Seoul to Gyeongju 2026: KTX, SRT or Bus, and a Day Trip Plan

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Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom for close to a thousand years. Today it is a quiet city of grassy royal tombs, temples and low tiled roofs, and Koreans go there on school trips the way others visit Rome.

Getting from Seoul to Gyeongju is easy, with one catch that trips up a lot of first-timers: the KTX does not stop in the city. It stops at Singyeongju Station, out in the fields to the west. Plan the last few kilometers and the trip becomes simple.

This guide compares the train and the bus, explains how to get into town, and gives a day trip plan that works.

Checked on October 30, 2026. Fares and times below come from travel guides and booking sites, not official timetables. Check Korail, SRT or the bus booking site before you travel.

Seoul to Gyeongju at a glance

Option 1: KTX from Seoul Station

The KTX is the fastest choice. Trains leave Seoul Station (some from Yongsan or Haengsin) and reach Singyeongju in about two hours. Recent guides put the one-way fare at roughly 44,000 to 50,000 won, depending on the day and seat class. The Gyeongju city tourism site describes trains running roughly every hour through the day.

Book on the Korail website or app. Weekend mornings and the last trains back sell out first, especially in spring and autumn. Our Seoul to Busan KTX guide shows the booking steps in English.

Option 2: SRT from Suseo

If you are staying in Gangnam or anywhere in south-east Seoul, the SRT from Suseo Station goes to Singyeongju in about the same time. It is a separate company from Korail with its own website and app, and fares are usually slightly cheaper.

Option 3: Express bus

Express buses run from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal in about three and a half hours. Fares are roughly 22,000 to 39,000 won depending on the class of bus. Premium buses have just three wide seats per row, and they feel close to business class.

The bus has one real advantage. It drops you downtown, a short walk or taxi ride from the main sights. The train does not. If you are staying near Hwangnidan-gil, the time difference is smaller than it looks.

Many visitors combine Gyeongju with Busan. If that is your plan, read our Busan to Gyeongju guide for the trains and buses on that side.

From Singyeongju Station into town

Singyeongju sits about 8 km west of central Gyeongju. City buses 60 and 61 run into town, according to recent travel guides, and take T-money. A taxi to Hwangnidan-gil or the tombs costs a fair bit more but saves time, and splits well between three or four people.

Check bus routes and live arrivals on Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps will not give you full directions here. Both apps need mobile data.

If you have bags, use the coin lockers at the station before you head into town.

A one-day plan from Seoul

Morning: tombs and the observatory

Start at Daereungwon, the park of giant grass-covered royal tombs in the middle of town. Early in the day, before the crowds, the mounds cast long shadows and you hear only birds and gravel paths. Walk south to Cheomseongdae, a small stone observatory more than 1,300 years old.

Lunch: Hwangnidan-gil

The streets west of the tombs, known as Hwangnidan-gil, are full of hanok cafes and restaurants. Look for ssambap, a spread of rice with dozens of leaves to wrap it in, or pick up a box of Gyeongju bread, a small pancake filled with sweet red bean paste.

Afternoon: Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa is Gyeongju’s most famous temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or longer by bus from downtown. Allow at least an hour and a half for the stone bridges, pagodas and halls.

Evening: Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Come back to town before sunset for Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. When the lights come on, the pavilions reflect perfectly in the water. It is the photo everyone takes, and it is worth the wait.

Then take a taxi back to Singyeongju for the train to Seoul. Leave at least 30 minutes.

Should you stay overnight?

A day trip works, but it is long: about four hours on trains, plus transfers. Staying one night lets you see the night views without rushing back, and visit Seokguram Grotto above Bulguksa the next morning. Our 2-day Gyeongju itinerary shows how.

Checklist

• Book the KTX or SRT and the return train at the same time
• Remember the train stops at Singyeongju, not downtown
• Take bus 60 or 61, or a taxi, into town
• Do the tombs in the morning, Bulguksa after lunch
• Stay for the lights at Wolji Pond

FAQ

How long is the KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju?

About two hours from Seoul Station to Singyeongju, according to recent guides and the Gyeongju tourism site.

How much is the KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju?

Roughly 44,000 to 50,000 won one way in a standard seat, as of recent guides. Check Korail for the exact fare on your date.

Is the bus or the train better?

The train is faster. The bus is cheaper and arrives downtown. If you hate transfers, take the bus.

Can I do Gyeongju as a day trip from Seoul?

Yes, with an early start and a late train back. It is more relaxed with one night there.

Which station do I need for Gyeongju?

Singyeongju Station for the KTX and SRT. Express buses use Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal downtown.

The short version

Take the KTX from Seoul Station or the SRT from Suseo to Singyeongju, about two hours. Then ride bus 60 or 61, or a taxi, into town. See the tombs in the morning, Bulguksa after lunch and Wolji Pond at dusk. Or take the express bus, which is slower but arrives downtown.