Getting Around Korea
Subway · Bus · Taxi · T-money — the complete practical guide to Korean public transport.
T-money Card (티머니 카드)
EssentialWhere to buy?
Available at the counter of most convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) for about ₩2,500. Also sold at some subway station service centers.
How to top up
Cash top-up at any convenience store counter (₩1,000 increments minimum). Also via ATMs at subway stations. Mobile T-money available through Naver Pay / Kakao Pay.
Where can I use it?
Subway, city buses, some taxis, convenience stores and vending machines nationwide. Transfer discounts are applied automatically within 30 minutes.
Check your balance
The remaining balance is displayed when you tap the card reader. You can also ask at any convenience store counter.
Subway (지하철)
Recommended apps
Naver Map (네이버 지도) or Kakao Map — both support English. They calculate transfer routes, travel time, and last train info automatically.
Fares
Base fare approx. ₩1,400 with T-money. +₩100 per 5 km after the first 10 km. Transfers within 30 minutes are free (T-money auto-discount).
Operating hours
First train around 05:30, last train around midnight (varies by line and station). Operates the same on weekends and public holidays. Check last train times via Naver Map.
Key Seoul lines
Line 1 (blue) · Line 2 (green, circular) · Line 3 (orange) · Line 4 (sky blue) · Line 9 (gold/express). AREX Airport Railroad: Incheon Airport ↔ Seoul Station (direct ~43 min, ₩9,500).
Bus (버스)
Bus colors (Seoul)
Blue (trunk routes) — city-wide / Green (branch routes) — local / Red (wide-area) — suburban / Yellow (circular) — city centre loop.
How to board
Board from the front door and tap your T-money card. Tap again at the rear door when getting off (required for transfer discount). Cash accepted but no change given.
Track arrivals
Check real-time bus locations and ETA in Naver Map or Kakao Map. Arrival times are also shown on digital displays at bus stops.
Stop button
Press the "하차" (stop) button 1–2 stops before your destination. If you don't press it, the bus may not stop.
Taxi (택시)
Recommended: Kakao TKakao T app (카카오T)
Foreigners can register with just a Korean phone number. Enter your origin and destination in the app — no Korean needed. Estimated fare shown in advance.
Fares
Base fare approx. ₩4,800 (regular taxi in Seoul). Late night surcharge (00:00–04:00): +20%. Card and cash both accepted.
Types of taxis
Regular (orange/white) — standard fare / Deluxe (black) — premium, ~2× fare / Kakao Black — app-only premium / Large — suitable for 4+ passengers.
Hailing on the street
Raise your hand at a taxi showing a "빈차" (vacant) light. Show your destination on a map or address on your phone — Naver Map route screen works perfectly.
Useful apps
Kakao T (카카오T) — Korea's most popular / UT (우티) — Uber partnership / TADA (타다) — available in select areas.
KTX & Intercity Train
How to book
Book via the Korail (코레일) or SRT app using your ARC or passport. Same-day tickets can be bought at station windows (watch out for sell-outs on weekends).
Key routes
KTX: Seoul ↔ Busan (~2h 10m), Seoul ↔ Gwangju (~1h 35m). SRT: Suseo ↔ Busan / Mokpo branch.
Foreigner discount
Korail Pass — foreigner-only 1/3/5-day passes available on the Korea Tourism Organization website or Korail's official site.
🗣️ Korean Phrases for Transport
이 주소로 가주세요.
I ju-so-ro ga-ju-se-yo.
Please take me to this address.
미터기 켜주세요.
Mi-teo-gi kyeo-ju-se-yo.
Please turn on the meter.
여기서 세워주세요.
Yeo-gi-seo se-wo-ju-se-yo.
Please stop here.
카드로 결제할게요.
Ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo.
I'll pay by card.
영수증 주세요.
Yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Please give me a receipt.
지하철 몇 호선이에요?
Ji-ha-cheol myeot ho-seon-i-e-yo?
Which subway line is it?
이 버스가 ___에 가요?
I beo-seu-ga ___-e ga-yo?
Does this bus go to ___?
다음 역이 어디예요?
Da-eum yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo?
What is the next station?
환승하려면 어디서 내려야 해요?
Hwan-seung-ha-ryeo-myeon eo-di-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Where do I get off to transfer?
막차가 몇 시예요?
Mak-cha-ga myeot si-ye-yo?
What time is the last train/bus?
티머니 카드 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Ti-meo-ni ka-deu eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
Where can I buy a T-money card?
충전해주세요.
Chung-jeon-hae-ju-se-yo.
Please top it up. (T-money)
출구가 어디예요?
Chul-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Where is the exit?
이 방향이 맞아요?
I bang-hyang-i ma-ja-yo?
Is this the right direction?
📱 Essential Apps Summary
Naver Map (네이버 지도)
Best for transit routing — English support.
Kakao T (카카오T)
Taxi hailing — no Korean needed.
Kakao Map (카카오맵)
Maps & directions — real-time bus tracking.
Korail / SRT
KTX / high-speed rail booking.
Book Transport Passes with Klook
RecommendedAirport bus, T-money card, KTX passes and more — all bookable in advance with instant confirmation.
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