Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city of Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju Island and a second stint in Seoul, where we are joined by Sehyeon. We’re spending two weeks in South Korea. The ROK is such a popular destination now. Will we experience overtourism?  

After a full 1.5 days in Gyeongju it was time to head to our next stop in this Korea tour: Busan. The busride to Gyeongju Station was less wild, as this time we had seats. 

Basically, we picked up the same Korail KTX-I from Seoul to Busan. But this time, we sat in first class. 

So, what are differences?

At the station

Gyeongju Station is large. It looks a bit like an airport. Have you seen photos of modern stations in the People’s Republic of China, or built by China? It’s the same vibe. Large halls with high ceilings. But a bit ’empty’.

To go to the platform you go through a door indicating it’s the ‘paid area’ but at no point were our tickets checked. 

The platforms are long, because the trains are long. There are signs indicating where your car will stop. Look for them, because you don’t have time to do so once the train is at the station.

First class car

The first class car is organised in a 2+1 configuration. The bus-style seats are large, well padded and comfortable. You get a tablet and a net to store your belongings. 

The seat is old. Testament to this is the two-holed audio outlet you may remember from flights in the 1990s and 2000s. 

Amenities

On this short journey we could grab an unlabelled bottle of water – it’s a thing in Korea – and a snack pack. Nothing too fancy. Train travel in Korea is mostly functional.

So?

Is the upgrade worth it? Actually yes, because if I remember well the price difference wasn’t enormous. And while we had a loud snorer in the car, first class is usually quieter. It’s also a bit more comfortable. 

South Korea 2024

1. QUESTION | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
2. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Brussels to Doha.
3. QATAR | Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
4. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Airbus A350 – Doha to Seoul / Incheon.
5. SOUTH KOREA | Landing at Incheon, retrieving the Wowpass and taking the AREX to Seoul Station.
6. REVIEW | Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul near City Hall.
7. SEOUL | Deoksugung Palace by day.
8. SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum.
9. SEOUL | Bukchon Hanok Village – Insadong Culture Street – Jogyesa Temple – Gwangjang Market – Cheonggyecheon Stream.
10. SEOUL 2024 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
11. SHOPPING IN SEOUL | Myeongdong – Lotte Young Plaza – Avenuel – Lotte Department Store.
12. SEOUL | Namsan Mountain Park and N Seoul Tower.
13. SOUTH KOREA | Seoul Station.
14. REVIEW | Korail KTX Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan.
15. GYEONGJU | Daereungwong – Cheonmachong – Cheomseongdae Observatory – Banwolseong Fortress – Anapji Pond – Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyo-dong.
16. REVIEW | Hotel Palace in Gyeongju.
17. GYEONGJU | Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.
18. GYEONGJU | Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyeongju National Museum – Eupseong Fortress – Shopping.