Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in Korea
Korea has one of the most efficient and affordable public transportation systems in the world. With subways, buses, taxis, and high-speed trains (KTX), you can easily travel not only in Seoul but also across the country. This guide provides all the essential information for foreign tourists to navigate Korea’s public transport system conveniently!
📌 What’s Included:
✅ How to get from the airport to Seoul
✅ How to use the Seoul subway system
✅ Understanding the Seoul bus system
✅ Convenient taxi usage tips
✅ Traveling across Korea by KTX
1. How to Get from the Airport to Seoul
1-1. Incheon International Airport (ICN) → Seoul
Incheon International Airport is located about 50 km from central Seoul, and there are several ways to reach the city.
🚆 Airport Railroad Express (AREX) - The Fastest and Most Affordable Option
✅ Express Train (Direct to Seoul Station)
- Travel time: 43 minutes
- Fare: 10,000 KRW
- Benefits: Reserved seating, free Wi-Fi
✅ All-stop Train (Stops at Several Stations)
- Travel time: 58 minutes
- Fare: 4,150 KRW
- Advantages: Easy transfers to subway lines
🚆 Tip: At Seoul Station, you can transfer to Subway Line 1 or Line 4!
🚌 Airport Limousine Bus - Best for Heavy Luggage
- Travel time: 60–90 minutes (varies by traffic)
- Fare: 15,000–17,000 KRW
- Best for: Direct service to major hotels and tourist areas like Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae
- Where to buy tickets: Ticket booths inside the airport
🚖 Taxi - Most Convenient but Expensive
- Travel time: About 60 minutes
- Fare: 70,000–90,000 KRW for a regular taxi / Over 100,000 KRW for a luxury (black) taxi
🚖 Tip: Most taxi drivers don’t speak English well, so prepare your destination written in Korean.
1-2. Gimpo International Airport (GMP) → Seoul
- Subway: Take Line 5, Line 9, or AREX to reach central Seoul
- Bus: Various city buses connect Gimpo Airport to Seoul
- Taxi: About 30–40 minutes, fare around 30,000 KRW
2. How to Use the Seoul Subway
2-1. Seoul Subway Map and Key Lines
Seoul has 9 major subway lines and additional lines connecting the greater metropolitan area.
🚇 Key Tourist-Friendly Lines
- Line 1: Seoul Station, City Hall Station
- Line 2: Hongdae, Gangnam, Dongdaemun (most frequently used line)
- Line 4: Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Seoul Station
- AREX Line: Connects Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport
📍 All subway stations have announcements in English, Chinese, and Japanese!
2-2. How to Use Transportation Cards (Tmoney, Cashbee)
💳 Must-Have Item: Transportation Card!
- Purchase a Tmoney card or Cashbee card at convenience stores or subway stations
- Top up the card at subway stations or convenience stores
- Use it on subways, buses, and taxis
- Enjoy transfer discounts between buses and subways!
💡 Tip: You can get a refund for your Tmoney card at convenience stores when leaving Korea.
2-3. Best Subway Apps for Tourists
📱 KakaoMetro - Best for real-time train updates
📱 Subway Korea - Easiest route planner for tourists
3. How to Use Buses in Seoul
Seoul’s bus system is a cheap and convenient way to reach areas not covered by the subway.
3-1. Types of Buses in Seoul
🟦 Blue Buses - Long-distance routes across the city
🟩 Green Buses - Connect subway stations with neighborhoods
🟥 Red Buses - Intercity buses (Seoul ↔ Incheon, Suwon, etc.)
🟨 Yellow Buses - Circular routes within districts
3-2. Bus Fares and Payment Methods
- Fare: Around 1,500 KRW (1,400 KRW with a Tmoney card)
- Payment:
- Tmoney card (Recommended!)
- Cash (Exact amount required, no change given)
📍 Tip: Use KakaoBus or Naver Maps to check bus routes and arrival times!
4. How to Use Taxis in Seoul
4-1. Types of Taxis
🚖 Regular Taxi (White or Orange) – Base fare: 4,800 KRW
🚖 Deluxe Taxi (Black, more spacious) – Base fare: 7,000 KRW
🚖 International Taxi – Drivers can speak English
4-2. How to Book a Taxi
📱 KakaoT - The most popular taxi app in Korea
📱 Uber - Limited availability
🚖 Tip: Always have your destination written in Korean to show the driver.
5. Traveling Across Korea by KTX
KTX is Korea’s high-speed rail connecting Seoul with major cities.
5-1. Major KTX Routes and Travel Times
- Seoul → Busan: About 2 hours 30 minutes
- Seoul → Daegu: About 1 hour 40 minutes
- Seoul → Gwangju: About 2 hours
5-2. How to Buy KTX Tickets
🎟️ Online Booking: Official Korail website
📱 Mobile App: KorailTEX app
🏢 Train Station: Purchase at ticket booths or vending machines
🚅 Tip: Consider the Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass) for unlimited KTX travel at a discount!
Enjoy Korea’s Public Transport with Ease!
💡 Must-Know Travel Tips
✅ Get a Tmoney card for easy payments
✅ Use KakaoMetro for real-time subway updates
✅ Book taxis with KakaoT
✅ Reserve KTX tickets online in advance
🚀 Now you're ready to explore Korea like a local! 🇰🇷✈️ Enjoy your trip!
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