Jason Teale
If you’re new to Korea, good news: getting from Ulsan → Seoul is straightforward. You’ve got four main ways—high-speed train (KTX/SRT), express bus, plane, and self-drive—plus some smart tips on tickets, transit cards, and airport/subway connections.
Quick Comparison (What’s best for you?)
| Mode | Where you Arrive in Seoul | Typical Time | Typical Cost* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTX | Seoul Station (central) | ~2h10–2h30 | Dynamic (class/time) | Fast + central arrival. |
| SRT | Suseo Station(southeast/Gangnam) | ~2h15–2h30 | Dynamic (class/time) | If you’ll stay in Gangnam/Jamsil. |
| Express Bus | Seoul Express Bus Terminal(Gangnam) | ~4h10 (traffic varies) | ~₩25,000–₩48,000 | Most budget-friendly; many departures. |
| Plane | Gimpo Airport (GMP) | ~1h flight (+ airport time) | Highly variable | If you’re near Ulsan Airport / specific timing works. |
* Fares vary by seat class, time of day, weekend/holiday, and demand; always check the booking engine for live price.
1) KTX: Ulsan → Seoul Station (Downtown)
Why choose it: It’s the cleanest, simplest “point-to-point” for most travelers. You’ll land at Seoul Station, which connects straight into the subway (Lines 1 & 4) and city buses/taxis.
Step-by-step
- Go to “Ulsan(통도사) Station” (the KTX high-speed station). It’s in Samnam-eup (Ulju-gun) and the official name is Ulsan Station (Tongdosa). From Ulsan City Hall/downtown, take local bus 5001 (~40–45 min) or taxi.
- Buy your ticket on the Korail site/app or at station kiosks/counters. Online sales open up to ~20 minutes before departure.
- Board the KTX to “Seoul” — sit in your seat and relax for ~2h20.
- Arrive at Seoul Station. Follow signs to subway (Lines 1 & 4) or taxi/bus to your hotel/area.
Luggage basics: You must carry your own bags; rails have overhead racks or space at carriage ends. No airline-style checked baggage.
2) SRT: Ulsan → Suseo Station (Gangnam side)
Why choose it: If you’ll stay in Gangnam/Jamsil/SE Seoul, SRT drops you directly at Suseo—super handy for transfers via Line 3 or Bundang/Suin-Bundang.
Step-by-step
- Head to the same high-speed station: Ulsan(통도사).
- Book via SRT site/app; choose Ulsan (Tongdosa) → Suseo.
- Ride time is ~2h20-ish depending on train. You’ll arrive at Suseo with direct subway connections.
Seat & onboard notes: SRT Economy offers power outlets, decent comfort; First Class gives more legroom.
3) Express Bus: Ulsan → Seoul Express Bus Terminal(Gangnam)
Why choose it: Often the cheapest, with frequent departures, and larger luggage bays (good if you have big cases).
Step-by-step
- Go to Ulsan Express Bus Terminal (near downtown).
- Buy a ticket to Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam). You can also book online via KoBus or TxBus. Classes: Economy/Excellent/Premium; late-night surcharges may apply.
- Typical journey time: ~4h10m, but traffic can add extra time (especially weekends/holidays).
- You’ll arrive at Seoul Express Bus Terminal, which connects to Subway Lines 3/7/9 directly—follow signs underground.
4) Flying: Ulsan → Gimpo (GMP)
Why choose it: Useful if you’re near Ulsan Airport (USN) or want Gimpo connections and your schedule/price works.
Step-by-step
- Go to Ulsan Airport (USN) – check flight schedule.
- Fly ~1 hour to Gimpo (GMP).
- At Gimpo, take AREX or subway (Lines 5/9) or taxi into Seoul.
Tip: Door-to-door may take similar time to KTX once airport transit and check-in are included. Choose based on price/time advantage.
5) Taehwagang Station (Downtown Ulsan): KTX-Eum & ITX-Ma-eum Options
If you’re staying in central Ulsan, this station offers newer high-speed and express train options without needing to travel out to the Ulsan(통도사) KTX station.
What these trains do (plain English)
- KTX-Eum: A high-speed EMU train servicing e.g., Cheongnyangni (Seoul) ↔ Bujeon (Busan) and importantly stops at Taehwagang. Service began Dec 20, 2024. Wikipedia
- ITX-Ma-eum: Regional express train on Donghae corridor (Busan ↔ Gangneung) that stops at Taehwagang (from Jan 1 2025) for east-coast access, not central Seoul. Ulsan Online
Typical times & price hints
- KTX-Eum from Taehwagang to Cheongnyangni (Seoul) is ~3h+ depending on route. Trip.com
- ITX-Ma-eum is for other destinations (east coast) rather than central Seoul.
How to ride from Taehwagang
- Go to Taehwagang Station in downtown Ulsan (Nam-gu). City buses/taxis connect.
- Buy ticket via Korail (site/app) and pick correct train that stops at Taehwagang.
- For Seoul: Choose KTX-Eum → Cheongnyangni. For east coast/Gangneung: Choose ITX-Ma-eum.
- Arrive at either Cheongnyangni (then subway to your final spot) or your destination and transfer.
Why/when to choose this option
- You are located in downtown Ulsan and want a train departure without traveling out to the outer station.
- You’re headed to Seoul and the timetable suits you with the KTX-Eum stop.
- You’re heading to the east coast (Gangneung, etc.), in which case the ITX-Ma-eum via Taehwagang is ideal.
- If you want most frequent departures to central Seoul, the classic Ulsan(통도사) KTX station may still have more options currently.
Key caveats
- Not all KTX-Eum trains stop at Taehwagang yet; schedule is still being expanded. Haps Magazine
- The KTX-Eum route from Taehwagang might go to Cheongnyangni (Seoul) and not exactly to “Seoul Station” central. So check your arrival station.
- ITX-Ma-eum does not deliver you directly into central Seoul—it’s for other/regional destinations.
Getting to the Right Departure Point in Ulsan
- KTX/SRT departure point: Go to Ulsan(통도사) Station (Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun). Use bus 5001 from downtown Ulsan or take a taxi. *Any 5000-series bus will get you to the station.
- Express Bus: Go to Ulsan Express Bus Terminal (near downtown Ulsan).
- Flying: Go to Ulsan Airport (USN) (taxi from city or local bus).
- Taehwagang Option: If using downtown station, go to Taehwagang Station in Nam-gu (city center) by city bus or taxi.
What Happens When You Arrive in Seoul?
- Seoul Station (KTX): Direct access to subway Lines 1 & 4, many buses and taxis. Great for central Seoul (City Hall, Myeongdong, etc.).
- Suseo Station (SRT): Serves Line 3 and Bundang Line—handy if you stay in Gangnam/Jamsil.
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal: Inside major complex; connected to subway Lines 3, 7, 9.
- Gimpo Airport (GMP): Use AREX, Lines 5/9, or taxi into city.
- Cheongnyangni (if you take the Taehwagang → KTX-Eum route): Transfer to subway Line 1 or Gyeongui-Jungang Line for central Seoul.
How to Buy Tickets
Trains (KTX/SRT/KTX-Eum)
- Korail website/app for KTX & KTX-Eum. Online sales up to ~20 minutes before departure.
- SRT (SR Corp) site/app for SRT bookings.
Express Bus
Flights
- Check domestic airline sites/apps for USN ↔ GMP route.
Paying for Local Transport (Seoul & Ulsan): T-money101
Buy a T-money card (transport card) at convenience stores or subway stations; load cash and use for subway, city buses, many taxis. Use the official Tmoney Travel Card for visitors.
Luggage: Which Mode is Easiest?
- Trains (KTX/SRT/KTX-Eum): Carry your bags yourself; space for large bags is limited but overhead racks or end-of-carriage space exists.
- Express Bus: Big underfloor compartments make this easiest if you have large luggage.
- Flights: Standard airline baggage rules apply; check weight/fee.
- Taehwagang option: Same baggage rules as KTX trains.
Driving Ulsan → Seoul (for renters/residents)
If you prefer driving: Take the Gyeongbu Expressway (No. 1) northwards. Distance is ~400 + km; tolls apply (Korea Expressway Corporation). Use navigation (Naver/Kakao) for current toll & traffic conditions.
Suggested Itineraries (Copy-and-Go)
A) Fastest to downtown: KTX → Seoul Station
- Ulsan city → Ulsan(통도사) → KTX → Seoul Station → subway/taxi to hotel.
B) Straight to Gangnam/Jamsil: SRT → Suseo
- Ulsan city → Ulsan(통도사) → SRT → Suseo → Line 3/Bundang to your stop.
C) Budget-friendly: Express Bus → Gangnam Terminal
- Ulsan Bus Terminal → Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Subway Lines 3/7/9 to your area.
D) Airport transfer plan: Fly USN → GMP
- Ulsan Airport → Gimpo → AREX or subway/taxi into city.
E) Downtown Ulsan departure via Taehwagang Station
- Ulsan downtown → Taehwagang Station → KTX-Eum to Cheongnyangni (Seoul) → subway into final destination.
Frequently Asked First-Timer Questions
Q. Is “Ulsan Station” in the city centre?
A. The high-speed KTX station is Ulsan(통도사) (Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun) outside downtown; the classic downtown station was renamed Taehwagang Station. Wikipedia
Q. Where exactly is “Seoul Express Bus Terminal”?
A. In Gangnam (Seocho-gu). Physically connected to subway station “Express Bus Terminal” (Lines 3, 7 & 9).
Q. Can I book everything in English?
A. Yes for Korail and SRT sites/apps; bus apps may have partial English; flights are in English.
Q. Which is easiest with big suitcases?
A. Express bus probably easiest; trains are fine if you travel light.
Handy Korean Terms You’ll See on Signs
- 서울 = Seoul
- 울산(통도사) = Ulsan (Tongdosa — the high-speed station)
- 태화강역 = Taehwagang Station
- 수서 = Suseo (SRT station)
- 고속버스터미널 = Express Bus Terminal
- 승차권 = Ticket
- 일반실 / 특실 = Economy / First Class (train)
Final pick (if you just want the easiest route)
Most travellers should choose KTX → Seoul Station for speed, frequency, and simple transfers. If you’re staying in Gangnam/Jamsil, go for SRT → Suseo. If you’re downtown in Ulsan and the schedule works, the Taehwagang → KTX-Eum option might be best.
