Getting around South Korea

Korea's tap card for subways, buses, taxis and convenience stores, in Seoul, Busan, Suwon and Gyeongju alike. Buy it at CU, GS25 or 7-Eleven, or at station machines.

• Load ₩20,000–30,000 to start. Top up with cash at subway machines or convenience store counters.
• Tap when you get off buses too. Bus and subway transfers within 30 minutes are discounted.
• WOWPASS is a prepaid card for foreigners that works as T-money and as a debit card, and lets you exchange cash at its machines.
• Get leftover balance refunded at convenience stores (small fee), or keep the card for your next trip.

Unlimited rides on Seoul subway lines within Seoul and on Seoul city buses for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days (₩5,000 / 8,000 / 10,000 / 15,000 / 20,000).

• Worth it if you ride 3 or more times a day: the 3-day pass (₩10,000) pays for itself after about 7 rides.
• It doesn't cover the AREX Express, KTX or trips outside Seoul like Suwon, Gapyeong (Nami Island) or the DMZ. Keep a T-money for those.
• Buy and charge it at subway station machines. Since March 2026 the kiosks also take international credit cards.

The train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station. All-stop trains take about 59 minutes from T1 (66 from T2); the non-stop Express takes 43 (51 from T2).

• All-stop trains take T-money: ₩4,750 from T1 or ₩5,350 from T2 to Seoul Station.
• All-stop trains also stop at Hongik Univ. (Hongdae) and Gongdeok, so there's no need to ride to Seoul Station if you're staying there.
• The Express needs a ticket. Online platforms usually sell it below the ₩13,000 counter price, and the Climate Card isn't valid on it.

Fast, cheap and signposted in English. Fares are distance-based: ₩1,550 covers the first 10 km, plus ₩100 for every extra 5 km or so.

• Single-journey tickets cost ₩1,650 plus a ₩500 refundable deposit. A T-money card is easier.
• Pink seats are for pregnant women, and the seats at the ends of each car are for seniors. Leave them empty even when it's packed.
• Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions. Google Maps handles transit but has limited walking and driving directions in Korea.
• City buses cost ₩1,500 by card. Tap again when you get off to keep your transfer discount.

Seoul to Busan in about 2h15–2h45. Since September 1, 2026, KTX and SRT run as one network, and fares dropped by about 10% (Seoul–Busan was ₩59,800).

• Book on Korail's website or app, or a platform like Klook. Fridays, Sundays and holidays sell out.
• Most trains leave from Seoul Station; former SRT trains leave from Suseo in Gangnam, handy if you're staying there.
• Foreigners can buy a Korea Rail Pass for unlimited rides. It only pays off if you're doing several long trips.

Line 1 (orange) runs through Nampo, Busan Station and Seomyeon; Line 2 (green) runs through Seomyeon, Gwangalli and Haeundae. T-money and WOWPASS work.

• ₩1,600 for trips up to 10 km, ₩1,800 beyond. City buses are about ₩1,550 by card.
• Transfers between bus and metro within 30 minutes are discounted when you use a card.
• For Haedong Yonggungsa, ride Line 2 to Haeundae and take bus 181, or a taxi.

The Busan–Gimhae Light Rail links the airport to Sasang (Line 2) in about 10 minutes. Seomyeon is about 30 minutes door to door.

• Since September 2025, a light rail to metro transfer within 30 minutes only charges the higher of the two fares.
• Airport limousine buses run to Haeundae and Seomyeon, handy with big luggage.
• Philippine Airlines flies Busan–Manila nonstop, and Jeju Air plans to start the route in December 2026.

Metered, safe and cheap for groups. Kakao T and Uber both work in Seoul and Busan and show the route and fare estimate up front.

• Late-night surcharges of 20–40% apply roughly from 22:00 to 04:00.
• Show the Korean name of your destination (we list it under every stop).
• International Taxis have English-speaking drivers but cost more. Black 'deluxe' taxis cost more too.