How to travel from Samcheok to Gwangju, South Korea

The distance between Samcheok and Gwangju is around 453km (281 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 4h 60m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Samcheok to Gwangju by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out GwangjuSamcheok if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Gangneung Station, Seoul Station then Osong Station and then to Gwangju Songjeong Station.

  • Duration4h 60m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ₩81,245($62)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Gangneung and then to Gwangju.

  • Duration6hrs
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ₩48,485($37)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Gwangju.

  • Duration5h 15m
  • Distance493km (306 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Samcheok and Gwangju

There are several options for getting from Samcheok to Gwangju by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ₩48,485 ($37) and will take around 6hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 4h 60m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₩81,245 ($62).

The distance between Samcheok and Gwangju is around 453km (281 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 327km (203 miles)

It takes around 4h 60m to get from Samcheok and Gwangju by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Samcheok to Gwangju is to take the train which takes around 4h 60m and will set you back approx ₩81,245 ($62).

The cheapest way to travel between Samcheok and Gwangju, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ₩48,485 ($37) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Samcheok and Gwangju. It typically takes around 4h 60m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Samcheok to Gwangju. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Gangneung Station, Seoul Station and Osong Station. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 4h 60m.

Sea Train, Korail and Suseo High Speed Railway run train services between Samcheok and Gwangju. Trains depart twice daily and will take around 4h 60m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Samcheok and Gwangju. It typically takes around 6hrs and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Samcheok to Gwangju. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Gangneung. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 6hrs.

Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal, bus Tago, Samcheok Bus Terminal and Ko Bus run regular bus services between Samcheok and Gwangju. Buses run once daily and take around 6hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Samcheok to Gwangju. We recommend that you take the train to Gangneung Station, Seoul Station then Osong Station and then to Gwangju Songjeong Station. instead which will take 4h 60m.

The closest major airport to Gwangju is Gwangju Airport (KWJ) (KWJ) which is approximately 4km (3 miles) from Gwangju. Daegu International Airport (TAE) (TAE) and Cheongju International Airport (CJJ) (CJJ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Samcheok and Gwangju. The distance is around 493km (306 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Samcheok to Gwangju is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 60m and will usually cost around ₩81,245 ($62).

How do I get from Samcheok to Gwangju

Compare travel optionsbetween Samcheok and Gwangju

Transport options from Samcheok to Gwangju
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
4h 60m
₩81,245($62)
twice daily582km (361 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
6hrs
₩48,485($37)
once daily497km (309 miles)
Bus via Dongdaegu7h 30m
₩51,105($39)
every 4 hours453km (281 miles)
Drive
5h 15m
₩95,660($73)
on demand493km (306 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Samcheok and Gwangju

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Gwangju

The following major airports near Gwangju offer regular flights to various popular destinations within South Korea and internationally.

KWJ
Gwangju Airport (KWJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (3 miles) from Gwangju
TAE
Daegu International Airport (TAE)
International Airport
Distance
181km (113 miles) from Gwangju
CJJ
Cheongju International Airport (CJJ)
International Airport
Distance
183km (114 miles) from Gwangju