Daejeon city is launching a free vehicle tour program for tourists who arrive by train, officials announced.
The city said it will operate "Daejeon Rail Free Tour" starting this month in partnership with Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail).
The program provides vehicles matched to group sizes for tourists visiting Daejeon via Korail, with drivers transporting visitors to major attractions.
Groups of 20 to 40 receive large buses, while groups of 10 to 19 get mid-sized buses. Small groups of fewer than 10 travelers are provided vans or passenger cars. The minimum group size is three people.
The program targets tourists residing outside Daejeon. Daejeon residents may comprise up to 20% of any tour group.
Under the slogan "Take the train, get free Daejeon tours," the city operates seven courses linking major tourist attractions, local characters, and festivals. Virtual programs are also available in case on-site tours become difficult due to natural disasters.
Tour options include "Bread Bread Tour" featuring famous bakeries such as Sungsimdang and local attractions like Hanbat Arboretum, along with science, culture, and healing-themed courses. All tours run within six hours.
The program operates from March through December and may end early when the budget is exhausted. Reservations can be made through the Korail train travel website after phone consultation with Living International Co.
Daejeon, once dubbed a "boring city," has recently emerged as an exciting destination among millennials and Gen Z. The trend of "bakery pilgrimages" centered on Sungsimdang, Daejeon's signature bakery, has driven the shift.
Daejeon recorded the highest increase in tourist share nationwide last year. According to travel research firm Consumer Insight, Daejeon's tourist share rose 1.0 percentage points compared to 2023, the highest growth rate in the country. The city's tourist growth rate exceeded major cities including Seoul (0.6 percentage points), Busan (0.3 percentage points), and Daegu (0.4 percentage points).
