Compare the subway, buses, airport rail, airport coaches, taxis, transport cards, cycling and accessibility. Choose by luggage, arrival time, destination and access needs.
Start with the destination, then check the service.
Copy your destination’s full address. Compare rail and direct buses, check your terminal and last departure, and keep a late-arrival fallback. Official fares below retain their published basis dates; they are not live quotes. No booking, fare calculator or live vehicle tracking is connected.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Subway
Myeongdong Station ticket gates, Seoul, November 2018. Archival transport context, not proof of current card or refund rules. Photo: LERK · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source & licence ↗
Seoul subway is the easiest default for most visitors: dense coverage, color-coded lines, multilingual signs/announcements, and official route/timetable tools. It works with a transportation card or single-journey tickets from station kiosks.
Best for
Fast cross-city trips, avoiding road traffic, airport-to-city connections via AREX transfers, and travelers who prefer predictable station-to-station navigation.
How to use it
Use a transit card for repeated rides, or buy a single-journey ticket for subway-only trips. Use official Seoul Subway/Seoul Metro station search or route apps for route, transfer, fare, and last-train checks before traveling late.
Watch for
Do not assume trains run overnight. Check the exact station, direction, weekday/weekend/holiday timetable, and last-train result before late plans. Some private or regional lines may have different coverage or fares.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Seoul Metropolitan Government fare table states subway fares as of Sat, Jun. 28, 2025; observed 2026-10-06.
adult Base Transit Card: KRW 1,550 after Jun. 28, 2025 per SMG subway fare table; distance-based additions may apply
adult Base Single Ride: KRW 1,650 after Jun. 28, 2025 per SMG subway fare table
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
City buses and bus colors/categories
Seoul blue city bus route 720, photographed 6 March 2019. Archival vehicle/route context only; verify current routes, stops and fares separately. Photo: Wikiwater2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source & licence ↗
Seoul buses fill gaps between subway stations but can feel complex for first-time visitors. Official categories are color-coded: blue trunk, green branch/local, yellow circulation, red rapid/metropolitan, plus customized, airport and midnight buses.
Blue · trunkGreen · branch/localYellow · circulationRed · metropolitan/rapid
Best for
Short neighborhood hops, places not close to subway exits, scenic street-level travel, and direct routes when a map app shows a simple bus option.
How to use it
Prepare a transportation card, check the route and direction before boarding, tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving if using a card. For transfer discounts, tap off and transfer within the official time window.
Watch for
Buses in the same stop can go in different directions. Same-route/same-vehicle re-boarding does not count as a transfer. Multi-passenger transfer rules are limited and subway transfer discounts are not applied to multi-passenger boarding.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Seoul Metropolitan Government bus fare table states fares as of 3 AM on Sat, Aug. 12, 2023; observed 2026-10-06.
adult Trunk Branch Card: KRW 1,500 per SMG table
adult Rapid Card: KRW 3,000 per SMG table
adult Local Card: KRW 1,200 per SMG table
transfer Increment: Base fare up to 10 km, then KRW 100 per additional 5 km per SMG integrated fare description
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Airport Railroad AREX: all-stop vs express
A'REX (Incheon International Airport Railroad) 2000-series EMU, photographed 21 January 2009. Archival train-identification context only; fleet appearance and service details can change. Photo: Subway06 · CC BY 3.0. Source & licence ↗
AREX is the rail link between Incheon Airport, Gimpo Airport and Seoul Station. Official airport pages point travelers to the Airport Railroad official site/hotline for fares and schedules; the key planning distinction is express/reserved non-stop service versus all-stop commuter-style service with intermediate stations.
Express: airport ↔ Seoul Station
Airport terminal → Seoul Station. Use the express product’s own ticket and timetable.
All-stop: intermediate stations matter
Airport terminals · Gimpo Airport · Hongik University · Gongdeok · Seoul Station
Selected station references only. Not a full route map or a timetable.
Best for
Airport-to-Seoul Station trips, airport access when traffic is a concern, and travelers whose destination is near Seoul Station, Hongik University, Gongdeok, Digital Media City, Gimpo Airport, or another AREX station.
How to use it
At Incheon Airport, follow signs to the Transportation Center/B1 Airport Railroad area. Confirm your terminal, train type, destination and timetable on the official AREX site or at ticket machines/counters. Use the all-stop train when your target is an intermediate station; use express when you want the non-stop Seoul Station airport-train product and the schedule/seat availability works.
Watch for
Do not assume every airport train is express or that all-stop and express use the same ticketing flow. Late arrivals need a current last-train check; airport pages explicitly refer fare/schedule details to AREX official channels.
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Airport limousine buses
An airport limousine bus at Incheon Airport in September 2008. Historic photo, not the N6000 or a current departure, fare or route confirmation. Photo: Yerbol Nisanbayev · CC BY 3.0. Source & licence ↗
Airport limousine buses connect Incheon Airport with many Seoul districts and hotels, but route availability, fares and timetables are route-specific. Use Incheon Airport's official bus search and terminal bus ticket/location pages rather than relying on a generic route list.
Best for
Travelers with luggage, hotel-area drop-offs, destinations not convenient by subway, and late-night options when a current official route exists.
How to use it
Start with Incheon Airport Bus Search, choose Seoul or another region, then choose the route/destination. At T1, official ticket booths and information are inside near exits 4 and 9 and outside near exits 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 13. Check terminal boarding location, destination stop, ticketing method and timetable before exiting arrivals.
Watch for
Do not invent airport bus routes from memory. Incheon Airport warns to consider immigration time before booking transport and says bus operation questions should go to the relevant bus company or local government. Most airport limousine buses are not equipped for people with disabilities according to Visit Seoul accessibility guidance.
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Taxis: ordinary, deluxe/international and metered surcharges
Taxis waiting for passengers in Seoul, photographed 8 August 2015. Archival taxi context only; fares, vehicle types and surcharge rules can change. Photo: Ilya Plekhanov · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source & licence ↗
Seoul taxis include ordinary/sedan taxis, SUV/van/deluxe taxis, international taxis and app/brand products. For a visitor overview, focus on metered official fares and surcharges rather than estimating trip prices.
Keep the destination addressCheck taxi type & meterConfirm surchargesKeep the receipt
Best for
Short trips with luggage, late-night movement after transit ends, accessibility or mobility needs when subway/bus is inconvenient, and destinations far from stations.
How to use it
Use official meters or an approved fare plan. Ordinary sedan taxis are the common baseline; deluxe/SUV/van taxis have higher base and distance/time fares. International taxis use the same metered fare as sedan/SUV/van/deluxe plus an international passenger surcharge unless using an approved section/charter fare.
Watch for
Late-night and outside-city surcharges can stack. SMG states all taxis must charge only by the meter except separately approved fare plans. Tolls requested by the passenger are collected separately at actual amount.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Seoul Metropolitan Government taxi table states sedan and SUV/van/deluxe fares as of 4 AM on Feb. 1, 2023; observed 2026-10-06.
sedan Day Base: KRW 4,800 up to 1.6 km; KRW 100 per 131 m; KRW 100 per 30 s
sedan Night Surcharge: Late-night surcharge: 20% 10 PM-11 PM, 40% 11 PM-2 AM, 20% 2 AM-4 AM; outside-city surcharge 20%; late-night outside-city up to 60%
deluxe Suv Van Day Base: KRW 7,000 up to 3.0 km; KRW 200 per 151 m; KRW 200 per 36 s
international Metered: Same as sedan/SUV/van/deluxe taxi fare plus 20% international passenger surcharge; sedan multiple surcharge can total up to 60% with late-night and outside-city surcharges
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Walking, cycling and Ttareungi visitor eligibility
Seoul Bike/Ttareungi rental station in Seoul, photographed 23 September 2018. Archival station context only; check the official app/map for current docks and availability. Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source & licence ↗
Seoul is highly walkable in many districts, and Ttareungi/Seoul Public Bike is the official public bike system with rental stations near subway exits, bus stops and popular pedestrian areas. Official Seoul pages describe it as usable anywhere, anytime by anyone and designed for broad user groups.
Check visitor eligibility and paymentChoose a suitable walking / cycling routeConfirm service rules and return process
Best for
Short local trips, riverside or park riding, station-to-destination gaps, and travelers who want street-level exploring rather than another subway transfer.
How to use it
Use the official Seoul Public Bike website/app to find nearby stations, rent and return at any station. Scan the QR reader on the rear wheel using the official app. For unlimited transit passes, note whether Ttareungi is included; short-term Climate Card passes specifically do not include Ttareungi.
Watch for
Do not promise foreign visitor payment flows unless verified at point of use. Ttareungi pass/payment details can change; confirm in the official app/site. Ride only where safe and legal; treat busy sidewalks and pedestrian areas cautiously.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Seoul Public Bike policy archive and Climate Card page observed 2026-10-06; official pages do not present the Ttareungi fare table with a separate fare-effective date in extracted text.
ttareungi Single Use: SMG policy archive lists single-use 1-hour KRW 1,000 and 2-hour KRW 2,000
climate Card Short Term Ttareungi: Not included in short-term Climate Card passes per SMG Climate Card page
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Accessibility
GTX-A Seoul Station interior corridor with tactile paving and wayfinding, photographed 8 January 2025. This is accessibility context, not proof that every route or facility at Seoul Station is accessible. Archival photograph; not proof of current conditions. Photo: Striker9498 · CC0 1.0. Source & licence ↗
Seoul has official accessibility resources for subway stations, low-floor buses, Danurim tourism support, and accessible taxis. The practical advice is to verify the exact departure, transfer and arrival station facilities rather than assuming every station or bus route is equally accessible.
Check the exact station exit and liftConfirm the venue entrance and facilitiesCheck any advance assistance booking
Best for
Wheelchair users, older travelers, pregnant travelers, families with strollers, and anyone needing elevators, accessible restrooms or assistance services.
How to use it
Check station-level elevator, accessible restroom, wheelchair ramp/lift and guidance-system data before routing. For tourism assistance, contact Seoul Danurim Tourism Center. For accessible taxis, reserve in advance and keep a backup because Visit Seoul warns demand is higher than supply.
Watch for
Some smaller/older stations may lack full facilities or have partial access. Visit Seoul says most airport limousine buses are not disability-equipped and advises not relying on accessible call vans as a primary mode because waits can be long.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Visit Seoul accessibility page states accessible taxi fleet/fare details as of 2024 in extracted text; observed 2026-10-06.
accessible Taxi From Visit Seoul: Visit Seoul lists accessible taxi base fare up to 5 km as KRW 1,500 and says no time/area surcharges apply; verify before publication if using fares prominently.
Sources checked 6 Oct 2026. Check current operator notices before your journey.
GETTING AROUND SEOUL
Practical transit cards, transfers and last-train caution
Ticket and card-reload machines at Soraepogu Station, Incheon, on the Seoul metropolitan network, July 2024. Equipment and supported products can change. Photo: LandAndTree · CC BY 4.0. Source & licence ↗
For most visitors, a reloadable Tmoney/EZL-type transit card is the simplest pay-per-ride tool; heavy Seoul-only riders can compare the official Climate Card short-term pass. Transfer discounts require correct tapping behavior and time windows. Late-night plans need last-train checks, not assumptions.
Buy / choose a cardCheck reload methodTap in & tap outCheck coverage & refund rules
Best for
Trip planning, cost-control guidance, visitors choosing between pay-per-ride and unlimited passes, and avoiding late-night stranded situations.
How to use it
Buy/reload a transit card at convenience stores or subway stations, tap on and tap off buses/subway to preserve transfer eligibility, and check last trains in Seoul Metro/Cyber Station or the official Seoul Subway app before evening plans. Consider Climate Card short-term passes only when staying mainly inside the covered Seoul service range and riding enough to justify a pass.
Watch for
Climate Card service range has exclusions such as Sinbundang, lines outside Seoul, airport/intercity buses and non-Seoul-licensed buses; for subway, disembarking outside the service range can trigger extra fare collection. Short-term Climate Card passes begin on the charging date and cannot be charged in advance. Transfer windows and same-route restrictions matter.
Published fare reference, with basis date
Climate Card page observed 2026-10-06; SMG transfer/fare rules state bus fares as of Aug. 12, 2023 and subway fares as of Jun. 28, 2025 where applicable.
transfer Rule: Transfer within 30 minutes of getting off, or 60 minutes from 9 PM to 7 AM; up to four transfers/five boardings per SMG Modes of Transport page
