Busan Station to the City: How to Continue Your Trip by Metro, Taxi or Onward Rail

Why so many first-time visitors pass through Busan Station

Not everyone arrives in Busan by air. A large share of visitors come in on the KTX or SRT high-speed rail from Seoul, on a slower Mugunghwa or ITX train from another city, or by ferry from Japan through the international passenger terminal next door. If that's you, your starting point on the map is different from an airport arrival: Busan Station sits north of downtown, close to the old city center rather than out near the airport corridor.

The good news is that the station is well connected. It has its own subway stop, a taxi stand right outside, and enough restaurants and a small tourist information desk to get oriented before you move on.

Option 1: Busan Metro (best for most first-time visitors)

Busan Station is directly served by Metro Line 1, so there's no shuttle or extra walk needed — the platform is inside the station building. Nampo-dong and Jagalchi Market are just a few stops south, generally well under 15 minutes.

For Seomyeon, stay on Line 1 to the Seomyeon transfer station. For Haeundae, Gwangalli or the eastern beach hotels, transfer at Seomyeon onto Line 2 — it's a longer ride, roughly 35–45 minutes door to door, but it's a single, well-signed transfer with English announcements and signage throughout.

• Best for: Nampo-dong, Jagalchi, Seomyeon, and Line 2 destinations via one transfer
• Not ideal for: anyone who wants a single-seat ride to Haeundae — a transfer at Seomyeon is unavoidable on the subway
• Buy or top up a T-money-compatible card at the convenience store or vending machines in the station before boarding

Option 2: Taxi

A taxi stand sits directly outside the main exit. Because Busan Station is already close to downtown, fares to Nampo-dong or Seomyeon are noticeably lower than a typical airport taxi fare — this is usually the easiest option for groups of two or more, or for anyone with heavy luggage who wants to skip a subway transfer.

Ride-hail apps have limited English functionality in Korea; Kakao T is the most common local option but generally works best with a Korean phone number. For a first trip, the taxi stand outside the station is the simplest choice.

Arriving by international ferry? The same routes apply

The Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, which handles ferry connections to Japan, is only a short taxi ride (or a walkable but not especially scenic route) from Busan Station. Once you reach the station area, every option above — metro or taxi — works the same way.

Ferry schedules and routes change by operator and season, so confirm your specific sailing and terminal details directly with the ferry company rather than relying on general travel guides.

What's around the station itself

Before heading onward, it's worth knowing that Busan Station sits at the edge of Busan's Chinatown Special Tourist Zone and the historic Texas Street district, both an easy walk from the main exit. It's a reasonable spot for a first meal or a coffee while you get your bearings, even if you're not staying in the immediate area.

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