As the 2026 Chuseok holiday approaches, the schedule for KTX ticket reservations has been confirmed. Korea Railroad (KORAIL) will begin accepting reservations for KTX tickets operating during the Chuseok holiday period starting September 3. In contrast, SRT has yet to officially announce its ticket reservation schedule, drawing the attention of travelers.
According to KORAIL, the ticket reservations will cover KTX trains running from September 23 to 27.
Advance reservations for individuals with mobility challenges will take place over two days, from September 3 to 4. General reservations for the public will follow, running from September 7 to 11.
This year, the general reservation period has been extended compared to previous years. Travelers wishing to purchase tickets can do so through KORAIL's online reservation system.
It is important to note the payment deadlines for reserved tickets. Payments for general reservation tickets will begin at midnight on September 12 and must be completed by September 15. The payment deadline for advance reservation tickets for individuals with mobility challenges is September 18.
This Chuseok marks the first major holiday transportation period since the integration of KTX and SRT, leading to expected changes. KORAIL has expanded the general reservation period from three days to five days this year.
Additionally, starting this year, the method for checking and reserving tickets will change due to the integrated operation of high-speed rail. KORAIL announced the ticket reservation start date on August 3 and provided details regarding the integrated operation on August 7.
With the integrated operation, travelers can now reserve tickets for KTX and SRT trains through the unified app 'KORAIL+'. This change is expected to reduce the inconvenience of having to check separate reservation systems for KTX and SRT.
However, even with the integrated operation, the specific reservation schedule for this Chuseok will need to be confirmed separately based on the train and reservation type. Homebound travelers are advised to determine their desired routes and train types in advance and familiarize themselves with the integrated reservation system.
On the other hand, SRT's Chuseok ticket reservation schedule has not yet been officially announced.
Based on previous holiday patterns, SRT typically conducts its reservations slightly later than KORAIL. For instance, during the 2026 Lunar New Year, SRT's priority reservations were held from January 26 to 27, with general reservations from January 28 to 29.
Therefore, it is anticipated that SRT will also announce a separate reservation schedule ahead of Chuseok, but specific dates will need to be confirmed through SRT's official announcements.
During the Chuseok holiday, the demand for homecoming and return trips will peak, making it crucial to check reservation schedules in advance to secure seats at desired times. In particular, trains heading from Seoul and the metropolitan area to major homecoming destinations such as Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Mokpo are expected to see intense competition for reservations.
This year's Chuseok holiday will take place from September 24 to 26, extending to September 27 when including the weekend. Homebound travelers should verify the actual train operation dates and reservation target dates and plan their desired departure dates and times accordingly.
KTX reservation schedules can be confirmed through KORAIL's official announcements, while SRT's Chuseok ticket reservation schedule will be disclosed in future official notices from SR.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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