Exploring South Korea: Busan To Jinhae Travel Time

Busan and Jinhae are two cities in South Korea. The distance between the two cities is 28 miles, and the road distance is 24.9 miles. There are four ways to travel from Busan to Jinhae: by bus, taxi, car, or train. The fastest way to get from Busan to Jinhae is by taxi, which takes 29 minutes and costs $35-$45. The cheapest way to travel between the two cities is by car, which costs $5-$9 and also takes around 29 minutes.

Busan to Jinhae by bus

The distance between Busan and Jinhae is approximately 19 to 28 miles, and the road distance is about 22 to 25 miles. The bus is a convenient and affordable way to travel between the two cities, especially during the cherry blossom season in Jinhae. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your journey from Busan to Jinhae by bus:

Step 1: Getting to the Bus Terminal in Busan

To begin your journey, you need to get to the bus terminal in Busan. The Seobu Bus Terminal in Sasang is the main bus terminal serving the Busan area. You can take the subway to Sasang Station and then follow the directions to the Seobu Bus Terminal. When you exit the station, take exit 5 and turn left. You will see a McDonald's; walk straight ahead, and you will reach the terminal.

Step 2: Purchasing Bus Tickets

At the Seobu Bus Terminal, it is recommended to purchase your bus tickets from the ticket counter instead of the kiosk, as the kiosk only accepts cards. The bus tickets from Busan to Jinhae typically cost around KRW 5,500 or $6 to $7. The buses from Busan to Jinhae usually run every 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Boarding the Bus

After purchasing your ticket, proceed to platform 17 at the Seobu Bus Terminal. The bus to Jinhae is a one-way ticket without any timing restrictions. There might be a long queue, so make sure to join the line and wait for your turn to board the bus.

Step 4: Bus Ride to Jinhae

The bus ride from Busan to Jinhae takes approximately 58 minutes to one hour. The bus will make stops along the way, but your final stop will be the Jinhae Bus Terminal. This terminal will also be your point of return when you plan to travel back to Busan.

Step 5: Navigating Jinhae

Once you arrive at the Jinhae Bus Terminal, you can explore the city. If you plan to visit the Yeojwacheon Stream, it is recommended to use a navigation device or a phone with directions, as it is quite a distance from the bus terminal. The bus stop information in Jinhae is mostly in Korean, so it may be challenging if you don't understand the language. To get to the Yeojwacheon Stream, cross the road from the bus terminal and look for bus number 160. Ride this bus for eight stops to reach the stream.

Additionally, if you want to visit Gyeonghwa Station, you can take bus number 307 or 315 from the Yeojwacheon Stream and travel for about 14 stops. During the cherry blossom festival, it is important to note that the buses may be more crowded and take longer to reach Gyeonghwa Station.

In conclusion, travelling from Busan to Jinhae by bus is a straightforward and cost-effective option. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily navigate your way to Jinhae and explore the city's beautiful cherry blossoms and cultural attractions.

Busan to Jinhae by train

Travelling from Busan to Jinhae by train is a convenient and affordable option. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your journey:

Step 1: Get to Sasang Station

To begin your journey, you need to get to Sasang Station in Busan. You can easily reach this station by taking the metro from Seomyeon Station, which allows you to travel to Sasang without any transfers.

Step 2: Purchase Your Ticket

Once you arrive at Sasang Station, make your way to the Seobu Bus Terminal, which is the bus terminal for intercity buses heading west from Busan. At the terminal, purchase a ticket for the intercity bus to Jinhae. The buses depart frequently, with a bus leaving every 15 to 20 minutes. A one-way ticket will cost you around 4,700 Won.

Step 3: Board the Bus to Jinhae

With your ticket in hand, proceed to platform 17 at the Seobu Bus Terminal. The bus from Busan to Jinhae is a one-way ticket without any timing restrictions. There might be a queue, so join the line and wait for your turn to board.

Step 4: Arrive at Jinhae Bus Terminal

The bus journey from Busan to Jinhae will take approximately one hour. The final stop is the Jinhae Bus Terminal, which will also be your return point if you plan to head back to Busan. From the Jinhae Bus Terminal, you can explore the city and its famous cherry blossoms.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance if you plan to travel during the cherry blossom season, as it is a very popular time to visit Jinhae.
• You can use a tour company like Korea Travel Easy or Trazy for shuttle services if you are unable to get tickets for your preferred dates.
• The T-Money card is not commonly accepted for intercity buses, so it is best to have cash or a credit card ready for purchasing tickets.
• If you plan to attend the cherry blossom festival and visit Yeojwacheon Stream, it is advisable to have a navigation device or a phone with directions, as the bus stop information is in Korean.

Busan to Jinhae by taxi

The fastest way to get from Busan to Jinhae is by taxi. The journey is approximately 25 miles and takes around 29 minutes, although this will depend on traffic. The estimated cost of the trip is between $35 and $45 (around 80,000 won).

Pick-up Points

If you are looking to take a taxi from a specific location in Busan, you can find taxi ranks at Busan Station, Gwangalli Beach, and Samyeon Station.

Booking a Taxi

You can book a taxi in advance by calling a taxi service or by asking the tourist information hotline to book one for you. You can also use the Kakao Taxi app to order a taxi.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival

If you are travelling during the Cherry Blossom Festival, be aware that it will be very busy, and it may be harder to get a taxi. It is recommended that you book a taxi for the whole day if possible.

Busan to Jinhae by car

The distance between Busan and Jinhae is around 25 miles. The drive from Busan to Jinhae takes approximately 29 minutes and is the cheapest way to travel between the two cities, costing between $5 and $9.

To get from Busan to Jinhae by car, you can follow these directions:

• Start by driving from Sasang Bus Terminal in Busan.
• Drive for around 25 miles.
• Arrive at your destination in Jinhae.

Alternative Routes

If you don't want to drive, there are a few other ways to get from Busan to Jinhae. Here are some alternative routes:

• By bus: You can take a bus from Busan to Jinhae, which costs around $19-$24 and takes about 58 minutes. The buses run every 15 minutes, and you can purchase tickets at the counter at Sasang Station.
• By taxi: Taking a taxi is the fastest way to get from Busan to Jinhae, taking around 29 minutes. It will cost between $35 and $45.

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular cherry blossom festivals in South Korea. The festival takes place annually in the spring, usually in the last week of March or the first week of April, and lasts for about ten days. During the festival, the city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, cultural performances, art, and parades. Here is a guide to help you make the most of your visit to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.

How to Get to Jinhae

Jinhae is located in the city of Changwon in Gyeongsang-do, South Korea. It is easily accessible from the nearby city of Busan. Here are some options for getting to Jinhae from Busan:

• Bus: From Busan, you can take a bus to Jinhae, which runs every 15 minutes and costs KRW 5,500. The bus ride takes approximately one hour. You can take the subway to Sasang Station, exit towards Seobu Bus Terminal, and purchase your ticket from the counter. Then, proceed to platform 17 to board the bus to Jinhae.
• Train: There is no direct train from Busan to Jinhae. However, you can take a train from Busan Train Station to Masan and then transfer to Jinhae. The Masan-Jinhae train only operates once a year during the cherry blossom season, so be sure to check the schedule before your trip.
• Taxi: Jinhae is about a 30-40 minute taxi ride from Busan and costs around ₩35,000 (USD 26).

Main Places to Visit During the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

• Jungwon Intersection: This is one of the main areas for performance events, such as the opening ceremony, and it features many food and souvenir tents.
• Yeojwa Stream: A 1.5 km-long narrow stream where the popular Korean drama "Romance" was filmed in 2002. It is one of the 50 most beautiful places in Korea, according to CNN. The stream is lined with cherry blossom trees, creating a romantic atmosphere.
• Gyeonghwa Train Station: A former train station that has been converted into a city park. The 800-meter-long railway is lined with cherry blossom trees, and the parked train provides a picturesque backdrop for photos.
• Jinhae Marine Park: An environmentally-friendly coastal park that offers a leisurely walk along a coastal path with diverse trees and ocean views.
• Anmin Hill: A 5.6 km-long hilly road connecting Seongsan-gu and Jinhae-gu, offering vista points and attracting hikers, bikers, and drivers. During the cherry blossom season, cars are not allowed, so visitors can enjoy a crowd-free experience.
• Jehwangsan Park: Located near Yeojwacheon Stream, this park offers a colourful 365-step staircase and a monorail that takes visitors to an observatory with panoramic views of the city and the sea.
• Jinhae Navy Base Command and Academy: These sites are usually open to the public only on weekends during the cherry blossom festival. They are known for their beautiful cherry blossoms and are worth visiting if you have the opportunity.

Where to Stay and What to Eat

Jinhae can be a day trip from Busan, but there are also accommodation options if you want to extend your stay. Here are some recommended hotels:

• Jinhae Intercity Hotel
• French Code Hotel
• Best Louis Hamilton Hotel Changwon

There are plenty of food options available during the festival, including local specialties, street food, and coffee shops. Be prepared for possible crowds and long lines at popular spots.

Tips for Visiting the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

• The festival can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends. If possible, plan your visit during the week for a more enjoyable experience.
• Book your transportation and accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the cherry blossom season.
• Be prepared for potential language barriers, as some information and signs may only be in Korean.
• Download a navigation app, such as KakaoMap, to help you get around Jinhae and find your way to the festival sites.
• Bring essential items such as an umbrella, allergy medicine, and sunscreen.

Frequently asked questions