How to Get from Seoul to Gyeongju (Photos + Costs)

Gyeongju quickly became one of my favorite cities in South Korea, and luckily, it’s not hard to reach from Seoul.

Whether you take the KTX, a bus, or a flight, each option has its pros and cons.

After making the trips myself, I’ve figured out which way works best and why.

Here’s a breakdown of the three main ways to get from Seoul to Gyeongju, along with my recommendation.

➡️ Make sure to read my Gyeongju travel guide, including where to stay and what to do in Gyeongju.

Table of Contents

How to Get from Seoul to Gyeongju: Train, Bus or Car?

White and brown Hanok-style 2-floor restaurant in Hwangnidan Street Gyeongju

If you’re coming from Seoul, you can either take the high-speed KTX train, express bus, or car.

While the train is fastest, an express bus is more convenient.

*Estimate costs. Prices may vary:

By Bus	By KTX Train
3.5 hours	2.5 hours + taxi/bus
32,000 won ($24 USD)	60,000 won ($45 USD)
Bus Tickets	Train Tickets / KTX Pass

Driving? 🚙 Rent a car in South Korea for as cheap as $28 USD a day

1. By Express Bus (Recommended)

📲 Book your express bus ticket to Gyeongju

Travel time: 3.5 hours

Price of bus ticket: 32,000 won ($24 USD)

Starting point: Seoul Express Bus Terminal

While the bus takes an hour longer than train, I recommend taking the express bus to get from Seoul to Gyeongju. The bus goes directly to downtown Gyeongju, where most of the main Gyeongju attractions will be.

Plus, you get to experience of going to a rest stop in Korea.

If your trip is at less than a month away, you can buy a ticket from Klook.

How to Buy a Ticket at Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Gray Ticket Counter - Seoul Express Bus Terminal

If you’re booking a ticket in person, you can buy it from the ticket machine or counter.

You can go a few days earlier to buy a ticket in person, or check the seat availability on txbuse.t-money.co.kr (you won’t be able to buy a ticket on this site unless you have a local Korea bank card).

If your trip is at least a month later, you can always book a ticket on Klook. Buy early if visiting during peak seasons.

Instructions:

1. Take the subway to the Seoul Express Bus Terminal stop.

2. Walk towards exit 1 and follow the signs for Express Bus Terminal.

Blue Signs to Seoul Express Bus Terminal

3. Follow the signs for the Gyeongbu Line.

Inside Seoul Express Bus Terminal, a long white walkway with stores inside

4. Keep walking until you reach the ticket counter or machines. Note: Signboard schedules don’t appear in English. You’ll have to ask, look at the ticket kiosk, or look online for the schedule.

5. Buy a ticket at a ticket kiosk or ticket counter. The kiosk is easy to use and is available in English:

Ticket Kiosk of choosing destination option - Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Under destination, choose “G” and look for “Gyeongju”
Choose your departure time.
Select your seat.
Pay with cash or credit card.

Ticket Kiosk of choosing bus time option - Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Ticket Kiosk of choosing seat option - Seoul Express Bus Terminal

6. Wait for your bus.

You can wait inside across the ticket counter where there are lots of comfortable seats, or in the waiting rooms near the platform.

A white and yellow ticket on someone's lap

7. Head to your bus platform.

You ticket will show the platform number on the right.
Head outside to the platform and look for your platform number. The signboard will also say “Gyeongju.” In this case, it was platform 9.

Outside Seoul Express Bus Terminal, a line of white pillars and white charter buses waiting

9. On the Bus Ride from Seoul to Gyeongju

Inside an empty Express Bus with red and black elather seats Seoul to Gyeongju

Rest Stop for Seoul to Gyeongju Bus with blue stores

You load in your own luggage and scan your ticket.
Seatbelt is required. The drivers usually don’t speak English but will signal to use your seatbelt.
They stop once at a rest stop. It was around 15 minutes. It was announced in Korean, so either ask or just be extra mindful of the time.

📲 Check Klook if you can buy your bus ticket online

🎥 Watch my Gyeongju Vlog:

📍Gyeongju Korea Travel Guide: 12 Things To Do +Itineraries - Cheomseongdae, Bulguksa, Gyeongju World

Watch this video on YouTube

2. By KTX High-Speed Train

Travel time: 2.5 hours

Price of KTX train: 60,000 won ($45 USD)

Starting point: Seoul Station

If you take the train, the train stops in Gyeongju Station (used to be called Singyeongju Station), but the train station is far from Gyeongju city center.

This is why I recommend taking the express bus to Gyeongju.

The correct Google address for the station is still listed as Singyeongju Station.

From the train station, you take an additional 15-30 minute bus or taxi to Gyeongju city center.

The train from Seoul to Gyeongju takes about 2.5 hours or less and will cost around 60,000 won ($45 USD).

🎫 You can prebook your train ticket to Gyeongju online.

🚊 If you’re traveling to multiple cities in Korea, save money with a KTX Pass

To travel from Seoul to Gyeongju by KTX, follow these steps:

Seoul Station Train Platform with a man and nun waiting

1. Take the subway or bus to Seoul Station, which is the main railway station in Seoul.

2. Purchase your train ticket to Gyeongju online, or in person at the station. If you’re traveling to multiple cities in Korea, you can also buy a KTX Pass online. Make sure to check the train schedule and ticket availability during peak travel seasons.

3. Head to the platform and seat listed on your ticket.

Gyeongju (Singyeongju Station) to City Center

Once in Gyeongju (Singyeongju Station), either take taxi or bus to Gyeongju city center:

Taxi: Grab a taxi to your destination (either through Kakao T app or hail a taxi there. While not always available, Uber does work in South Korea.)

The taxi ride will take 15-20 minutes and may cost around $13 USD.

Bus: There are frequent buses outside the train station that will take you to the Gyeongju bus terminals in downtown Gyeongju. Look for buses 50, 70, or 700. Confirm on Kakao or Naver Maps.

The bus ride will take 30 minutes and cost around $2 USD.

3. By Car

🚙 If you want to try driving in Korea, rent a car. Check rates here

The driving distance from Seoul to Gyeongju is approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles), and the travel time by car will vary depending on traffic and what route you take.

On average, the drive takes around 3.5 hours.

Use Naver or Kakao Maps for directions. Do not use Google Maps, as it’s not optimized for South Korea.

➡️ Check prices for car rentals in South Korea (pick up in Seoul).

4. By Group Tours to Gyeongju

Lit up trees and traditional Korean buildings surrounding Wolji Pond at night in Gyeongju

There are a few tours from Seoul to Gyeongju where you can explore the highlights of Gyeongju, then return to Seoul on the same day.

The tours typically include transportation, a guide, and visits to key attractions.

They can be a bit pricier, but if you like the convenience and ease of planned tours, here are some options:

1. Korail Day Trip to Gyeongju’s Unesco World Heritage Sites (pick up in Seoul)

2. Gyeongju one-day trip from Seoul (Optional drop off in Busan)

3. 2-Day Gyeongju Rail Tour from Seoul

Where to Stay in Gyeongju

My main recommended area is downtown Gyeongju, where you can walk to the main attractions.

If you’re not sure, read my full post on best areas to stay in Gyeongju. Here’s some hotels:

Traveler Type	Neighborhood
Best Night Views	Gyeongju Wadamjung Hanok Pension
Best Hanok Stay	Hwangnamkwan Hanok Guesthouse
Bomun Lake Area	Sono Belle Gyeongju Hotel
Downtown	Hotel Palace Gyeongju

🔄 How to Get from Gyeongju to Seoul

If you are heading back to Seoul from Gyeongju, you can take either the Express Bus or KTX train, similar to above.

1. By KTX Train

Again, if you take the train, you will have to take a bus or taxi to the Gyeongju (Singyeongju) KTX Station, then the KTX train to the Seoul Station, where you can take the subway.

The train from Gyeongju to Seoul takes about 2.5 hours or less and will cost around 60,000 won ($45 USD).

🎫 Prebook your train ticket back to Seoul online.

2. Two Bus Terminals in Gyeongju

📲 Check Klook for the express bus schedule and tickets

If taking the express bus, there are two bus stations in Gyeongju that are right next to each other:

Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal ⭐️
Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal

The older bus station sells tickets that are slightly cheaper, but I recommend taking the bus from the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, the newer terminal.

To differentiate, this intercity bus terminal looks more modern, has a convenience store inside, and there will be self-service ticket kiosks near the entrance.

Outside a newer white Intercity Bus Terminal Gyeongju

The bus ticket from Gyeongju to Seoul costs around $25 USD and will take 3.5 hours.

It will stop at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal where you can take the subway. You can also use this bus terminal to go to other cities like Busan.

Check the schedule on txbuse.t-money.co.kr.

If your trip is less than a month away, you can buy a bus ticket on Klook.

Otherwise, it’s easy to buy a ticket in person at the bus terminal on the kiosks.

📲 Book your express bus ticket to/from Gyeongju

Final Thoughts: Best Way to Get from Seoul to Gyeongju

Cheomseongdae Observatory in early evening_Gyeongju South Korea

I recommend taking the express bus as it’s more convenient and goes directly to city center, but if you’ve never taken the KTX train South Korea and want to experience it, you can also take the the train.

Whichever route you get to Gyeongju, I recommend staying at least one night or commute back to Seoul in the evening so that you can see the best of Gyeongju attractions.

Gyeongju has some of the best night views I’ve seen in Korea.

➡️ You’ll see why in my Gyeongju travel guide.

Enjoy your trip to Gyeongju!