Seoul to Gangneung: verified KTX fare and complete trip math
The train reaches Gangneung Station; your beach, café or accommodation may still require local transport. Separate those costs before comparing rail passes.
Current verified KTX fare
Seoul Station → Gangneung Station · standard seat
| Traveler | Outbound | Return leg | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 13+ | ₩27,600 | ₩27,600 | ₩55,200 |
| Ages 6–12 | ₩13,800 | ₩13,800 | ₩27,600 |
Checked 12 Aug 2026. Fare version valid from 15 May 2026 through 31 Aug 2026. Source: KORAIL / Let's Korail official site. Prices are canonical database records, not live booking quotes.
The figures above cover only standard-seat KTX tickets for this station pair. Train-specific availability, first-class upgrades, other train types and local transfers are separate. Confirm the timetable and final ticket price with the operator before purchase.
What matters on this route
The canonical fare ends at Gangneung Station. A coastal stop, resort or outlying café is not automatically walkable from the rail station, so model that final connection as local transport rather than quietly folding it into the train ticket.
Return-day timing also matters. A Select pass is based on legal usage dates, not elapsed sightseeing hours, and the calculator keeps the actual dates you enter.
Tickets or a KORAIL Pass?
A single east-coast return may leave individual tickets cheapest; adding a real long-distance trip on another date can change the candidate set. The correct comparison includes uncovered journeys and never assigns value to travel you did not plan.
Worked examples using current verified data
These are controlled examples, calculated on 19 Aug 2026 for the dates shown. They are not a substitute for entering your own itinerary.
| Example itinerary | Tickets | Best pass strategy | Cheapest result |
|---|---|---|---|
| One adult, route return A same-day KTX return on 2026-08-26. | ₩55,200 | ₩131,000 Korea Rail Pass — Select 2 Days | Individual tickets ₩55,200 · best pass costs ₩75,800 more |
| Two adults, route return The same return for two adults, including any eligible group pass price. | ₩110,400 | ₩242,000 Korea Rail Pass — Select 2 Days | Individual tickets ₩110,400 · best pass costs ₩131,600 more |
| One adult, route return + a Seoul–Busan return Two separate rail days (2026-08-26 and 2026-08-28) inside a 10-day comparison window. | ₩174,800 | ₩131,000 Korea Rail Pass — Select 2 Days | Korea Rail Pass — Select 2 Days ₩131,000 · saves ₩43,800 |
Method: exhaustive deterministic candidate comparison with one pass at most per traveler/group. All displayed scenarios have high or medium data confidence. Unused journeys are never added as savings.
A route page cannot decide a pass from one leg alone. The calculator prices every journey, every eligible product and every legal Select-pass date combination, then includes uncovered tickets exactly once.
Before you book
- Use Gangneung Station as the rail endpoint.
- Budget the separate last-mile ride to your destination.
- Check the operator timetable for your exact departure.
- Compare the whole itinerary, not a marketing list of possible trips.