Seoul Subway Guide for Travelers
Seoul’s subway is one of the densest and cheapest in the world. But travelers lose money and time at the same handful of predictable points. Know those, and you know enough.
Google Maps won’t work — read this first
You land, open Google Maps, try to navigate — and nothing works properly. This is the biggest shock for English-speaking travelers in Korea, and it catches nearly everyone off guard.
South Korean law restricts map data exports for national security reasons. As a result, Google Maps cannot access full road and walking data. Driving directions are blocked. Walking directions are unreliable. Public transit routing sort-of works but gets the details wrong — wrong exit numbers, missing connections, inaccurate times.
Searches for “google maps not working in korea” spike every travel season. The fix is simple:
| App | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Naver Map | Most accurate. English interface available | Takes a minute to get used to |
| KakaoMap | Accurate. Good walking routes | English support is weaker than Naver |
| Google Maps | Familiar interface | Walking, bus, and detailed routing are unreliable |
Do this before you fly: install Naver Map and switch the language to English. It gives you exact subway routes, transfer exit numbers, and travel times — all accurate. This one move saves more frustration than anything else on this page.
The essentials
| Base fare | ₩1,550 (2026, distance-based add-ons apply) |
| Payment | Transit card (T-money) recommended — cheaper than single-journey tickets |
| Transfers | Free within 30 minutes of tapping off (subway ↔ bus, bus ↔ bus) |
| Operating hours | Roughly 05:30–midnight (varies by line and station) |
| Navigation app | Naver Map or KakaoMap (not Google Maps) |
Mistake #1: not tapping your card when getting off
This is the most common, most expensive mistake foreign travelers make.
Korean transit requires tapping your card both when boarding and when getting off. Forget the exit tap and:
- Your transfer discount disappears.
- The next ride adds a penalty fare.
- The distance-based fare may max out.
It happens most often on buses. Tap the reader by the door when you get off.
Transfer rules
- 30 minutes from the moment you tap off. Board the next vehicle within that window and the base fare is not charged again.
- Applies to subway ↔ bus and bus ↔ bus.
- You must use the same card throughout. Switch cards and it’s not a transfer.
- One card per person. Tapping multiple riders on one card kills the transfer discount.
Which card — T-money, no contest
Answer: T-money. There is not much debate here for travelers.
| T-money | Single-journey ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rechargeable, pay-as-you-go | Per-ride paper ticket |
| Fare | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Transfer discount | ⭕ | ❌ |
| Where to buy | Any convenience store (load with cash) | Station ticket machine |
| Other uses | Convenience store payments, luggage lockers | None |
| Catch | Keep an eye on balance | Deposit refund hassle, foreign card rejection risk |
How to load it: Buy the card at a convenience store, hand over cash to load it. This method never fails. For a multi-day trip, ₩20,000–30,000 is comfortable.
Unlimited pass — M-PASS
If you ride a lot, the foreigner-only M-PASS covers Seoul subways, city buses, and AREX All-stop trains (Express excluded).
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | ₩15,000 |
| 2 days | ₩23,000 |
| 3 days | ₩30,500 |
| 5 days | ₩47,500 |
| 7 days | ₩64,500 |
- Cash only (Korean won) at purchase.
- Activate within 30 days of issuance.
- Buy after 5 PM and get ₩3,000 off.
- AREX All-stop is included — a round-trip to Incheon Airport alone recovers a big chunk of the cost.
Does it pay off? At ₩1,550 per ride, a 1-day pass (₩15,000) needs close to 10 rides to break even. On a typical sightseeing day, plain T-money is often cheaper. The pass earns its keep on days when you do an AREX round-trip.
The Climate Card is gone. Seoul’s Climate Card (기후동행카드) was discontinued in September 2026 when it merged into the national K-Pass (모두의카드) system. The short-term tourist version vanished with it. K-Pass works on a post-use rebate model that short-term visitors cannot use. Old blog posts and YouTube videos still mention the Climate Card — ignore them.
If you want attractions bundled in, the Discover Seoul Pass (48 hrs ₩70,000 / 72 hrs ₩90,000 / 120 hrs ₩130,000) includes transit card functionality. But this is an attraction pass, not a transit pass — it only makes sense if you plan to visit three or more paid attractions per day.
For the full payment landscape (where foreign cards fail, what to use at lockers), see → Korea Payment Guide
Key lines travelers actually use
| Line | Key section | Traveler use |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 (circle line) | Hongdae · Sinchon · Gangnam · Jamsil · Seongsu | You will ride this the most |
| AREX | Incheon Airport · Gimpo Airport · Hongik Univ. · Seoul Station | Airport transit |
| Line 4 | Myeongdong · Seoul Station · Dongdaemun | Myeongdong access |
| Line 3 | Gyeongbokgung · Anguk · Express Bus Terminal | Palaces |
| Line 6 | Itaewon · Sangsu · Hapjeong | Itaewon |
| Gyeongui–Jungang | Hongik Univ. · Yongsan | Long headways |
Hongik Univ. Station sits at the intersection of Line 2, AREX, and Gyeongui–Jungang — convenient for both the airport and the city. → Hongdae Station Exit Guide
Things that make life easier
Some lines run express trains. AREX has All-stop vs. Express; Line 9 has express services. Different trains pull up at the same platform — check the destination sign.
Avoid rush hour. 8–9 AM, 6–7 PM. With a suitcase, it is borderline impossible.
Last train times are station-specific. Not line-specific. Check your departure station in the app.
Etiquette in three points
- Leave the end-of-carriage priority seats empty.
- Keep phone calls short and quiet.
- Let people off before you get on.
Bathrooms are usually inside the fare gates. Use them before you tap out.
When you have luggage
- Transfer corridors can be long. Two or more transfers with a suitcase is punishing.
- Elevators exist but are often tucked away. Locate them in the app before you move.
- Rush hour with luggage — just don’t.
- Bottom line: On luggage days, minimize transfers or store your bags and move freely.
Summary
- Tap off. This alone stops the money leak.
- Transfers are free within 30 minutes.
- Navigate with Naver Map or KakaoMap. Not Google Maps.
- Card: T-money. If you ride a lot, do the math on M-PASS (Climate Card is dead).
- Check last-train times by station, not by line.
checked: 2026-08-02 · Update when base fare or transit pass policies change
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization M-PASS guide
- Seoul Climate Card discontinuation notice (September 2026 K-Pass merger)
- Seoul integrated transfer discount system