Korea has one of the world's most efficient public transportation systems. In Seoul and other major cities, you can get almost anywhere by subway, bus, or taxi. This guide gives foreigners the practical knowledge to navigate Korean transit with confidence.
Korea has one of the world's most efficient public transportation systems. In Seoul and other major cities, you can get almost anywhere by subway, bus, or taxi. This guide gives foreigners the practical knowledge to navigate Korean transit with confidence.
1. Getting a Transit Card (T-money)
Item
Details
Card types
T-money, Cashbee, Mybi — all rechargeable transit cards
Where to buy
Subway station vending machines; convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, emart24)
Initial card fee
~KRW 2,500–5,000
How to top up
Convenience stores, subway station recharge machines, ATMs, or a smartphone app (NFC-capable)
Balance check
Tap at a card reader or check via app
Refund
Available at convenience stores or banks
Mobile T-money
Available on Android phones with NFC via a dedicated app
> KakaoPay, Samsung Pay, and Naver Pay also work on most subway gates and bus card readers.
2. Using the Subway
Step
Action
1
Find your route and line (Naver Maps, KakaoMap, or Google Maps)
2
Tap your transit card at the gate to enter
3
Find the correct platform and direction (check the route map on screen doors)
4
Board the train and exit at your destination
5
Tap your card at the exit gate when leaving
6
To transfer, don't exit the fare zone — tap your card at the connecting line without triggering an extra charge
Item
Seoul standard
Base fare
KRW 1,500 (within 10 km)
Distance surcharge
+KRW 100 per additional 5 km beyond 10 km
Transfer discount
Subway↔bus transfer within 30 min: base fare waived
Operating hours
~5:30 AM – midnight (varies by line)
Late night
No night surcharge; service simply ends near midnight
> Seoul's subway network spans 23 lines including Lines 1–9, Jungang Line, Bundang Line, Sinbundang Line, and the AREX airport line.
3. Using City Buses
Color
Type
Coverage
Blue
Trunk bus (간선)
Long routes connecting major areas
Green
Branch bus (지선)
Short routes connecting neighborhoods to subway stations
Red
Metropolitan bus (광역)
Seoul ↔ Gyeonggi-do
Yellow
Circular bus (순환)
Loops around key downtown spots
Tan/Brown
Village bus (마을)
Small-scale local neighborhood routes
Step
Action
Board
Front door only; tap card on the reader
Alight
Rear door; tap card before exiting (required for transfer discount)
Stop info
LED display and bilingual (Korean/English) audio announcements
Request stop
Press the button to signal your stop
> Always tap your card at the rear door when getting off — failing to tap means you lose the transfer discount on your next leg.
4. Taking a Taxi
Type
Appearance
Base Fare
Regular taxi
Orange or white
KRW 4,800 (Seoul)
Premium taxi
Black
KRW 7,000 (Seoul)
Large taxi
Minivan
KRW 7,000+
KakaoT
App-hailed
Metered + dispatch fee
UT (Uber)
App-hailed
Metered
Note
Details
Late-night surcharge
+20% midnight–4 AM
App taxis
KakaoT and UT offer English-language interfaces
Showing destination
Easiest method: show your destination on Naver Maps or Google Maps
Payment
Cash or card accepted in all taxis
> KakaoT is the most foreigner-friendly option — enter your destination in English and the driver's app shows it in Korean.
5. Intercity and Express Buses
Type
Details
Express bus (고속버스)
Seoul ↔ major cities. Premium, standard, and deluxe classes
Just leave a few details. Our agent will reply within 24 hours.
Consultation is free. The information you provide is used only for this consultation. For instant chat, contact us on KakaoTalk · WeChat · LINE · WhatsApp.
