Day 11: Not a Train to Busan, But a First-Class Ride from It (With Bread!)
- wanderingazuki
- Sep 16
- 10 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous
After a few wonderful days in Busan, it was time to head back to Seoul—swapping ocean breezes for city lights once again. The day started with a final breakfast in one of our favorite spots before navigating Busan Station, where a quick pastry stop and a small moment of confusion over the departure board kept things interesting. Instead of another flight, I opted for the comfort of the KTX, securing first-class seats for just a little extra—a decision that made all the difference. With a smooth train ride, a seamless return to Lotte Hotel (complete with another upgrade!), and a comforting dinner at the Lotte Department Store food court, it felt like we were right back where we started—but this time, with new stories to tell.
🍵 Last Sips, Last Stays: One More Morning in the Lounge 🍪
The morning in Busan started the way every morning should—leisurely and with good food. Our hotel’s lounge had become a comforting ritual during our stay, a quiet space where my mum and I could sit, chat, and savour a variety of breakfast options while looking out over the city. It wasn’t just about the food—it was the calm, the ease, and the feeling of being looked after. So on our last morning, we made sure to take our time and soak it all in one more time.
This final breakfast felt like a quiet goodbye to Busan—a city that had wrapped us in sea breezes, served us some of the best seafood of our trip, and gifted us moments of stillness we didn’t know we needed. As we sipped our coffee and watched the morning unfold, there was a bitter-sweetness in the air, knowing it was our last time in that cosy lounge.
The staff at the hotel truly made our stay special. Always warm and attentive, they went above and beyond to help with everything we needed. That morning, the concierge team kindly arranged a taxi to the train station for us, making the transition seamless. It might seem like a small gesture, but when you’re travelling, those thoughtful touches mean everything. We left the hotel with full bellies, warm hearts, and a shared feeling of gratitude—for Busan, for the people who made it memorable, and for the moments that now belonged to us.
🍴 Navigating Busan Station – A Quick Bite Before Departure 🏪
We arrived at the station much earlier than expected—and it ended up working in our favour. The rain was absolutely pouring by the time we stepped out of the hotel, so arriving early gave us time to navigate everything at a relaxed pace. I was especially relieved we had some cash on hand, as the taxi only accepted cash payment. I believe taxis usually accept card payments—perhaps it’s only when you don’t book through an app that cash is required. Either way, we were lucky to be prepared.
Once we escaped the downpour and made it inside Busan Station, we were met with a flurry of activity. The station was bustling—lined with cafes and restaurants. This one was much bigger (and cleaner!) than we expected, and with plenty of time to spare, we decided to explore the food options first.
My mum opted for a comforting rice set—complete with a nice soup, side dishes, and meat. We were allowed to leave our luggage at the entrance near the seating area, which seemed to double as an informal storage zone. At first, it felt convenient, but as more travellers followed suit, the area quickly filled up with suitcases and bags. Everyone, including us, kept a watchful eye on their belongings, just in case.
Since we’d already had breakfast at the lounge, I wasn’t quite ready for another full meal, and the rice set felt too heavy for me so early in the morning. Instead, I wandered around the station looking for something lighter I could save for the train. That’s when I stumbled upon Paris Baguette—and suddenly, I was spoilt for choice. I grabbed a tray and started picking out pastries and bread for the journey and for lunch.
Finding the departure platform, however, proved a little trickier than expected. Either the train name or the timing didn’t quite match what we were looking for, and for a moment, I found myself second-guessing everything. Thankfully, the staff at the information desk were quick to help and pointed us in the right direction. With that sorted, we took one last wander through the station—and yes, we squeezed in a final browse at Olive Young before boarding.
🚅 On Track with the KTX Blue Dragon – A Relaxing Ride Back to Seoul 🐉
I knew I didn’t want to take another flight back to Seoul—not being a big fan of trekking to and spending time at airports, trains have always felt like a much more appealing way to travel. The journey between Busan and Seoul promised not only efficiency but also a far more comfortable experience overall.
Having seen the KTX featured in countless K-dramas and variety shows—where characters board the high-speed train for dramatic reunions or quick weekend getaways—I was eager to experience it myself. And it certainly didn’t disappoint.
We boarded the 12:30 PM KTX train, which I had booked through Trip.com. The journey to Seoul was scheduled to take just under three hours, arriving at 3:00 PM. I specifically chose the newer, faster model—nicknamed the Blue Dragon—and opted for first-class seats. For just a few pounds more, it felt well worth it. The seats were spacious, the legroom generous, and the whole ride was smooth and relaxing.
I was also glad to have an assigned seat and to board early, hoping to avoid the usual scramble for space on the storage rack. It definitely helped ease my anxiety about the journey.
There was no onboard meal service, but eating on the train was allowed, so my stash of pastries came in handy. With the gentle rocking of the train, my mum and I both dozed off for much of the journey, making the three-hour trip feel surprisingly short.
🚏 Arriving in Seoul – Finding the Right Bus 🚌
Once we arrived in Seoul, the next challenge was figuring out how to get to Lotte Hotel. Just outside the station was a large bus terminal with multiple stops lined up in a row. I knew our bus would be one of them—but pinpointing the exact stop and making sure we boarded the one going in the right direction was easier said than done. The rain certainly didn’t help, and my feet were soon soaked from dashing between stops.
To make things a little easier, I asked my mum to wait with our luggage under shelter while I moved around more freely to search for the correct bus stop. There were quite a lot of people around, but I didn’t feel confident enough to approach anyone and ask. So I relied on a mix of instinct, previous experience navigating Seoul’s transport system, and the trusty tech combo of Naver Maps and Google Maps to guide me.
With buses coming and going in every direction and signage that wasn’t always the clearest, it was a bit stressful. I triple-checked the bus number and its direction just to be sure, and once I was confident I had found the right one, I called my mum over so we could board.
The ride to Lotte Hotel Seoul was thankfully short—just a couple of stops—and before long, we were back where our Seoul adventure had first begun.
🏨 Back to Base: Seoul Sweet Seoul 🛏️
After the long journey from Busan, stepping back into Seoul felt like everything was slowly coming back together. The moment we arrived at Lotte Hotel, it was as if a wave of relief washed over me. We collected the luggage we had stored with the concierge before heading to Busan—a small but comforting act that symbolised the return to somewhere we knew. There was something so comforting about returning to a place we already knew—familiar lobby, familiar faces, familiar rhythm.. This time, it felt like coming back, not starting over.
To my surprise (and delight), we received another complimentary room upgrade. It felt like a warm welcome back, a little reward for all the packing, moving, and early mornings of the past week. I was genuinely relieved to finally settle into one place for the final stretch of our journey. No more domestic travel, no more hopping between cities—just time to unwind, revisit favourite spots, and wrap up our Korea adventure with a little more breathing room.
🍜Noodles, Dumplings & Dessert: Seoul Food Court Wins🥟🍦
After settling back into our room, we headed downstairs to the Lotte Department Store’s food court for dinner—a true haven for hungry travellers. Conveniently located in the same building as our hotel, it offered a wide range of cuisines and plenty of seating. The energy was lively but not chaotic, and with a steady turnover of diners, it was easy to find a table. One of the best things about this setup was the flexibility—it reminded me of what I loved during my previous Asia trip with my mum: the ease of grabbing a variety of dishes in one clean, well-organised space. We didn’t need to agree on a single restaurant or meal. We could simply follow our cravings.
My mum, who never passes up a good noodle soup, went straight for her favourite comfort dish—something warm and familiar. I was craving dim sum and dumplings, so I stopped by a Chinese kiosk. It was refreshing not to have to compromise or feel obliged to get the same thing. My meal was tasty, but I went for the deep-fried option, which ended up being a bit too oily. In hindsight, I should’ve stuck with the steamed version.
The ordering system was brilliantly simple. After placing our orders, we were handed small pagers. At each table, there was a designated spot with a QR marker where you’d place the pager—this signalled to the staff exactly where to deliver the food once it was ready. The friendly ahjummas would then bring everything over, all with warm smiles and incredible efficiency. It felt like fast food, but with heart.
The whole process made me appreciate just how seamless and thoughtful everyday tech is in Korea. Everything just works. I wish we had something like this back in London!
And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get better, we spotted an Osulloc store nearby. Green tea ice cream felt like the perfect little indulgence to end the day on a sweet note. My mum, who’s usually not much of a dessert person, happily agreed to get one too—a rare and joyful moment I quietly treasured. The taste instantly brought us back to Busan, where we had enjoyed the same treat. A full-circle moment, soft and sweet.
🍞 A Seoulful Pause Before the Next Chapter 🥐
With full stomachs and the exhaustion of travel catching up to us, we took a short walk around the area before heading back to the hotel. While wandering, we stumbled upon a nearby bakery and picked up some pastries for breakfast the next morning—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this trip, it’s that you can never go wrong with good bread. Knowing we had a tour planned for the next day, we decided to turn in early, ready for whatever Seoul had in store for us next.
⚾ Struck Out: My Baseball Plans Didn't Make It to Home Base🧢
One of the things I was most looking forward to on this trip—especially in Seoul—was experiencing a live baseball game. Baseball is huge in Korea, and the energy I’d seen in videos looked absolutely electric. I’d even watched a baseball-themed K-drama recently, and knowing that one of my favourite K-pop idols is a die-hard fan only fuelled my excitement. I booked tickets through Klook, thinking it would be a fun way to immerse myself in local culture and maybe even meet fellow travellers along the way.
So, you can imagine my disappointment when I later found out that the regular baseball season ends in September. In its place, the venues usually switch to sports like basketball or volleyball. While those sports are enjoyable, I was hoping for something less familiar—something unique to Korea. Even though there’s a game called rounders in the UK that shares some similarities with baseball, it just didn’t feel the same as experiencing a live baseball game in Korea’s vibrant stadium atmosphere.
What stung even more was realising the event host had actually tried to contact me after I made the booking to inform me about the change—but I never saw their original email. Thankfully, they followed up again, and I finally caught the message on this day. By then, I had already reshuffled my plans to accommodate the palace night tour, which had pushed my Seoul itinerary around, so the alternative event timings just didn’t fit.
I was pretty disappointed and, with my heart set on the baseball experience, I found it hard to be spontaneous or open to the alternatives. In hindsight, maybe I could have gone with the flow and embraced the unexpected. But at the time, I just wanted a clean break from the disruption.
At least I got a refund—but I couldn’t help feeling a little gutted. I’d really looked forward to soaking in the crowd’s energy, hearing the coordinated chants, and trying the famous Korean baseball snacks. Hopefully, next time I’ll time it better and finally get to see a game live!
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
Today was a gentle transition from the vibrant energy of Busan back to the familiar buzz of Seoul. It reminded me how travel is not just about the new sights, but also the comfort found in the little routines—like that final breakfast in a beloved lounge, or the unexpected joy of spotting another Olive Young along the way. Even with small hiccups, like figuring out the departure board or finding the right bus stop in the rain, those moments became part of the adventure and growth in navigating a city.
Settling back into Seoul felt like coming home, especially with the surprise of another room upgrade and a cosy dinner at Lotte Department Store’s food court. It was a perfect blend of familiarity and delight, ending with a sweet Osulloc green tea ice cream that brought the day full circle. These quieter moments of travel often offer the most room for reflection—and a gentle reminder to embrace the flow, even when plans change.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋
What small travel routines or comforts do you find yourself looking forward to on a trip?
Have you ever had a moment where a simple treat or quiet evening made a trip feel extra special?
Have you ever had to embrace the unknown or face uncertainty while travelling? How did you handle it?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!