Korea Transportation 101 | Creatrip Locals' Guide
Detailed tips to move around in Korea, from a local Korean!
If you talk with Koreans about transportation in Korea, they boast about how convenient it is. Actually it is very convenient...for Koreans! If you are a foreigner visiting Korea for the first time, it is tough to even get out of the airport. However, if you get familiar with the system, you'll find out that it is really cheap and convenient to travel in Korea.
Unlike other countries if you are travelling in Seoul, it is better to take public transportation than to drive your own car or take a cab. I have listed all the useful tips I've learned about living in Seoul for 10 years! Let's take a look at the step by step guide to transportation in Korea.
Before we get into the actual buses and trains you'd better download these Apps before you get stuck in a subway station. These apps are useful not only for foreigners but locals also use them every day. Otherwise you cannot get past the maze-like metro to your destination.
If you think you can manage with Google Maps, they work quite well in Korea. But, almost no one uses Google Maps in Korea. Naver Map and KAKAO Map are optimized for travelling in Korea. They are similar in features; map, directions, navigation, and subway map. Naver Map used to be the leader in mobile map application but KAKAO Map has become more popular with its user friendly and convenient features.
Both look similar with similar functions. But, locals prefer kakao map these days.
If you want a simple app with just a map, and search for directions, both of them will work just fine. But, if you are looking for a more user-friendly app with more functions such as road map, and recommendation functions, use KAKAO Map! Oh, note that kakao map provides only English version, while Naver map has English, Chinese and Japanese. You can find detailed information on how to use these apps in our previous posting.
You can use it as a normal map, or search for best routes, or search subway stations
You can use the above apps to find your way if you have decided where to go. Creatrip App provides information on sites by different categories. You can also find general information about the place, such as operation hours, address and review. It has Google Maps inside so you can get a rough idea of how to get there.
Search on Creatrip app before you plan your destination!
You can make card with your own design!
You need one of these transportation cards to travel to Korea. You could pay in cash if you wanted to but you wouldn't be able to transfer to other transportation, and it would be bothersome to buy single journey tickets for subway. Purchase one of these cards from the list and you can use them on buses, subways, and taxis.
- T-Money card
- Price: ₩2,500~₩5,000
- Where to buy: convenience store, Kakao Friends popup stores and more
- Basic transportation cards you can use in buses, subways and taxis. It comes in many different designs.
- Cashbee
- Price: ₩2,500~₩5,000
- Where to buy: convenience store
- Same feature as T-Money card, but cannot use in Daejeon area.
- M PASS
- Price: ₩12,500~₩64,500
- Where to buy: Incheon Airport T1, Seoul Station, Myeongdong
- You can take 20 rounds of transportation without additional fees, but it is not very cost-effective.
- Amazing Pay T-Money
- Price: ₩50,000
- Where to buy: Incheon Airport T1
- You can get discounts on Incheon Airport Bus, and in certain attractions. Plan wisely and you can save money.
- Seoul Pass
- Price: ₩36,000~₩63,000
- Where to buy: Creatrip website
- You can get discounts on over 100 tourist attractions, and also use it as a transportation card. (Free 4103 bus ride included)
I recommend that you purchase a T-Money Card, which is the basic transportation card, or use Seoul Pass if you are staying in Korea for a while and is planning to visit lots of tourist attractions.
* Renting a car in South Korea
If you have an international or Korean driver's license, maybe you would want to rent a car. There are car rental services available in international airports, and obviously, it is super convenient than other public transportation. However there are several reasons why I don't recommend renting a car when travelling in Korea.
- Heavy Traffic : Traffic in central areas of Seoul is really heavy, and those areas are the main destination for shopping and dining places. Locals try to avoid travelling in their own cars in
- Roads and driving conditions : Considering that Seoul is the main destination for many travellers, roads in Seoul are almost like a maze and even locals with navigation get lost often.
- Price : It's not easy to spend over ￦20,000 on public transportation if you are not taking a taxi. Smallest car cost around $70, and standard cars cost $100~$130.
If you are planning to travel around the whole of Korea, it might be a smart choice to rent a car, but if your main travel area in Seoul, taking public transportation is strongly recommended.
Transportation from Incheon International Airport
The name AREX stands for Airport Railroad Express. There are two types of AREX trains. The first one is a normal "All-stop Train" that stops at every train station. It takes 59~66 minutes to travel from the airport to Seoul Station. It's much cheaper and you can stop in the middle if you have to transfer, but it takes longer and there are no designated seats.
If you are going to Seoul Station, and you want to save time you can reserve "Express Train". It takes 43~51 minutes from the airport to Seoul Station. Also, you can reserve your seat, so you don't have to worry about standing all the way to Seoul Station. However if you need to transfer to other lines in between you should take "All-stop Trains". If you reserve through Creatrip you can get discounts up to 30%.
Comparison
- All-stop Train
- Fare : Adult : ₩9,000 / Children: ₩7,000 / Creatrip Member: ₩6,400
- Time : Terminal 1 - 43 min / Terminal 2 - 51 min
- Advantage : 1. Faster 2. Customer Lounge 3. Private seats
- Express Train
- Fare : Adult: ₩4,150~4,750 / Children: ₩1,900~2,200
- Time : Terminal 1: 59 min / Terminal 2: 66 min
- Advantage : 1. Cheaper / 2. Easy to transfer
Compared to other transportation AREX is punctual, easy to transfer, and easy to use.
Locals call Airport Buses, "Airport Limousine." Actually they are not a limousine but express bus with comfortable seats. If your destination is other than Seoul Station or nearby stations, you might find a bus more convenient. Also you don't have to worry about transferring lines if you are taking the bus. However if your destination is far from bus terminals you will have to transfer anyway, eventually.
There are buses that travel to Gyeonggi-do area, so if you are travelling somewhere not Seoul Station, you should take the bus instead of AREX. It's a bit more expensive, but much more comfortable. If your destination is the last stop, lean back and take some rest.
Also if you are not coming through Busan, Cheongju or any other cities, you will have to take express buses to travel to downtown area and to seoul. If you check our previous postings you can get more detailed information on the destination of each bus number and more!
- Price : ₩10,000~₩16,000
- Time : 70 min to Seoul and Gangnam Station
- Advantage : Comfortable seats, less transfer, operates after midnight.
6103 is a special bus that takes you to COEX. It's similar to other buses but you can check-in at the City Airport connected to COEX. You can save the time of check-in and immigration at the airport. If you are travelling to COEX, this would be the best way for you!
Taxi is definitely more convenient than the above two. You can travel directly to your hotel, and you don't have to worry about transfer or getting lost. Simply, if you pay more you can enjoy the comfort, but you would have to pay "much" more.
- Incheon Airport → Hongdae
- Time : 42 min
- Price : ₩44,300
- Incheon Airport → Seoul Station
- Time : 52 min
- Price : ₩49,600
- Incheon Airport → Gangnam
- Time : 56 min
- Price : ₩53,100
- Gimpo Airport → Seoul Station
- Time : 33 min
- Price : ₩22,340
You can reserve International Taxi Service through Creatrip. Drivers can communicate in English and the quality of service is guaranteed. Also you don't have to worry about getting ripped off since the price is fixed. It's a premium service so it is a little bit more expensive though. You can look up the information yourself on the transportation on the apps introduced above.
TADA was sentenced not guilty in Jan 2020
Taxi is very convenient, but you might be afraid of unkind drivers and getting rip off from bad drivers. There are many private van services that take you to Seoul from the airports. If you are travelling in a large number, these vans can take up to 14 people and not much expensive if you think about the fare per person. Private vans have free WiFi, cell phone charger, and comfortable seats. You don't have to call it up since you can just input your destination when making reservation. But, keep in mind that the price is quite high.
- TADA
- Max 7 people
- Price
- Incheon→Seoul : ￦61,000~105,000
- Incheon→Gyeonggi-do : ￦61,000~114,000
- Features : Free mask, hand cleaner, free WiFi, cell phone charger
- Rockko
- Max 14 People
- Price :
- Incheon→Chuncheon : ￦395,000~530,000
- Incheon→Pyeongchang : ￦440,000~540,000
- Features : You can travel directly to ski resorts in Gangwon-do
- Solati
- Max 13 people
- Price
- Incheon->Seoul : ￦143,000
- Gimpo->Seoul : ￦121,000
- Features : Free WiFi, Cell phone charger, limousine seat, 32in TV
*Luggage Delivery
Since you are travelling abroad you must be a handful with large luggage. Even though you can load your luggage on a bus or a taxi, you might have some time left to check-in, or you might want to drop by before entering your room. You can easily send your luggage through luggage delivery services and make most of your travel time.
Subways in Korea
Like subways in other major cities around the world, Seoul Metro it is packed with people in rush hours. But, if you avoid those hours it you can travel to almost anywhere on it. It even takes you to nearby cities such as Chuncheon or Suwon, so it is good to plan your trip route based on the subway stations.
You can check the Metro map on Kakao Map or Naver map
There are 17 lines in Seoul Metro if you check on the transportation apps you can find the route that takes least time, and least transfer.
- Fare (with T-Money)
- Adult : ₩ 1,250
- Teens : ₩ 720
- Children : ₩ 450
- Early bird: Before
- Additional fees are charged by travel distance.
- Transfer
If you transfer to other buses or subways within 30 minutes after getting off, you can transfer for free. Just keep in mind that you have to tap your transportation card before you get off the previous transportation. Also, it doesn't work on bus with same numbers, and different gates of the same subway station.
- Stations to remember
There are certain subways stations that are related with other important transportation, or shopping. If you need information on these stations click on the name and check our postings.
- Bus Terminal : Express Bus Terminal Station, Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Sangbong Station, Gangbyun Station
- Train Stations : Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Cheongnyangni Station, Yeongdeungpo Station, Suseo Station
- Airport Stations : Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Station, Gimpo Airport Station
- Underground Shopping : Jonggak Station, Gangnam Station, Express Bus Terminal Station, Yeongdeungpo Station, Jamsil Station, Bupyeong Station
What does each colour stand for?
Bus is the most common transportation along with the subway. Subway is much more punctual and easy to take for foreigners, but if your destination takes a long walk from the subway station, or if you have to transfer 3 or more subways it is better to take a bus.
- Different types of buses
- Red Bus : Connects Seoul and cities nearby
- 4 digit bus numbers
- Fare : Adult ₩2,300 / Teen ₩1,360 / Child ₩1,200
- First & Last Bus : 04:30~05:30 to 23:30~24:30
- Intervals : 40 ~ 70 minutes
- Blue Bus : Connects far areas within Seoul
- 3 digit bus numbers
- Fare : Adult ₩1,200 / Teen ₩720 / Child ₩450
- First & Last Bus : 04:30~05:30 to 23:00~24:00
- Intervals : 10 ~ 20 minutes
- Green Bus : Connects between subway stations, and Blue Bus terminals
- 4 digit bus numbers
- Fare : Adult ₩1,200 / Teen ₩720 / Child ₩450
- First & Last Bus : 04:30~05:30 to 23:00~24:00
- Intervals : 10 ~ 20 minutes
- Yellow Bus : Short distance within town
- 2 digit bus numbers
- Fare : Adult ₩1,100 / Teen ₩560 / Child ₩350
- First & Last Bus : 04:30~05:30 to 23:00~24:00
- Intervals : 10~20 minutes
- Tips
- Check if it is in the right direction before you get on.
- You have to push the red "Stop" button before your destination, or the bus might not stop.
- Food or drink without lid is not allowed in the car.
- Transfer is possible, but you cannot transfer between the same numbered buses.
Most buses in Korea stops operation around midnight. Taxi fare is extremely high after midnight and you might get frustrated about how to get to your hotel room. Fortunately, there are night buses you can take in certain areas. Try to find the bus terminals around you on the transportation app we have introduced, or check our previous posting on night buses.
- Basic Fare : ₩2,150
- N13（00:00-03:25）：Sanggyedong→Cheongryangri→Dongdaemun→Jongro→Gangnam Station→Jamsil Station→Songpa
- N15（00:00-03:35）：Uidong→Mia Station→Bomun Station→Jongro→Seoul Station→Sinyongsan Station→Dongjakgu Office→Sindaebang Samgeori→Sadang Station
- N16（00:10-03:48）：Dobongsan→Miari→Daehakro→Dongdaemun→Toegyero→Namdaemun→Yeouiseom→Yeongdeungpo→Guro Station→Onsu Station
- N26（00:00-03:10）：Gangseo→Hongdae→Sinchon→Jongro→Cheongryangri→Mangwoodong→Joongrang
- N30（23:40-03:40）：Gangdong→Myeongildong→Chunhodong→Dongdaemun→Euljiro→Seoul Station
- N37（00:00-03:10）：Jingwan→Doknipmun→Jongro→Hanyangdaegyo→Gangnam Station→Songpa
- N61（23:50-03:50）：Yangcheon→Nambusunhwanro→Sinlim Station→Sadang Station→Gangnam Station→Samsung Station→Yeongdongdaegyo→Dongilro→Nowon Station
- N62（23:40-03:00）：Yangcheon→Mokdong Station→Deungchon Station→Yonsei Univ→Sinchon Station→Wangsimni Station→Konkuk Univ Station→Gunja Station→Myeonmokdong
Taxi is recommended for only short distance travel. Because of the heavy traffic in Seoul, even if you don't care about the money, better not take a taxi. If you care about money, even more so. However, there are certain situations that you have to take a taxi. For example, If you have too much luggage to carry in public transportation, or if you are travelling too late and no buses are available, you'll have to take a taxi.
- Different types of taxis
- General Taxi
- Cheapest and the most commonly found taxis.
- Color: Silver, White, Orange
- Language: Mostly just Korean
- Fare
- Up to 2 km : ￦3,800 (￦4,600 after midnight)
- ￦100 per additional 132 m or 31 sec (￦120 after midnight)
- International Taxi
- You have to make reservation online or at the airport
- Appearance: 인터내셔널 택시 (International Taxi 國際計程車) sign
- Language: English, Chinese, Japanese
- Fare: ￦65,000 ~ ￦130,000
- Luxury Taxi
- High-quality standards, and safety
- Color: Black
- Language: Little English
- Fare
- Up to 3 km : ￦6,500
- ￦200 per additional 151 m or 36 sec
- Is tipping necessary?
If you have traveled to Korea before, you must know that tipping isn't that common in Korea. It goes the same for taxi drivers. You don't need to thank them for additional money. If you insist they won't stop you, but even they will feel awkward about getting a tip.
* Uber / Kakao Taxi/ TADA
For locals Uber isn't a familiar service. For example, I didn't know there was Uber in Seoul until I looked it up for this posting. UberX was sentenced illegally in Seoul and stopped service in 2015, and there are a small number of UberBlack but it is not as convenient as in other countries.
If you have a Korean phone number and Kakao ID you can use Kakao Taxi. You can call a cab from where you are and take the ride at the same price as general taxi. If you want additional service as "Smart Call" or "Kakao Blue", additional fee will be charged. If you are living in Seoul, it is very comfortable, but if you are travelling for a short period you might not have access to this service.
TADA is a private van service that has recently been a buzz in Korea about its legality. It was found not guilty at the first trial and started its service for foreign visitors. If you are travelling from Incheon to Seoul, you can make a reservation from our previous postings. TADA van is very comfortable and the service is well received by locals. If you want a pleasant ride I recommend TADA instead of taking a cab.
Intercity Transportation
Train 
Source: Korail
Cities in Gyeonggi-do or near Gangwon-do are connected with the subway, but if you are going further than that you have to take other transportation. Train is the most popular transportation, because of its speed, punctuality. There are KTX/SRT(high-speed train) and ITX (normal trains). High-speed trains are usually the fastest way to get to certain train stations, but more expensive than express buses. ITX trains are even cheaper, but it's usually even slower than the bus.
If you are in a hurry, take the KTX or the SRT. IF you are not, take the express bus.
- Different types of trains
- KTX
- Stations : Seoul, Yongsan
- To Busan : 2hr 40min; ￦59,800
- To Mokpo : 2hr 30min; ￦53,100
- SRT
- Stations : Suseo
- To Busan : 2hr 10min; ￦52,600
- To Mokpo : 1hr 50min; ￦46,500
- ITX-Saemaeul
- Stations : Seoul, Yongsan, Yeongdeungpo,
- To Busan : 4hr 40min; ￦42,600
- To Mokpo : 4hr 30min; ￦39,600
*Additional fee charged for first-class seats
Also there is a KR Pass for travellers, which you can take the KTX for unlimited during the selected date. If you want to travel to every part of Korea, this will be the most cost-efficient way for you. Check out our posting for more information.
Express Bus has been the most common transportation for locals for decades. Now KTX and SRT has become more general, but those who want to save money still take the Express Bus to travel. It's quite fast because it doesn't have to stop in between like the train, and very comfortable since you don't have to worry about getting off at the wrong station.
However, there is no restroom, no vending machine, no room to walk around on a bus. If you cannot stand long travel in small spaces, you better take a train or a plane.
There are luxury class and premium buses with more roomy and comfortable seats. I recommend that you take the luxury class if you have to travel to far areas like Busan or Mokpo.
- Terminal : Express Bus terminal, Sangbong Terminal , Dong Seoul Terminal
- To Busan : 4hr 15min; ￦24,200~￦39,800
- To Mokpo : 3hr 50min; ￦32,800~￦39,800
Airplane
Fast, but not really...
Well, I didn't take airplanes within Korea, except for when flying to Jeju. Travel time might be short but it takes a longer time to get to the airport and leave the airport. Also, you'll have to get there at least 30 minutes earlier. If you consider the whole travel time it is even slower than KTX. If you are travelling to Jeju it is much faster and comfortable than a boat, but to other areas like Busan, take the KTX.
- Seoul→Busan: 55~65min; around ￦75,000
- Seoul→Jeju : 70min ; ￦40,000~￦65,000
This is a brief guide to Korean transportation. If you click the links or just read more stuff from Creatrip, you might find the information you need. Or, you can just leave a comment to ask us any questions you want. We'll get right back to you. We'll come back with more Korean travel 101s. See you on our next posting!