The 2026 Lunar New Year (Seollal) holiday is just around the corner. One of the biggest recurring questions every year is which transportation to take for the homecoming trip. KTX is fast but expensive, driving seems cheaper but toll fees and gas add up quickly. So which option is actually the most economical?
In this guide, we compare the actual costs of KTX, driving, and express buses by route based on 2026 data, plus share practical tips to save on transportation costs.
1. 2026 Seollal Travel Overview
The 2026 Seollal holiday runs from February 16 (Mon) to February 18 (Wed), extending to a maximum 5-day break from February 14 (Sat) through February 18 (Wed) when including the weekend. According to the Korea Transport Institute, an estimated 32 million people are expected to travel for the holiday, a slight increase from the previous year.
| Category | Figure |
|---|
| Expected travelers | Approx. 32 million |
| Private vehicle usage | ~75.8% |
| KTX/SRT usage | ~10.2% |
| Express/intercity bus | ~8.5% |
| Air travel | ~3.1% |
| Other | ~2.4% |
Key highlights for the 2026 Seollal travel period:
- Toll-free highways: Highway tolls are waived during the holiday period (Feb 15 00:00 – Feb 18 24:00).
- Rising fuel prices: Gasoline averages ~1,650 KRW/L, up ~3% from last year due to global oil price increases.
- KTX fare freeze: KTX fares remain the same as 2025.
- Extra trains: About 200 additional KTX/SRT trains will run during the holiday period.
2. KTX/SRT Cost Analysis
KTX and SRT are the fastest options for holiday travel. Below are the standard one-way economy class fares for major routes in 2026.
| Route | KTX Standard | KTX First | SRT Standard | Travel Time |
|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 59,800 KRW | 83,700 KRW | 52,600 KRW | 2h 30m |
| Seoul → Gwangju | 45,500 KRW | 63,700 KRW | 40,900 KRW | 1h 50m |
| Seoul → Daejeon | 23,700 KRW | 33,200 KRW | 21,300 KRW | 50m |
| Seoul → Daegu | 43,500 KRW | 60,900 KRW | 39,600 KRW | 1h 40m |
| Seoul → Ulsan | 55,500 KRW | 77,700 KRW | - | 2h 10m |
| Seoul → Mokpo | 50,400 KRW | 70,600 KRW | - | 2h 20m |
KTX/SRT discount tips:
- Early booking: Up to 10% off when booking 2 weeks in advance
- Group discount: 15% off for groups of 10+
- Child discount: 50% off for ages 6-12
- Senior discount: 30% off KTX for ages 65+
- Youth discount: 10-20% off SRT for ages 13-24
- Round-trip discount: 10% off return ticket when booking both ways (SRT)
3. Driving Cost Breakdown
Driving costs consist of fuel + toll fees. During Seollal, highway tolls are waived, making driving significantly cheaper. Below is a comparison with and without toll fees.
Assumptions: Fuel efficiency 12km/L, gasoline 1,650 KRW/L
| Route | Distance | Fuel Cost | Toll
(normal) | Total
(toll-free) | Total
(with tolls) |
|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 400km | 55,000 | 28,800 | 55,000 | 83,800 |
| Seoul → Gwangju | 330km | 45,380 | 18,900 | 45,380 | 64,280 |
| Seoul → Daejeon | 160km | 22,000 | 10,600 | 22,000 | 32,600 |
| Seoul → Daegu | 300km | 41,250 | 20,400 | 41,250 | 61,650 |
| Seoul → Ulsan | 370km | 50,880 | 26,200 | 50,880 | 77,080 |
| Seoul → Mokpo | 370km | 50,880 | 21,300 | 50,880 | 72,180 |
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4. Express Bus Fare Comparison
Express buses are the most budget-friendly public transportation option. Here are one-way fares for major routes.
| Route | Standard | Deluxe | Premium | Travel Time |
|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 27,600 | 40,900 | 47,500 | 4h 10m |
| Seoul → Gwangju | 20,500 | 30,400 | 35,200 | 3h 30m |
| Seoul → Daejeon | 11,200 | 16,600 | - | 1h 50m |
| Seoul → Daegu | 21,700 | 32,200 | 37,300 | 3h 20m |
| Seoul → Ulsan | 26,100 | 38,700 | - | 3h 50m |
| Seoul → Mokpo | 23,400 | 34,700 | - | 3h 40m |
5. Total Cost Comparison Table (Key Section!)
Here is the most important comparison. Using the Seoul → Busan route as a benchmark, here is a one-way cost comparison at a glance.
| Transport | One-way (1 person) | Round-trip | Travel Time | Notes |
|---|
| KTX Standard | 59,800 | 119,600 | 2h 30m | Fastest |
| SRT Standard | 52,600 | 105,200 | 2h 30m | Departs Suseo |
| Car (1 person) | 55,000 | 110,000 | 4-7h | Toll-free during holiday |
| Car (4 people, per person) | 13,750 | 27,500 | 4-7h | Cheapest with 4! |
| Standard Express Bus | 27,600 | 55,200 | 4h 10m | Cheapest solo |
| Deluxe Express Bus | 40,900 | 81,800 | 4h 10m | Wider seats |
💡 Key Takeaways
- Solo traveler: Standard express bus is most economical (27,600 KRW)
- 2 people: Driving cost per person (~27,500 KRW) is comparable to bus
- Family of 4: Driving is overwhelmingly the best value (~13,750 KRW per person)
- Time priority: KTX is fastest (2h 30m)
6. 7 Money-Saving Tips for Holiday Travel
1
Book KTX/SRT early
Holiday tickets go on sale about 1 month in advance. Book on the first day for up to 10% off and the best seat selection.
2
Install a Hi-Pass transponder
Even during toll-free holidays, Hi-Pass lanes save 10-30 minutes at toll booths compared to regular lanes during peak congestion.
3
Practice eco-driving
Avoid sudden acceleration/braking and maintain steady speed (80-100 km/h) to improve fuel efficiency by 15-20%. Check tire pressure before departure too.
4
Carpool to split costs
With 4 passengers, the per-person cost drops to about 1/4 of KTX fare. Seoul→Busan comes to just ~13,750 KRW per person.
5
Use self-service stations + fuel discount cards
Self-service pumps save 50-100 KRW/L. Combined with fuel discount credit cards (60-150 KRW/L off), you can save 3,000-5,000 KRW on a Seoul→Busan trip.
6
Time your departure wisely
Avoid peak hours (7-10 AM). Departing at dawn (4-6 AM) or after 3 PM can help you avoid traffic. Fuel efficiency drops 30-50% in heavy congestion.
7
Maximize tax deductions on public transit
Public transportation expenses (KTX, buses) qualify for an 80% income deduction rate for year-end tax settlement, compared to 15% for regular credit card spending.
7. EV Travel Cost Comparison
How much can you save by driving an electric vehicle for the holiday? Here is a comparison with conventional cars.
| Category | Gas Car | EV |
|---|
| Vehicle type | Mid-size sedan (12 km/L) | Mid-size EV (5.5 km/kWh) |
| Energy cost | 1,650 KRW/L | 350 KRW/kWh (fast charge) |
| Seoul→Busan one-way | 55,000 KRW | 25,450 KRW |
| Seoul→Busan round-trip | 110,000 KRW | 50,900 KRW |
| Savings (round-trip) | - | ~59,100 KRW saved |
EV travel considerations:
- Charging wait times: During holidays, expect 30-60+ minute waits at highway rest stop fast chargers.
- Winter range loss: Battery efficiency drops 20-30% in sub-zero temperatures — plan extra charging stops.
- Check charger locations: Verify charger availability along your route before departure.
- Use slow charging: Level 2 charging at your destination (~200 KRW/kWh) further reduces costs.
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Compare EV charging costs vs gasoline
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8. Post-Trip Vehicle Checklist
After a long-distance trip, vehicle maintenance is essential. Here are the key items to check.
01
Engine Oil
- ✓ Check oil level with dipstick (between L and F marks)
- ✓ Check color — black indicates it's time for a change
- ✓ Consider early oil change if you drove 800km+ round-trip
02
Tire Condition
- ✓ Check tire pressure (within ±10% of recommended PSI)
- ✓ Inspect tread depth — use the coin test
- ✓ Look for embedded nails, glass, or other debris
03
Brakes
- ✓ Check for unusual sounds or vibrations when braking
- ✓ Verify brake fluid level
- ✓ Inspect brake pad wear
04
Coolant & Washer Fluid
- ✓ Check coolant reservoir level
- ✓ Refill washer fluid with anti-freeze formula
- ✓ Verify antifreeze concentration (rated for -20°C or below)
05
Car Wash & Undercarriage
- ✓ Wash undercarriage to remove de-icing salt (calcium chloride) and prevent corrosion
- ✓ Exterior wash and interior cleaning after long trip
- ✓ Check wiper blade condition
Conclusion
For 2026 Seollal travel, the best choice depends on how many people you're traveling with. Solo travelers save most with express buses. Groups of 2+ benefit from driving. If time is your priority, KTX wins. Whatever you choose, planning ahead and calculating costs in advance helps avoid unnecessary spending.
Use CalKit's auto calculators to estimate your trip costs and make the most economical choice. Have a safe and happy Seollal!