The Korea Rail Pass (Korean: 한국 철도패스; Hangug Cheoldo Paeseu, or Korean: 코리아 레일 패스; Koria Reil Paeseu),[1] also commonly called the KR Pass (Korean: KR패스; KR Paeseu), is a rail pass offered by Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation), the national railway operator of South Korea.
The pass is offered exclusively to foreign visitors and is valid for most of the rail lines operated by Korail in the designated period, including KTX, the high-speed railway in South Korea.
The pass was first issued in late 1999 by Korean National Railroad (대한민국 철도청), the predecessor of Korail.
[3] During the designated period of time, pass holders can travel with nearly all trains operated by Korail, including KTX, without additional charge.
Koreans who possess foreign citizenship or long-term business visas, however, can also use the pass.
[4] Foreigners who get long-term visa in South Korea and live there for more than six months are also ineligible.
[3] Service for seat reservation for the pass holders is even stopped on KTX, Saemaeul (새마을), or Mugunghwa (무궁화) trains during the peak seasons.
The following lines are operated by Korail, but they are not covered by the pass because they are considered part of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway system.