Booking train tickets in Korea is a common task for travelers and residents alike. This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate the process, whether you’re booking online, using an app, or purchasing tickets directly at the station. Mastering these expressions will allow you to confidently arrange your train travel throughout South Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the action of booking a train ticket.
- Expression: 기차표 예매하기 (Gichapyo yemaehagi)
Pronunciation: gi-cha-pyo yeh-mae-ha-gi
Meaning: Booking a train ticket (To book a train ticket)
Essential Vocabulary
Understanding these key terms is crucial for the booking process.
- Expression: 기차 (Gicha)
Pronunciation: gi-cha
Meaning: Train - Expression: 기차역 (Gichayeok)
Pronunciation: gi-cha-yeok
Meaning: Train station - Expression: 표 (Pyo)
Pronunciation: pyo
Meaning: Ticket - Expression: 예매 (Yemae)
Pronunciation: yeh-mae
Meaning: Booking, reservation (often used for tickets) - Expression: 발권 (Balgwon)
Pronunciation: bal-gwon
Meaning: Issuing a ticket - Expression: 출발 (Chulbal)
Pronunciation: chul-bal
Meaning: Departure - Expression: 도착 (Dochak)
Pronunciation: doh-chak
Meaning: Arrival - Expression: 좌석 (Jwaseok)
Pronunciation: jwa-seok
Meaning: Seat - Expression: 일반실 (Ilbansil)
Pronunciation: il-ban-shil
Meaning: Standard class (economy) - Expression: 특실 (Teuksil)
Pronunciation: teuk-shil
Meaning: First class - Expression: 편도 (Pyeondo)
Pronunciation: pyeon-doh
Meaning: One-way (ticket) - Expression: 왕복 (Wangbok)
Pronunciation: wang-bok
Meaning: Round trip (ticket) - Expression: 시간표 (Siganpyo)
Pronunciation: shi-gan-pyo
Meaning: Timetable, schedule
Booking Online/App Phrases
These phrases are commonly encountered when using websites or mobile apps like KorailTalk.
- Expression: 출발지 선택 (Chulbalji seontaek)
Pronunciation: chul-bal-ji seon-taek
Meaning: Select departure station - Expression: 도착지 선택 (Dochakji seontaek)
Pronunciation: doh-chak-ji seon-taek
Meaning: Select arrival station - Expression: 가는 날짜 선택 (Ganeun naljja seontaek)
Pronunciation: ga-neun nal-jja seon-taek
Meaning: Select departure date - Expression: 열차 조회하기 (Yeolcha johoehagi)
Pronunciation: yeol-cha joh-hoe-ha-gi
Meaning: Search for trains - Expression: 좌석 선택 (Jwaseok seontaek)
Pronunciation: jwa-seok seon-taek
Meaning: Select seat - Expression: 예약하기 (Yeyakhagi)
Pronunciation: yeh-yak-ha-gi
Meaning: Make reservation / Book - Expression: 결제하기 (Gyeoljehagi)
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-ha-gi
Meaning: Proceed to payment - Expression: 예매 내역 확인 (Yemae naeyeok hwagin)
Pronunciation: yeh-mae nae-yeok hwa-gin
Meaning: Check booking details - Expression: 승차권 발권 (Seungchagwon balgwon)
Pronunciation: seung-cha-gwon bal-gwon
Meaning: Issue boarding pass/ticket - Expression: 예매 취소 (Yemae chwiso)
Pronunciation: yeh-mae chwi-so
Meaning: Cancel booking - Expression: 변경하기 (Byeongyeonghagi)
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Change/Modify - Expression: 로그인 (Logeuin)
Pronunciation: lo-geu-in
Meaning: Login
Booking at the Station Phrases
Use these expressions when interacting with staff at a train station ticket counter.
- Expression: 서울 가는 기차표 예매하고 싶어요. (Seoul ganeun gichapyo yemaehago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: seo-ul ga-neun gi-cha-pyo yeh-mae-ha-go shi-peo-yo
Meaning: I want to book a train ticket to Seoul. - Expression: 부산 가는 KTX 표 한 장 주세요. (Busan ganeun KTX pyo han jang juseyo.)
Pronunciation: bu-san ga-neun KTX pyo han jang ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me one KTX ticket to Busan. - Expression: 내일 오전 10시 기차 있어요? (Naeil ojeon yeol-si gicha isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: nae-il oh-jeon yeol-shi gi-cha iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a train tomorrow at 10 AM? - Expression: 가장 빠른 기차는 몇 시예요? (Gajang ppareun gichaneun myeot siyeyo?)
Pronunciation: ga-jang ppa-reun gi-cha-neun myeot shi-ye-yo?
Meaning: What time is the earliest train? - Expression: 편도로 주세요. (Pyeondoro juseyo.)
Pronunciation: pyeon-do-ro ju-se-yo
Meaning: One-way, please. - Expression: 왕복으로 주세요. (Wangbogeuro juseyo.)
Pronunciation: wang-bo-geu-ro ju-se-yo
Meaning: Round trip, please. - Expression: 어른 두 명, 아이 한 명이에요. (Eoreun du myeong, ai han myeongieyo.)
Pronunciation: eo-reun du myeong, a-i han myeong-i-e-yo
Meaning: It’s for two adults and one child. - Expression: 창가 쪽 좌석으로 주세요. (Changga jjok jwaseogeuro juseyo.)
Pronunciation: chang-ga jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me a window seat. - Expression: 통로 쪽 좌석으로 주세요. (Tongno jjok jwaseogeuro juseyo.)
Pronunciation: tong-no jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me an aisle seat. - Expression: 얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? - Expression: 카드로 계산할게요. (Kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo.)
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요. (Hyeongeumeuro gyesanhalgeyo.)
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash.
Asking Questions
Common questions you might need to ask about your train journey.
- Expression: 이 기차는 어디로 가나요? (I gichaneun eodiro ganayo?)
Pronunciation: i gi-cha-neun eo-di-ro ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Where does this train go? - Expression: 몇 번 승강장에서 타요? (Myeot beon seunggangjangeseo tayo?)
Pronunciation: myeot beon seung-gang-jang-e-seo ta-yo?
Meaning: Which platform do I board from? - Expression: 기차가 연착되었나요? (Gichaga yeonchakdoeonnayo?)
Pronunciation: gi-cha-ga yeon-chak-doe-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the train delayed? - Expression: 환승해야 하나요? (Hwanseunghaeya hanayo?)
Pronunciation: hwan-seung-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to transfer? - Expression: 다음 역은 어디예요? (Daeum yeogeun eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: da-eum yeo-geun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the next station? - Expression: 이 좌석이 맞나요? (I jwaseogi mannayo?)
Pronunciation: i jwa-seo-gi man-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this the correct seat? - Expression: 제 표 좀 확인해 주시겠어요? (Je pyo jom hwaginhae jusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: je pyo jom hwa-gin-hae ju-shi-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check my ticket? - Expression: 도착 예정 시간이 언제예요? (Dochak yejeong sigani eonjeyeyo?)
Pronunciation: doh-chak yeh-jeong shi-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the estimated arrival time? - Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요? (Waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? (Often available on KTX) - Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있어요? (Hwajangsireun eodie isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-shil-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? - Expression: 콘센트는 어디에 있어요? (Konsenteuneun eodie isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: kon-sen-teu-neun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the power outlet? - Expression: 짐 놓는 곳이 어디예요? (Jim nonneun gosi eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: jim non-neun go-shi eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the luggage storage area?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can enhance your train travel experience in Korea.
- Booking in Advance: Especially for popular routes (like Seoul-Busan) and during holidays (Chuseok, Seollal) or weekends, it’s highly recommended to book KTX tickets well in advance as they sell out quickly.
- KorailTalk App: The KorailTalk app is the official and most convenient way for foreigners and locals to book train tickets (KTX, ITX, Mugunghwa, etc.). It supports English and other languages.
- Standing Tickets (입석 – Ipseok): If seats are sold out, sometimes “standing tickets” are available, allowing you to board the train but without an assigned seat. You can usually sit in unoccupied seats until the ticket holder boards or use foldable seats in the vestibules.
- Ticket Checking: While conductors sometimes check tickets, often the system relies on passengers sitting in their assigned seats. However, always keep your ticket (physical or digital) accessible.
- Quiet Cars: Some trains may have designated quiet cars. Even in regular cars, Koreans generally maintain a quiet atmosphere, avoiding loud phone calls or conversations.
Real Conversation Example
This example demonstrates booking a ticket at the station counter. Situation: A traveler wants to buy a one-way KTX ticket to Busan for the next day. Roles: A: Traveler, B: Station Agent
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 부산 가는 기차표 예매하고 싶어요. (Annyeonghaseyo. Busan ganeun gichapyo yemaehago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. bu-san ga-neun gi-cha-pyo yeh-mae-ha-go shi-peo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I want to book a train ticket to Busan. - Expression: B: 네. 언제 출발하시나요? (Ne. Eonje chulbalhasinayo?)
Pronunciation: ne. eon-je chul-bal-ha-shi-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes. When would you like to depart? - Expression: A: 내일 오전에 가고 싶어요. 가장 빠른 KTX는 몇 시예요? (Naeil ojeone gago sipeoyo. Gajang ppareun KTXneun myeot siyeyo?)
Pronunciation: nae-il oh-jeon-e ga-go shi-peo-yo. ga-jang ppa-reun KTX-neun myeot shi-ye-yo?
Meaning: I want to go tomorrow morning. What time is the earliest KTX? - Expression: B: 내일 오전 8시 KTX 있습니다. 괜찮으세요? (Naeil ojeon yeodeol-si KTX itseumnida. Gwaenchanuseyo?)
Pronunciation: nae-il oh-jeon yeo-deol-shi KTX it-sseum-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: There is a KTX at 8 AM tomorrow. Is that okay? - Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 편도로 한 장 주세요. 창가 쪽으로요. (Ne, joayo. Pyeondoro han jang juseyo. Changga jjogeuroyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. pyeon-do-ro han jang ju-se-yo. chang-ga jjo-geu-ro-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s good. One one-way ticket, please. A window seat. - Expression: B: 네. 성함과 연락처 알려주시겠어요? (Ne. Seonghamgwa yeollakcheo allyeojusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: ne. seong-ham-gwa yeol-lak-cheo al-lyeo-ju-shi-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Okay. Could you please tell me your name and contact number? (Note: Sometimes required, sometimes not, especially for foreigners paying immediately). - Expression: A: [Provides name and number]. 얼마예요? ([Provides name and number]. Eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: [Provides name and number]. eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: [Provides name and number]. How much is it? - Expression: B: 59,800원입니다. 어떻게 결제하시겠어요? (Oman gucheon palbaegwonimnida. Eotteoke gyeoljehasigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: oh-man gu-cheon pal-baek-won-im-ni-da. eo-tteo-ke gyeol-je-ha-shi-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: It’s 59,800 won. How would you like to pay? - Expression: A: 카드로 할게요. (Kadeuro halgeyo.)
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. - Expression: B: 네. 여기 표 받으세요. 8시 기차, 5호차 12A 좌석입니다. 7번 승강장에서 타시면 됩니다. (Ne. Yeogi pyo badeuseyo. Yeodeol-si gicha, o-hocha sibi-ei jwaseogimnida. Chil-beon seunggangjangeseo tasimyeon doemnida.)
Pronunciation: ne. yeo-gi pyo ba-deu-se-yo. yeo-deol-shi gi-cha, oh-ho-cha shib-i-ei jwa-seo-gim-ni-da. chil-beon seung-gang-jang-e-seo ta-shi-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay. Here is your ticket. It’s the 8 AM train, car number 5, seat 12A. You can board from platform 7.
Practice Tips
Now that you have the phrases, try practicing them~! Use the KorailTalk app (you can practice searching without booking) or role-play the conversation example with a friend. Listen carefully to announcements at train stations in Korea if you get the chance. The more you practice, the easier booking train tickets will become! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
