Taking the KTX from Seoul Station: where to go and what to eat
Yunjae
Seoul Station (서울역) is big, busy and a bit confusing the first time. Here is the walk from the door to your KTX seat, plus what to grab to eat on the way.
Flying out after? Read Seoul to Incheon Airport with luggage. For luggage on the train itself (racks, where big suitcases go), read Getting around Korea with luggage.
1. Walk in
The main hall gets packed at rush hour, because a lot of people commute to Seoul by KTX every day. After work they can be very grumpy. Don't stop in the middle of the crowd.
2. Tickets
- Ticket machines (승차권 사는 곳): they have English.
- KORAIL Travel Center for foreigners: Korail Pass and help in English.
- Ticket change and refund counter (승차권 변경·반환).
This time there were a lot of staff around to help. Many speak some English, and some even help you buy a ticket at the machine.
But honestly, most people book online now. Do that. Book in the Korail+ app or on Korail's English website, and your phone is your ticket. You can skip all of the above.
3. Find your platform
The departure board says "TBA" for the platform until a few minutes before the train leaves. Don't panic, just wait near the board.
When the number shows up, follow it. Mine: 17:13 KTX 107 to Busan, Platform 5. Then down the stairs or escalator to the train.
4. What to eat before the train
You can eat on the KTX. Buy your food before you go down to the platform.
Fast food
McDonald's, Burger King and Lotteria (롯데리아) are all in a row on the same floor as the ticket machines, with Blue Bottle Coffee next to them.
Lotteria is the Korean one. Try the bulgogi burger (불고기버거) or the shrimp burger (새우버거). You won't find those at home.
Korean snacks
- Taegukdang (태극당): Seoul's oldest bakery, since 1946. One floor up. Known for monaka ice cream (모나카 아이스크림) and butter cream bread (버터크림빵).
- Sowoldang (소월당): pear cakes (배빵), soft little cakes shaped like a Korean pear with pear jam inside. Also Seoul hotteok pie (서울호떡파이), the sweet Korean pancake in a flaky pie. Nice box, good souvenir.
- Yeongjudang (영주당): rice crackers (쌀강정), crunchy puffed rice stuck together with syrup, very old-school. And obang-tteok (오방떡), a round cake with sweet red bean inside.
- Mapo Mandu (마포만두): dumplings. The galbi dumplings (갈비만두) are the famous ones.
- Busan Mido Eomuk (부산미도어묵): Busan fish cake, since 1963. Hot, salty, easy snack.
- There's even a salmon bowl place.
Lost?
There's an Information Center (안내센터) in the main hall.
Flying out of Incheon? Here's how to check in your bags right here at Seoul Station: Seoul to Incheon Airport with luggage: 4 ways that actually work.
Found this helpful? Here's everything I'd sort out before a Korea trip: the eSIM I'd get, the airport train, and where I'd stay. Some are affiliate links, so if you book through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's what keeps these guides free.
Going to Korea soon? Grab my free Survival Korean cheat sheet with the phrases, signs and local rules you'll actually use. And follow @yunjaekorean for more honest Korea tips from a local.
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