KTX and SRT are now one: a single app (Korail+) and what changes when you book

Since 1 September 2026, KTX and SRT belong to the same operator. Here is what it means for booking, prices and seats.

Updated 29 October 2026 · Dari team · 2 min read

Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)

_Traduction automatique / Machine translation_

Since 1 September 2026, the KTX (KORAIL) and SRT (SR) high-speed trains have been run by the same company. If you used to hesitate between Seoul Station and Suseo, booking is now simpler.

What changed on 1 September

The merger of SR into KORAIL took effect on Tuesday 1 September. The transport ministry says all required procedures are complete, according to The Korea Times and the Korea JoongAng Daily (31 August 2026). In practice:

• One booking app. Every seat can be booked in Korail+, the app KORAIL renamed in August (formerly KorailTalk). The Korea Times writes: "All trains will be available for booking through KORAIL+."
• More seats from Suseo. Services departing Suseo gain 30% more seats, and service between Pyeongtaek and Osong doubles, per The Korea Times.
• Lower fares. KTX fares drop by about 10% on average to match SRT prices (The Korea Times, Korea Bridge).
• More capacity. The government announces 15,000 extra seats on weekdays and 17,000 on weekends. Thirty-one new trainsets of about 500 seats each are planned from 2027.

Trains keep the KTX name. Former SRT trains will be repainted in KTX colours gradually.

Booking as a traveler or newcomer

According to Korea Bridge, "every booking now runs through one app, Korail+". Old SR accounts no longer work separately: former SRT members need to migrate their membership to a KORAIL account.

For international travelers and newcomers:

• No resident number needed. On KORAIL's English website you sign up with an email address, a password and your passport, then pay by card. Residents register with their passport number rather than a resident registration number (SeoulStart, Korea Bridge).
• Create your account before busy periods. During holidays, sales are online or in-app only, in time slots. Check that your account works before sales open.
• Book early. Since 1 October, tickets go on sale two months before departure (see our guide on booking KTX two months ahead).

What it means for you

• You no longer have to pick between two apps to compare KTX and SRT: one search is enough.
• Suseo gets more attractive: more seats, and fares aligned with SRT. Handy for Gangnam, Busan or Gwangju.
• Check the price at checkout. The cut is given "on average": it may not apply to every route.
• Old SRT accounts must be migrated before your next booking.
• A KORAIL Pass does not guarantee a seat: reserve your seat separately, and check on korail.com whether your pass applies at your departure station.

In Dari

Sources

• The Korea Times, KTX expands Tuesday following SRT absorption (31 August 2026)
• Korea JoongAng Daily, Next stop, integration: KTX, SRT coupler set for Sept. 1 (31 August 2026)
• Korea Bridge, Chuseok train booking opens on the new SRT/KTX unified system (early September 2026, exact date not shown)
• SeoulStart, train and bus apps guide (updated August 2026)

Sources

1. The Korea Times, KTX expands Tuesday following SRT absorption · checked on 31 August 2026
2. Korea JoongAng Daily, Next stop, integration: KTX, SRT coupler set for Sept. 1 · checked on 31 August 2026
3. Korea Bridge, Chuseok train booking opens on the new SRT/KTX unified system · checked on 1 September 2026
4. SeoulStart, guide des applis de train et bus (mis à jour en août 2026) · checked on 5 August 2026