Gyeongbu Line
The Gyeongbu Line is South Korea’s most important and oldest rail line that is operated by Korail. It links Seoul, the capital city, with Busan, the country’s largest port city. All types of trains including high-speed trains, express trains and local trains run frequently on the Gyeongbu Line. It is by far the busiest rail line in South Korea.
Basic Information
- Opened: 1905
- Terminals: Seoul Station, Busan Station
- Length: 442 kilometers (274 miles)
- Services: KTX, ITX-Saemaul, Mugunghwa
- Main stops: Seoul, Yongsan, Noryangjin, Singil, Sindorim, Guro, Geumjeong, Suwon, Cheonan, Daejeon, Daegu, Dongdaegu, Miryang, Hwamyeong, Gupo, Sasang, Busanjin, Busan
Gyeongbu Line Timetable
| KTX Train |
| Seoul to Busan |
Busan to Seoul |
| Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
| 101 |
05:15 - 07:51 |
2 h 36 m |
102 |
05:10 – 07:51 |
2 h 41 m |
| 105 |
06:00 - 08:37 |
2 h 37 m |
106 |
05:45 – 08:27 |
2 h 42 m |
| 107 |
06:35 - 09:16 |
2 h 41 m |
108 |
06:10 – 09:03 |
2 h 53 m |
| 109 |
07:00 - 09:40 |
2 h 40 m |
110 |
07:00 – 09:37 |
2 h 37 m |
| 115 |
08:00 - 10:43 |
2 h 43 m |
116 |
08:40 – 11:22 |
2 h 42 m |
| 119 |
09:35 - 12:24 |
2 h 49 m |
120 |
09:05 – 11:47 |
2 h 42 m |
| 123 |
10:30 - 13:14 |
2 h 44 m |
124 |
10:00 – 12:31 |
2 h 31 m |
| 135 |
13:30 - 16:10 |
2 h 40 m |
136 |
14:00 – 16:45 |
2 h 45 m |
| 205 |
14:15 - 16:32 |
2 h 17 m |
142 |
15:10 – 17:25 |
2 h 15 m |
| 209 |
15:25 - 17:50 |
2 h 25 m |
144 |
15:45 – 18:23 |
2 h 38 m |
| 235 |
16:11 - 19:24 |
3 h 13 m |
294 |
16:30 – 19:09 |
2 h 39 m |
| 255 |
17:15 - 20:12 |
2 h 57 m |
236 |
17:45 – 21:10 |
3 h 25 m |
| 159 |
19:00 - 21:39 |
2 h 39 m |
158 |
19:00 – 21:40 |
2 h 40 m |
| 165 |
20:30 - 22:46 |
2 h 16 m |
164 |
20:40 – 23:21 |
2 h 41 m |
| 169 |
21:30 - 00:12 |
2 h 42 m |
170 |
22:10 – 00:26 |
2 h 16 m |
| Mugunghwa Train |
| Seoul to Busan |
Busan to Seoul |
| Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
| 1201 |
05:56 - 11:29 |
5 h 33 m |
1202 |
05:06 – 10:56 |
5 h 50 m |
| 1203 |
06:38 - 12:02 |
4 h 24 m |
1204 |
05:45 – 11:13 |
5 h 28 m |
| 1205 |
07:10 - 12:36 |
5 h 26 m |
1206 |
07:02 – 12:38 |
5 h 36 m |
| 1207 |
08:10 - 13:44 |
5 h 34 m |
1208 |
07:48 – 13:18 |
5 h 30 m |
| 1209 |
09:56 - 15:35 |
5 h 39 m |
1201 |
09:54 – 15:31 |
5 h 37 m |
| 1211 |
11:15 - 17:08 |
5 h 53 m |
1212 |
10:30 – 15:57 |
5 h 27 m |
| 1213 |
13:16 - 19:00 |
5 h 44 m |
1214 |
11:52 – 17:02 |
5 h 10 m |
| 1215 |
14:26 - 19:51 |
5 h 25 m |
1216 |
12:45 – 18:10 |
5 h 25 m |
| 1217 |
15:06 - 20:40 |
5 h 34 m |
1218 |
14:05 – 19:36 |
5 h 31 m |
| 1219 |
17:40 - 23:08 |
5 h 28 m |
1220 |
15:44 – 21:03 |
5 h 19 m |
| ITX-Saemaul Train |
| Seoul to Busan |
Busan to Seoul |
| Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
Train No. |
Departure - Arrival |
Duration |
| 1001 |
06:16 - 10:58 |
4 h 42 m |
1002 |
06:24 – 11:05 |
4 h 41 m |
| 1003 |
09:16 - 13:56 |
4 h 40 m |
1004 |
09:15 – 13:54 |
4 h 39 m |
| 1005 |
11:05 - 15:47 |
4 h 42 m |
1006 |
11:30 – 16:10 |
4 h 40 m |
| 1009 |
14:03 - 18:46 |
4 h 43 m |
1008 |
13:32 – 18:17 |
4 h 45 m |
| 1011 |
15:55 - 20:26 |
4 h 21 m |
1010 |
15:07 – 19:53 |
4 h 46 m |
History
- 1905: The Gyeongbu Line was completed. The total travel time between Seoul and Busan was 17 hours.
- 1936: The maximum speed of Gyeongbu Line was increased to 90 kph (56 mph) and the travel time was reduced to 6.5 hours.
- 1962: The maximum speed was increased to 100 kph (62 mph) and the travel time between Seoul and Busan reduced to 6 hours 10 minutes.
- 1969: The top speed of the train rose to 110 kph (68 mph). Travel time further decreased to 4 hours 50 minutes between Seoul and Busan.
- Saemaul-ho train service was introduced to the Gyeongbu Line and the top speed increased to 140 kph (87 mph).
- 1970: The Gyeongbu Line began to be switched to electric power.
- 1974: The Gyeongbu Line was so overburdened that a new rail line between Seoul and Busan was proposed.
- 1992: The construction of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway began.
- 2004: The Gyeongbu Line was completely electrified for KTX service.
- 2015: The newly built Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway was put into service, providing passengers with the shortest travel time of only 3.5 hours from Seoul to Busan.
