KTX and SRT: The path to one booking platform

🧪Testing shared routes first#

Cross-running and coupled operation

Before integrated services began, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korail and SR conducted two rounds of trial operations. Cross-running began in February, bringing SRT trains into Seoul Station and KTX trains into Suseo Station. In May, they checked safety by coupling KTX-Sancheon and SRT trainsets and running them together.

SRT at Seoul Station, KTX at Suseo Station#

Cross-running in February

KTX and SRT had operated separately, primarily from Seoul Station and Suseo Station respectively. The cross-running trial that began in February 2026 brought each operator's trains into the other's departure station. The two companies used the trial to prepare for integrated train services.

Two trainsets coupled together#

May trial, 2,206 seats per week

In May, trial coupled operations connected KTX-Sancheon and SRT trainsets to run as a single train. The first run was on May 15. The trial added 2,206 seats per week.

⚖️Merger approved#

August 3, commitments and monitoring

The Korea Fair Trade Commission announced on August 3 that it had granted final approval for the merger involving Korail's takeover of SR's operations and acquisition of its shares. It judged that the merger posed a low risk of restricting competition in the high-speed rail passenger transport market. Korail pledged to use the merger to lower fares and increase seats and service frequency.

Operations takeover and a 58.95% stake#

Two separate reviews

In February, Korail requested a preliminary review by the Korea Fair Trade Commission of its proposed takeover of SR's high-speed rail operations, and the commission approved it on July 8. The two companies signed a business transfer agreement on July 30. A separate notification was filed on July 14 for Korail's acquisition of the government's 58.95% stake in SR.

Commitments monitored for 3 years#

Fares down 10%, 17,000 weekend seats

Korail committed to lowering KTX fares by 10% to the SRT level and adding at least 17,000 seats and at least 25 services on weekends over a 3-year period. The Korea Fair Trade Commission and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly monitor whether Korail follows its business plans for fares, seat supply and services for 3 years after the merger.

📱One booking platform#

Korail Talk became Korail+

The integrated app is called Korail+. From 9 a.m. on August 3, users could update the existing Korail Talk app or install the new app. The search process for entering dates and times was shortened, and discount coupons, mileage points and payment methods could all be handled on one screen.

Three membership migration paths#

Both operators, SR only, Korail only

To receive Korail+ benefits, members must complete the integrated membership migration process announced from July 14. Members registered with both operators or with SR only complete the process on the website. Members registered only with Korail are migrated automatically and do not need to take any action.

The old apps remain for now#

Guest bookings only on the SRT app

For users who have not yet installed the integrated app, booking functions in the existing Korail Talk and SRT apps will remain available for a while after September 1. However, the SRT app allows only guest bookings, so integrated benefits such as mileage points and discounts may be limited. The first bookings for integrated trains opened at 10 a.m. on August 5 on Korail+ and the Korail website.

🎫Lower fares, more seats#

Integrated trains from September 1

KTX and SRT began operating as integrated train services on September 1. High-speed rail fares were adjusted to the previous SRT level, making them an average of 10% lower than previous KTX fares. Most additional trains were assigned to the Suseo corridor, where demand had been concentrated.

30% more seats on the Suseo corridor#

The hardest route to book

Most additional trains were assigned to the Suseo corridor, where demand had greatly exceeded capacity. Seat numbers will increase by about 30%. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport cited stronger links between the southern Seoul metropolitan area and other regions, better access to major Seoul hospitals for regional residents, and easier booking of trains departing from Suseo Station as expected benefits.

Discounts extend to SRT routes#

5% points, 30% transfers, special fares

SRT routes now earn mileage points worth 5% of the amount paid, just as KTX services already did. Transfer discounts between high-speed trains on SRT routes and conventional trains, previously unavailable because the operators differed, now also apply, with 30% off the conventional train fare. Online special fares offering discounts of 10-30% depending on seat occupancy have also been introduced on SRT routes.

More services depend on trains and tracks#

EMU-320 in 2027, Pyeongtaek-Osong in 2028

To secure the trains needed for further service increases after integration, 31 new EMU-320 high-speed trainsets will be introduced progressively from 2027. The quadruple-tracking project on the Pyeongtaek-Osong bottleneck section is scheduled to open at the end of 2028. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to continue increasing train services and seat supply in line with that opening.

🗓️Tickets two months ahead#

Longer advance booking from October

From October, the advance booking window for rail tickets will expand from 1 month to 2 months before departure. The government explained that opening rail bookings earlier, in line with flight and accommodation booking schedules, would make it easier to plan travel, events and group trips. Tickets for a trip in December can be purchased from October.

Why one month was too short#

Rail bookings opened later than flights

Until now, rail ticket bookings opened only one month before departure. This drew criticism that rail travel was harder to plan ahead than flights or accommodation. Even in the early stages of integration, this one-month booking window meant that KTX and SRT trains running in August had to be booked through separate apps.

More foreign passengers#

6.69 million in January-August, up 68%

According to figures reported by Asia Business Daily on September 28, 6.69 million foreigners used railways in Korea from January to August this year, up 68% from the same period last year. Kim Tae-byeong, director-general of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said the longer advance booking window would allow foreign tourists to plan rail travel when buying their flights. The existing Korail Talk app has supported 7 languages.