From Busan to Tongyeong, the express bus takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs around 10,800 won. Tongyeong is a small coastal city on Korea’s southern coast, often called the Naples of Korea for its blue harbour and hillside architecture. There is no train to Tongyeong, so the bus or a rental car are the main options. Here is the complete guide.
Quick Answer: Express bus from Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal to Tongyeong Bus Terminal: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, approximately 10,800 won. Buses run throughout the day. No train service to Tongyeong. See the Tongyeong travel guide for the full guide to what to do when you arrive.
Transport Options from Busan to Tongyeong
Express Bus (recommended)
Express buses from Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal to Tongyeong Bus Terminal run throughout the day. Journey: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cost: approximately 10,800 won one way. Seobu Terminal is accessible from Busan city center by Subway Line 1 (Sasang Station, exit 5). Buses also depart from Nopo Bus Terminal in northern Busan.
Rental Car
Driving from Busan to Tongyeong takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes via the Namhae Expressway. A rental car gives flexibility to explore Tongyeong and the surrounding islands and is particularly useful if combining Tongyeong with the nearby Geoje travel guide on the same trip. See the Uber in Korea guide for the ride-hailing context if a rental car is not practical.
Taxi
A taxi from Busan to Tongyeong costs approximately 80,000 to 120,000 won and takes about 1 hour. Not economical for solo travellers but practical for groups of 4 who want door-to-door service.
Step-by-Step Directions
Bus route:
Step 1: Take Busan Metro Line 2 to Sasang Station (236). Exit 5 leads to Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal. Purchase a ticket to Tongyeong at the ticketing counters or self-service machines.
Step 2: Board the Tongyeong express bus from the designated bay. The journey follows the Namhae Expressway along Korea’s south coast, passing through the Geoje area.
Step 3: Arrive at Tongyeong Bus Terminal. The terminal is approximately 1 kilometre from the main harbour area. A taxi from the terminal to the Tongyeong cable car or the central harbour takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Cost Comparison
Express bus: Approximately 10,800 won one way.
Rental car: 40,000 to 80,000 won per day for the car, plus fuel.
Taxi: 80,000 to 120,000 won one way.
Travel Time
Express bus: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Car: approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Taxi: approximately 1 hour.
What to Do in Tongyeong
See the Tongyeong travel guide for the complete guide. Tongyeong’s key attractions include:
- Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park: the island-dotted sea around Tongyeong is one of Korea’s most beautiful maritime landscapes
- Tongyeong Cable Car: a two-stage gondola ascending Mireuksan mountain with panoramic views over the harbour and surrounding islands
- Dongpirang Mural Village: a hillside neighbourhood similar to Busan’s Gamcheon (see Gamcheon Culture Village guide) but with a different artistic character
- Tongyeong Underwater Tunnel: built in 1932, one of the oldest underwater road tunnels in Asia, connecting the mainland to Mireuk Island
- Seafood: Tongyeong is known for its fresh oysters, sea squirts (meongge), and the raw fish restaurants along the Gangguan Port waterfront
Combining Tongyeong and Geoje
Tongyeong and Geoje travel guides are natural partners. Geoje Island (accessible by bridge from the mainland) is approximately 40 minutes from Tongyeong by bus or car and has beaches, the Geoje POW Camp historical site, and scenic coastal roads. Combining both in a 2-day trip from Busan covers the finest stretch of Korea’s south coast. See the Busan to Geoje guide for the Busan to Geoje route.
Day Trip vs Overnight
A day trip from Busan to Tongyeong is possible (1.5 hours each way by bus, leaving about 4 to 5 hours in the city). Still, an overnight allows a more relaxed exploration of the harbour area and the opportunity to eat fresh seafood in the evening. The cable car and Dongpirang village together take 2 to 3 hours, leaving limited time for a day-trip boat trip to the islands. See the Busan day trips for other Busan day trip options.
Nearby Guides
- Tongyeong travel guide
- Geoje travel guide
- Busan to Geoje guide
- Busan travel guide
- Busan planning guide
- Busan day trips
- Best places to visit in Korea
FAQ
Is there a train from Busan to Tongyeong?
No. Tongyeong does not have a train station. The express bus from Busan Seobu Terminal is the primary public transport option. A rental car is the most flexible choice for visitors who want to explore the surrounding islands and coast. See Getting Around Korea for the general Korean transport picture.
Is Tongyeong worth visiting from Busan?
Yes. Tongyeong is one of Korea’s most distinctive small cities, and the 1.5-hour bus from Busan makes it very accessible. The combination of the harbour, cable car, and fresh seafood is unlike anything in Busan itself. See the Tongyeong travel guide for the full guide.
What is Tongyeong famous for?
Tongyeong is known for its role in Korean naval history (Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s most celebrated naval commander, was based here during the 16th-century Japanese invasions), its seafood (especially oysters and sea squirts), the surrounding Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park islands, and the Tongyeong International Music Festival held annually in spring.
