Advance booking for vulnerable groups starts September 3, general sales follow
Category: Travel
The South Korean railway operator, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), has launched ticket sales for the 2026 Chuseok holiday, with advance bookings starting on September 3 for vulnerable groups and general sales beginning on September 7. This year’s ticketing process is notable as it marks the first major sales event since the integration of KORAIL and SR services.
Advance ticket sales for vulnerable groups, including the elderly over sixty-five, registered disabled individuals, pregnant women, and national merit recipients, were conducted on September 3 and 4. The general public can purchase tickets from September 7 to 11, daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., through the KORAIL mobile app, KORAIL+, or the dedicated ticketing page on the KORAIL website. Notably, tickets will not be available for purchase at train station counters during this period.
The last day for purchasing KTX tickets for the Gyeongbu line, which connects major cities such as Seoul, Daejeon, Dongdaegu, and Busan, is September 11. On this day, ticket sales will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for trains operating between September 23 and 27, covering the five-day holiday period.
Under the new ticketing system, only KORAIL integrated members can purchase holiday tickets. Existing KORAIL members have been automatically transitioned to integrated members, but those who were only registered with SR must complete the membership transition process via the KORAIL+ app or website.
Each passenger can book up to twelve tickets in total, with a limit of six tickets per transaction. To efficiently secure tickets, users are encouraged to prepare by selecting preferred departure and arrival stations, travel times, and alternative trains in case of sold-out options. If tickets are not successfully acquired during the morning session, additional opportunities may arise later in the day.
On September 11, after the general sales period ends, any unsold tickets will be available for purchase starting at 3 p.m. via the KORAIL+ app, website, and station counters. It is important for ticket holders to complete payment for their reserved tickets from September 12 at midnight until September 15. Tickets not paid for within this timeframe will be automatically canceled and reassigned to those on the waiting list.
KORAIL has implemented measures to prevent illegal ticket resales, including the operation of a mystery shopper program and a reporting system for scalpers. Passengers found to be engaged in illegal resale activities will face membership termination and potential legal action.
To facilitate the ticketing process for vulnerable groups, KORAIL has also allowed a longer reservation time of up to thirty minutes for individuals with severe disabilities. In comparison, the standard reservation window for general users is three minutes, and five minutes for those in vulnerable categories.
During the advance booking period, KORAIL reported that a total of 183,000 seats were sold, indicating strong demand for travel during the Chuseok holiday.
As the holiday approaches, travelers are advised to remain vigilant for available tickets, especially during peak times. Unclaimed seats from the advance booking period can be expected to become available again after the initial payment deadline. Travelers should also keep in mind that changes in travel plans may lead to additional cancellations, providing more opportunities to secure tickets.
In the days leading up to the holiday, it is recommended to check for ticket availability frequently, as last-minute cancellations often occur. Adjusting travel times or routes may also yield unexpected ticket opportunities.
With the integration of KORAIL and SR, this year’s ticketing process aims to streamline the experience for travelers, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to secure their travel plans for the Chuseok holiday.
As of now, the ticketing process continues to evolve, and travelers are encouraged to stay informed through KORAIL's official channels for the latest updates and available options.