Daejeon is South Korea’s fifth-largest city and the country’s science and research hub, about 140 kilometres south of Seoul. The KTX covers it in 50 minutes. Here is every option.
International tourists are less likely to visit Daejeon than Busan, Gyeongju, or Jeonju. Still, it is a practical stopover with some worthwhile attractions: the Expo Science Park, the Hanbat Arboretum, and the surrounding Gyeryongsan National Park. It also sits at the junction of the Gyeongbu and Honam rail lines, making it a natural transit hub if you are travelling from Seoul to the southwestern part of Korea (Jeonju, Gwangju, Mokpo).
Quick answer: KTX from Seoul Station to Daejeon Station. About 50 minutes, around 23,700 won. The fastest and most comfortable option.
Option 1: KTX (Recommended)
- Departure: Seoul Station
- Arrival: Daejeon Station (city centre) or Osong Station (less central, some KTX services stop here instead)
- Journey time: About 48 to 55 minutes
- Cost: Around 23,700 won, standard class, one way
- Frequency: Multiple services per hour on the Gyeongbu KTX corridor
Note: Some KTX services stop at Osong (north of Daejeon city centre) rather than Daejeon Station. Check the specific service stops before booking. Daejeon Station is more convenient for the city centre.
Option 2: Express Bus
- Departure: Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam)
- Arrival: Daejeon Express Bus Terminal
- Journey time: About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Cost: Around 9,800 to 11,000 won
The bus is cheaper and runs frequently. For a city as close as Daejeon, the bus is genuinely competitive with the KTX once you factor in the subway journey to Seoul Station.
Daejeon to Jeonju Connection
Daejeon is the most convenient interchange for travellers heading from Seoul to Jeonju who are not taking the direct Seoul-to-Jeonju bus. From Daejeon, the KTX runs west toward Iksan (with a connection to Jeonju) in about 25 minutes. See the Seoul-to-Jeonju guide for direct route options.
