How to use public transportation in Korea that Korean travelers must know

In Korea, public transportation systems are famous for their efficiency, cleanliness, and convenience.
However, using public transportation during your trip to Korea will be a difficult experience for travelers. Korea is a country with very developed public transportation. So, even if you travel to a crowded city or outer area like Seoul, you will definitely use public transportation.

Therefore, I will teach those preparing to travel to Korea the basic process of using public transportation in Korea.

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Types of Public Transportation in Korea

1. the subway

Coverage: a transport network designed extensively in major metropolitan areas.
Convenience: It runs from early morning to midnight, and signs and announcements are available in both Korean and English.
Tip: Download subway map apps like Subway Korea that offer live updates and route suggestions.

a subway line search site

2. Buses

Type: downtown, express, out of town.
Coverage: A tighter network reaching areas where the subway is not covered.
Tip: Bus stops and buses often have digital displays that show real-time information in English. By downloading the traffic application, you can check the location and waiting time of the real-time bus.

3. a taxi

Types: Normal, Deluxe (Black), Jumbo Taxi.
Convenience: Available 24/7, you can rent a car right off the street.
Tip: You can easily book rides using apps like “Kakao Taxi.”

4. a train

Types: KTX (high speed), ITX, regular trains.
Coverage: Great for long-distance trips between cities across the country.
Tip: During peak travel periods such as holidays and weekends, you should book tickets in advance.

Korean subway line map PDF (English version) <link

How to pay for transportation

1. T-money card

Description: Rechargeable smart card used in most transportation.
Where to buy: You can buy it at convenience stores and subway stations.
Benefits: Cheaper fares than a single ticket and seamless transfer between various modes of transportation. Nowadays, both subways and Seoul have been integrated into T-Money cards.

> M-pass (M-pass)

This is a dedicated transportation card sold only to foreigners at T-Money, and you can use subways, Seoul buses, and Incheon International Airport Railroad within the Seoul metropolitan area. You can board only up to 20 times a day.

>Discover Seoul Pass

It is a foreign-only transportation card issued by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and you can use subways, buses, and taxis in downtown Seoul.

>Korea Tour Card

It is a card that can be used not only on public transportation, but also anywhere where card payments are made.

2. a bus ticket

Description: This is a ticket purchased during long-distance operations such as airport buses and express buses.
How to use it: Buy it from the ticket machine.

Remember when using public transportation in our country!

Plan ahead: Use apps like Naver Maps or Google Maps to plan routes and check schedules.

Peak hours: Avoid travel during peak hours (7am-9am, 6-8pm) when public transportation can be very congested. Public transportation is very congested because it is the time to go to work and get off work.

Learning Basic Phrases: Many Koreans are proficient in English, but knowing simple Korean phrases can be helpful.

Familiarize yourself with local etiquette:
– Korea should line up in an orderly manner when taking public transportation.
– Buses and subways have seats exclusively for the elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers.
– Food consumption is prohibited on public transportation.
– Public transportation should be careful about behaviors that shout into public places or cause damage to others.

한국의 역사와 현대가 공존하는 매력적인 도시 – 경주

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