Seoul may be one of the busiest metropolises in the world, but luckily, the South Korean capital is relatively simple to navigate thanks to a robust public transportation system. Whether you’re taking a bus, subway or taxi, we have your guide to getting around with these Seoul public transportation tips.
Types of public transportation available
Seoul’s impressive public transportation system includes buses, subways and taxis. There are nine subway lines that take you throughout the city, and service is offered from 5:30 a.m. until about midnight. Meanwhile, a vast network of buses offer inter-city service and local neighborhood routes. If you need to get somewhere fast, Seoul’s streets are filled with taxis ready to take you to your destination. Best of all, all three types of transportation have been designed to be tourist friendly!
T-Money Card
If you’re going to be riding buses, subways or taxis throughout your trip, you may find it worthwhile to purchase a T-Money card. These are available at convenience stores and subway stations throughout Seoul. The T-Money, or Transportation Money, card can be preloaded with currency and used on any bus, subway station or taxi featuring the T-Money card reader. A T-Money card also offers a small discount on fares and transfers.
After purchasing your T-Money card, you simply place it on the reader and your fare is deducted. The screen will display the fare amount, as well as the remaining balance on your card. Travelers may find the easiest way to purchase and reload a T-Money card is through the self-serve kiosks found in subway stations, as these are available in English.
Buses
Buses and bus stops are plentiful in Seoul, but before you hop on board, it helps to know a few things about the city’s bus system. Buses are color coded based on the routes they serve. Intercity buses, for example, are red. Blue buses run long routes in the city, typically on major highways. Long green buses, meanwhile, travel shorter distances, typically connecting people to subway stations and major bus stations. Small green buses run very limited routes through smaller neighborhoods.
In busier areas, bus stations are located in the middle of the highway. This allows buses to drive in special bus-only lanes that are not subject to the city’s heavy traffic. These bus stations typically have display screens that let you know how many minutes it will be until the next bus arrives. Route information is also posted, and many stations feature this information in English.
Bus fare depends on the bus you’re taking, and how far you’re traveling. You can pay with Korean won or a T-Money card. When paying with a T-Money card, be sure to scan your card when you exit the bus. This lets you transfer to another bus or onto the subway.
Enter the bus at the front and exit in the back. There are red buttons you can push to signal the driver to stop at the next bus stop. As a common courtesy, always give up your seat to seniors and pregnant women.
Subways
Seoul’s subway system makes it convenient to get around the city — and quickly. There are nine lines serving the city, and it is relatively easy to hop on at any station and make your way to any point in Seoul. Subway stations are underground and marked with large green towers with yellow numbers. The numbers indicate the subway station’s exit number. Small stations may have four exits, while larger ones may have six or eight.
Once you enter the subway station, you will need to pay to get past the gates and into the terminal. If you have a T-Money card, you can use it to enter the subway. If not, you will need to go to the self-service kiosks to purchase a single journey ticket. English is available on the kiosks, making it easy to purchase your ticket or a T-Money card. Keep in mind that single journey tickets also require a small deposit, which you will get back after exiting the subway station at your destination and returning your ticket.
Once inside the gate, you will need to proceed downstairs again to wait for the next subway train. The display screens show how many minutes away the next train is. Once the train arrives, let all the disembarking passengers exit the bus before entering. You may sit or stand, but try to leave the center walkways clear and do not sit at the front or end of any train, as these seats are reserved for seniors, those with disabilities and passengers who are pregnant.
Taxis
Taxis are a convenient and affordable way to get around the city, though it is much easier to do so with some basic Korean phrases. Even if you cannot speak the language, you’ll still be able to take advantage of the fantastic taxi system. Just look for an orange “International Taxi.” These taxis cater to visitors and feature drivers who can speak English, Japanese or Chinese.
Basic taxis in Seoul are silver, while the black taxis are considered luxury taxis (and therefore are a bit more expensive). If you’re traveling in a regular taxi, use the phrase “___ ka chuseyo” to tell the driver where you’re traveling to. If you have a written address, you can also hand it to the driver and say “Yogi ka chuseyo.” While there may be a bit of a language barrier, many locals are delighted when tourists try to speak Korean, and even if they do not speak English, they’ll often try to communicate with you.
There is no tipping in Korean culture, so you do not need to add any extra money to your fare. If you pay with a T-Money card or debit/credit card, the exact fare will be charged. If you pay with cash, it is customary to leave the small coins with the driver.
Planning your route
The Korean government maintains websites in English where you can plan your bus or subway route, including transfer information, travel times and fares. For subway travel, use the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit website here. For bus routes, Seoul TOPIS maintains an interactive map here.
(Main image: Visionstyler Press used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
