How to Take an Express or Intercity Bus in Korea
Korea has two kinds of long-distance bus, express and intercity, and Seoul has four main terminals, so the first job is picking the terminal that serves your destination. Buses reach areas that trains cannot, according to the Korea Tourism Organization's (KTO) bus guide, last updated June 5, 2026. Routes and booking rules change, so confirm with the booking site or the 1330 Travel Hotline (+82-2-1330).
1. Express bus or intercity bus?
KTO divides Korea's long-distance buses into two types, and the difference matters for both speed and destination.
| Express bus (고속버스) | Intercity bus (시외버스) | |
|---|---|---|
| Roads | Expressways only | Expressways and national highways |
| Stops on the way | None in cities along the route | Intermediate stops in cities |
| Destinations | Major cities | A wider range, including smaller regional towns |
| Seat classes | Standard and premium | Standard and luxury |
| Late night | Extra charge | Extra charge |
A simple rule: if you are going from one big city to another, look at express buses first. If your destination is a smaller town, a mountain area, or a coastal village, an intercity bus may get you there directly. KTO notes that some intercity routes connect smaller cities to each other, which can save a transfer through Seoul.
2. Which Seoul terminal to use
This is the step travelers most often get wrong. KTO lists four main long-distance terminals in Seoul, and express and intercity buses to the same destination may leave from different ones.
| Terminal | Subway | Mainly serves |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Express Bus Terminal | Express Bus Terminal Station, Lines 3, 7, 9 | Eastern and southeastern Korea: Gangwon, North Chungcheong, Daegu and North Gyeongsang, Busan and South Gyeongsang |
| Central City Express Bus Terminal | Same station as above | Southwestern Korea: South Chungcheong, Jeonbuk, Gwangju and South Jeolla |
| Seoul Nambu Terminal | Nambu Terminal Station, Line 3 | Intercity buses to parts of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, and South Gyeongsang |
| Dong Seoul Terminal | Gangbyeon Station, Line 2 | Both express and intercity buses, many to Gangwon and Gyeonggi |
KTO's own shortcuts:
- Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, Pohang: Seoul Express Bus Terminal.
- Gwangju, Jeonju, Mokpo, Suncheon, Yeosu: Central City Express Bus Terminal.
- Gangneung, Sokcho, most of Gangwon: Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal.
- Smaller South Gyeongsang cities such as Jinju and Tongyeong: Seoul Nambu Terminal has direct intercity routes.
The first two terminals share a subway station but are separate buildings with separate routes, so check the terminal name on your ticket, not just the station. If a terminal is called a "jonghap terminal" (종합터미널), it handles both express and intercity routes.
3. How to buy a ticket
According to KTO, you can buy tickets:
- Online, through the official booking sites (kobus.co.kr for express buses; txbus.t-money.co.kr or bustago.or.kr for intercity buses), all available in English, Japanese, and Chinese. KTO notes that regional restrictions may affect access to some booking sites from certain countries.
- Through affiliated platforms, which KTO names as Klook and Hanpass.
- In person at ticket offices or kiosks inside the terminal.
Payment by cash, credit card, or mobile pay is accepted. One detail to watch: depending on the route and how you booked, you may need to print your ticket at the departure terminal's ticket office before boarding. KTO advises confirming your booking before you travel.
4. Boarding
At the terminal, find your departure platform on the screens in the waiting area. KTO says you can usually board 5 to 10 minutes before departure. Allow extra time if you still need to print a ticket or find the right gate.
5. No restrooms on board: the rest stop system
Korean long-distance buses do not have onboard restrooms. Instead, mid- and long-distance routes make scheduled stops at highway service areas called hyugeso (휴게소). KTO describes them as clean and well equipped, with restrooms, nursing rooms, tourist information centers, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and EV chargers.
They are also known for road snacks. KTO mentions sotteok-sotteok (sausage and rice cake skewers), potato corn dogs, and hotteok (sweet filled pancakes). Two practical habits help here:
- Note your bus number and parking spot when you get off, since many buses look alike.
- Ask or check how long the stop is before you wander off.
6. When a bus makes sense
KTO says buses reach destinations the railway does not serve. Intercity buses cover smaller regional cities and towns without train stations, and some routes connect smaller cities directly, which can save a transfer through Seoul or another hub.
7. Reading the signs
You do not need to read Korean to get through a terminal. KTO's overview of travel in Korea notes that most public places, including subway stations and bus stops, have English signs, and major tourist sites add Japanese and Chinese. Still, it helps to keep a screenshot of your destination's name in Korean (for example 부산 for Busan or 강릉 for Gangneung) to match against tickets and screens.
8. Key takeaways
- Express buses run expressway-only between major cities; intercity buses stop along the way and reach smaller towns.
- Seoul has four main long-distance terminals; check which one serves your destination before you go.
- Book on the official sites, through an affiliated platform, or at the terminal, and confirm whether you need to print your ticket.
- Board 5 to 10 minutes before departure from the platform shown on the terminal screens.
- There are no onboard restrooms; long routes stop at hyugeso rest areas.