Getting around Seoul: bus, subway, bike, taxi
Last Updated on November 4, 2024 by Alex
Before my first trip to South Korea’s capital, I knew nothing about getting around Seoul. I was lucky to meet up with a friend who had visited several times before and got some handy tips.
However, I struggled initially to understand the complex public transportation system. Seoul is a global city with nearly 10 million inhabitants.
Even after we moved to Seoul, I managed to get lost once or twice.
That being said, with the correct information and guidance, you won’t have to worry about a thing. I’m not only talking about knowing your facts about public transportation but also about what apps to use and how to use them to make your life easier.
That is precisely what I will cover in this post so that you won’t have to worry about a thing during your Seoul vacation.
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Table of Contents
Getting around Seoul: Everything You Must Know
How to get to Seoul from Incheon Airport
That’s the first thing you want to know when planning your vacation, right?
Do not worry; your answers and options will be found in this comprehensive guide.
If you don’t have the time or patience to go through the whole guide, here are your options in a nutshell:
Airport Railroad Express (AREX)
It offers the fastest and most convenient way of traveling from the airport to the city center.
Alternatively, depending on your destination, you can take the all-stop trains.
How much does it cost to go by train?
The fast train: 9000 KRW for adults, 7000 KRW for children, and 7500 per person if you are traveling in a group of 3 or more people;
The all-stop train:
- From Terminal 2 to Seoul Station: KRW 4,750 / child: KRW 2,200
- From Terminal 1 to Seoul Station: KRW 4,150 / child: KRW 1,900
- From Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Station: KRW 1,450 / child: KRW 550
By Bus
There are two airport bus types: the Airport Limousine Bus (more luxurious, going only to Seoul Station) and the regular bus (linking the airport to other regions within the city).
By taxi
Inside the Arrival Hall, there are designated desks where you can ask for a taxi. Airport staff will help you. You can choose the car size and how you prefer to pay and tell English-speaking people where your final destination is.
You must pay at the airport, and a driver will pick you up from the desk and take you to the car.
From our experience, we paid around 70.000 won to DMC and 80.000 won to Myeongdong.
Another option would be to book a private transfer by international taxi directly online before your trip. The advantage is that you will have all the information you need before you go: booking, pick-up place, car details, etc. Moreover, you will pay online, so you won’t have to worry about that.
Read also: Choose the best place to stay in Seoul
By Private Transfer
You might think this option is more expensive than getting to the city by taxi, but you would be wrong. Prices are similar; you can choose a shared airport transfer for much less.
Shared means that up to 9 people can fit inside the car so you won’t have to worry about traveling in a crowded vehicle.
Cars have air conditioning and plenty of space for luggage.
Getting around Seoul: basic facts
You will need a T-Money card, a rechargeable card you can use on all public transportation (subway, buses, trains) and at different convenience stores.
You can buy the card online before your arrival, with a SIM card to use during your stay, and from any subway station or convenience store such as 7-Eleven, GS25, EMart24, or CU.
The card itself costs 4000 KRW (3.6 USD), and you can top it up at any of the above-mentioned stores. Just know that you will be able to pay by card for the card itself, but you will need cash to top up.
Once you have charged it with money, you must validate it once you get on and off the bus or subway.
Read next: SIM Card or Pocket Wifi in South Korea: what to choose

Seoul City Pass is another option when you won’t be traveling outside the capital city. It offers free unlimited transportation for 24, 48, or 72 hours, free entry to 40+ attractions, and discounts to over 60 attractions.
Local Transportation Options
Subway
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway runs inside the city and links the capital to Incheon and other destinations within Gyeonggi-do and Chuncheongnam-do.
For this reason, you can go on different day trips from Seoul by subway/train.
The standard fare in Seoul starts at 1350 won, and an additional fare is charged depending on the total distance traveled.
Planning Your Route
You can calculate your estimated cost by using the official Subway Seoul website. There, you will find a map of the whole subway system. By clicking on the station you want to depart from and on your final destination, you will get a time estimate, itinerary, and price.


As you can see, the ticket price depends on whether you have a T-Money card or choose to buy a Single Journey Card from the machines inside the subway station.
Tickets and T-Money

Vending machines are easy to use and are found in every subway station. Payment is accepted in cash or by credit/debit card.
Once you arrive at your destination, remember to insert the used card into the “used card machine,” and you will receive 500won back.
If you have a T-Money card, remember to validate it every time you use the subway.
While the subway might be the fastest means of transportation, the distance and number of changes depend a lot on it. Often, subway stations require a relatively long walk to get to the line or to change the line.
Other Information
The metro system operates from 5:30 AM to midnight.
Inside each carriage, there is a designated area for elderly people. At the end of each line of chairs, there is a pink one for pregnant women.
Also, certain carriages have a more intense air conditioning system, so you might want to look after the sign on the window.
Getting around by bus

The bus was our favorite means of transportation in Seoul. While plenty of lines will get you anywhere, the best part about buses is that they have their own designated lane in certain areas. That means that buses will always be faster no matter how heavy the traffic.
Also, there are different types of buses depending on their itinerary and prices:
- Blue buses – for long distances within Seoul – basic fare of 1300 won
- Green buses – for transportation between blue bus stops and subway stops – basic fare of 1300 won
- Yellow buses – downtown Seoul – basic fare 1200 won
- Red bus – inter-city express transit – basic fare 2400 won
- Night Buses – marked with N, these buses run throughout Seoul from midnight until 5 AM – basic fare 2250 won
Normally, you will find blue and green buses within the city center, and you can take whichever comes first.
Getting on and off the bus is only from the front door; you can use the middle or back doors. Don’t forget to validate your card once you get on and before you get off.

Chairs in the front part of the bus are usually for elderly and pregnant women.
At each bus stop, you will find a map of all the bus itineraries and an electronic sign that shows in real time which bus will come next.
You can also check your itinerary and bus options directly on Naver.
Another option is this site, which allows you to see all the bus stops around your location, together with buses and timetables.

Of course, most information is displayed in Korean, but it isn’t difficult to understand.
Taxi

You can choose from different types of taxis. Don’t be fooled by the different colors of the cars; they might all have the same rate, whether they are orange or grey.
You have options for standard, deluxe, jumbo, and specific taxis for foreigners in Seoul (international).
The black taxis are specifically for foreigners, and the drivers speak English, Chinese, or Japanese. You can check them out at International Taxies.
Many taxi drivers don’t speak English, so using a taxi app (such as Kakao Taxi) or having your destination written in Korean might be helpful. We speak from experience when we tell you it will be challenging to get a driver to find an address written in English.
You can pay by card inside the car and are not expected to leave any tip.
Bike
Seoul has a great biking system with many marked lanes you can use, especially along the Han River, but not only limited to that.
BikeSeoul is an easy-to-use online app for renting a bike. The map shows the closest bike “parking” and offers the option to buy an hourly or daily ticket.
You can buy the ticket online, scan the bike’s QR code, pick it up, and leave it at any bike stop close to your destination.
Standard bicycles are white and green and have a small basket to carry your stuff.
One hour costs roughly 1000 won.

You can rent an electric bike if you don’t want to burn as many calories and have longer distances to bike.
Elecle are electric bikes; you can tell they are different by their red color. You can find them anywhere on the street; there aren’t designated stops where you must leave them. You can book a ticket online on their app or website.


The system is the same: You need to scan a QR code, but unfortunately, the information is provided in Korean only.
Hop-on-hop-off Bus
In almost any tourist destination, there’s the option to take a hop-on-hop-off bus. The best part about this bus is that it has an audio guide that will help you learn some interesting facts about the places you visit.
Additionally, the itinerary usually links some of the most important attractions in town, and you can get on and off whenever you want to.
You can explore each destination for as long as you like, with buses running every 20-30 minutes.
Driving in Seoul: Renting a car
As you might imagine, driving around the city can be challenging, with crazy traffic and few parking spaces.
However, if you would rather drive, we have compiled a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about driving in Seoul and South Korea.
Read about driving in Seoul here!
Transportation Card
Discover Seoul Pass is an excellent option for those who spend one, two, or three days in Seoul.
The card can be used as a T-Money card, and you can top-up money for public transportation.
In addition, you get free access to 42 tourist attractions and discounted tickets for 35 other attractions.
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