Transportation in South Korea
Information on how to get around the country efficiently
Transportation in Korea
Complete guide to available transportation and how to move efficiently.
T-money Card
Essential rechargeable card for public transportation. Allows discounted transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes. Available at convenience stores, stations, and kiosks.
Transportation Apps
Kakao Map, Naver Map, Kakao T, and the new K-Ride app are essential for getting around. K-Ride lets you hail taxis without a Kakao account and provides live translation in multiple languages.
Tourist Information
Tourist information centers at major stations offer free maps and personalized advice. Look for the red 'i' logo to locate them.
Multichannel Support Center
Reach 1330 by phone or via KakaoTalk, Line, and Facebook for tourist and transportation assistance in English and other languages, available 24/7.
Seoul Subway
Seoul's metro system is efficient, clean, and connects most places of interest. With 23 lines, it's one of the most extensive systems in the world.
Price
1,350 - 2,350 KRW (depending on distance)
Hours
05:30 - 00:00 (first and last departures vary by line)
Payment methods
- T-money (reloadable with cash only at stations)
- Cash (at ticket vending machines)
Useful tips
- •Download 'Kakao Metro' app for Seoul travel planning
- •Lines are color-coded for easy navigation
- •Announcements and maps are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese
- •Avoid rush hours (07:30-09:00 and 18:00-19:30) if possible
Busan Subway
Busan's subway is modern and connects the main areas of the city. With 4 lines, it covers the metropolitan area and key tourist spots.
Price
1,300 - 1,800 KRW (depending on distance)
Hours
05:30 - 00:00 (varies by line)
Payment methods
- T-money card (reloadable with cash only at stations)
- Cash (for purchasing tickets at machines; debit/credit cards not accepted)
Useful tips
- •To get from Busan Station to Haeundae, take Line 1 to Seomyeon and transfer to Line 2 (Haeundae station)
- •The subway is the fastest way to move during rush hour
- •There are bus connections at most stations
- •Maps are available in English at all stations
Seoul Buses
Extensive bus network that reaches areas where the subway doesn't in Seoul. Buses have different colors according to their routes.
Price
1,300 - 2,500 KRW (depending on distance and type)
Hours
05:30 - 00:00 (varies by route; night buses available)
Payment methods
- T-money
- Contactless credit/debit card
- Cash (exact fare to driver)
Useful tips
- •Blue: long routes between Seoul districts
- •Green: short routes within districts
- •Red: express with few stops
- •Yellow: circular routes in city center
- •Use Kakao Maps or Naver Map to find specific bus routes
- •With a T-money card you get a 100 KRW discount and up to four free transfers when you tap while exiting within 30 minutes (1 hour between 21:00 and 07:00) and within a 10 km radius
Busan Buses
Bus network that reaches destinations where the subway doesn't in Busan, including viewpoints in the mountains and coastal areas.
Price
1,300 - 2,500 KRW (depending on distance and type)
Hours
05:30 - 00:00 (varies by route)
Payment methods
- T-money
- Contactless credit/debit card
- Cash (exact fare to driver)
Useful tips
- •Busan buses use numbers to identify routes
- •Bus 1003 connects the airport with Haeundae
- •There are tourist buses with stops at main attractions
- •Night buses (N) operate after midnight
Taxi
Abundant and relatively inexpensive taxis throughout the country. Available in silver/white (regular) and black (premium/deluxe) colors.
Price
Starting fare: 4,800 KRW (standard taxi) / 7,000 KRW minimum fare (black taxi). Distance increments: 100 KRW every 131 m (standard) / 200 KRW every 151 m (black)
Hours
24 hours. Night surcharges (standard taxi): +20% (22:00-23:00), +40% (23:00-02:00), +20% (02:00-04:00). Black taxi: +20% (22:00-04:00)
Payment methods
- T-money
- Credit/debit card
- Cash
Useful tips
- •Black premium taxis are more expensive but more spacious
- •Use apps like Kakao T to call taxis without language barrier
- •Have the address written in Korean to show the driver
- •Available nationwide, not only in Seoul and Busan
- •Try the K-Ride app to hail taxis without a Kakao account; it is available in English and provides live automatic translation (including Spanish)
KTX/SRT (High-speed train)
High-speed trains connecting major cities in Korea. KTX and SRT are fast, comfortable, and punctual.
Price
Seoul-Busan: 43,000 ~ 53,700 KRW (Mon-Thu) / 46,500 ~ 57,700 KRW (Fri-Sun & holidays) (2h10m)
Hours
05:00 - 22:00 (varies by destination)
Payment methods
- Credit/debit card
- Cash
- Online booking
Useful tips
- •Book in advance during holidays and weekends
- •SRT is usually 10% cheaper than KTX
- •Seats are assigned by number, respect your assigned seat
- •Discounts available for foreign students with international ID
Tips for students
Student card
With your Korean student ID or ISIC card, you can get discounts on KTX/SRT trains and some tourist attractions.
Monthly pass
If you use public transportation frequently, consider buying a monthly pass. For students in Seoul, the M-Pass offers unlimited rides for 60,000 KRW/month.
Bike sharing services
Consider using bike-sharing services like Seoul Bike (Ttareungyi) or Busan City Bike. They're economical and environmentally friendly.