Getting around South Korea is easy with its public transportation. From the extensive subway network to the reliable bus system, this guide will help you making your travel in South Korea smooth and stress free.
• Subways
Subways are widely used mode of transportation due its connectivity and efficiency in South Korea. It features a highly developed subway network, notably extensive in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon.
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway features 9 lines. It connects central districts with suburbs. Trains run frequently, with clear signage and multilingual information, making navigation and travel efficient and user-friendly.
The Busan Subway operates with 5 lines. Line 1 links major areas from Nopo-dong to Sinpyeong and Line 2 connects Jangsan to Haeundae, covering key city zones and offering seamless travel.
Incheon’s subway system operates with Lines 1 and 2. Line 1 connects Incheon to Seoul, while Line 2 covers key city areas.
• Buses
South Korea’s bus system is highly efficient and systematically organized with colour-coded scheme.South Korea’s bus system features three types of color-coded buses:
Blue buses serve long-distance routes between cities and districts, Green buses operate on local routes within neighborhoods, and Red buses offer express services for faster travel between major areas.
• Taxi
In South Korea, various taxi options are available to suit different needs.
Standard Taxis: Standard taxis are basic sedans with regular fares and widespread availability.
Deluxe Taxis: Deluxe taxis offer enhanced comfort and higher service levels compared to standard taxis, with higher fares.
Minitaxis: are smaller, more affordable taxis designed for short trips and budget- conscious passengers.
Hybrid Taxis: Environmentally friendly taxis that use hybrid engines.
• Payments
T-card is widely used in south korea to pay fares on public transport and small purchases. It is a rechargeable card , you can add funds as needed at recharge stations or convenience stores. It is too easy to use you just need to tap the card on card readers when entering and exiting subways or buses.
There are several other common ways to pay like: debit/credit cards are widely accepted for various transactions.
Apps like Samsung Pay, KakaoPay, and Naver Pay facilitate payments via smartphones. Common for both personal and business transactions through online banking or ATMs.
• Apps
There are several apps to find the information about buses, subways and taxis. Some of
them are:
Kakao Map and Kakao Map offers comprehensive navigation for subways, buses, and taxis, including real-time schedules, route planning, and transit information. Subway korea focuses on subway routes, schedules, and navigation for major South Korean cities.
Kakao T specializes in taxi services,offering booking, fare estimates, and real-time tracking.