🚌 5 Easy Steps for Foreigners to Book Intercity Bus Tickets

When traveling to a province in Korea for the first time or trying to get to the airport, booking an intercity bus may feel difficult.

Because Korean apps can be unfamiliar, and it's confusing whether you can pay with a foreign card.

So today, to help even international students follow along, I'll organize the intercity bus booking method into 5 steps 🤗

Step 1. Check the type of bus to take

First, you need to check whether the bus you plan to board is an intercity bus, express bus, or airport bus.

In Korea, the booking app used can differ depending on the bus type.

• Intercity bus: T-money Intercity Bus Unified Booking, Bustago

• Express bus: Express Bus booking app or T-money GO

• Airport bus: T-money GO or route-specific booking page

If you're not sure, the easiest way is to search first on T-money GO.

You can view express, intercity, and airport buses at once, so it's convenient for first-timers.

👉 If it's your first time, try using T-money GO or Bustago first.

Step 2. Enter departure and arrival points

Once you've opened the app, it's time to search for your bus.

Usually, enter the following in order.

1. Select departure terminal

2. Select arrival terminal

3. Select boarding date

4. Select desired time

5. Select number of passengers

For example, if you're going from Seoul to Jeonju, select Seoul Nambu Terminal or Central City Terminal as the departure, and Jeonju Terminal as the arrival.

However, since there may be multiple terminals in the same city, it's best to double-check the address or location.

👉 Don't just choose by destination, make sure to check the terminal location too.

Step 3. Choose your desired time and seat

Once you enter departure and arrival, a timetable will appear.

Select your desired departure time here.

Check the following three things at this stage.

• Departure time

• Scheduled arrival time

• Number of seats remaining

On some routes, you can select seats yourself; on others, they may be assigned automatically.

On weekends, holidays, and national holidays, seats can sell out quickly, so it's best to book in advance.

👉 If your travel schedule is fixed, book as soon as possible.

Step 4. Payment — Check if foreign card is accepted

For international students, payment is usually the biggest concern.

Even without a Korean card, some apps and terminals allow payment with a foreign card.

Currently, you can use the following methods as per the latest information.

• On-site payment with a foreign card at the terminal counter

• Foreign card payment on Bustago app or website

• Foreign card payment on InterCity Bus app

Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard, JCB, UnionPay, etc.

However, payment may fail depending on your card or app situation, so it's safest to check in advance before departure.

👉 If online payment is difficult, you can issue a ticket with a foreign card at the terminal counter.

Step 5. After booking, check QR code and ticket

After payment, it may seem finished, but you must check again.

Especially when using Bustago, after payment, it's best to check in the View/Change/Cancel menu to make sure the booking is properly completed.

Check the following:

• Is your ticket displayed properly?

• Is a QR code issued?

• Is there a booking number?

• Is the departure terminal and time correct?

If you only capture the payment screen, you might have a problem when boarding.

Always check that you can see the actual ticket screen or QR code.

If you need a paper ticket, you can get one at the terminal counter or kiosk with the card used for booking.

👉 Before boarding, always check the QR code, departure time, terminal location again.

⚠️ Be careful when canceling a booking

If your plans change, it's best to cancel as soon as possible.

The closer it is to departure time, the higher the cancellation fee may be.

For Bustago, there is no cancellation fee up to 2 days before departure, but fees may apply as the departure date approaches.

Especially on Fridays, weekends, holidays, and national holidays, fees may be higher, so be careful.

👉 If you think you can't board, don't postpone — cancel right away.

✅ Final checklist

Before taking the intercity bus, just confirm these.

• Was booking completed successfully in the app?

• Can you see the QR code or booking number?

• Is the departure terminal location correct?

• Is the departure time correct?

• Did you check the available payment methods for foreign cards?

It's a bit unfamiliar at first, but after you try once, it’s easier than you think.

VIVISA wishes you a safe and convenient life in Korea. 🚌✨

💡 VIVISA will help you

VIVISA organizes essential information for international students living in Korea.

• Visa information for foreigners/international students

• Part-time jobs & labor regulations

• Essential administrative guide for living in Korea

• Information on transportation, banks, communications, etc.

Don't worry about studying or working part-time in Korea; start comfortably with VIVISA.