How to get around Seoul

11.02.2024 - 15:27 / lonelyplanet.com

Seoul's public transport network is amongst the best in the world – clean, punctual and committed to accessibility – and getting around the capital of South Korea is now smoother than ever thanks to several smartphone apps that provide real-time information. 

KakaoMap is available in English and can plan your journey from door to door, covering everything from when the next bus will come to the best train car to board depending on where you're disembarking. And Seoul's subway trains and buses have free wi-fi, so you can keep track of your journey online, even without a SIM card.

From buses and bicycles to taxis and trains, here's the insider scoop on the best ways to get around Seoul.

Seoul's buses and trains are operated by several different companies, but you can pay for journeys with all operators with a transport pass. There are three to choose from: NAMANE, T-money and Cashbee.

You can get a physical NAMANE card from a kiosk at transport hubs or use a digital one via the app. Top it up and use it across public transport, as well as in some retailers. T-money and Cashbee cards can be purchased at convenience stores as well as transport hubs. Just top them up to use on any public transport and affiliated retailers – keep in mind that T-money is more widely accepted in stores than Cashbee.

It is possible to buy a single-ride ticket at the station each time or pay in cash on the bus, but transport cards can be used in taxis, subways and buses across the country, and T-money can be purchased in conjunction with other special deals for foreign tourists.

Because many of the cards have a special design or theme (such as pictures of K-pop group BTS), many people choose to keep the card as a souvenir, but they can be refunded for the original price at Incheon International Airport when you leave the country.

With 22 subway lines making 302 stops across the city, the Seoul Metro is a highly efficient way to get around the city. Download the Metro app for iPhone or Android, and you'll find the entire process quite straightforward. Each station has English-language signs, and stops are announced in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.

Fares start at ₩1400 per ride with a transport pass, and you're allowed up to four transfers to another subway line or bus for free within 30 minutes. Platform screens detail what metros are due to arrive and depart, and exit signs detail what major landmarks are next to each one.

If you're changing between one subway line and another, you generally don't tap out to make transfers. The subway tends to stop running from midnight to 5:30am, but times vary by line – check the app for your journey.

Etiquette is important on Seoul's subway. Most people line up outside the train doors and