Ridership up by about 237,000 through September, surpassing last year's full-year total, as festival-linked itineraries fuel demand
Korail's regional rail travel packages — designed to bring visitors to areas with declining populations — have drawn strong interest this year, with about 237,000 riders through September, buoyed by the government's "Travel Month" campaign.
That figure already surpasses last year's full-year ridership of 220,000 and is 67 percent higher than the roughly 142,000 riders recorded in the same period last year.
According to Korail, the most-visited destinations through Thursday were Namwon (22,600 visitors) and Miryang (22,500), the same top two as last year, while Samcheok (16,000) has emerged as a new favorite.
Among individual packages, the "Miryang-Busan Inland Journey (one night, two days)" attracted about 6,000 riders, and the "Yeongdong Winery Tour" drew about 5,600.
Demand was concentrated in the spring travel season and during local festivals. April and May alone accounted for about 119,000 riders — roughly half the year-to-date total — with monthly ridership during those two months running about 3.5 times higher than the average for the remaining seven months.
In January and February, travelers gravitated toward Taebaek for its snow festivals, while in summer, 20 percent of all package riders visited the Yeongdong area to experience its cool wine caves.
To sustain rail travel demand into autumn, Korail has released a set of recommended fall itineraries tied to the "Travel Month" campaign, each centered on a regional festival.
The Mindungsan Silver Pampas Grass Festival runs through Nov. 8 in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, offering visitors sweeping views of autumn hillsides blanketed in silver grass. Travelers can make the trip especially memorable by boarding the Jeongseon Arirang Train from Jecheon Station.
In Iksan, North Jeolla Province, the Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1. Korail recommends pairing the flower displays with a tour of Baekje cultural heritage sites, including the Mireuksa Temple Site and the Wanggung-ri Ruins.
At Hampyeong Expo Park in South Jeolla Province, the Korea Chrysanthemum Grand Exhibition runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 8, featuring a variety of chrysanthemum sculptures and bonsai displays where visitors can soak in the atmosphere of a southern Korean autumn.
Discount benefits are also continuing to ease the cost of travel. Five themed train lines — including the Baekdudaegan Valley Train, the West Sea Gold Train and the Jeongseon Arirang Train — are offering 50 percent fare reductions, and the Naeilro pass is discounted by 20,000 won ($15).
In addition, travelers who verify visits to tourist sites in any of the 41 population-decline areas nationwide can receive a coupon refunding 100 percent of their train fare.
Full details on itineraries, discount conditions and booking are available through the "2026 Travel Month" menu under the "Train Travel" section of the Korail website, as well as on the integrated rail booking app Korail+.
"We are working hard to develop packages that let passengers enjoy the changing scenery outside the window with each season," said Lee Min-seong, head of Korail's passenger business division. "We will continue to collaborate with local governments and related agencies so that rail travelers visiting festivals can bring more vitality to regional economies."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
