Inside Travel, B Corp certified cultural adventure tour operator, has unveiled Korea by Rail – a new self-guided adventure developed by the InsideAsia specialist brand – connecting South Korea from capital to coast, powered by the expanding high-speed ITX rail network.
The 13-day itinerary is the first of its kind to fully utilise South Korea’s Donghae rail line that opened earlier this year, linking Gangneung to Busan allowing travellers to easily loop the country from Seoul to the east coast and back again – something that, until now, wasn’t possible by train.
Developed by Inside Travel’s South Korea specialists, Korea by Rail opens up possibilities for deeper cultural exploration.
Inside Travel’s Senior South Korea Product Executive, Rebecca Barry, said there has never been an easier way to travel through South Korea.
“We’re really excited to launch this new itinerary that connects travellers across the country from the modern buzz of Seoul to the heritage heart of Gyeongju and the seaside spirit of Busan without the need for private transfers or domestic flights. The train line not only provides a responsible way of travelling, but it is also a beautiful journey and how the locals do it,” Barry said.
“Now, we’re able to weave Gangneung into a multi-city itinerary – a destination long loved by locals but largely overlooked by international travellers. The area is known within Korea for its beaches, mountains, coffee culture, tofu and deep-rooted cultural traditions that showcase another side of the country that not many visitors get to experience.
“More than a way to get from place to place, travelling by train in Korea offers a glimpse into the everyday rhythm of Korean local life. As the ITX express train winds past mountain ranges and along the coastline, the travel itself becomes a highlight, a moving window into the country’s landscapes, communities and culture as you pass by.
“The tailorable 12-night itinerary includes all accommodation as well as a traditional hanok stay in the cultural capital of Gyeongju as well as hands on cultural experiences and some Insider guiding enroute.
“Of course, for the foodies – there is a vast amount of amazing food on offer – a key aspect of any Korean journey.
“And if people want to take it slower, explore other parts of the country and culture, we can adapt the itinerary to suit timeframes and budgets, pace and passions of clients. Whether your interest is culture and heritage or indeed K-pop Demon Hunters, InsideAsia is able to design your Korean cultural adventure.
“There are also optional add-ons including Jeju Island extensions, hotel upgrades or unique experiences like a bibimbap cooking class,” Barry said.
Inside Travel’s Co-founder Alastair Donnelly added, “South Korea continues to excite travellers looking for something new and different. We continue to see interest in the destination grow, and the opening of the new train line was exactly what we and our travellers wanted, allowing us to develop our self-guided cultural adventures as well as our immersive small group tours.
“Both Inside Travel brands – InsideJapan and InsideAsia – have utilised train travel over the years, as it is an experience in itself, allowing visitors to escape a tourist bubble and travel side-by-side with the locals.
“Thankfully the trains in Korea are very reliable and a real pleasure to ride, opening up possibilities for our self-guided travellers. We are confident that in 2026, Korea will continue to be our fastest growing destination and for very good reason.”
Korea by Rail is priced from A$7,300 per person and is available to book now through Inside Travel’s Australian team or your trusted travel advisor.
