Busan Station

Getting here

From Gimhae Airport

Rail is the way in. Take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail from Airport Station to Sasang, about six minutes, change to Line 2 and ride to Seomyeon, then switch to Line 1 for Busan Station or Choryang. This follows the city's official airport-to-City-Hall route, which uses the same two transfers before continuing on Line 1. No airport limousine serves Busan Station, so the alternative is a taxi from the stand on the second floor of the international terminal.

Arriving by KTX

Busan Station is where the KTX from Seoul Station arrives, about 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes according to VisitKorea, and the SRT from Suseo, about 2 hours 30 minutes. From Incheon Airport, KTX via Gwangmyeong takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. KTX-Eum trains from Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni run to Bujeon instead. Line 1 leaves from the station for Seomyeon, City Hall and Nampo, and KORAIL's foreigner line is 1599-7777.

On your doorstep

• Busan Chinatown (Shanghai Street) A street of Chinese culture and cuisine at 1 Jungang-daero 179beon-gil, Dong-gu, in Choryang-dong, open 24 hours. Its Shanghai Gate symbolises the friendship between Busan and Shanghai.
• Busan Chinatown Cultural Festival An annual festival held in Busan Chinatown.
• Choryang Ibagu-gil A hillside route near Busan Station, formed when people built houses on the slope during the time of poverty. The Ibagu Archive Center, the Yu Chi-hwan Postbox and an observatory sit along the way.
• Sanbok Road A wide hilltop road with an open view over downtown Busan. The night scene is especially beautiful.
• Busan Port International Passenger Terminal Ferries to Hitakatsu, Fukuoka, Osaka and Shimonoseki in Japan, close to KTX Busan Station.
• Jagalchi Market One of the largest seafood markets in Korea, a short ride down Line 1. Open 05:00–22:00, closed on the first and third Tuesdays.
• Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower Ride Line 1 to Jungang Station; Exit 5 is about five minutes' walk from the park. The 120-metre tower is open 10:00–22:00.
• Seomyeon Line 1 runs straight to Seomyeon, the transfer to Line 2 for Gwangalli and Haeundae.

One easy day from here

1. Morning Climb Choryang Ibagu-gil from near the station, stopping at the Ibagu Archive Center, the Yu Chi-hwan Postbox and the observatory.
2. Midday Eat in Chinatown's Shanghai Street in Choryang-dong.
3. Afternoon Take Line 1 to Nampo for Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market and BIFF Square, then walk up to Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park.
4. Evening Come back for the view from Sanbok Road, where the night scene over downtown is at its best.

Before you book

• Book between Busan Station and Choryang Station: both are on Line 1, and the trains are a walk away.
• Know your train: KTX and SRT arrive at Busan Station, but KTX-Eum arrives at Bujeon. If that is your train, Seomyeon is the better base.
• Taking a ferry to Japan? The international passenger terminal is close to Busan Station, so a stay here makes an early sailing easy.
• Flying home from Incheon? KTX from Busan Station to Incheon Airport takes about 3 hours 20 minutes, per Korail's guide, so a last night here keeps the morning simple.
• Haeundae and Gwangalli are one change away at Seomyeon. For a beach-heavy trip, base yourself on Line 2 instead.