Seoul's subway can take you almost anywhere in the city for about ₩1,550 a ride. The map looks like a bowl of colored noodles at first, but the system is built to be read by visitors: every station has an English name, a number, and a line color.
This guide walks you through the whole trip, from buying a card to finding the right exit. At the end, there's a short section on leaving Seoul by KTX train or express bus, with two worked routes to Busan and Tongyeong.
At a Glance
- A basic subway ride costs ₩1,550 with a transit card (September 2026).
- Get a T-money card for pay-as-you-go, or a Climate Card pass (from ₩5,000 a day) for unlimited rides in Seoul.
- You can't tap a foreign credit card at the gates yet, but new station machines accept overseas cards for passes and single tickets.
- Always tap in and tap out. That's how transfers stay cheap.
- Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions. Google Maps still has gaps in Korea.
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| Riding the Seoul subway in four steps. Illustration: Korea Insight Now |
How to Read the Seoul Subway Map
Start with three things: the line number, the line color, and the station number.
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| Seoul Metropolitan Subway map in English (tap to enlarge). Newer lines and extensions may not appear; check your map app. Map: IRTC1015, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
Line numbers and colors. The main lines are numbered 1 to 9, and each has its own color. Line 2 is green, Line 3 is orange, Line 4 is sky blue, and Line 5 is purple, for example. Signs, floor stickers, and maps all use the same colors, so you can often just follow the color.
Other lines have names instead of numbers, such as the Suin-Bundang Line (수인분당선), the Gyeongui-Jungang Line (경의중앙선), the Sinbundang Line (신분당선), and the airport railroad, AREX (공항철도).
Station numbers. Most stations on Lines 1–9 have a three-digit number. The first digit is the line. Myeongdong (명동) is 424 on Line 4, and Gwanghwamun (광화문) is 533 on Line 5. A station where lines meet has one number per line, so Seoul Station (서울역) is 133 on Line 1 and 426 on Line 4. Some other lines use a letter plus a number, like A01 for Seoul Station on AREX.
Names. Station signs show the name in Korean and English, and announcements on trains are in Korean and English. If an app shows a name you can't find, match the station number instead. It's the same in every language.
Direction. On the platform, look for the sign that shows the station you're at in the middle and the next stations on each side. Pick the side that points toward where you're going. Line 2 is a loop, so signs say "inner circle" (내선순환) or "outer circle" (외선순환). Your app will tell you which one.
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| Platform sign at Gwanghwamun (광화문, 533) on Line 5: the current station sits in the middle, with the next stops on each side. Photo: 阿貴 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Transit Cards: T-money, Climate Card, or a Single Ticket?
For most visitors, the answer is a T-money card. If you'll ride a lot inside Seoul for a few days, a Climate Card pass can be cheaper.
T-money (티머니)
T-money is a reloadable transit card. You load money onto it and each ride is deducted when you tap. It works on subways, buses, and taxis across Korea, and at many convenience stores.
- Price: ₩3,000–5,000 for the card, depending on the design (VisitKorea).
- Where to buy: convenience stores such as GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven, and information centers at Line 1–8 stations.
- Loading money: at subway station machines (choose English) or at a convenience store counter. For regular T-money top-ups, bring Korean won in cash.
- Leftover balance: small amounts can be refunded at convenience stores for a small fee. Refunds over ₩50,000 are handled at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station.
Climate Card short-term pass (기후동행카드 단기권)
The Climate Card is Seoul's unlimited-ride pass. Visitors can buy short-term passes:
- 1 day ₩5,000 · 2 days ₩8,000 · 3 days ₩10,000 · 5 days ₩15,000 · 7 days ₩20,000
- The plastic card costs ₩3,000 on top of that, and it isn't refundable.
- The pass starts the moment you load it, not at your first ride. Load it on the morning you need it.
Where it works: Seoul subway lines (except the Sinbundang Line and GTX) and Seoul city and town buses. Seoul says the short-term pass also covers getting off at Incheon International Airport. If you ride outside the covered area, you pay an extra fare.
What changed in 2026: the 30-day Climate Card for residents ends after September 30, 2026. From October 1, only the short-term visitor passes remain, and they work only in Seoul. The 1- to 7-day passes for visitors continue. If you read an older guide that mentions Gyeonggi cities such as Gimpo or Goyang, that no longer applies to the short-term pass.
Is it worth it? Do the math with ₩1,550 per ride. A 1-day pass pays off at about four rides. Just remember the ₩3,000 card cost the first time.
Single-journey ticket (1회용 교통카드)
This is a one-ride card from the station machine. It costs ₩1,650 for the base distance plus a ₩500 deposit. You get the deposit back at the refund machine near the exit gates. Single tickets don't get transfer discounts with buses, so they only make sense for a one-off ride.
Can I use my foreign credit card?
At the gates: not yet. As of September 2026, you can't tap a Visa or Mastercard at the Seoul subway gates. Seoul Metro is building gate equipment for international contactless cards, but it says the actual start date still has to be agreed with other transit operators.
At the machines: yes, for some things. Since March 17, 2026, new ticket machines at 273 stations on Lines 1–8 accept overseas credit and debit cards for Climate Card purchases and top-ups and for single-journey tickets. The city says an average service fee of 3.7% applies to overseas cards.
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| Which ticket should you get? Graphic: Korea Insight Now |
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| Ticket gates at Myeongdong Station (명동역). Tap your card on the reader to enter and again to exit. Photo: LERK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Subway Fares in 2026
The adult fare with a transit card is ₩1,550 for the first 10 km. That rate took effect on June 28, 2025, and it's still the fare in September 2026.
- 10–50 km: add ₩100 for every 5 km.
- Over 50 km: add ₩100 for every 8 km.
- Single-journey ticket: ₩100 more than the card fare (₩1,650 base), plus the ₩500 deposit.
Most rides between central areas, like Myeongdong to Hongdae, stay close to the base fare. The ticket gate shows what you paid and your remaining balance when you tap out.
Transfers: Signs, Time Limits, and Bus Discounts
Subway to subway: you don't tap anything. Stay inside the gates and follow the transfer signs (환승) in the color of the line you want. Your fare is worked out by total distance when you exit.
Some transfers are short. Others mean a long walk through tunnels, so give yourself a few extra minutes at big stations.
Subway and bus: Seoul uses an integrated fare system. That means the subway and buses count as one trip if you follow three rules:
- Tap out when you leave the subway or get off a bus.
- Board the next ride within 30 minutes (60 minutes between 9 PM and 7 AM).
- Use your own card for the whole trip: one card per person.
You can transfer up to four times (five rides). You pay the base fare once, plus distance charges if the total trip is longer than 10 km. Taking the same bus route again doesn't count as a transfer.
The most common mistake is forgetting to tap your card when getting off a bus. If you skip it, the discount chain breaks and your next ride is charged as a new trip.
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| How a trip works, from tap-in to tap-out. Graphic: Korea Insight Now |
Finding Your Way Inside Stations
Exit numbers are your best friend. Big stations have ten or more exits, and each one leads to a different street. Restaurants, hotels, and map apps usually say "Exit 3" or "Exit 7." Check the number before you leave the platform. Walking out the wrong exit can put you across a busy road.
Station maps. Near the gates, you'll find a local map showing each exit and what's nearby. Yellow signs on the ceiling point to exits and transfers.
Elevators. Many stations have elevators from the street to the platform, but not every exit has one. If you have a stroller or a wheelchair, check the station map for the elevator symbol, or look it up in your map app before you go.
Luggage. Big suitcases are allowed, but trains are packed during the morning and evening rush. If you can, travel outside those hours and stand near the ends of the car.
Apps That Make It Easy
- Naver Map (네이버 지도): the go-to app for many Koreans. It shows subway and bus routes, walking directions, exit numbers, and fares, and it has an English interface.
- KakaoMap (카카오맵): similar to Naver Map, with detailed transit and walking directions.
- Subway Korea: a subway-only app with an easy-to-read map and route search, handy when you just need the fastest line.
- Google Maps: transit directions work, but turn-by-turn walking and driving directions still aren't available in Korea. The government approved Google's map data request in February 2026, and Google says full features are coming, but no launch date has been announced.
Tip: type the station name in English or search by the station number if the name doesn't come up.
Subway Etiquette: Priority Seats and Pink Seats
Priority seats sit at each end of the car. They're for seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and people with small children. Many locals leave them empty even when the train is crowded, so it's best to do the same.
Pink seats in the middle of the car are for pregnant women (임산부 배려석). The seat and the floor around it are pink. Leave them free if you can.
A few other habits help: let people off before you board, stand in line at the marks on the platform, keep phone calls short and quiet, and wear your backpack in front when it's crowded.
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| Priority seats at the end of a Line 5 car. The icons show who they're for. Photo: hyolee2 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Operating Hours and the Last Train
The Seoul subway doesn't run all night. Trains usually start around 5:30 AM, and last trains leave most stations between about midnight and 1 AM. Weekend and holiday service tends to end earlier than on weekdays.
Last-train times differ by station, direction, and day, so check the timetable posted in the station or your map app. If you miss it, Seoul's late-night buses (marked with an "N") and taxis are the backup.
Airport Rail: AREX in Brief
AREX (공항철도) connects Incheon International Airport with Seoul Station. There are two kinds of trains:
- Express train: non-stop to Seoul Station in about 43 minutes from Terminal 1 (51 minutes from Terminal 2). It has reserved seats and needs its own ticket.
- All-stop train: about an hour to Seoul Station, stopping at places like Gimpo Airport, Hongik University (홍대입구), and Gongdeok (공덕). Just tap your T-money card. The Climate Card covers this train inside Seoul, and Seoul says trips that end at Incheon Airport are covered too. Trips starting at the airport may cost extra, so check at the station.
Fares change from time to time, so check the current price on the AREX website or at the station machine.
Leaving Seoul: KTX Trains and Express Buses
For big cities on the rail network, the KTX high-speed train is the fastest choice. For smaller towns without a KTX station, express and intercity buses are often the easiest direct option.
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| Main cities and the two example routes below. Lines are simplified. Map: Korea Insight Now (boundary data: Natural Earth) |
Express and intercity buses
Korea has two kinds of long-distance buses. Express buses (고속버스) run on expressways without stopping along the way. Intercity buses (시외버스) may stop in towns en route and reach more small places. They often leave from different terminals.
Main terminals in Seoul:
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널): Express Bus Terminal Station, Lines 3, 7, and 9. Buses to Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, and Gangwon. The Central City (센트럴시티) side of the same station serves the southwest, such as Gwangju and Jeonju.
- Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합터미널): Gangbyeon Station, Line 2. Express and intercity buses, especially toward Gangwon and Chungcheong.
- Seoul Nambu Terminal (서울남부터미널): Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3. Intercity buses, including many to smaller cities in South Gyeongsang such as Jinju and Tongyeong.
How to book:
- Express buses: Kobus (kobus.co.kr), the official booking site, in English, Japanese, and Chinese. VisitKorea notes it may be blocked from some countries.
- Intercity buses: T-money Intercity Bus (txbus.t-money.co.kr) or Bustago (bustago.or.kr), both with English.
- Foreign cards: T-money announced in July 2026 that Kobus would start taking foreign-issued cards without a membership. If your card doesn't go through, VisitKorea also lists Klook and Hanpass as English booking platforms.
- At the terminal: ticket counters and kiosks take cash, credit cards, and mobile pay. This always works if online booking gives you trouble.
Bus classes: Premium (프리미엄) has the fewest and widest seats, Deluxe (우등) has fewer, wider seats than Standard, and Standard (일반) is the cheapest. Late-night buses cost extra.
There's no toilet on board. Longer trips stop at a highway rest area (휴게소). Find your platform number on the terminal screens and board 5–10 minutes before departure.
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| Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널), the starting point for many buses heading south. Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
KTX and other trains
Big news for 2026: since September 1, 2026, KTX and SRT (the high-speed trains that used to be run by a separate company from Suseo) are operated as one network. All high-speed trains can now be searched and booked in one place.
Main stations in Seoul:
- Seoul Station (서울역): trains to Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, and more (Lines 1 and 4, AREX).
- Yongsan Station (용산역): trains toward the southwest, such as Gwangju, Mokpo, and Yeosu (Line 1).
- Suseo Station (수서역): in the southeast, handy if you stay in Gangnam or Jamsil. It's on Line 3 and the Suin-Bundang Line.
How to book: use KORAIL's official website, which has an English version, or the Korail+ (코레일+) app, which replaced Korail Talk and now covers trains from Suseo too. Tickets open two months before departure, at 7 a.m. Korea time (this changed from one month on October 1, 2026). Popular weekend and holiday trains sell out, so book early.
KORAIL PASS: a rail pass for foreign visitors. It comes as a flexible pass (2 or 4 travel days within 10 days) or a consecutive pass (3 or 5 days in a row). You still need to reserve a seat for each KTX trip, and you'll need your passport. KORAIL hasn't clearly updated the pass terms for Suseo trains after the merger, so ask at a station counter before counting on the pass from Suseo.
Seat types: Standard (일반실) and First Class (특실). Some trains also sell unreserved seats (자유석) and standing tickets (입석) when reserved seats run out.
On the day: big stations are busy, so arrive with time to spare. Find your train number and platform on the departure board. There are no ticket gates on KTX platforms. Staff check tickets on board, so keep your mobile ticket (and passport, if using the pass) ready, and sit in the car and seat printed on your ticket.
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| A KTX-Cheongryong (KTX-청룡) train at Seoul Station. Photo: 생각하는 나무 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Example 1: Seoul to Busan (부산)
By KTX (fastest)
- Go to Seoul Station, or Suseo Station if you're staying in southern Seoul.
- Book a KTX to Busan Station (부산역) on the KORAIL website or the Korail+ app. A standard seat costs ₩54,400 after the September 2026 fare cut (government figure). Check the booking site for your train.
- Ride about 2 hours 15 minutes on the fastest trains. Most trains take about 2½ to 2¾ hours because they make more stops.
- Arrive at Busan Station in the city center, on Busan Metro Line 1.
By express bus (usually cheaper)
- Take the subway to Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) and go to Seoul Express Bus Terminal.
- Book on Kobus or buy at the counter or kiosk. Check the booking site for the fare, which depends on the bus class.
- Plan on roughly 4 hours, including a rest stop. Traffic can add time, especially on weekends.
- Arrive at Busan Central Bus Terminal (부산종합버스터미널) in Nopo (노포). It connects to Nopo Station on Busan Metro Line 1. It isn't the same as the Seobu terminal in Sasang (사상), so double-check your ticket.
Which to choose? Pick the KTX if time matters or you're staying near Busan Station or downtown Busan. Pick the bus if you're on a budget, or if trains are sold out on a busy weekend.
Example 2: Seoul to Tongyeong (통영)
Tongyeong, the harbor town on the south coast, has no KTX station. The direct bus is the simplest way to get there.
By direct bus (recommended)
- Go to Seoul Express Bus Terminal (express buses) or Seoul Nambu Terminal (intercity buses). The Express Bus Terminal usually has more departures.
- Book on Kobus (express) or T-money Intercity Bus / Bustago (intercity), or buy at the terminal.
- Timetables list about 4 hours 10 minutes to Tongyeong Bus Terminal (통영종합버스터미널), including a rest stop. Check the booking site for the exact time and fare.
- From the terminal, take a local bus or taxi into town and to the harbor.
By KTX + bus (if you prefer the train)
- Take a KTX from Seoul Station to Jinju Station (진주역).
- Take a taxi or local bus to Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal.
- Catch an intercity bus to Tongyeong.
This route has more steps, and the total time usually isn't shorter than the direct bus. Check both the KORAIL and bus booking sites for connections before choosing it. It makes the most sense if you're already traveling around the region by train.
FAQ
Q. Can I tap my foreign credit card at the subway gates?
Not as of September 2026. Use a T-money card or a Climate Card. You can buy a Climate Card or a single-journey ticket with an overseas card at the new station machines on Lines 1–8.
Q. Is the Climate Card still available after the 2026 changes?
Yes. The 30-day version for residents ends after September 30, 2026, but the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-day passes for visitors continue, now limited to Seoul.
Q. Can I use my T-money card outside Seoul?
Yes. T-money works on public transportation across Korea, including buses and subways in other cities.
Q. How do I get my leftover T-money balance back?
Small balances can be refunded at convenience stores for a small fee. Amounts over ₩50,000 are refunded at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station. The card price itself isn't refunded.
Q. Do I need to tap out when I transfer between subway lines?
No. Stay inside the gates and follow the signs. You only tap when you finally exit.
Sources
- Seoul Metro, Passenger Transport Terms and Conditions (fares)
- Seoul Metro, Single-journey ticket
- Seoul Metropolitan Government, Integrated transfer discount system (Korean)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government, Subway fares, Seoul price information (Korean)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government, Climate Card service end FAQ (Korean)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Mediahub, Climate Card to Climate Pass: Q&A (Korean, updated September 17, 2026)
- VisitKorea, Transportation Cards (updated August 2026)
- Visit Seoul, Climate Card top-up via overseas credit/debit cards
- The Korea Herald, Subway now accepts overseas-issued cards (March 16, 2026)
- The Asia Business Daily, Seoul Metro tagless gates and EMV plan (September 8, 2026)
- Korea JoongAng Daily, 1 a.m. last trains return to some subway lines
- The Korea Herald, Korea clears exporting map data for Google (February 2026)
- 9to5Google, Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation is coming to South Korea (August 27, 2026)
- AREX (Airport Railroad), official website
- VisitKorea, Express Bus & Intercity Bus (updated June 5, 2026)
- The Korea Herald, Express bus booking to open to foreign-issued cards (July 1, 2026)
- Korea.kr policy briefing, KTX and SRT integrated booking from September (Korean)
- Yonhap News, High-speed rail integration: more seats, easier booking (Korean, September 18, 2026)
- The Korea Economic Daily, KTX-Cheongryong: Seoul to Busan in 2 hours 17 minutes (Korean)
- KORAIL, official booking website
- Bus booking and timetables: Kobus, T-money Intercity Bus, Bustago
- Photos and subway map: Wikimedia Commons (credits in each caption). Graphics and Korea map: Korea Insight Now, with boundary data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Fares, passes, and timetables were checked in September 2026 and can change. Confirm on the official sites or at the station before you travel.