Getting Around Korea: Airport, Subway, Bus, Taxi and Trains

Public transport in Korea is frequent, cheap and signposted in English, but the first day has a few traps: two airport terminals, two kinds of airport train, transit cards you top up with cash, and a transfer clock that starts when you tap out. These guides walk through each step with the Korean text you will see on machines and signs, and every price is checked against official sources.

The three things to sort out first

1. Get from the airport to your hotel

Incheon Airport has two terminals, and three main ways into Seoul: the AREX train, airport limousine buses and taxis. The AREX express reaches Seoul Station in 43 minutes from Terminal 1. The all-stop train is cheaper and stops at Gimpo Airport, Hongik Univ. and Gongdeok. Buses suit hotels near a bus stop, and taxis suit late arrivals and groups.

• Incheon Airport to Seoul: compare fares, times and late-night options.
• AREX airport railroad: ticket machine steps, gates and the City Airport Terminal at Seoul Station.

2. Get a transit card

A 티머니timeoniT-money card pays for subways and buses and works in other cities too. Buy it at a convenience store, top it up with cash and tap it on every gate and bus reader. Seoul also sells Climate Card day passes, and iPhone users can put T-money in Apple Wallet.

• How to use a T-money card: buy, top up, check the balance and get your money back.
• Transit cards compared: T-money, Mobile T-money, Climate Card passes and WOWPASS.

3. Ride the subway and buses

Each subway line has a number and a colour, each station a number, and each street exit a number. Tap in, tap out, and transfer within 30 minutes (60 minutes at night) to avoid paying again.

• Seoul subway guide: single-journey tickets, the ₩500 deposit, transfers and exits.
• Riding city buses: bus colours, tapping on and off, and the transfer discount.

Also in this section

• Taxis and Kakao T: hailing a taxi, fares, night surcharges and taxi apps.
• Map apps for Korea: why Google Maps falls short, and how to set up Naver Map or KakaoMap in English.
• KTX and intercity trains: booking trains to Busan and other cities.

Start here

1. Before you fly, install a Korean map app and save your hotel's address in Korean.
2. At the airport, buy a T-money card at a convenience store and top it up with cash.
3. Take AREX or an airport bus into Seoul.
4. Learn the subway once; the same card works on buses.
5. Before you leave Korea, use up or refund your T-money balance.

Prices and rules change. Each guide shows the date it was checked and links to the official source.