Getting Around Seoul: Subway, Bus, Taxi and Airport Transport (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 · Written by the Seoul Travel Tips team, based in Seoul
Seoul has one of the cheapest and easiest public transport systems of any big city. With one tap-on card you can ride the subway, buses and airport trains, and most sightseeing areas are a short ride apart. This page compares your options at a glance and links to our detailed guide for each one.
Your Options at a Glance
| Mode | Cost (2026) | Best for | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | From ₩1,550 per ride (card) | Almost everything — fast, frequent, English signs | Seoul subway guide |
| City bus | From ₩1,500 (card) | Places away from stations, e.g. Namsan, Bukchon hills | See “Buses” below |
| Taxi | Base fare ₩4,800 (day) | Groups, luggage, late nights | Seoul taxi guide |
| Airport train (AREX) | ₩4,750 (All-Stop) / ₩13,000 (Express) | Incheon Airport ↔ Seoul Station, Hongdae | Incheon Airport to Seoul |
| Airport bus | About ₩17,000 | Direct to hotels with heavy luggage | Incheon Airport to Seoul |
| Public bike (Ttareungyi) | ₩1,000 per hour | Han River paths and flat neighborhoods | Han River parks |
Step 1: Get a Transport Card
You’ll need a tap-on card for the subway and buses. Three options for visitors:
| Card | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| T-money | Standard rechargeable card, ₩3,000–5,000 at convenience stores | Most visitors |
| Climate Card (short-term) | Unlimited subway and bus in Seoul; 1-day ₩5,000 to 7-day ₩20,000 | Heavy users riding 4+ times a day |
| WOWPASS | Prepaid payment card with a built-in T-money function | Travelers who also want a cash-free payment card |
→ T-money guide · Climate Card guide · WOWPASS guide · Not sure? Try our Seoul Pass Finder.
Subway
- Hours: roughly 5:30 to midnight; check the last train if you’re out late.
- Fares: ₩1,550 base with a card, rising slightly with distance. Tap in and tap out.
- Signs: station names, maps and announcements are in English, and every station has a number.
- Exits: stations have many numbered exits — our guides list the right exit for each sight.
- Plan a route: use our Seoul Subway Route Finder or Naver Map / Kakao Map.
Buses
Buses are color-coded: blue (trunk routes across the city), green (local feeder routes), red (express to suburbs) and yellow (small loop routes downtown). Tap your card when you get on, and tap again when you get off — that’s how free transfers work.
- Free transfers: between bus and subway within 30 minutes of getting off (60 minutes at night), up to four transfers.
- Late-night “Owl” buses: routes starting with N run roughly midnight to 5:00 when the subway is closed.
- Tip: Naver Map and Kakao Map show live bus arrival times, which Google Maps does not.
Taxis
Regular taxis are metered and good value for short trips, especially with two or more people. The day base fare is ₩4,800, with surcharges late at night.
- Pay by card in almost every taxi; T-money also works.
- Show your destination in Korean on your phone.
- Apps: Kakao T is the most used; k.ride is designed for foreign visitors.
- At airports and stations, use only the official taxi stand.
→ Full details on fares, surcharges and avoiding overcharging: Seoul taxi guide
From Incheon Airport
| Option | Time to central Seoul | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AREX Express | 43 min to Seoul Station | ₩13,000 |
| AREX All-Stop | About 60 min to Seoul Station; stops at Hongdae | About ₩4,750 |
| Airport limousine bus | 60–90 min depending on traffic | About ₩17,000 |
| Taxi | 60–90 min | ₩60,000–80,000 |
→ Step-by-step instructions, routes by neighborhood and late-night options: Incheon Airport to Seoul · Arriving? See our Incheon Airport guide.
Walking
Many central areas — Myeongdong, Insadong, Bukchon, Ikseon-dong, Hongdae, Seongsu — are best explored on foot. Expect hills in Bukchon and Namsan, and long underground walks in big transfer stations. Our Walking Helper opens walking directions from your location to 91 major sights and stations.
Tips for Getting Around
- Avoid rush hours (about 8:00–9:00 and 18:00–19:00) if you have luggage.
- Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for the most accurate routes, exits and bus times.
- Keep ₩10,000–20,000 on your card so you don’t get stuck at a gate.
- Priority seats are for elderly, pregnant and disabled passengers — leave them free even when the train is busy.
Related Guides
→ Seoul travel budget · Where to stay in Seoul · Travel information
Fares are 2026 adult card fares and can change. Please check official sources before you travel.
A Local’s Note
When you’re going from Incheon Airport to Seoul, I recommend the airport bus if you have a lot of luggage, the subway if you don’t have much, and a taxi if you’re staying at a hotel near the airport. If you have a lot of luggage but still want to take the subway, I also recommend using T-Luggage. (Just note that you need to drop off your bags with T-Luggage in the morning to receive them the same day.) For more details, please see our T-Luggage page.
The easiest way to get around Seoul for sightseeing is the subway. There are buses too, but for foreign travelers, the routes aren’t easy to figure out and they’re not easy to use.
If you use our Subway Route Finder (route guide between 41 major subway stations), you can get to most travel spots without any trouble.
If you want to visit a lesser-known spot in Seoul and just can’t figure out how to get there, contact us and we’ll let you know.