Donghae Santa Train

KORAIL
South Korea
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The Journey

Navigate from Gangneung Station to Buncheon Station across a span of 75km.

Scenery Highlights
  • East Sea coastline between Gangneung and Mukho
  • Jeongdongjin beach with sunrise / sunset East Sea vistas
  • Mukho harbour (one of Korea's historic East Sea fishing ports)
  • Donghae port city and ferry terminal
  • Dogye alpine section — transition from coast to inland
  • Cheoram Taebaek canyon junction (V-Train connection point)
  • Seungbu Sangju Valley canyon viewpoint (10-minute photo whistle-stop)
  • Yangwon canyon overlook (10-minute photo whistle-stop)
  • Taebaek mountain transition to Buncheon Santa Village
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.5 hours

  • Distance

    75 km

  • Est. Price

    Budget to affordable (approx. 18,000 KRW standard Saemaeul fare)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Diesel locomotive

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (4 ft 8.5 in) standard gauge on Yeongdong Line (Gangneung–Donghae corridor); 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge on Taebaek Line (Dogye–Buncheon mountain transition)

Braking Technology

Air brake system

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Dual-gauge operation across the Yeongdong Line (1,435 mm standard) and Taebaek Line (1,067 mm Cape gauge)

  • Transition from East Sea coastal tracks to inland Taebaek mountain gradients at the Dogye alpine section

  • Through-running across two historic corridors (Yeongdong coastal + Taebaek mountain) in a single 75 km ride

  • Winter snow conditions on the Taebaek mountain section (December–February)

  • Mountain pass service between Dogye and Buncheon with single-track operation and passing loops

  • Coastal-rail operation alongside the East Sea between Gangneung and Mukho

Route type

One-way or round-trip themed scenic service

Length

75 km Gangneung ↔ Buncheon

Duration

2h30m one-way

Lines used

Yeongdong Line (Gangneung–Donghae corridor) + Taebaek Line (Dogye–Buncheon mountain transition)

Stops removed Jan 2026

Singi, Dongbaeksan, Seokpo

Closed days

Tuesday and Wednesday (5-day rotation)

Gauge (Yeongdong)

1,435 mm standard

Gauge (Taebaek)

1,067 mm Cape

Traction

Diesel locomotive (non-electrified)

Connections

V-Train at Cheoram and Buncheon; KTX at Gangneung from Seoul

Adult fare (2026)

18,000 KRW Saemaeul one-way

Children 6–12

Half fare (9,000 KRW)

Under-6

Free when sharing a seat

Launched

2019 (successor to inland O-Train)

Status

Active — seasonal themed-tourist service

KORAIL fleet position

After V-Train (2013), A-Train (2015), S-Train (2017); predates DMZ Peace Train (2023)

Booking

letskorail.com or KORAIL Talk mobile app

Customer service

+82-1544-7788

Currency

KRW (Korean Won)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.5 hours

  • Distance

    75 km

  • Est. Price

    Budget to affordable (approx. 18,000 KRW standard Saemaeul fare)

Official Booking Provider