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.
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.
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.
