How to Get Around Korea — Transport Guide for Tourists (2026)
Korea has one of the best public transport systems in the world — fast, cheap, clean, and easy to navigate in English. This guide covers everything a foreign visitor needs.
Quick Links
🔑 T-money Card — Get This First
The T-money card is a rechargeable transit card that works on ALL subways, city buses, and some taxis across Korea. It's the single most important thing to get when you arrive.
| Where to buy | Any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) or subway station kiosk |
| Card cost | ₩2,500–5,000 (~$2–4) |
| How to recharge | Convenience stores or subway station machines (English available) |
| Works on | All subways, city buses, some taxis, convenience store payments |
| Discount | ₩100 off per subway/bus ride vs cash. Free transfers between subway↔bus within 30 min |
💡 Pro tip: Recharge ₩20,000–30,000 at a time. Most subway rides cost ₩1,250–1,550. Unused balance is refundable at convenience stores (minus ₩500 fee).
🚇 Subway — Best Way to Get Around Cities
Seoul's subway has 23 lines, 700+ stations, all with English signage, announcements, and maps. It's the fastest and cheapest way to get around Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju.
| Hours | 5:30am – midnight (last trains vary by line) |
| Cost | ₩1,250 base (T-money) / ₩1,350 (single ticket) + ₩100 per additional zone |
| Payment | T-money card or single-ride token (₩500 deposit, refundable) |
| English | All signs, maps, announcements, and ticket machines in English |
| Apps | Naver Map or KakaoMap for route planning (both work in English) |
⚠️ Important: Seoul subway closes around midnight. If you miss the last train, take a taxi (Kakao T) or a late-night bus (N-bus, runs until 3am on major routes).
🚄 KTX Bullet Train — Seoul ↔ Busan in 2.5 Hours
The KTX is Korea's bullet train connecting major cities at 300km/h. Essential for trips outside Seoul.
| Seoul → Busan | 2h 30min | ₩59,800 (~$44) |
| Seoul → Gangneung | 1h 50min | ₩27,600 (~$20) |
| Seoul → Gyeongju | 2h 10min | ₩51,800 (~$38) |
| Seoul → Jeonju | 1h 30min | ₩25,000 (~$19) |
| Seoul → Daegu | 1h 40min | ₩43,500 (~$32) |
Book tickets:
💡 Save money: The Korail Pass (unlimited KTX for 2–5 days) is often cheaper than individual tickets if you're visiting 2+ cities. Available for foreigners only — buy on Klook before arriving.
🚕 Taxi & Kakao T
Kakao T (카카오택시) is Korea's #1 taxi app — used by 90%+ of taxi rides. Works like Uber but is the local standard.
| App | Kakao T — download from App Store / Play Store. Available in English. Accepts international credit cards. |
| Base fare | ₩4,800 (~$3.50) for first 1.6km, then ₩100 per 131m |
| Late night | 20% surcharge midnight–4am |
| Payment | Card in app, or cash/card in taxi |
| Tip | Not expected in Korea (don't tip) |
| Alternatives | i.M Taxi (English), UT (for premium). Uber exists but is very limited. |
🚕 Street taxis: You can also flag taxis on the street. Orange/silver = regular. Black = premium (more expensive). All have meters. If a driver refuses to use the meter, get out and find another taxi.
📱 Don't speak Korean? Open Kakao T → set destination on the map → the driver sees it in Korean. Or show the Korean name from this website to the driver. No conversation needed.
🚌 City & Express Buses
City buses cover routes the subway doesn't reach. All accept T-money. Express buses connect cities that KTX doesn't serve.
| City bus cost | ₩1,200 (T-money) — free transfer from subway within 30 min |
| How to ride | Tap T-money at front door (board) and back door (exit) |
| English | Bus stop announcements in English on most Seoul routes. Naver Map shows real-time bus arrivals. |
| Express bus | Seoul ↔ smaller cities. Book at kobus.co.kr (English) |
| N-Bus (night) | Seoul night buses run midnight–3am on major routes (N prefix) |
✈️ Airport Transfers
Getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul:
| AREX (Airport Express) | 43 min to Seoul Station | ₩9,500 (~$7) | Fastest & cheapest |
| Airport Bus | 60–90 min to major hotels | ₩15,000–17,000 (~$11–13) | Direct to hotel area |
| Taxi | 60–90 min | ₩65,000–80,000 (~$48–59) | Most convenient for groups |
| Private Transfer | Pre-booked car | Fixed price | Best for late arrivals |
💡 First thing at the airport: 1) Buy a T-money card at the convenience store (arrivals hall) 2) Get a SIM card or eSIM for data 3) Take the AREX to Seoul Station. Total cost: under ₩30,000 (~$22).
Essential Apps for Getting Around Korea
| Naver Map | Best for subway/bus routes, walking directions, real-time arrivals. Works in English. |
| Kakao T | Taxi booking. English interface. International cards accepted. |
| KakaoMap | Alternative to Naver Map. Some prefer the interface. |
| Korail Talk | Book KTX tickets. English available. |
Note: Google Maps works for subway but is unreliable for bus routes and walking directions in Korea. Use Naver Map instead.
Transport information current as of March 2026. Fares may change — check official sources for latest prices.