Join easy, learn steady, feel proud.
Join Free
Korean Bus Terminal Words: Book and Board Express or Intercity Buses
Level
A2
Type
Guide
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
For a bus between Korean cities, first identify 고속버스 or 시외버스. Then confirm the exact 터미널 before you pay. On the booking screen, choose 출발지, 도착지, and 가는 날, then press 조회하기.
The hardest part is often not the Korean sentence. It is discovering that a route appears in a different booking system or leaves from a different terminal than expected.
Know which bus system you need
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
고속버스 | go-sok-beo-seu | express bus |
시외버스 | si-oe-beo-seu | intercity bus |
종합터미널 | jong-hap teo-mi-neol | combined terminal |
고속버스터미널 | go-sok-beo-seu teo-mi-neol | express bus terminal |
시외버스터미널 | si-oe-beo-seu teo-mi-neol | intercity bus terminal |
고속버스 usually connects major cities on expressway-based routes. 시외버스 covers a broader mix of regional routes and may make intermediate stops. Some terminals handle both, but the systems and departure points are not always shared.
The current VISITKOREA express and intercity bus guide lists KOBUS for express buses and T-money intercity bus or Bustago for intercity buses. It also warns that express and intercity services may use different terminals.
If a destination does not appear, do not immediately conclude there is no bus. Check the other system and search the full terminal name.
Find the correct terminal
A city can have more than one terminal. Read the departure point as carefully as the destination.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
출발 터미널 | chul-bal teo-mi-neol | departure terminal |
도착 터미널 | do-chak teo-mi-neol | arrival terminal |
터미널명 | teo-mi-neol-myeong | terminal name |
위치 | wi-chi | location |
주소 | ju-so | address |
In Seoul, 서울고속버스터미널, 센트럴시티터미널, 동서울터미널, and 서울남부터미널 are different places. Your route determines where you leave from.
Before travel day, put the Korean terminal name into your map app and compare the address with the ticket.
Ask:
이 버스는 어느 터미널에서 타요?
Which terminal does this bus leave from?
Which terminal does this bus leave from?
At the terminal, show the ticket and ask:
여기서 타는 거 맞아요?
Is this the right place to board?
Is this the right place to board?
Search for a bus
Korean screen label | Pronunciation | Meaning |
편도 | pyeon-do | one way |
왕복 | wang-bok | round trip |
출발지 | chul-bal-ji | departure point |
도착지 | do-chak-ji | destination |
가는 날 | ga-neun nal | outbound date |
오는 날 | o-neun nal | return date |
조회하기 | jo-hoe-ha-gi | search |
터미널 검색 | teo-mi-neol geom-saek | search terminals |
예매 | ye-mae | reservation |
The basic sequence is:
편도 또는 왕복 → 출발지 → 도착지 → 가는 날 → 조회하기
Choose 편도 for one way or 왕복 for a return booking. On some services, the return date appears only after you choose 왕복.
When two terminals have similar names, open the terminal details rather than selecting the first result.
Read the schedule list
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
배차정보 | bae-cha jeong-bo | schedule information |
출발시간 | chul-bal-si-gan | departure time |
등급 | deung-geup | service class |
잔여석 | ja-nyeo-seok | seats remaining |
요금 | yo-geum | fare |
소요시간 | so-yo-si-gan | travel time |
경유 | gyeong-yu | stops via / passes through |
무정차 | mu-jeong-cha | nonstop |
매진 | mae-jin | sold out |
예매 가능 | ye-mae ga-neung | available to book |
Read each result across the row: departure time, class, remaining seats, and fare. If route details are available, check whether it is 경유 or 무정차.
경유 does not automatically mean you must change buses. It may mean the bus stops at another terminal on the way. Read the route details or ask staff.
이 버스는 중간에 어디 들러요?
Where does this bus stop on the way?
Where does this bus stop on the way?
직행이에요?
Is it direct?
Is it direct?
If the screen says 매진, ask:
다음 버스는 몇 시예요?
What time is the next bus?
What time is the next bus?
Choose the service class and seat
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
일반 | il-ban | standard |
우등 | u-deung | deluxe |
프리미엄 | peu-ri-mi-eom | premium |
심야 | sim-ya | late-night service |
좌석 선택 | jwa-seok seon-taek | select a seat |
창가 | chang-ga | window side |
통로 | tong-no | aisle |
선택 가능 | seon-taek ga-neung | available to select |
선택 완료 | seon-taek wan-ryo | selection complete |
일반, 우등, and 프리미엄 indicate different service or seating classes. Availability depends on the route and time. Compare the fare and seat layout shown for that specific departure.
At a counter, the employee may ask:
일반으로 드릴까요, 우등으로 드릴까요?
Would you like standard or deluxe?
Would you like standard or deluxe?
Answer with the class you want:
우등으로 주세요.
Deluxe, please.
Deluxe, please.
For the seat:
창가 자리 있어요?
Is there a window seat?
Is there a window seat?
Enter passenger details and pay
Korean screen label | Pronunciation | Meaning |
인원 선택 | i-nwon seon-taek | select passengers |
어른 | eo-reun | adult |
중고생 | jung-go-saeng | middle or high school student |
아동 | a-dong | child |
예매자 정보 | ye-mae-ja jeong-bo | booker information |
비회원 예매 | bi-hoe-won ye-mae | guest booking |
휴대폰 번호 | hyu-dae-pon beon-ho | mobile-phone number |
결제 정보 | gyeol-je jeong-bo | payment information |
결제하기 | gyeol-je-ha-gi | pay |
Some services allow 비회원 예매, or booking without a member account. The required information and payment methods vary by platform.
Before pressing 결제하기, confirm the exact terminal, date, time, class, passenger count, and seat. A correct destination with the wrong Seoul terminal is still the wrong booking for your plan.
If payment fails, say:
결제가 안 돼요.
The payment isn't working.
The payment isn't working.
If you need to ask about a foreign-issued card:
해외 카드로 결제할 수 있어요?
Can I pay with an overseas-issued card?
Can I pay with an overseas-issued card?
Check whether you need a printed ticket
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
예매 완료 | ye-mae wan-ryo | reservation complete |
예매 조회 | ye-mae jo-hoe | check reservation |
모바일 승차권 | mo-ba-il seung-cha-gwon | mobile ticket |
승차권 발권 | seung-cha-gwon bal-gwon | ticket issuance |
발권기 | bal-gwon-gi | ticket machine |
예매 번호 | ye-mae beon-ho | reservation number |
QR 코드 | kyu-a-reu ko-deu | QR code |
An online reservation does not always lead to the same boarding method. Depending on the route and booking channel, you may use a mobile ticket or may need to issue or print a ticket at the terminal.
Open 예매 조회 and read the boarding instructions before you leave for the terminal. Save the reservation number and ticket where you can reach them without a network connection.
Ask staff:
이 표를 발권해야 해요?
Do I need to issue this ticket?
Do I need to issue this ticket?
모바일 승차권으로 탈 수 있어요?
Can I board with the mobile ticket?
Can I board with the mobile ticket?
Buy a ticket at the counter
Put the destination, date or time, and number of tickets into one short request:
속초 가는 표 한 장 주세요.
One ticket to Sokcho, please.
One ticket to Sokcho, please.
The employee may ask:
What you hear | Meaning | A short answer |
오늘 가세요? | Are you going today? | 네, 오늘이요. |
몇 시 차로 드릴까요? | Which departure time would you like? | 두 시쯤이요. |
한 분이세요? | Is it for one person? | 네, 한 명이요. |
우등 괜찮으세요? | Is deluxe okay? | 네, 괜찮아요. |
편도로 드릴까요? | Shall I make it one way? | 네, 편도요. |
The word 차 in 몇 시 차 means a scheduled vehicle or departure. The employee is asking which bus time you want.
If you need the earliest available bus, say:
가장 빠른 버스로 주세요.
Please give me the earliest bus.
Please give me the earliest bus.
Repeat the time before paying if the terminal is noisy:
두 시 십 분 맞아요?
It's 2:10, right?
It's 2:10, right?
Read the departure board
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
출발 안내 | chul-bal an-nae | departure information |
행선지 | haeng-seon-ji | destination |
출발시간 | chul-bal-si-gan | departure time |
승차홈 | seung-cha-hom | boarding bay |