Pohang and Samcheok.
*The Bujeon to Ilgwang and Taehwagang to Moryang sections opened 28 December 2021.
*The Pohang - Yeongdeok section opened 26 January 2018.
Super Rapid Train [SRT] services were launched on 9 December 2016 from Suseo station in Seoul, via PyeongtaekJije station. By 1 September 2023 direct services were operating on the Jeolla Line, Donghae Line and Gyeongjeon Lines.
 
In July 2016, the government approved the following new lines:
In July 2016, the government approved the following new lines:
*Chuncheon - Sokcho (94 km) in the northeastern province of Gangwon.
*Chuncheon - Sokcho (94 km) in the northeastern province of Gangwon.
Line 81: Line 102:
*A link at Soejeong-ri (4.7 km) to enable more high speed trains to serve Suwon.
*A link at Soejeong-ri (4.7 km) to enable more high speed trains to serve Suwon.


==Obscure or Sparse Passenger Services==
The 231 km Honam high-speed railway, Honam (HSR), between Osong and Mokpo, was inaugurated on 1 April 2015 after some 5 years of construction.
See [http://www.psul4all.free-online.co.uk/wbe.htm#KR PSUL World Beyond Europe]
 
===[Gwangju – ] Geungnakgang – Gwangju-Songjeong KR1===
Geungnakgang and Gwangju stations are served by triangular access from the west. The north arm is used by services to and from Gwangju not booked to call at Gwangju-Songjeong station; the south arm is used only by four train pairs daily calling at both Gwangju and Gwangju-Songjeong (services Gwangju ⇔ Mokpo or Suncheon) and by one train pair Mokpo ⇔ Bujeon. Service at October 2013:
1981 0655 Gwangju - Mokpo and 1982 1840 return
1951 0625 Bujeon - Mokpo and 1954 0910 return
1972 0610 and 1974 1852 Gwangju - Suncheon and 1971 0620 and 1973 1735 return
Through trains Seoul ⇔ Mokpo use the third side of the triangle, serving Gwangju-Songjeong station and thus avoiding Geungnakgang and Gwangju stations. ''Report updated: November 2013''
 
===Jeonui – Osong KR2===
This curve permits north - east movements at Jochiwon. Service at October 2013:
1282 0900 Jecheon - Seoul and 1281 1805 Seoul - Jecheon. ''Reported: November 2013''
 
===Angang – Seogyeongju KR3===
This curve permits east - west movements at Gyeongju. Service at October 2013:
1042 0800 and 1044 1720 Pohang - Seoul and 1041 0935 and 1043 1605 return. ''Reported: November 2013''
 
===Hayang – Bugyeongcheon KR4===
This curve permits west to north movements at Yeongcheon. Service at October 2013:
1672 0615 and 1674 1630 Dongdaegu - Gangneung and 1671 0615 and 1673 1722 return. ''Reported: November 2013''


==Special Notes==
==Special Notes==
None.
None.


==Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services==
See [[South Korea - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services]].
==See also==
{{Navbox South Korea}}
[[Category:Countries in Asia]][[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Countries in Asia]][[Category:Countries]]

Latest revision as of 19:50, 22 September 2025

Country Details

Name: South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea; 대한민국; Daehan Minguk
Language: Korean
Currency: South Korean Won (KRW); (₩)

National railway system

National Railway Operator

Korean Railroad (Korail - in Korean).

There is a Site for Visitors in English.

Super Rapid Train [SRT] services are operated by SR Corporation, known as Supreme Railways, with Korail having a major shareholding.

Infrastructure Authority

KRNA Korea Rail Network Authority; 한국철도시설공단

UIC code

numeric 61; alpha KNR

Timetable

Information is available at the Man in Seat 61.

Journey Planner

The Korail English journey planner.

or

the Rail Ninja one.

Downloadable Timetable

KTX (high speed) trains.

Ordinary trains.

The downloaded excel format timetables, both effective from 2 April 2015, are in Korean only but with station names in English as well.

Printed Timetable

None known.

Summary timetables are available in some editions of the European Rail Timetable.

Engineering Information

None.

Maps

Printed Maps

  • Quail Map Company's Korea, North and South, Railway Map ISBN: 978 1898319 21 4 was published in 1996.

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

KORAIL Train Tickets can be booked at Train Tickets. Korea Rail Pass information is available on the KORAIL ticket website. Note that the Happy Rail Pass appears to be restricted to foreigners who live in Korea.

Infrastructure

Gauge

Standard.

Electrification

25kV 60 Hz on all the Korail operated network except the Ilsan Line, AREX 1,500 V DC on all rapid transit networks including the Korail Ilsan Line

Rule of the road

Left; right on some of the Seoul metro lines not operated by Korail.

Other Railways

None.

Tourist Lines

Metro

Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Incheon.

A map with the location of Urban Railways is on the Korearailway website. There are links to route maps of the city metros on the same page.

Trams/LRT Systems

The 5 km Wirye Line standard gauge tramway in Seoul is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026. It will serve the Wirye New Town residential area in the south-east suburbs. The trams will be battery powered and it is the first tramway in Seoul for 57 years.

Recent and Future Changes

Sections of the Donghae Line [East Sea Line] opened as follows:

  • The Yeongdeok - Samcheok section opened 1 January 2025, completing 166 km of new alignment between Pohang and Samcheok.
  • The Bujeon to Ilgwang and Taehwagang to Moryang sections opened 28 December 2021.
  • The Pohang - Yeongdeok section opened 26 January 2018.

Super Rapid Train [SRT] services were launched on 9 December 2016 from Suseo station in Seoul, via PyeongtaekJije station. By 1 September 2023 direct services were operating on the Jeolla Line, Donghae Line and Gyeongjeon Lines.

In July 2016, the government approved the following new lines:

  • Chuncheon - Sokcho (94 km) in the northeastern province of Gangwon.

And south of Seoul

  • A link from the Seoul – Busan high speed line to Eocheon station on the Su-In Line (3.5 km)
  • A link at Soejeong-ri (4.7 km) to enable more high speed trains to serve Suwon.

The 231 km Honam high-speed railway, Honam (HSR), between Osong and Mokpo, was inaugurated on 1 April 2015 after some 5 years of construction.

Special Notes

None.

Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

See South Korea - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services.

See also