During our trip from Seoul to Busan & back, we were not able to get a ticket with a seat, and can only make do with a standing ticket. If you are like us, here are some tips on how to survive a standing ticket.
1. Why a standing ticket?
Instead of buying the standard KTX tickets, we bought the Korail Pass (KR Pass), which is a cheaper option to travel to Busan or other cities if you are a foreigner in South Korea. Such KR Pass allows you to ride on certain KTX trains for an unlimited number of times for the pre-defined time frame. However, with the KR Pass, you can only redeem the ticket at the KTX stations instead of pre-booking the ticket, hence, your seat online. Sometimes, especially during the holiday season, no more seats are available during ticket redemption. As such, you might be issues a standing ticket where you could board the train but no seats will be allocated to you.
Similarly, even if you are not purchasing a KR Pass, if you purchase your KTX ticket at the last minute, you might be issued a standing ticket if the seats on the train are fully booked.
If you get a standing ticket, you'll literally have to stand all the way in the KTX train to your destination.
2. Be early to book the golden location - Recommended suggestion
In between the carriages where the doors are, there are 4 foldable seats, probably meant for passengers with standing tickets. Early bird catches the best worms, so board the train early, and grab 1 of these foldable seats before another passenger beats you to it.
Tip: Go towards the 2 ends of the train as the probability of finding an empty folder seat is higher
3. Grab the empty seat
Some seats are vacant for a period of time as the passengers may only board the train at other stops. Once the train starts moving, find 1 of such seats and settle down until you are "chased" away by the rightful owner of the seat. Even though you'll eventually "lose" your rights to the seat, you've already rested for quite while as the stations are usually far away from each other.
According to many websites, many local Koreans also practice this, so do not be shy to sit on an empty seat or feel ashamed about it.
Some seats are vacant for a period of time as the passengers may only board the train at other stops. Once the train starts moving, find 1 of such seats and settle down until you are "chased" away by the rightful owner of the seat. Even though you'll eventually "lose" your rights to the seat, you've already rested for quite while as the stations are usually far away from each other.
According to many websites, many local Koreans also practice this, so do not be shy to sit on an empty seat or feel ashamed about it.
4. Visit the spacious First Class
Note: This option is only for those who do not mind sitting on the floor.
The KTX usually have First Class carriages, and some of these First Class carriages have empty space near the back of the carriage meant for wheelchair bound passengers. In the event there aren't any wheelchair bound passengers, you can sit on the floor at these empty spaces. However, do note that the train conductors have the rights to chase you out of the space, so do get out of sight if they are making their rounds.
5. Be gracious
If you manage to get a seat with above tips, do remember - a good deed is its own reward. In the event another passenger with standing ticket requires the seat more than you, such as an elderly or pregnant passenger, be gracious and give up your seat.
Hope you'll be able to survive the train to Busan with a standing ticket with the above tips.
For suggestions on how to plan your Seoul/Busan trips, browse through my blog to find out more.
To purchase a KR Pass, go to Trazy.com or Korail website to find out more
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