Before the train departs, either the sender or the recipient can request cancellation of a transferred KORAIL ticket, according to KORAIL’s transferred-ticket FAQ. First agree who will act, check whether the recipient is a KORAIL member, and identify the original payment method. The refund goes back to that payment method, not automatically to the person holding the ticket. Confirm the cancellation result with each other before anyone buys a replacement.
Choose the route that matches the person acting
| Person making the request | Route in KORAIL’s FAQ | Check before acting |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient who is a KORAIL member | Before departure, use the listed website, KorailTalk app, ticket-notification message or station route. | Can the recipient actually access that ticket and channel? |
| Recipient who is not a KORAIL member | Go to a station for the return request. | Allow time to reach staffed assistance before departure. |
| Original sender | Before departure, find the transferred ticket in KorailTalk purchase history and select 반환 (return/cancel). | Confirm the travel date and passenger before submitting. |
The FAQ does not establish that a foreign visitor can complete member signup or receive a ticket notification by SMS. If the recipient cannot use those channels, coordinate with the sender while there is still time, or ask at a station. Do not create a new account merely because a transfer was made; the FAQ gives the nonmember recipient a station route.
If the sender is handling the cancellation
In KorailTalk, the FAQ directs the sender to the upper-right menu, My Page → 승차권 구입이력 (ticket purchase history). Search by the ride date, open the transferred ticket and use 반환. Check the train, date and passenger against the transfer record before confirming. If the ticket or control is missing, ask KORAIL staff which record they can locate rather than cancelling a different booking.
For example, you paid for a KTX ticket and sent it to a nonmember friend. Your friend can use the station route, or you can look up the transferred ticket in your own purchase history before departure. Decide together who is making the request. The original card or other payment method remains the refund destination even if the friend initiates cancellation; any repayment between the two of you is a separate arrangement.
Check the refund result, then plan the next ride
The request time and channel can affect the cancellation fee and amount returned. The FAQ does not give a single fee for every transferred ticket, so review the amount shown or ask KORAIL before confirming. Save the cancellation confirmation and check the original payment account; a request screen alone is not proof that the refund has arrived. If you need another train, verify a new ticket separately.
This route is for a transferred ticket before departure. If the train has already left, use the missed KTX refund and next-ticket guide and ask KORAIL what remains possible for the issued ticket. Do not assume a transferred ticket can be returned through the same predeparture control after the train leaves.
KORAIL’s Korean-language FAQ checked October 5, 2026 KST. The listed routes do not establish that a particular visitor can sign up or receive an SMS.