Complete Seoul Transportation Guide 2025: Subway, Bus, Taxi Made Easy
The most common question I hear from first-time Seoul visitors is: "How do I get around?" The system looks complex, but here's the truth — Seoul has one of the world's most efficient and foreigner-friendly public transportation networks.
I've lived in Seoul my entire life, and I'm going to share everything you need to know. From buying your first T-money card to navigating subway transfers, taking buses, and getting taxis — you'll be moving around Seoul like a local in no time.
Start Here: Get a T-money Card
Before you go anywhere in Seoul, you need a T-money card. Think of it as your magic pass to the city.
What is T-money?
A rechargeable transit card that works on subways, buses, taxis, and even at convenience stores. Way easier and cheaper than buying individual tickets every time.
Where to Buy One
- Convenience stores: CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Ministop — everywhere!
- Subway stations: Info desks or convenience stores inside stations
- Incheon Airport: B1 Transit Center (get the Korea Tour Card version)
Cost: Basic T-money ₩3,000 / Korea Tour Card ₩4,000
Pro Tip: Buy the Korea Tour Card at Incheon Airport — it comes with discounts (30% off N Seoul Tower, 20% off COEX Aquarium)!
How to Reload
You can reload at convenience store counters or subway station kiosks. I usually load ₩20,000 at a time — that's enough for 3-4 days of exploring.
At convenience stores: Just say "T-money charge please" and hand them cash At kiosks: Tap card → Select amount → Insert cash
2025 New Option: Climate Card
Want unlimited rides? Try the Climate Card:
- 1-day pass: ₩5,000
- 7-day pass: ₩20,000
- 30-day pass: ₩65,000
Works on subway, buses, and even Seoul's bike-sharing system (Ttareungi). Great for longer stays!
Seoul Subway: Your Best Friend
The Seoul subway is incredibly easy to use. Color-coded lines, English announcements, and signs everywhere.
How to Ride
- Tap your T-money card at the turnstile (beep!)
- Check the line color and platform number
- Board the train (listen for English announcements)
- Tap out when you exit (important!)
Critical: Always tap out when you exit. If you forget, you'll get charged extra next time!
Fares
- Base fare: ₩1,550 (up to 10km)
- Extra: ₩100-200 per 5km
Average ride costs ₩1,400-2,000. Super affordable.
Operating Hours
- First train: Around 5:30 AM
- Last train: Around midnight
You can stay out late and still catch the subway before midnight. Last train times vary by station — check Naver Map app for exact times.
Transfer Tips
Transfer within 30 minutes and pay no extra charge! Just follow the "Transfer" signs inside the station — don't exit to the street.
Some stations have complex transfers (Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, Jonggak). Give yourself 10 minutes if you're new to the system.
Must-Have Apps
- KakaoMap: My go-to. Real-time train arrivals
- Naver Map: Most accurate in Korea
- Seoul Subway: English-friendly app for foreigners
Everything's in English, so don't worry!
Subway Etiquette
- Priority seats (blue/pink) are for elderly, pregnant women, and disabled passengers
- Keep your voice down (no phone calls!)
- Let people off before you get on
- Move your backpack to the front during rush hour
Seoul Buses: Easier Than You Think
Buses look intimidating at first, but once you know the color system, they're actually super useful.
Bus Color System
- Blue buses: Express trunk lines. Fast cross-city routes (₩1,500)
- Green buses: Local feeder routes. Short neighborhood trips (₩1,200-1,500)
- Red buses: Inter-regional express. Connect Seoul suburbs to downtown (₩3,000)
- Yellow buses: Circular routes. Loop around tourist areas (₩1,400)
How to Ride
- Check the bus number at the stop
- Board through the front door
- Tap your T-money card at the reader near the driver
- Exit through the back door and tap out
Remember: You MUST tap out when exiting! That's how the system calculates free transfers.
Transfer Benefits
Transfer between subway↔bus or bus↔bus within 30 minutes and pay no extra fee. You can transfer up to 4 times for free!
Example: Subway (₩1,550) → Bus transfer → Bus transfer → Subway transfer = Total ₩1,550 only!
Bus Apps
- KakaoMap: Real-time bus location tracking
- Seoul Bus: Arrival times by stop
Most bus stops have QR codes. Scan it for real-time arrival info.
Buses I Use Often
- Airport buses (6002, 6015, etc.): Gangnam/Myeongdong to airport
- Village buses (small green): Neighborhood loops
- Night buses (starting with N): Run after midnight
Incheon Airport↔Seoul: Take the AREX
There are several ways to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul, but I recommend the AREX (Airport Railroad Express).
AREX Express Train (Fastest)
Nonstop to Seoul Station in 43 minutes! No traffic worries.
- Travel time: Terminal 1 → Seoul Station 43min / Terminal 2 → Seoul Station 51min
- Fare: Adult ₩9,500 / Child ₩7,500
- Frequency: Every 20-40 minutes
- First/Last train: 05:15-22:48
Seats: Airplane-style reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, charging ports, tons of luggage space.
Pro Tip: Pre-booking online costs slightly more (₩11,500) but guarantees a seat. On-site purchase is ₩11,000 + ₩500 card deposit.
AREX All-Stop Train (Cheapest)
Stops at all stations. Good if you're heading to Hongdae or Gongdeok.
- Travel time: About 53 minutes
- Fare: Terminal 1 ₩4,150 / Terminal 2 ₩4,750
- Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes (very frequent!)
Key stops: Gyeyang, Gimpo Airport, Digital Media City, Hongik University, Gongdeok
I take the all-stop train when going to Hongdae. Much cheaper and trains come often.
Airport Limousine Bus
Great if you have lots of luggage or want to go straight to your hotel.
- Fare: ₩5,000-15,000 (depends on destination)
- Travel time: 60-90 minutes (traffic dependent)
- Night routes: Run 23:30-03:40 (if you miss the last train!)
Ticket booths are on the arrival floor (1F). Show them your hotel address and they'll tell you which bus to take.
Taxi
If you're traveling with 3-4 people, splitting a taxi makes sense.
- Regular taxi: ~₩60,000-70,000
- Deluxe taxi (black): ~₩100,000+
- Late night surcharge: Midnight-4AM +20%
Use the official airport taxi stand — always queue up for safety.
Seoul Taxis: Convenient but Know the Rules
Taxi Types
- Regular taxis (silver/white): Base fare ₩4,800
- Deluxe taxis (black): Base fare ₩7,000 (more professional, English-speaking drivers)
- Large taxis: 6-9 passengers (good for groups with luggage)
How to Catch a Taxi
- Hail on the street (empty taxis have "TAXI" sign lit up)
- Or use the app: Kakao T
I highly recommend Kakao T. Enter your destination beforehand and pay through the app — no need to speak Korean!
Taxi Fares
- Base fare: ₩4,800 (first 2km)
- Additional charges based on distance/time
- Late night surcharge: Midnight-4AM +20%
- No tipping! Korea doesn't have a tipping culture.
Typical 10-15km ride costs ₩10,000-15,000.
Avoiding Taxi Scams
Most taxi drivers are honest. But some target foreign tourists.
How to protect yourself:
- Avoid taxis soliciting passengers at airports/tourist spots
- Use Kakao T app (fare shown upfront)
- Make sure the meter is running
- Get a receipt (you can report issues)
Be extra careful around Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Itaewon.
Walking & Biking
Seoul is actually a great walking city!
Best Areas for Walking
- Hongdae, Itaewon, Seongsu-dong: Perfect for strolling
- Han River Park: Excellent walking paths
- Bukchon, Ikseon-dong: Narrow alleys are meant for walking
Ttareungi (Seoul Public Bikes)
- Cost: ₩1,000 per hour
- How to rent: Download Ttareungi app → Register → Scan QR code
- Return: Any Ttareungi station
Cycling along the Han River is amazing. Rent at Yeouido or Ttukseom stations.
Pro Tips from a Local
1. Download These Apps First
- KakaoMap (essential!): Best navigation
- Kakao T: Taxi calls
- Naver Map: Backup option
- Ttareungi: If you'll bike
2. Always Keep Your T-money Loaded
Check your balance before leaving in the morning! Running out of credit mid-trip is annoying.
Reloading at convenience stores is fastest.
3. Avoid Rush Hour
- Morning: 7:30-9:30 AM
- Evening: 6:00-8:00 PM
Subways get PACKED during these times. Avoid if possible.
4. Learn a Few Korean Phrases
- "Yeo-gi ga-ju-se-yo" (택시: here please go = Take me here)
- "Nae-ryeo-ju-se-yo" (버스: please let me off)
- "T-money choong-jeon ju-se-yo" (편의점: T-money recharge please)
Common Questions
Q: Can I get a refund on my T-money card? A: Yes! Return it at convenience stores or subway stations. You'll get your deposit (₩500) back plus any remaining balance under ₩20,000.
Q: Are there luggage lockers at subway stations? A: Yes, most major stations have coin lockers. Small ₩2,000-3,000, large ₩3,000-5,000.
Q: What if I'm out late and public transport stopped? A: Night buses (N-buses) run midnight-5AM. Or use Kakao T for a taxi.
Q: How do I check my T-money balance? A: Ask at convenience store counters, or look at the screen when you tap out at subway gates.
Q: Is it hard to get a taxi when it rains? A: Very hard! Pre-book on Kakao T if you see rain in the forecast.
Final Advice
Seoul's transportation looks complex at first, but you'll get the hang of it in a day or two.
My top 3 tips:
- Keep your T-money card loaded
- Install KakaoMap (seriously essential!)
- Use the transfer system (free within 30 minutes!)
Seoul's public transport is world-class. You can reach almost anywhere by subway, and adding bus transfers makes it even easier.
If you get lost, don't worry. Subway station staff and convenience store workers are usually helpful. Show them your phone with the map and they'll point you in the right direction.
Enjoy exploring Seoul without transportation stress! Feel free to ask if you have questions. 😊
