Getting around Korea
Subway, taxis, and trains. Easier than you think.
Need the full details? Read our comprehensive Transportation Guide.
The subway is your best friend
Seoul's subway has 19+ lines, runs from about 5:30 AM to midnight, and covers the entire city. Base fare is 1,550 KRW with T-money (raised June 2025). Signs, announcements, and maps are all in English and Korean. Transfers between lines are free within the system.
Tip: Use Naver Map for subway directions. It shows real-time arrival times and the fastest transfer routes. Google Maps does not work reliably for Korean transit.
Use Kakao T for taxis
Forget hailing taxis on the street. Download Kakao T (Korea's Uber equivalent), enter your destination, and a taxi comes to you. Base fare is 4,800 KRW for the first 1.6 km. Orange taxis are regular, black are deluxe (base 6,000 KRW). Night surcharges: +20% after 10 PM, +40% after 11 PM to 2 AM.
Tip: Kakao T shows the estimated fare before you confirm. No need to negotiate or worry about being overcharged.
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Take KTX for other cities
KTX is Korea's high-speed train. Seoul to Busan takes about 2 hours 15 minutes (59,800-65,000 KRW one way, economy). Seoul to Jeonju is 1.5 hours. Book on the Korail app or at any KTX station kiosk. Trains fill up on weekends and holidays, so book 1-2 days ahead.
Buses are cheap but confusing
Seoul buses are color-coded: blue (trunk routes across the city), green (short neighborhood routes), red (express to suburbs). They accept T-money. Transfers between bus and subway are free within 30 minutes. Honestly, stick to the subway and Kakao T unless you are going somewhere the subway does not reach.
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This was a quick start. The complete guide has everything.
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