Quick Answer
Get a T-money card at any convenience store (2,500 won), charge it with cash, and you can ride every subway, bus, and most taxis in the country. Download Kakao Map or Naver Map for English navigation. For taxis, install K-RIDE (no Korean phone needed) or Kakao T. Seoul’s public transit is clean, safe, affordable, and runs until around midnight.
Minimum budget for a day of transit in Seoul: 5,000-8,000 won (roughly $4-6 USD).
T-money Card
T-money is a rechargeable transit card that works on subways, buses, taxis, convenience stores, and vending machines nationwide. It is the single most useful thing you will buy in Korea.
Where to Buy
| Location | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24) | 2,500-4,000 won | Available everywhere, including Incheon Airport arrivals |
| Subway station vending machines | 2,500 won | English menu available |
| Airport bus ticket counters | 2,500 won | Incheon Airport Terminal 1 and 2 |
| Korea Tour Card (special edition) | 4,000 won | Tourist-oriented design, same function |
No ID, phone number, or registration required. Just buy and go.
How to Charge (Top Up)
- Convenience stores: Hand the card to the cashier and say “chung-jeon” (충전) + the amount. Cash only at most stores.
- Subway station machines: Insert card, select English, insert cash. Accepts 1,000-50,000 won bills.
- Minimum charge: 1,000 won per transaction
- Maximum balance: 500,000 won
- Fee: None for charging
Recommended balance: 30,000-50,000 won for 3-4 days in Seoul.
CASHBEE Card
Cashbee is a competing transit card that works identically to T-money on all public transportation. The only practical difference: Cashbee gets extra discounts at Lotte stores (Lotte Department Store, Lotte Cinema, Lotte Mart). Same price (2,500 won), same charging process, same coverage. T-money has a slightly larger affiliate network overall. Pick whichever you find first.
Mobile T-money
- Android: Download the T-money GO app. Create a digital card and top up with Visa/Mastercard.
- iPhone/Apple Watch: Apple Pay with T-money is supported as of 2025. Add T-money through the Wallet app.
- Samsung Pay: Supported natively on Samsung devices.
Refund Process
Go to any convenience store (balance under 20,000 won) or subway station service center (balance under 50,000 won). A 500 won processing fee applies. The original card purchase price (2,500 won) is not refundable.
Sources: KoreaLocally (Mar 14, 2026), InMyKorea (2025), VisitKorea (2025)
Subway
Seoul’s subway system has 23 lines, 700+ stations, and covers the entire Seoul-Incheon-Gyeonggi metropolitan area. Trains run from approximately 5:30 AM to midnight. Signs, announcements, and ticket machines are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.
How to Use
- Find your station on the map (color-coded by line number)
- Tap T-money card at the turnstile gate (or buy a single-journey ticket at the machine)
- Board the train (platform signs show direction and next stops in English)
- Tap out at your destination turnstile
Transfer between lines: Follow signs to the connecting line. You do not need to tap out and back in when transferring within the subway system.
Fares (as of June 2025)
| Distance | T-money Card | Single-Journey Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 km | 1,550 won | 1,550 won + 500 won deposit |
| 10-50 km | +100 won per 5 km | Same + deposit |
| Over 50 km | +100 won per 8 km | Same + deposit |
- Single-journey ticket deposit: 500 won, refundable at deposit return machines near exits
- Early bird discount (before 6:30 AM): 1,240 won
- Children (6-12): Roughly half price
- Under 6: Free
Climate Card (Unlimited Pass)
| Pass Type | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day | 5,000 won | Subway + bus |
| 7-Day | 20,000 won | Subway + bus |
| 30-Day | 65,000 won | Subway + bus + Ttareungi bikes |
Available at subway station machines or the Climate Card website. Worth it if you take 4+ rides per day. For a full breakdown of monthly transit costs, see our cost of living guide.
Apps with English Support
| App | Strengths | English | Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakao Map | Best overall navigation, real-time transit, walking directions | Yes | Yes |
| Naver Map | Strong transit routing, indoor maps, bus arrival times | Yes | Yes |
| Seoul Metro (official) | Wrong-direction alerts, restroom locations, carriage congestion | Yes | Yes |
| KakaoMetro | Clean subway-only interface, transfer info | Yes | Yes |
Recommendation: Install Kakao Map as your primary. It handles subway, bus, walking, and taxi all in one app.
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government (2025), TripZilla (2025), Enkostay (2025), CitygramSeoul (2025)
Bus
Seoul buses are color-coded by route type. They do not accept cash (eliminated in 2023). You must use a transit card (T-money, Cashbee) or mobile payment.
Bus Types and Fares (2025, T-money card)
| Color | Type | Route | Adult Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | Trunk | Long routes across Seoul | 1,500 won |
| Green | Branch | Feeder routes to subway stations | 1,500 won |
| Yellow | Circulation | Loops in downtown/commercial areas | 1,400 won |
| Red | Express | Seoul to satellite cities (Gyeonggi) | 3,000 won |
| Green (small) | Village (Maeul) | Short neighborhood routes | 1,200 won |
How to Use
- Check your route on Kakao Map or Naver Map (shows real-time bus location and arrival time)
- Wait at the bus stop (stops have route maps and digital arrival boards, often in English)
- Board at the front door and tap your card on the reader next to the driver
- Exit at the rear door and tap your card again on the reader near the exit
- Tapping out is critical: if you forget, the system charges maximum distance fare
Free Transfers
You can transfer between buses and subway up to 5 times within 30 minutes of tapping out, and you only pay one base fare. This works across bus-to-bus, bus-to-subway, and subway-to-bus combinations.
Tips
- Bus stops announce the next stop in Korean and English
- Night buses (N-prefixed, like N13, N26) run midnight to 5 AM on major routes; fare is 2,500 won
- Seats at the front are priority seats for elderly and disabled passengers
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government (2025), CitygramSeoul (2025), VisitSeoul (2025)
Taxi (Kakao T & Regular)
Regular Taxis
Fares (Seoul, 2025)
| Type | Base Fare | Distance | Late-Night Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (orange/silver) | 4,800 won (1.6 km) | 100 won / 131 m | 5,800-6,700 won |
| Deluxe (black) | 7,000 won (3.0 km) | 200 won / 151 m | 8,400 won |
| International | Metered + 20% surcharge | Same as regular | Same surcharge |
Late-night surcharges (regular taxis):
| Time | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM | +20% |
| 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM | +40% |
| 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM | +20% |
Deluxe (black) taxis do NOT apply late-night surcharges, but their base fare is higher.
How to Hail
- Wave down a taxi on the street. Look for the illuminated roof sign and a red digital display reading “빈차” (empty/available) on the windshield
- Go to a taxi stand (found near subway exits, hotels, major intersections)
- Use an app (see below)
Payment
- Cash (Korean won), credit/debit cards (international cards accepted), T-money card
- Tipping: Not expected and not customary. Some drivers may even refuse tips.
Kakao T (Taxi App)
The dominant taxi-hailing app in Korea, used by locals and increasingly foreigner-friendly.
- Registration: You can register with a foreign phone number (no Korean number needed), but approval may take 1-3 days vs instant for Korean numbers
- English UI: Automatically switches to English if your phone language is set to English
- Payment: Works without registering a payment method (pay driver directly with cash or card). Registering a card enables more call types.
- Call types: General (regular taxi), Venti (large), Blue (EV), Black (premium)
K-RIDE (Recommended for Tourists)
Built by Kakao Mobility specifically for international visitors. Launched 2024.
- No Kakao account needed, no Korean phone number required
- Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), 100+ auto-translation options for driver chat
- Payment: International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) registered directly in the app
- Coverage: Seoul, Incheon, expanding to more cities
- Pricing: 20-30% more expensive than Kakao T due to booking fees (3,000-5,000 won per ride)
- Best for: First-time visitors who want zero friction and don’t mind paying a small premium
Other Taxi Apps
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works in Korea but limited fleet. Familiar interface for international users. |
| i.M | SK Telecom’s taxi app. Korean-focused. |
| TADA | Premium rides. Higher fares, nicer vehicles. |
Sources: InMyKorea (2025), Enkostay (2025), FlipKorea (2025), KoreaDecoded (Jan 2026), Seoul Metropolitan Government (2025)
KTX & Intercity
KTX (High-Speed Train)
Korea’s bullet train connects Seoul to major cities. Top speed: 305 km/h.
Key Routes from Seoul Station
| Destination | Travel Time | Economy (one-way) | First Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | ~2 hr 30 min | 59,800 won | 83,700 won |
| Daejeon | ~1 hr | ~23,700 won | ~33,200 won |
| Daegu | ~1 hr 40 min | ~43,500 won | ~60,900 won |
| Gwangju (Songjeong) | ~1 hr 40 min | ~42,600 won | ~59,600 won |
Booking in English
- Korail website: korail.com/global/eng — English interface, select “Issued overseas” for foreign card payment
- KorailTalk app: Available in English, Chinese, Japanese. Book up to 1 month in advance.
- Third-party platforms: Klook and Trip.com accept foreign cards reliably. Klook added real-time booking in March 2026.
- Station ticket counters: English-speaking staff available at Seoul Station. Arrive 30+ minutes early.
Avoid: Rail Ninja and KoreanTrain.com charge 1.5-2x the official price with restrictive refund policies.
Korail Pass (KR Pass, Foreigners Only)
Unlimited KTX and all Korail trains for a fixed period.
| Pass Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 2-Day Flexible | 81,000 won |
| 3-Day Consecutive | 121,000 won |
| 5-Day Consecutive | 155,000 won |
Must be purchased before boarding. Available on Korail website or Klook.
Intercity & Express Buses
Long-distance buses connect virtually every city in Korea. Often cheaper than KTX and sometimes just as fast for mid-distance routes.
Booking Options
| Method | English Support | Foreign Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Kobus (kobus.co.kr) | Yes | Yes (can be unreliable) |
| T-money Bus (txbus.t-money.co.kr) | Limited | Limited |
| Klook | Full English | Full foreign card support |
| Bus terminal ticket counters | Basic English | Foreign cards accepted |
| Terminal kiosks | English option | Foreign cards usually work |
Major Seoul Terminals
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam area, subway Line 3/7/9) — Gyeongbu/Yeongdong lines
- Dong Seoul Terminal (Gangbyeon station, Line 2) — Eastern destinations
- Sangbong Terminal (Sangbong station, Line 7/Gyeongchun) — Northeastern destinations
Sample Fares
| Route | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul to Busan | ~4 hr 20 min | 23,000-35,000 won |
| Seoul to Jeonju | ~2 hr 40 min | 14,000-20,000 won |
| Seoul to Gangneung | ~2 hr 30 min | 17,000-24,000 won |
Sources: KoreaLocally (Feb 2026), KKday (2026), VisitKorea (2025), Korail official (2025)
Bike & Scooter Sharing
Ttareungi (Seoul Public Bicycle)
Seoul’s city-run bike-share system with 40,000+ bikes and 2,800+ stations across the city. Available 24/7.
Pricing
| Pass | General (60 min/ride) | Premium (120 min/ride) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 1,000 won | 2,000 won |
| 3-Hour (new, Nov 2025) | 3,000 won | — |
| 7-Day | 3,000 won | 4,000 won |
| 30-Day | 5,000 won | 7,000 won |
| 365-Day | 30,000 won | 40,000 won |
Overage fee: 200 won per 5 minutes beyond the allotted time.
How to Use as a Foreigner
- Download the “Seoul Bike Ttareungi” app (iOS/Android)
- Select “Foreigner” on the registration screen
- Purchase a daily or multi-day pass with credit card, Kakao Pay, or PAYCO
- Scan the QR code on any bike or enter the bike number
- Return to any Ttareungi station (does not need to be the same one)
No Korean phone number needed. Age requirement: 15+.
Kakao T Bike
Private bike-share operated by Kakao. Available in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Incheon. Includes electric bicycles in some areas.
- Open Kakao T app, select “Bike” tab
- Scan QR on the bike
- Pay per minute through Kakao T (Korean payment method needed)
Electric Scooters
Multiple operators (Beam, Kickgoing, Swing) place electric scooters around Seoul. Download the respective app, scan to unlock, and pay per minute. Typical cost: 1,000 won unlock + 150-200 won per minute.
Rules: Helmet required by law (rarely enforced), ride in bike lanes or on roads (not sidewalks), valid driver’s license required (international license accepted).
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government (Nov 2025), VisitKorea (2025), VisitSeoul (2025)
Driving in Korea
International Driving Permit (IDP)
- An IDP is required to drive in Korea as a foreigner. A foreign license alone is not sufficient.
- IDP is valid for 1 year from date of entry into Korea
- You must carry three documents: IDP + your home country license + passport
- Obtain the IDP in your home country before traveling (AAA in the US, Post Office in the UK, etc.)
Converting to a Korean License
Available for citizens of approximately 130 countries that have mutual recognition agreements with Korea.
Requirements:
- Valid foreign driver’s license
- Embassy certificate or Apostille (issued within the past year) to verify license authenticity
- Health certificate (vision and hearing test, done at any local clinic, ~5,000-10,000 won)
- Written aptitude test (available in English)
- Your foreign license must be surrendered upon conversion (per Road Traffic Act Article 84)
Process: Visit any Driver’s License Examination Office. Processing takes 1-2 weeks. For countries without a mutual agreement, a full Korean driving test (written + practical) is required.
Practical Notes
- Korea drives on the right side of the road
- Speed cameras and enforcement are common
- Parking in Seoul is expensive (2,000-5,000 won per hour) and scarce
- Navigation: Kakao Navi or Naver Map (Google Maps has limited driving directions in Korea due to national security data restrictions)
- Rental cars: Available from Lotte Rent-a-Car, SK Rent-a-Car, and Socar (Korean Zipcar equivalent). International cards accepted at major agencies.
Sources: U.S. Embassy Seoul (2025), KOROAD/safedriving.or.kr (2025), KoWork (2025)
Airport to City
From Incheon International Airport (ICN)
| Option | Time to Central Seoul | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AREX Express | 43 min (T1), 51 min (T2) | 11,000 won | Speed + budget |
| AREX All-Stop | 59 min (T1), 66 min (T2) | 4,150-4,750 won | Budget (stops at Hongdae, DMC) |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 60-90 min | 17,000-18,000 won | Door-to-area convenience |
| Regular Taxi | 60-90 min | 65,000-95,000 won | Groups, late night |
| International Taxi | 60-90 min | 70,000-95,000 won (flat rate) | English-speaking driver |
| K-RIDE / Kakao T | 60-90 min | ~65,000-80,000 won | App-based, card payment |
AREX Details
- Express train: Reserved seating, free Wi-Fi, direct to Seoul Station. Buy tickets at the AREX counter or machines in the airport basement level. Machines may decline foreign cards; use the staffed counter instead.
- All-Stop train: Uses T-money card (no reservation needed). Stops at Hongik University (Hongdae area), Digital Media City, Gimpo Airport, and 11 other stations.
- Runs every: Express: 30-40 min intervals / All-Stop: 6-12 min intervals
Airport Limousine Bus
- 22+ routes covering major Seoul areas (Myeongdong, Gangnam, Dongdaemun, Jamsil, etc.)
- Buy tickets at airport kiosk counters on the arrivals floor or use Klook for advance booking
- Payment: Cash or card at kiosks
- Luggage storage underneath the bus
- Departs every 15-30 minutes during peak hours
From Gimpo Airport (GMP, Domestic + Some International)
| Option | Time to Central Seoul | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Subway (Lines 5, 9, AREX) | 20-40 min | 1,550 won |
| Taxi | 20-40 min | 20,000-35,000 won |
| Airport Bus | 30-60 min | 7,000-8,000 won |
Gimpo is much closer to central Seoul. The subway is the obvious choice for most travelers.
Sources: SeoulExplorer (Jan 2026), AskKoreaTravel (2026), Airport Limousine Co. (2025), Seoul Metropolitan Government (2025)
Cost Summary Table
| Transport | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-money card | 2,500 won (card only) | One-time purchase |
| Subway (single ride) | 1,550 won | T-money card price |
| Bus (city) | 1,200-1,500 won | Depends on bus type |
| Bus (express/red) | 3,000 won | To satellite cities |
| Taxi (base fare) | 4,800 won | First 1.6 km |
| Taxi (10 km ride) | ~9,000-12,000 won | Approximate |
| Taxi (airport to Gangnam) | ~75,000-95,000 won | Traffic dependent |
| AREX Express | 11,000 won | Airport to Seoul Station |
| AREX All-Stop | 4,150-4,750 won | Airport to Seoul Station |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 17,000-18,000 won | Airport to Seoul areas |
| KTX Seoul-Busan | 59,800 won | Economy, one-way |
| Intercity bus Seoul-Busan | ~23,000-35,000 won | One-way |
| Ttareungi bike (daily) | 1,000-2,000 won | 60 or 120 min per ride |
| E-scooter | ~1,000 won + 150-200/min | Unlock + per minute |
| Climate Card (30-day) | 65,000 won | Unlimited subway + bus + bike |
Common Questions
Q: Can I use my credit card directly on the subway/bus? A: Seoul introduced open-loop payments for international tourists in 2025, accepting Visa/Mastercard tap-to-pay at some subway gates. Coverage is expanding but not universal yet. A T-money card remains more reliable. For more on payment options in Korea, see our cards and payments guide.
Q: Is Uber available in Korea? A: Yes, but with a very limited fleet. Kakao T or K-RIDE are far more reliable for getting a ride.
Q: Do taxi drivers speak English? A: Most do not, but many use translation apps. International taxis (available via app booking) guarantee English-speaking drivers. K-RIDE has built-in auto-translation chat with drivers.
Q: Is Google Maps useful in Korea? A: For walking and finding places, somewhat. For transit routing and driving directions, no. Use Kakao Map or Naver Map instead. Korea restricts map data exports for national security reasons, so Google Maps has limited functionality.
Q: How late does public transit run? A: Subways: Last trains around 11:30 PM - midnight (varies by line). Buses: Most routes end by midnight. Night buses (N-routes) run midnight to 5 AM on major corridors. Taxis are available 24/7.
Q: Can I get a T-money card at the airport at 2 AM? A: Yes. Convenience stores in the Incheon Airport arrivals area operate 24 hours.
Q: Are trains and buses wheelchair accessible? A: Most subway stations have elevators and platform screen doors. Newer buses are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. Older facilities may have limited accessibility. Check the Seoul Metro Accessibility app or call 1330 (Korea Travel Hotline, English available 24/7).
Q: What is the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline? A: Dial 1330 from any phone for free, 24/7 travel assistance in English, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. They can help with directions, translation, taxi issues, and emergency situations.
Sources
All sources below were published or verified in 2025 or 2026.
- Seoul Metropolitan Government - Modes of Transport (2025)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government - Taxi Fares (2025)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul Public Bike (Nov 2025)
- VisitKorea - Transportation Cards (2025)
- VisitKorea - Taxi (2025)
- VisitKorea - Ride-hailing Apps (2025)
- VisitSeoul - Transportation (2025)
- KoreaLocally - T-money Card Guide (Mar 14, 2026)
- KoreaLocally - KTX Seoul to Busan Guide (Feb 25, 2026)
- SeoulExplorer - AREX Fare Guide (Jan 30, 2026)
- KoreaDecoded - Kakao T vs K-RIDE (Jan 2026)
- AskKoreaTravel - Airport Limousine Bus Guide (2026)
- KKday - AREX Guide (2026)
- CitygramSeoul - Bus Fare & Transfer Guide (2025)
- CitygramSeoul - Seoul Transportation Guide (2025)
- Enkostay - Seoul Metro Guide (2025)
- Enkostay - Taxi Guide Korea (2025)
- InMyKorea - T-money Card Guide (2025)
- InMyKorea - How to Get a Taxi (2025)
- FlipKorea - Korea Taxi Apps Explained (2025)
- TripZilla - Seoul Subway Fare Hike 2025 (2025)
- Korail Official English Site (2025)
- U.S. Embassy Seoul - Driving in Korea (2025)
- KOROAD - Driver’s License Exchange (2025)
- KoWork - Getting a Driver’s License in Korea (2025)
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