T11. BUSAN to SEOUL rush by KTX train

GIMHAE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  to BUSAN STATION by bus

We planned nicely on how to go to LCCT, and were so calculative about the timing, but then when we reached LCCT we were greeted by a huge DEPARTURE led display that says our flight is delayed by two hours..........2 hours???...tuinggggg......
Believe it or not, even the lady at the check in counter also didn't know that our flight is delayed......come on AirAsia.  But I still going to promote them....last chance la..  http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page

After a leisurely dinner, we just waited at the departure lounge, really like a long wait, but finally....

As usual, favorite window seat to see sunrise.

Since our flight has been delayed, we arrived at Gimhae International Airport at 10:30am.  There goes our plan of getting the 10:15am KTX train to Seoul.

Just arrived and ready for cold temperature.

Another transformation

The rail to Busan

There are two choices of getting to Busan from the Airport, either by light rapid transit (LRT) or by bus.  For this time, we opted for the bus simply because we have planned for it.  The bus stop is right outside of EXIT 2 and you can find the bus schedule pasted on the pillars and our bus is scheduled to arrive at 11:00am.  The bus fare to Busan Station is 6000 WON, not 5000 WON as what we have read and getting ourselves prepared for.  Just pay the driver the fare in cash.  Just like what is written on the bus schedule, at 11:00am sharp the bus arrived.  Bravo.............bus also can be punctual ha.....

LRT station on the left, bus stop on the right.  View from EXIT 2.

May I take a look at the bus schedule?

  

We were on our way to BUSAN station knowing that we have missed the KTX that we wanted to ride.  Luckily there are many more trips from Busan to Seoul and as soon as we reached Busan station about one hour from the airport, we rushed to the ticket counter.

BUSAN TO SEOUL by KTX

BUSAN STATION

OOoo my legs...not travel light this time.

The 1:oopm standing ticket that save us.

We rushed to the ticket counter, and got the ticket for 45,000 WON,.....but wait a minute, what do you mean by standing?  The seated ticket was sold out and we have to settle for standing ticket.  The standing area is between coaches, but it is actually not too bad, you can even find vending machine there.  But for 2 hours 45 minutes ride, and standing,.....

Inside KTX

The view from our seats.

About half way between Busan and Seoul, in the area around Daejeon, we were given permission to sit after those seats were vacated.  And suddenly looking out the window.........SNOWWWWWW.  That's the reason why we are in Korea this time of the year, to find and touch snow.  We only can manage to see the snow but not touching, not yet.

The snow.

SEOUL STATION

 We reached Seoul station around 4:00pm, and took the next train (subway) to Myeongdong where we have pre-booked our accommodation.

·      Subway Line(No. 4) and get off at Myeong-Dong Station(Exit No. 1)

 As we reached Myeongdong, our favourite shopping area, we have forgotten how tired we are.  Myeongdong this time have more lights, more people, more crazy, and also more cold, obviously Seoul is ready to WELCOME THE NEW YEAR 2014.

Welcoming new year.

MYEONGDONG GUESTHOUSE

Our stay this time is at MYEONGDONG GUESTHOUSE, run by a retired man and his family.  He charged us just 50,000 WON a night and we have pre-booked in advance for three nights.  A very nice gentleman, he helped us find the train ticket to NAMI Island, and even offered us a walk to city hall for the new year celebration.  I just know him as Mr. Park.

                                    http://www.mdguesthouse.com/

She is not Park family.....

Mr and Mrs Park.