Getting Around Korea: Subway, KTX, Buses & Taxis
Korea's transport network is fast, cheap and famously punctual — once you know the system. Here's the full picture, from tapping into the Seoul subway to crossing the country in under 3 hours.
The subway: your default in big cities
Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju and Daejeon all have subway systems, and every station, sign and announcement includes English. Base fare is around ₩1,500 with a T-money card (tap in, tap out — the same card works in every city). Trains run roughly 5:30am–midnight.
- Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes — they show which subway car to board for the fastest transfer
- Priority seats (marked in pink/yellow) are genuinely left empty for elderly and pregnant passengers — don't sit there even if the car is packed
- Eating on the subway is frowned upon; phone calls are fine but kept quiet
KTX: crossing the country at 300km/h
The KTX high-speed train connects Seoul to Busan in about 2h40m (₩59,800 standard). Book on the Korail app or letskorail.com (English supported) — or just buy at the station, except during holidays when trains sell out. The slower ITX/Mugunghwa trains cost roughly half and are fine for shorter hops.
Express & intercity buses: the underrated option
Korea's express bus network reaches towns trains don't, seats are wide (choose "premium" buses for near-flat recliners), and terminals are central. Seoul–Busan is around ₩26,000–38,000. Book via the Kobus app/site or at the terminal. Buses depart exactly on time — Korean punctuality is not a joke.
Taxis: cheap enough to use freely
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Kakao T app | Korea's Uber. English UI, type destination, pay in-app or in-car. The default choice. |
| Street taxis | Orange/silver/white cars. Base fare ~₩4,800 (Seoul). Show your destination written in Korean. |
| "Deluxe" black taxis | Pricier, more room — fine, just know why the meter is higher. |
All taxis take cards and T-money. A 15-minute ride is usually under ₩15,000 — convert to your currency with the KRW converter.
Late night, airport, and everything else
- Airport: AREX express train (Incheon → Seoul Station, 43min) or airport limousine buses that stop at major hotels
- After midnight: subways stop; night buses ("N buses" in Seoul) and taxis take over — Kakao T works 24/7
- Intercity flights: Seoul (Gimpo) → Jeju is one of the world's busiest routes, often ₩30,000–60,000 one way
- Driving: possible with an International Driving Permit, but in cities parking is scarce — transit is genuinely faster
Planning where to go with all this transport? Browse attractions and festivals by region in Explore Korea, and check the weather & UV forecast before a day trip.