Seoul Public Transportation Guide - Helpful Information for new Visitors to Seoul

Seoul Subway (or Metro):

The Seoul city subway (or Metro) is frequent, travels to most places including attractions, and fairly inexpensive.

Seoul Subway (aka Seoul Metro) currently have 10 main lines (color-coded) plus a few more lines by name.

Seoul Subway Green line (Line 2) is a loop line that connects to most of the other lines at different stations.

Most Subway lines in Seoul run from 5:30 AM to 11 PM (Some till Midnight) daily.

For your convenience buy a Cash Bee (IC) card (T-Money - rechargeable card) at a convenience store.

IC Card saves the time of purchasing new tickets every time you go on the subway or bus.

IC Card can be reloaded as needed at the station kiosk or at convenience stores.

The cards can be used on most public transportation and for convenience store purchases.

Users of the T-money IC card receive discounts on the subway as well as bus fares (W100).

IC Card also allows transfer without additional charges within 30mins of getting off the subway/bus.

Refunds on the remaining balance on your T-Money card is available at all participating convenience stores.

One can purchase a Single ride ticket at the ticket vending machine at Metro/Subway station in Seoul.

Single rider tickets get a 500 Won refund upon returning back the ticket after completing travel at the destination station.

Announcements in Seoul Subways are in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

Route and fare information available at Seoul Metro Cyber Website

More information about on Seoul Metro available at Visit Korea Website

Seoul TOPIS Bus and Public Bus Transport Information

Seoul City in South Korea has three types of Buses:

1). Regular City Bus (Ilban bus) - Blue, Green and Yellow Bus

2). Express Bus (Jwaseok bus) - Red Bus

3). Mini Bus (Maeul bus) - Small in size

Regular City Buses (Ilban bus)

Blue (color) Bus connects suburbs to downtown Seoul or the main Seoul areas.

Green (Color) Bus connects Subway stations or bus terminals to surrounding areas and downtown Seoul.

Yellow (color) Bus loops around major areas and connect stop for blue buses and major Metro stations.

Express Bus (Jwaseok bus)

Red (color) buses are commuter buses connecting neighboring cities like Iisan or Incheon to Seoul areas.

Mini Bus (Maeul bus)

Mini-buses run shorter routes that often include residential areas in Seoul connecting them to Metro stations.

All buses in Seoul accepts payment by IC card (T-Money or Cashbee Card) or exact fare in cash.

Route names or stops signs on most city buses are usually in Korean that makes it difficult for non-native people.

Buses in Seoul run from morning 5:30 AM to Midnight daily.

Seoul TOPIS is the general transport control center for bus information. 

Detailed information on bus lines and fares available at TOPIS Website (Korean Only)

Downtown and Panorama 2-Day Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour in Seoul - $28.00

Travel Tips for taking Seoul Public Transport

- Buy a T-Money IC card (aka Cash Bee IC Card) to avoid the hassle of buying a ticket every time you want to take the subway.

  T-Money card is the stored-value card like the Octopus card in Hong Kong.

  T-Money card sells for W2500 and can be purchased in all convenience stores and Metro Stations.

  You can reload a T-Money card at any Metro station or major chain convenience store like 7-11.

  When you are leaving Seoul just go to any big chain convenience store like 7-11 for a refund.

  You will get back any remaining value on the T-Money card but not the W2500.

- If you have a smartphone, load the Seoul Metro subway app on your phone. Many places offer free Wi-Fi.

  If Mobile Phone App is not an option, make sure to pick up a Seoul Metro subway map at a visitor center.

- Buses in Seoul are not easy to navigate for new visitors who don't speak Korean.

  Carry hand written or printed Bus number and stop name in Korean to reach your destination.