If you’re planning to travel by Korea’s KTX high-speed train, here’s good news: since October 1, tickets can be booked two months before departure instead of one. I live in Seoul, and I know how stressful it is to see a sold-out screen for the dates you want.
KTX booking Korea-What Changed
Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korail announced the change on September 20, and it started on October 1. Rail tickets such as KTX can now be booked two months ahead, up from one month.
It’s a rule for everyone, not only foreigners. But the stated reason is to help visitors, who often book flights about two months ahead and then couldn’t reserve trains for the same trip until much later.
Foreign rail use has been growing fast. About 6.69 million foreigners used Korean trains from January to August 2026, up 68% from the same period last year.
Quick Info
| New booking window | 2 months before departure (was 1 month) |
| Started | October 1, 2026 |
| Applies to | All riders, including foreign visitors |
| Foreigner booking site | Korail’s booking site (letskorail.com) |
| Mobile app | KORAIL+ (free, supports English) |
| Languages | 7 now, 10 by the end of 2026 (French, German and Mongolian coming) |
| Payment | Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay |
| Not yet available | WeChat Pay, Alipay (in development, no date) |
How to Plan Your Booking
Here’s the routine I’d follow:
- Book your flight first. Then count back about two months from the day you want to take the train.
- Set a reminder for the day tickets open, because popular times can go quickly.
- Use a credit card. Korail says overseas Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards are accepted. Some travelers report extra verification or payment errors, so have a backup card ready. WeChat Pay and Alipay aren’t available yet.
- Book on Korail’s site. Go to letskorail.com and check that the page is in your language. If you don’t see yours, English is the safest choice.
- Try the app too. Korail’s app, KORAIL+, is free to download and supports English and six other languages.
Why This Helps If You’re Going Outside Seoul
Busan and Yeosu are popular trips. Before, you could lock in a flight but not the train to get there. Now you can plan the whole route at once.
Heading to Busan? Foreign visitors can also try the K-Tour Pass, a pilot run by Korea’s tourism ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization that started October 1. It costs ₩15,000, and news reports say it can discount trains and buses to Busan by up to 40%, and it includes a transit card. Details are still being rolled out, so check the official sales page before you buy.
If you’re traveling with kids, booking early also means more choice of departure times. I’d still check seats and luggage space directly at booking, because I haven’t verified those details for this change.
FAQ
Does the two-month rule apply to foreigners only?
No. It applies to all riders.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card?
Korail says Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay are accepted. Some users report payment errors, so keep a second card ready.
Can I pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Not yet. Korail says these are in development, with no start date announced.
Is SRT included?
I couldn’t confirm this from the announcements I read. Please check Korail’s site.
Before You Go
Booking opens earlier now, but fares and availability still depend on the date and the train. Check Korail’s official page if anything on the booking screen is unclear.
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