If you're a new international student in Korea (or planning to come soon), you're probably excited about traveling and exploring the country during your free time. Whether it's a short weekend trip to Seoul or a long holiday down to Busan, Korea has great transportation options—but only if you know how to use them!

Here’s a helpful guide based on what most students (including me) use regularly. These are beginner-friendly, easy to access even with limited Korean, and make traveling around Korea so much smoother.

🚄 1. KTX – Korea Train Express

KTX is Korea’s high-speed train that connects major cities like Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju. It’s fast, clean, and foreigner-friendly—with an English booking site and app. You can book online, choose your seat, and even refund tickets easily.

Since I live in Daejeon, I often take KTX when I want to go to Seoul or take a solo trip. It only takes around 50 minutes, compared to over 2 hours by bus, so it saves a lot of time. One time, I had an issue where my e-ticket didn’t show up on the app, so I went to the ticket counter and used Papago to explain the problem. The staff simply asked me to insert the card I used to pay, and they printed my ticket right away—no extra fees, no complicated questions or steps. Super quick and easy, even with limited Korean skills!

🚌 2. Express and Intercity Buses (TmoneyGO App)

For students on a budget, express and intercity buses are a great option. They’re cheaper than KTX and go to many cities and smaller towns that trains don’t reach. The buses are clean, comfortable, and usually stop at rest areas for bathroom and snack breaks on longer trips.

You can book tickets through the 티머니GO (TmoneyGO) app. While the app doesn’t have an English version, it’s actually really simple to use. I don’t have strong Korean skills either, but I use Papago to translate everything and I’ve never had any problems. It’s a convenient way to check schedules and book seats without needing to go to the terminal in advance.

🧾 3. T-money Card + 모바일티머니 App

You’ll need a T-money card for subways, buses, and even some taxis and convenience stores. You can buy one at any convenience store like CU, GS25, or 7-Eleven.