Taking a Train in Korea: Tickets, Platforms and Seats

In this lesson

What you will take away

• 01 Ask where the station and information boards are
• 02 Buy a ticket and confirm departure times
• 03 Find the platform, car and seat
• 04 Confirm arrival at your destination

Key phrase

기차역이 어디에 있어요?

▶ Listen

“~ 어디에 있어요?” asks where something is. “몇 시에 출발해요?” asks about the departure time.

01

Find the station and information board

At the start of your journey, look for the station entrance and information boards. Large stations may have many platforms and exits.

If you are unsure, politely ask “기차역이 어디에 있어요?” (Where is the train station?) or “안내판이 어디에 있어요?” (Where is the information board?).

Pattern

~ 어디에 있어요?

기차역이 어디에 있어요?

Where is the train station?

안내판이 어디에 있어요?

Where is the information board?

감사합니다.

Thank you.

Traveler

실례하지만 기차역이 어디에 있어요?

Staff

저쪽 건물 안으로 들어가세요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

02

Buy a ticket to your destination

You can buy tickets at station counters, ticket machines, or supported official booking services. Confirm your departure station and destination first.

At the counter, say “부산까지 한 장 주세요.” (One ticket to Busan, please). You may also need to specify one-way versus round-trip and your seat class.

Pattern

~까지 한 장 주세요

부산까지 한 장 주세요.

One ticket to Busan, please.

일반실로 주세요.

Standard class, please.

편도로 주세요.

One-way, please.

Traveler

부산까지 승차권 한 장 주세요.

Staff

일반실로 드릴까요?

Traveler

네, 일반실로 주세요.

03

Check the departure time

Check the date and departure time printed on your ticket. Trains going to the same destination can leave at different times.

Ask “이 기차는 몇 시에 출발해요?” (What time does this train depart?). Confirm the time against your ticket.

Pattern

몇 시에 출발해요?

몇 시에 출발해요?

What time does it depart?

서울에서 부산까지 가요.

It goes from Seoul to Busan.

오후 두 시 기차예요.

It is the 2 p.m. train.

Traveler

이 기차는 몇 시에 출발해요?

Staff

오후 두 시에 출발해요.

Traveler

네, 감사합니다.

04

Find the correct platform

Look up your train’s platform on the station board. Platform assignments can change, so follow the latest station announcements.

You can ask “몇 번 승강장인가요?” (Which platform is it?) or specify your destination: “부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장인가요?”

Pattern

몇 번 승강장인가요?

몇 번 승강장인가요?

Which platform is it?

3번 승강장이 어디예요?

Where is platform three?

여기에서 기다리면 돼요?

Should I wait here?

Traveler

부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장인가요?

Staff

3번 승강장이에요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

05

Locate your car and seat

Train tickets commonly display a car number and seat number. Check the car before boarding.

If you cannot find your car, ask “5호차는 어디에 있어요?” (Where is car five?). Match the seat number to your ticket before sitting.

Pattern

몇 호차 몇 번 좌석이에요?

5호차 8A 좌석이에요.

My seat is 8A in car five.

좌석이 어디에 있어요?

Where is the seat?

여기가 제 자리예요.

This is my seat.

Traveler

5호차는 어디에 있어요?

Staff

앞쪽으로 조금 더 가세요.

Traveler

네, 감사합니다.

06

Ask for help once on board

On board, short polite phrases help when passing through the aisle or checking a seat.

You can ask “실례하지만 이 자리가 맞나요?” (Excuse me, is this the right seat?). Show your ticket if a staff member asks to see it.

Pattern

이 자리가 맞나요?

이 자리가 맞나요?

Is this the correct seat?

잠시만 지나갈게요.

Excuse me, I need to pass.

감사합니다.

Thank you.

Traveler

실례하지만 이 자리가 맞나요?

Train attendant

승차권을 보여 주세요.

Traveler

여기 있습니다.

Train attendant

네, 맞습니다.

07

Confirm your arrival and get off safely

As you approach your destination, pay attention to announcements and information screens. Check that you have all your belongings.

Ask “부산역에 도착했나요?” (Have we arrived at Busan Station?) if needed. Wait until the train stops and follow the exit signs.

Pattern

~역에 도착했나요?

부산역에 도착했나요?

Have we arrived at Busan Station?

다음 역이 어디예요?

What is the next station?

안녕히 계세요.

Goodbye.

Traveler

지금 부산역에 도착했나요?

Train attendant

네, 부산역입니다.

Traveler

감사합니다.

08

Six useful train-station words

Learn 기차역, 승차권, 출발, 승강장, 좌석 and 도착 through simple sentences.

기차역

Train station

기차역이 어디에 있어요?

Ask where the station is.

승차권

Train ticket

승차권 한 장 주세요.

Request one ticket.

출발

Departure

출발 시간이 몇 시예요?

Ask about the departure time.

승강장

Platform

승강장이 어디에 있어요?

Ask for the platform location.

좌석

Seat

좌석 번호를 확인해 주세요.

Ask to check a seat number.

도착

Arrival

도착하면 알려 주세요.

Ask to be told upon arrival.

Culture tip

KTX and other Korean trains differ in routes, stops and seating. Always verify schedules and platform information using station announcements and official booking channels.

Common mistake

승강장 means the platform, 호차 is the train car number, and 좌석 is the seat. These are different numbers on a ticket.

Mini quiz

1. What should you say to buy one ticket to Busan?

1. 여기에서 계산하나요? 2. 부산까지 한 장 주세요. 3. 창문 열어 주세요. 4. 반찬 더 주세요.

2. How do you ask which platform your train uses?

1. 몇 번 승강장인가요? 2. 얼마예요? 3. 봉투 필요하세요? 4. 이거 매워요?

3. How do you confirm you have arrived at Busan Station?

1. 여기가 2호차인가요? 2. 부산역에 도착했나요? 3. 주문할게요. 4. 지금 쉬어요.

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Taking a Bus in Korea: Routes, Transit Cards, and Getting Off

Learn how to find a Korean bus stop, check your destination, tap a transit card, ask how many stops remain, press the stop button, and transfer.

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