Overview
Seoul's subway system is one of the world's largest and most efficient rapid-transit networks. It operates from approximately 5:30 AM to midnight and covers most of the city via nine numbered colour-coded lines plus several named suburban rail lines. All signage is in Korean and English, with Japanese and Mandarin in many stations. To ride, you purchase either a single-journey ticket or load a T-money transportation card, then tap or insert it at the entry turnstile, travel to your destination, and tap or insert again at the exit. The fare is calculated automatically based on distance travelled.
The network
Subway lines
Seoul Metro (Seoul Transportation Corporation) and Korail jointly operate the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. Seoul Metro directly operates all of lines 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, plus parts of lines 1, 3, and 4; Korail operates the remainder of lines 1, 3, and 4 and provides through-running services on those lines.
- Line 1 (dark blue): Long trunk line extending to Suwon, Incheon, and Cheonan; note that some trains branch, so check your destination carefully.
- Line 2 (green): A circular line connecting major hubs; it has the highest ridership in the system.
- Line 3 (orange): Runs from Goyang and Ilsan in the north to Gangnam in the south; branches exist, so confirm your direction.
- Line 4 (sky blue): A north–south trunk line; outer sections branch, requiring destination checking.
- Line 5 (purple): Connects Gimpo Airport to downtown Seoul and extends eastward; a long line requiring attention to station names.
- Line 6 (brown): Serves the World Cup Stadium area and Itaewon neighbourhood.
- Line 7 (olive): Runs from Uijeongbu to Gangnam, offering a cross-city route.
- Line 8 (pink): Serves southern Seoul and extends to Seongnam, with stations including Garak Market and outlets.
- Line 9 (gold): The first privately run subway line, connecting Gimpo Airport to Gangnam. It operates both local trains (every 6 minutes) and express trains (every 40 minutes); express trains skip stations and reach Gangnam in approximately 30 minutes from the airport, so check platform signage carefully.
Airport Rail
The Airport Railroad (A'REX) connects Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station and Gimpo Airport. Express services depart every 40 minutes, take 43 minutes, and cost ₩9,000 with WiFi available; all-stops services depart every 6 minutes, take 53 minutes, and cost ₩4,750. The express train requires advance reservation and accepts credit cards; the all-stops service is unreserved and accepts cash or T-money only. Express and regular services use different platforms and ticket booths.
Buses
Buses are colour-coded by route type: blue buses run inter-district trunk routes, green buses connect subway stations and blue routes to residential areas, yellow buses circulate the city centre, red buses connect the city to surrounding areas, and maeul (neighbourhood) buses serve local routes. Late-night buses are also available.
Light rail
The Ui-Sinseol Light Rail Transit Line (우이신설경전철) serves the north of Seoul. Several other suburban lines including the Sillim Line, Suin–Bundang Line, and Gyeongui-jungang Line provide commuter connections.
Ferries
Ferry services operate to various points in China from the neighbouring port city of Incheon, though no direct services run from Seoul to Japan.
Tickets & fares
Fare types and prices
Fares are charged based on distance travelled. The base fare (up to 10 km) as of June 28, 2025 is ₩1,550 for adults, ₩900 for teens (aged 13–18), and ₩550 for children (aged 6–12) when using a transportation card. Additional distance surcharges apply: ₩100 per 5 km from 10 to 50 km, then ₩100 per 8 km beyond 50 km. Single-journey paper tickets cost ₩100 more than the card fare plus a ₩500 refundable deposit.
Transportation card (T-money)
The T-money card is the recommended payment method for visitors. The card itself costs ₩3,000 (non-refundable) and can be purchased at convenience stores and subway stations. It provides a ₩100 discount per ride compared to paper tickets and enables automatic fare calculation, transfers, and seamless use across buses, taxis, and traditional markets throughout Seoul. The card has no expiration, and any unused balance carries forward. Refunds for balances under ₩20,000 are available at convenience stores (with a small fee); balances over ₩20,000 can be refunded at T-money headquarters.
Single-journey tickets
Paper single-journey tickets are available from vending machines at station entrances. They are more expensive than card fares and include a ₩500 refundable deposit; they are useful only for one-off trips when you do not plan to use the system again.
Commuter passes
Monthly commuter passes are available. A citywide Seoul pass costs ₩61,600 (as of October 7, 2023). Distance-based passes for zones 1–18 range from ₩68,200 to ₩129,000 depending on the coverage area, extending up to 130+ km. These passes are designed for longer stays or regular commuting within specific zones.
Transfers and discounts
Up to five free transfers are allowed between subway lines or between buses and subway lines when using a transportation card, provided the transfer occurs within 30 minutes of exiting the previous vehicle (or 60 minutes between 9 PM and 7 AM). You must tap your card at both entry and exit for the integrated fare to apply. An early-morning discount of 20% is available for your first ride before 6:30 AM when using a card. Seniors aged 65 and over ride the subway for free.
Tourist considerations
No dedicated multi-day tourist pass is mentioned in official sources; the T-money card is the most convenient option for visitors planning to make multiple trips. The Climate Companion Card offers unlimited rides on eligible services for a fixed monthly fee, though coverage and rules vary, so check with the operator before purchase.
From the airport
Incheon International Airport
Most international visitors arrive at Incheon International Airport, located on Yeongjong Island in the neighbouring city of Incheon. The Airport Railroad (A'REX) provides the most direct public-transport connection to Seoul. Express trains depart every 40 minutes from 05:20 until 00:00, reach Seoul Station in 43 minutes, and cost ₩9,000; they offer WiFi on board and require advance reservation and credit-card payment. All-stops trains depart every 6 minutes, take 53 minutes, and cost ₩4,750 (cash or T-money only, unreserved). From Seoul Station, you can connect to the KTX high-speed rail or transfer to lines 1, 4, and the Gyeongui-jungang line for onward travel within Seoul. The A'REX also connects to Gimpo Airport. Note that express and regular services use different platforms and ticket booths.
If you have heavy luggage or are heading to southern parts of Seoul such as Gangnam, airport buses may be more convenient. A direct taxi to Seoul costs approximately ₩50,000 (regular) or ₩70,000 (deluxe).
Gimpo Airport
Gimpo Airport is closer to central Seoul and serves primarily domestic flights within South Korea and a small number of international routes to China, Japan, and Taiwan. It is served by Lines 5 and 9 of the subway, as well as the Airport Railroad. All three lines intersect Line 2, which forms a large circle through Seoul. Line 9 includes express trains in addition to local service. Fares on these lines cost ₩1,000–2,100 depending on distance. A taxi to central Seoul runs approximately ₩30,000.
Etiquette & customs
When using the Seoul Metro, queue in an orderly fashion at platform doors when boarding. Many stations have marked waiting areas for each door position. On escalators, stand on the left side and keep the right side clear for people in a hurry, especially during rush hours.
Priority seating (usually marked with different coloring or signage) is reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and those with young children. It is customary to offer your seat if you are physically able to do so. During peak commute hours, do not expect a seat; the system becomes very crowded, and standing is the norm.
Eating and drinking are not permitted on trains, though water is sometimes acceptable. Keep noise to a minimum; loud conversations and phone calls are considered disruptive. Remove your backpack in crowded conditions so as not to take up extra space. During rush hours (typically 8–10 AM and 5–8 PM on weekdays), expect packed trains and move towards the middle of the carriage to make room for others entering and exiting.
Official links
Survival terms
- 지하철 (jihachul) – subway/metro
- 표 (pyo) – ticket
- 노선 (noseon) – line
- 입구 (ipgu) – entrance
- 출구 (chulgu) – exit
- 환승 (hwanseung) – transfer
- 편도 (pyeondo) – single fare/one-way
- 카드 (kadeu) – card (T-money card)
- 교통카드 (gyo-tongkadeu) – transportation card
Purchase and load a T-money card at a convenience store as soon as you arrive in Seoul, since it will save you money on every ride and make transfers seamless across the entire public-transport network.