It is fast and highly punctual, so delays are rare, and it provides convenient travel not only in major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju but also in regional cities.
▶ Public transportation fares are also relatively inexpensive.
As a result, overall satisfaction among international visitors is high, and even students coming to Korea for the first time can use public transportation with ease.
▶ Subways in Korea and most buses provide free Wi‑Fi.
From the moment you enter a station or bus stop, your device connects automatically without any login or sign‑up process, and it connects again when you board.
Because the service is unlimited with no time restrictions, you can freely watch video platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.
Compared with many other countries where additional authentication is required, this is one of the features international users find most satisfying about public transportation in Korea.
▶ All prices in this guide are shown in Korean won (KRW).
Amounts in U.S. dollars (USD) are also provided, using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1,450 KRW.
Please note that actual exchange rates fluctuate, so these figures are for reference only.
●●🟧 With just a transit card and a smartphone, you can travel anywhere in the country.
●✅ Even if you are visiting Korea for the first time as a foreigner,
with just a smartphone and a transit card,
you can travel quickly and affordably to most parts of the country, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
●✅ Subways, buses, taxis, KTX, express buses, and domestic flights are all integrated into a single network,
so you can continue your journey smoothly even when your route is complicated.
●✅ In Korea, Naver Map and Kakao Map are much more accurate than Google Maps.
Many first‑time visitors to Korea who try to find their way using only Google Maps
often discover that their trips take longer than expected.
●✅ If you install essential apps such as KakaoBus, KakaoMetro, KakaoTaxi, and KorailTalk,
you can manage everything from checking routes to making reservations
using just your smartphone.
📌 Korea’s transportation system is fast, affordable, and operates with virtually no delays,
so both tourists and international students report very high levels of satisfaction.
●●🟧 Transfer system – Make up to 5 transfers with one transit card while saving on fares
▶ Korea’s transfer system was not the first in the world,
but it is considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated systems worldwide.
▶ When transferring between the subway, buses, and local community buses,
you can continue your trip with only a small additional fare and no complicated procedures.
This convenient integrated system is so distinctive that many other countries benchmark it.
●✅ Korea’s public transportation system uses an “integrated transfer discount system,”
which allows you to significantly reduce your travel costs when traveling between the subway, buses, and community buses.
The discount is applied automatically as long as you tap your transit card on the reader when you board and when you get off.
●✅ If you tap your transit card on another mode of transportation within 30 minutes after getting off,
it is treated as a transfer with no additional fare.
💊 During late‑night hours (9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.),
transfers are allowed for up to one hour after you get off.
●✅ You can transfer up to four times between the subway, buses, and community buses,
and even if you use up to five different vehicles in a row,
all rides are calculated under a single fare structure, allowing you to save a substantial amount on transportation costs.
●✅ However, transfer discounts are not available when paying in cash,
so you must use a transit card.
●✅ The base fare for subways and buses is ₩1,200–₩1,400,
which, using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1,450 KRW,
is approximately $0.83–$0.97.
💊 Transfers themselves are free,
and only an additional 100–300 KRW (about USD $0.07–$0.21) is added as your travel distance increases.
(If you transfer for a short distance, no extra fare is charged.)
📌 As long as you tap your card once when boarding and once when getting off, transfers are processed automatically,
and the fare and remaining balance are displayed immediately on the reader.
Errors are extremely rare, and the same fare rules apply equally to both foreign visitors and Korean residents.
●●🟧 Transit card overview – With just one T-money card, you can travel conveniently anywhere in the country
●✅ If you use a transit card such as T-money or Cashbee,
you can easily ride the subway, buses, and even some taxis.
●✅ You can purchase a transit card at convenience stores or subway stations for about ₩2,500 (approximately USD $1.72),
and this amount serves as a card deposit
that is fully refunded when you return the card upon leaving Korea.
Because it can be reloaded and reused, it is essential for long‑term residents and international students.
●✅ If you use Samsung Pay (NFC),
you can pay with just your smartphone without a physical card,
so it is widely used by Koreans and long‑term foreign residents.
●✅ iPhone users can use dedicated apps
to add funds to their cards and check their remaining balance,
while payment is generally made using the physical card itself.
●✅ When you use a transit card, fares are cheaper than when you pay in cash, and transfer discounts are applied automatically,
so it is essential for foreigners visiting Korea for the first time.
📌 A transit card is a basic item you absolutely need to use public transportation in Korea,
and if you enable mobile integration,
all fares are processed automatically
just by tapping once when you board and once when you get off.
●●🟧 Checking and refunding your transit card balance – Be sure to do this before leaving Korea
●✅ Any remaining balance on your transit card
can be easily refunded at convenience stores or subway station information centers.
●✅ If you install a dedicated app, you can check your balance and usage history,
making it much easier to manage your card during your stay in Korea.
📌 Before leaving Korea,
tourists should make sure to get a refund for both the remaining balance on their transit card and the ₩2,500 (about USD $1.72) deposit.
●●🟧 Subway – South Korea’s primary mode of transportation: fast, punctual, and clean
●✅ Subways in Korea are highly rated even compared with those in major cities around the world,
thanks to their punctual operation, clean facilities, and strong safety standards.
●✅ Subways operate not only in Seoul but also in several other cities such as Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju,
and in each city, multilingual announcements, signage, and platform layouts are well designed,
so even first‑time international visitors can use the system without difficulty.
●✅ The base fare is ₩1,400 (about USD $0.97),
and under a distance‑based fare system, only a small additional amount is added as your travel distance increases.
●✅ At most stations, English announcements and signs are provided,
so you can use the system without a language barrier.
▶ The Seoul subway network includes not only Lines 1 through 9
but is also integrated with the metropolitan rail lines,
making travel within the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas very convenient.
▶ Lines are distinguished by numbers and colors,
so foreign visitors can quickly understand the system.
▶ All subway stations nationwide have free public restrooms,
and many stations also offer well‑equipped convenience facilities and cultural spaces,
resulting in very high satisfaction among international users.
💊 Some Seoul subway stations have many stairways.
Although most are equipped with escalators,
if you have heavy luggage or difficulty walking,
it is much more convenient to use the dedicated elevators inside the station.
📌 In Korean public transportation,
there is an established etiquette of “let passengers get off first → then board,”
and lining up in an orderly queue happens naturally.
●●🟧 How to Find Subway Exits – Easy to Get Around as Long as You Know the Exit Number
●✅ Subway station exits in Korea are numbered,
and some stations have more than 20 exits, starting from Exit 1.
●✅ Each exit is connected to nearby tourist attractions, shopping areas, hospitals, restaurants, and more,
so choosing the closest exit can greatly reduce your travel time.
●✅ Inside the station, exit numbers and directions are clearly marked
with large arrows, so even first‑time visitors can move around
without getting lost.
●✅ On Naver Map and Kakao Map,
a “recommended exit number” is automatically displayed when you search,
so you can find the correct exit even at complex stations.
📌 The exit‑numbering system in Korean subway stations
is clear enough that even foreign visitors
can understand it intuitively.
●●🟧 Subway Interior Amenities – Wi‑Fi, Charging, and a Comfortable Travel Environment
●✅ All subway trains in Korea provide free Wi‑Fi,
so you can access the internet even while commuting to work or school.
●✅ On some lines and trains, power outlets for charging your phone are also available,
so you can travel comfortably over long distances without worrying about your battery.
📌 If you’re planning a long trip,
bringing a simple charging cable will make your ride even more convenient.
●●🟧 Safety and etiquette tips to know when using the subway
●✅ Eating and drinking are prohibited on Korean subways,
and most passengers remain quiet, so the trains are generally very calm.
●✅ There is a strong social norm to leave the priority seats for older adults and others who need them,
so foreign visitors should also avoid using these seats.
●✅ If you have large luggage, it is more convenient to use the space near the doors or in the designated luggage areas.
📌 There is a well‑established culture of following rules and maintaining order on the subway,
so even first‑time visitors to Korea can adjust easily.
●●🟧 The most convenient way to travel from Incheon Airport to Seoul – Airport Railroad (A'REX)
●✅ A'REX is a rail line that connects Incheon International Airport directly to Seoul Station,
with a travel time of about 40–60 minutes,
and is considered one of the most reliable and convenient transportation options from the airport.
●✅ After arriving at Seoul Station,
you can easily transfer to various lines such as the subway, KTX, and buses,
making it easy to travel not only within Seoul but also to the greater metropolitan area and other regions of Korea.
📌 For visitors arriving in Korea for the first time,
A'REX, along with airport buses, is one of the most efficient transportation options
for reaching downtown Seoul quickly.
●●🟧 Another option for traveling from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul – Airport Bus (Limousine Bus)
●✅ Airport buses offer direct service from Incheon Airport to major areas such as Gangnam, Hongdae, Myeongdong, Seoul Station, and Jamsil,
allowing you to travel without transfers,
which is especially convenient for foreign visitors who have a lot of luggage or find long‑distance travel tiring.
●✅ Most airport buses have wide seats, comfortable backrests, and ample luggage storage space,
so even foreigners using public transportation for the first time can ride without feeling burdened.
●✅ Fares generally range from ₩12,000 to ₩17,000 depending on the route, which is approximately USD $8.30–$11.70 based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1,450 KRW.
●✅ Onboard announcements are provided in English, Chinese, and Japanese,
and stop arrival information is also displayed on electronic signboards,
so even visitors who are new to Korea can easily follow along.
💊 Although airport buses are more expensive than A'REX, the seats are more comfortable,
making them a good option if you have a lot of luggage after a long flight or need to rest.
📌 Because both A'REX (Airport Railroad) and airport buses stop operating between 11:00 p.m. and midnight,
if you arrive at Incheon Airport in the early‑morning hours,
you will need to take a taxi or a late‑night taxi.
📌 Even during late‑night hours, taxis in Korea operate reliably,
so foreign visitors arriving in Korea for the first time can travel into downtown Seoul
without major inconvenience.
●●🟧 If you arrive during early‑morning hours – available transportation options
●✅ A'REX and airport buses typically stop operating between 11:00 p.m. and midnight.
●✅ Foreign visitors who arrive during the early‑morning hours (12:00 a.m.–5:00 a.m.) must use a regular taxi or a late‑night taxi.
●✅ The taxi fare from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station
is usually around ₩55,000–₩65,000 (about USD $38–$45) during normal hours,
and during late‑night hours (10:00 p.m.–4:00 a.m.), when a surcharge applies,
it is around ₩70,000–₩85,000 (about $48–$59).
●✅ By using the Kakao T app,
you can check the vehicle number, estimated fare, and route in advance,
so even first‑time visitors to Korea can use taxis safely.
💊 If your travel budget is limited or you are concerned about taxi fares,
another option is to use a 24‑hour jjimjilbang (sauna) near Incheon Airport or in the city of Incheon,
then take the first subway or Airport Railroad train in the morning to travel to Seoul.
The typical jjimjilbang fee is around ₩10,000–₩15,000 (about USD $6.80–$10.30),
and since you can shower, rest, and sleep there, it is a very economical option for international travelers.
💊 Compared with taxis in major cities around the world,
taxi fares in Korea are transparent and overcharging is rare,
but in very rare cases, misconduct targeting foreign passengers can occur.
If this happens, you can use the official taxi stand in front of the airport, or check your receipt, record the vehicle number, and report it to the police so the issue can be resolved promptly.
📌 Because taxis in Korea operate reliably even during late‑night hours,
foreign visitors coming to Korea for the first time can travel into downtown Seoul without major inconvenience.
A view of Singyeongju Station in Gyeongju, South Korea.
➤ This article is the first part of the Korean Public Transportation Guide series and is intended for foreigners preparing to live in Korea.
It covers a variety of topics, including how to find housing, how to enroll in the National Health Insurance system, how Korean universities are structured,
a four‑season clothing guide, how to use restaurants and how to choose food,
and how to prepare your visa, all of which we are reorganizing and updating one by one.
➤ Because the existing translated versions contained many errors,
we are currently recreating all articles in eight languages
as cleaner and more accurate versions.
If you also refer to the following articles,
you will be able to prepare for life in Korea much more easily.
➤ In Part 2 of the Korean Public Transportation Guide series,
we will provide detailed information on city buses, regional buses, village buses, express buses, and intercity buses,
as well as KTX and SRT trains, domestic flights, taxis, and Kakao T,
covering a wider range of transportation options in detail.