Korea's Transport System at a Glance
Korea has one of the world's most developed public transport networks. Seoul's subway covers the city so thoroughly that most tourists never need a taxi. The KTX high-speed rail connects major cities across the country with trains that rival flights in speed and comfort. Taxis are metered, regulated, and affordable compared to most Western cities.
This guide covers everything a foreign traveller needs to know about getting around Korea.
The T-money Card
What Is T-money?
T-money is a rechargeable smart card used across most of Korea's public transport network. It works on the subway, city buses, village buses, taxis, and even at many convenience stores.
Where to Buy
- Convenience stores: CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24
- Subway station vending machines
- Incheon International Airport: Available immediately on arrival
Card cost: ₩2,500–₩4,000 (one-time purchase fee, separate from your balance)
How to Recharge
At any convenience store counter or subway station top-up machine, tell the cashier the amount you want to add. Minimum ₩1,000, in ₩500 increments. Some station machines also accept credit cards.
T-money Fare Benefits
- Subway and bus fares are ₩100–₩150 cheaper than cash
- Free transfers between subway and bus (or bus to bus) within 30 minutes in Seoul
- Discounted fares for youth (ages 13–18) and children (ages 6–12)
Tip: Load ₩30,000–₩50,000 on arrival at the airport. This covers most transport costs for a 5–7 day trip.
Seoul Subway
System Overview
Seoul's metro system has 9 numbered lines plus the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Gyeongchun Line, Sinbundang Line, and others. With over 330 stations, it covers virtually every part of the city and inner suburbs.
- First train: Around 5:30 AM
- Last train: Around 12:30–1:00 AM (varies by line and station)
- Frequency: 2–4 minutes during peak hours, 5–8 minutes off-peak
- Basic fare: ₩1,500 (T-money), ₩1,600 (cash)
Distance-Based Fares
| Distance | T-money Fare | |----------|-------------| | Up to 10 km | ₩1,500 | | 10–50 km | +₩100 per 5 km | | Over 50 km | +₩100 per 8 km |
Key Lines for Tourists
- Line 2 (Green): The circular backbone of Seoul. Connects Gangnam, Hongdae, Sinchon, City Hall, and Euljiro. Most important line for visitors.
- Line 3 (Orange): Gyeongbokgung Palace, Anguk, Jongno 3-ga
- Line 4 (Blue): Myeongdong, Seoul Station, Dongdaemun
- Line 5 (Purple): Yeouinaru (Han River), Gwanghwamun
- Line 6 (Brown): Itaewon, Hapjeong
- Line 9 (Gold): Express service — connects Gimpo Airport to Gangnam quickly
- AREX (Airport Railroad): Incheon Airport to Seoul Station in 43 minutes (direct) or 66 minutes (all-stop)
Subway Tips
Use navigation apps: Kakao Maps, Naver Maps, and Google Maps all provide accurate Seoul subway routing in English, including transfer instructions, exit numbers, and estimated travel times.
Mind the priority seats: The designated seats (silver or pink coloured) at each end of a car are reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Leave them empty even if the car is not crowded.
Avoid rush hour: Weekday 8–9 AM and 6–7 PM are extremely crowded. Allow extra time or shift your plans slightly if possible.
Exit numbers matter: Each station has numbered exits. Look up the exit number for your destination before going underground — it can save significant time at street level.
City Buses
Seoul Bus Colour System
Seoul's buses are colour-coded by route type.
| Colour | Type | Description | |--------|------|-------------| | Blue | Trunk (간선) | Long-distance routes on major arterials | | Green | Branch (지선) | Connects residential areas to subway stations | | Red | Wide-area (광역) | Seoul to outer suburbs and satellite cities | | Yellow | Circular (순환) | Downtown loop routes |
How to Ride a Bus
- Wait at the bus stop and check the electronic display for arrival times
- Board through the front door
- Tap your T-money card on the reader, or pay cash (no change given)
- Press the "stop requested" button before your stop
- Exit through the rear door and tap out with T-money
Transfer discount: With T-money, you get free transfers between buses and subway (and bus to bus) within 30 minutes in Seoul. Always tap out when exiting to ensure the transfer window starts.
KTX High-Speed Rail
What Is KTX?
KTX (Korea Train eXpress) is Korea's high-speed rail service, operating on dedicated tracks at speeds up to 305 km/h. It makes inter-city travel between major destinations far faster than driving and competitive with short-haul flights when you factor in airport time.
Major Routes and Fares
| From | To | Duration | Standard Fare | |------|----|----------|--------------| | Seoul | Busan | ~2 hr 30 min | ₩59,800 | | Seoul | Daegu | ~1 hr 40 min | ₩43,500 | | Seoul | Gwangju Songjeong | ~1 hr 30 min | ₩46,800 | | Seoul | Gangneung | ~2 hr | ₩27,600 | | Seoul | Jeonju | ~1 hr 40 min | ₩35,200 |
How to Book
- Korail website: letskorail.com (English available)
- Korail app: Available in the App Store and Google Play (English supported)
- At the station: Ticket machines have an English interface; windows have English-speaking staff at major stations
- Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass): A flat-rate pass for foreign visitors — 3, 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days of unlimited travel on Korail services including KTX
Seat Classes
- Standard class (일반실): Comfortable reclining seats, 2+2 configuration
- First class (특실): Wider seats, more legroom, complimentary drinks — approximately 40% more than standard
Booking tip: During Korean national holidays (Chuseok, Lunar New Year) and summer vacation (late July–August), book at least 2–3 weeks in advance. Trains sell out completely.
Intercity Buses
Express Buses (고속버스)
Express buses connect Seoul to most major cities at roughly 30–50% less than KTX fares. They depart from Seoul's Express Bus Terminal (Banpo, Line 3/7/9) or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon, Line 2).
- Advantage: Cheaper, goes almost everywhere
- Disadvantage: Slower than KTX, affected by traffic, less comfortable
Airport Limousine Buses
Direct bus services connect Incheon and Gimpo Airports to major hotels and transport hubs across Seoul.
- Cost: ₩10,000–₩18,000 depending on destination
- Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes per route
- Luggage: Stored in the undercarriage — convenient for travellers with large bags
Taxis
Standard Taxis
- Base fare: ₩4,800 (first 2 km), then ₩100 per 132m
- Late night surcharge: 20% from midnight to 2:00 AM
- Card payment: Accepted in virtually all taxis
- Kakao T app: Book taxis in English, see estimated fare, pay by card
Premium Taxis (모범 택시 — Black Cabs)
- Base fare: ₩7,000 (higher quality vehicles, more professional service)
- Often used by: Business travellers and tourists wanting reliable English communication
Taxi Tips
- Use Kakao T: The taxi hailing app lets you select your destination on a map (no need to say it in Korean), confirm the route, and pay by card. English app interface available.
- Save your accommodation address in Korean: Take a screenshot of your hotel's Korean address to show the driver if needed.
- Late night: After the last subway (around 1 AM), taxis are the only option. On Friday and Saturday nights, demand is extremely high — book via Kakao T in advance if possible.
Public Bicycles — Seoul's Ttareungi
Seoul operates a public bike-share system called Ttareungi (따릉이).
- How to use: Download the 따릉이 app → register → pay by credit card → scan QR code on bike to unlock
- Cost: ₩1,000 per hour, ₩5,000 for a 1-day pass
- Foreign cards: Accepted (Visa, Mastercard)
- Best route: Han River bike path from Yeouido to Ttukseom (about 20 km one way, paved and flat)
Getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul
| Method | Duration | Cost | Notes | |--------|----------|------|-------| | AREX Direct Train | 43 min | ₩9,500 | To Seoul Station only | | AREX All-Stop Train | ~66 min | ₩4,950 | More stops, cheaper | | Limousine Bus | 60–100 min | ₩10,000–₩18,000 | Stops near hotels | | Standard Taxi | 60–90 min | ₩65,000–₩90,000 | Metered, add toll fees | | Premium Taxi | 60–90 min | ₩80,000–₩110,000 | Higher quality |
Recommendation: The AREX Direct Train (Airport Railroad Express) is the fastest and most affordable option for most travellers heading to central Seoul. Buy a ticket at the airport before boarding — T-money is accepted on the all-stop service but not the direct train.
FAQ
Q. Can I ride the subway without a T-money card? Yes. Buy a single-journey ticket from the vending machine (₩1,600 base). You pay a ₩500 deposit that is refunded at the return machine when you exit. However, T-money is much more convenient and cheaper.
Q. Do Google Maps work well for Korean public transport? Google Maps is functional but Kakao Maps and Naver Maps are more accurate for Korean transit, including real-time bus arrival data and detailed walking directions. Both support English.
Q. Can I book KTX tickets on the day of travel? Yes, if seats are available. Outside of holiday periods and major travel dates, same-day tickets are usually obtainable. Book online or at the station.
Q. Are there luggage storage options at train stations? Yes. Most KTX stations and major subway stations have coin lockers available. Sizes range from small (₩2,000–₩3,000 per day) to large enough for full-size luggage (₩4,000–₩6,000). Payment by T-money or cash.
Q. What is the best way to travel between Seoul and Jeju Island? Jeju is only accessible by air or ferry. Short domestic flights take about 55–65 minutes from Gimpo Airport. Budget airlines (Jeju Air, T'way Air, Jin Air) offer fares as low as ₩30,000–₩80,000 one way when booked in advance. The ferry from Mokpo takes 5–6 hours.