How to Book KTX Tickets as a Foreigner (2026): Korail+ App, KR Pass & SR Merger Explained

Updated October 19, 2026. KTX rules changed a lot this autumn, so I checked Korail's announcements and recent news before writing this.

Booking a KTX ticket as a foreigner used to mean two operators, two apps, and Korean-only screens. In 2026 it got simpler. This guide covers what changed, how to book with a foreign card, how the Korea Rail Pass (KORAIL Pass) works, and Seoul–Busan basics.

Quick answer: Open Korail's English website (korail.com/global/eng/main) in Chrome or Safari, search your route, enter an email and a numeric password, and pay with an overseas credit card. You do not need to sign up or have a Korean phone number.

Photo: Byung Chul Min via Pexels (Pexels License).

Is SR (SRT) Gone? The KTX Merger Explained

Yes, mostly. According to Korea's transport ministry and Korail, the two operators, Korail (KTX) and SR (SRT), completed their institutional merger, and integrated operation began on September 1, 2026. Yonhap and Korail's own press release both reported this.

Inside a former SRT train, now running as KTX after the merger. Photo: Jin from Korea

• The SRT name is retired. Former SRT trains now run under Korail as "KTX-Sancheon," according to Korail and Korean financial press.
• One booking system. Both Seoul Station and Suseo trains can be searched and booked through Korail (website and the Korail+ app). The old SRT app and website ended high-speed ticket sales on August 31, apart from a limited non-member booking period.
• Fares dropped. KTX fares were lowered to the old SRT level, about 10% on average. Seoul–Busan went from ₩59,800 to ₩54,400, according to Korail.
• More seats. The government said about 15,000 extra seats per weekday and up to about 17,000 on weekends.

One caveat: SR as a legal company was absorbed into Korail, and a temporary "integrated business management division" may handle former SR work for up to three years. For passengers, the SRT brand is gone. Older guides that tell you to create separate Korail and SRT accounts are out of date.

How to Book KTX Tickets as a Foreigner

Which site or app should you use?

Option	Good for visitors?
Korail English website (korail.com/global/eng/main)	Yes, start here
Korail+ app (formerly Korail Talk)	Yes, with your phone set to English
Station counter or ticket machine	Yes
Naver, Kakao T	Probably not
SRT app / SR website	No longer needed

Notes:

• Korail English website: No account. Email and numeric password. Overseas cards accepted.
• Korail+ app: Supports English and six other languages. Korail says its foreign-language booking inside the app runs on the same web-based flow that needs only an email and a password, with no Korean identity check. For overseas-card payment, the website is the best-documented route.
• Station counter or ticket machine: Newer machines take overseas cards. Counter is the backup if online payment fails.
• Naver, Kakao T: Listed by the Korea Tourism Organization as booking channels, but they generally need Korean-language accounts and Korean identity verification, so skip them as a visitor and use Korail's English site.
• SRT app / SR website: High-speed sales moved to Korail.

Step-by-step: booking on Korail's English site

1. Open korail.com/global/eng/main in Chrome, Samsung Internet or Safari. Korail warns that opening it inside a social-media or portal app may not work.
2. Choose departure and arrival stations, date and number of passengers. Tickets go on sale two months ahead at 7:00 a.m. Korea time. This window started on October 1, 2026; it used to be one month.
3. Pick a train. The site now offers a seat map.
4. Enter your email and a numeric password (reportedly 6 to 13 digits). You need the exact same email and password to look up, change or cancel the ticket, so save them.
5. Pay with an overseas card. English booking pages and government notices list Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and often JCB; some guides also mention Amex and Diners. If a card fails, try another brand or the station counter.
6. Find your ticket later under MY TICKET with the same email and password.

Do I need a passport number or membership?

For a regular ticket, the English booking screens reportedly do not ask for a passport number, and membership is not required. A passport is required for the KORAIL Pass. You need to show it on board with the pass.

If your foreign card is declined

• Turn on 3D Secure or online-payment verification in your banking app. This is the most commonly reported cause.
• Type your name exactly as printed on the card.
• Use Chrome or Safari directly, not an in-app browser.
• Check Korail's English home-page notices. Payment-service announcements are posted there, so a quick look before you pay can save you a failed attempt.
• Fall back to a station counter. Korail says about 148 stations have newer machines that accept overseas cards, and Seoul Station has a foreigner priority counter.

What about Korail+ (formerly Korail Talk)?

Korail+ (formerly Korail Talk, updated August 3, 2026) replaces the old SRT app for integrated booking. The App Store lists English, Japanese, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Thai, Vietnamese and Korean. Korail has said that when you switch the app to a foreign language it opens a web-based booking flow that works with just an email address and a password, so no Korean identity verification is needed. The app follows your phone's language, and a language icon at the top right of the home screen lets you change it. Overseas-card payment in the app is not spelled out in Korail's guidance, so I would book on the English website, then use the app to show your ticket.

Your ticket

Tickets are issued as a mobile ticket or home-printed ticket. Screenshots are not valid. Station machines reportedly stop selling about 10 minutes before departure, so do not leave it to the last minute.

Most KTX platforms have a glass waiting room like this one. Photo: Jin from Korea

Photo: Yeochan Lee via Pexels (Pexels License).

Seoul to Busan: Time, Price and Stations

	Details
Fastest travel time	About 2 hours 15 minutes from Seoul Station (some trains take longer)
Standard (economy) fare	₩54,400 one way since September 1, 2026 (was ₩59,800)
First class	About ₩78,900 per one secondary report. Check the booking screen.
Booking window	Two months ahead, from 7:00 a.m. KST

Fares can vary by train, seat and day, so treat these as a guide and confirm at checkout.

Which Seoul station?

• Seoul Station: the main hub and the easiest for most visitors, with Busan trains running frequently.
• Suseo Station (Gangnam side): the former SRT terminal, now selling KTX-Sancheon tickets. The English site makes you choose one departure station per search, so search Suseo separately if Seoul Station is sold out.
• Yongsan Station: used for some Honam and Jeolla line trains, so check it if you are heading to Gwangju, Jeonju or Yeosu.

In Busan, KTX arrives at Busan Station. Some new routes via Gupo were announced, but check your ticket for the exact stop. Getting around the city afterwards is easy with a transit card; see my guide to the T-money card in Korea.

Seat Types, Discounts and Standing Tickets

• Economy (standard) and First class. Reserved seats are best on weekends and holidays.
• Standing or unreserved tickets are sometimes sold when seats run out.
• Children and infants: discounts apply when you enter the passenger age. The age cutoffs shown in English guides are inconsistent, so follow the booking screen.
• Mileage: members earn 5% on fares, including Suseo trains. Non-account bookings do not earn mileage.

Changing or Refunding a Ticket

Cancel non-member tickets under MY TICKET with your email and password, or at a station counter. Fees depend on the day and how close it is to departure (figures below from Korail's English guide as summarized by third parties, early October 2026):

When you cancel	Mon–Thu trains	Fri–Sun and holidays
Until 2 days before	Free	Small minimum fee
Day before	Free	About 5%
Departure day, until 3 hours before	Free	About 10%
Within 3 hours of departure	About 5%	About 20%
After departure (station counter only)	15% to 70%	30% to 70%

Refunds to overseas cards reportedly take two weeks to a month. Sources differ slightly on the exact percentages, so confirm on the cancellation screen before you confirm.

Is the KORAIL Pass (Korea Rail Pass) Worth It?

The KORAIL Pass is sold only to foreign visitors. Korean nationals cannot use it. You need a valid passport and a credit card to buy it. Korail's own pass page lists a mix of select (flexible) and consecutive products, and third-party guides sometimes show different 3- and 5-day figures, so treat the table as a starting point and confirm at checkout.

Pass (as commonly listed)	Adult	Child (6–12)
2-day select (within 10 days)	₩131,000	₩66,000
3-day (check select vs consecutive on site)	about ₩165,000–₩186,000	about ₩83,000–₩93,000
4-day select (within 10 days)	₩234,000	₩117,000
5-day (check select vs consecutive on site)	about ₩244,000–₩275,000	about ₩122,000–₩138,000

Korail's English pass page (letskorail) has shown 2- and 4-day select passes plus 3- and 5-day consecutive passes, while some October 2026 travel guides list four flexible "FX" passes. Ages and youth tiers also vary by page. Always buy on Korail's official pass page.

• Seat reservations are limited to two per day per person, and standing is allowed if trains are full.
• Carry your pass, seat ticket and passport.
• First-class seats cost an extra 50% of the first-class fare.
• Metro, temporary tourist trains and DMZ trains are not covered.
• Whether former SRT trains from Suseo are covered is not clearly stated. Call Korail's English line at +82-1599-7777 before relying on it.

Does it pay off? A Seoul–Busan return at standard fares is ₩108,800 (2 × ₩54,400), which is less than the cheapest pass. Since the September fare cut, the pass only makes sense if you take several long trips within a few days.

FAQ

Does SR still exist?

As a passenger brand, no. SRT trains are now sold as KTX-Sancheon by Korail since September 1, 2026.

Can I book KTX without a Korean phone number?

Yes, on Korail's English website with an email and password. Korean-language booking flows may require Korean identity verification.

Do I need my passport to buy a regular ticket?

Not according to the English booking screens as reported. You do need it for the KORAIL Pass.

How far ahead can I book?

Two months ahead, from 7:00 a.m. Korea time, since October 1, 2026. Holiday trains such as Chuseok and Seollal can have special booking dates.

Can I pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay?

Not yet. The government said support is under development, with no launch date I could find.

Who do I call for help?

Korail's English-language line is +82-1599-7777. Published opening hours differ, so check the site first.

Prices and rules change often. Always check Korail's official site before you book. If you notice something out of date, let me know on the Contact page.