Scenic train routes in Korea

In South Korea in April, two central inland region tour trains of Korail began providing access to the mountain areas of Chungcheongbuk-do, Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, formerly accessible only by twisting, sometimes unpaved roads. Purchase tickets on site or at www.korail.com/en.

The O train runs a 159-mile, circular, 4-hour 50-minute route, departing Seoul four times a day and stopping at 13 stations, including Jecheon, Yeongju and Taebaek. It carries 205 passengers and has an observation car and a café. Round-trip tickets cost KRW62,900 (near $57). Partial-route tickets are available (ex., Seoul-Jecheon at KRW18,900).

At Chujeon Station in Gangwon-do, O-train passengers can buy tickets for the V train, whose 17-mile route runs through the river valley from Buncheon to Cheolam. The 3-car train has large windows and departs three times a day. The 70-minute ride includes a section where the train slows to 30 kph for viewing. The fare is KRW8,400 ($7.60).