I watched them build Line 5, 6, 7, 8. The airport line. The Sinbundang Line. What started as a simple system became one of the best metro networks on Earth.
Now there are 23 lines. Over 700 stations. Air conditioning, WiFi, heated seats, platform screen doors.
And it costs less than $1.50 to go anywhere.
35 years of riding Seoul subway. Here’s everything I know.
Seoul’s subway is incredible.
Clean, cheap, on-time, everywhere. Possibly the best metro system in the world.
Once you understand it, you’ll never need taxis.
Here’s everything you need to know.
You’ll need a T-money card for the subway. Get one first — see our T-money Card Guide.
Seoul Subway Basics
The System
Fact
Detail
Lines
23 lines
Stations
700+
Daily riders
7+ million
Hours
5:30 AM – midnight
Fare
1,500원 base
The Lines
Main lines (numbered):
Line 1: Dark blue (oldest, above ground)
Line 2: Green (circle line, most useful)
Line 3: Orange
Line 4: Light blue
Line 5: Purple
Line 6: Brown
Line 7: Olive
Line 8: Pink
Line 9: Gold
Plus: Airport Railroad (AREX), Bundang Line, Gyeongui Line, etc.
Most Useful Lines
Line
Connects
Line 2
Hongdae, Gangnam, Jamsil (circle)
Line 3
Gyeongbokgung, Anguk
Line 4
Myeongdong, Seoul Station
AREX
Incheon Airport to Seoul
What I appreciate after 35 years:
Feature
Seoul Subway
My US Experience
Cleanliness
Spotless
Not great
Safety
Extremely safe
Varies
Cost
1,400-1,500원
$3-5
Frequency
3-5 min peak
10-20 min
WiFi
Free, everywhere
Rare
Air conditioning
Every car
Sometimes
The first time it impressed me:
Summer. Rush hour. Packed train.
I noticed the air conditioning was perfect. The floors were clean. Nobody was pushing or yelling.
I’d ridden the New York subway. The contrast was… significant.
What still impresses me:
The precision. When the app says 3 minutes, it’s 3 minutes. Not 5-7. Not “delayed.” Three minutes.
After 35 years, I still find this remarkable.
How I navigate now vs. then:
1989
Now
Paper maps
Naver Map / Kakao Metro
Asking strangers
Phone tells me everything
Guessing exits
App shows exact exit numbers
Missing transfers
Transfer alerts
The app that changed everything:
Kakao Metro. Shows real-time arrivals, which car to board for fastest transfer, which exit is closest to your destination.
Before smartphones, I memorized transfer routes. Knew which car to ride for efficient exits. Old school survival.
Now I just follow the app. Technology win.
My tip for tourists:
Download Kakao Metro before your trip. Select English. Screenshot your routes.
Even if you have no data, the screenshots will guide you.
Or get an eSIM and use it live. Even better.
Getting a T-money Card
What is T-money?
Rechargeable transit card. Works on subway, bus, taxi. Essential for any Seoul visit.
Where to Buy
Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
Subway station kiosks
Incheon Airport
Cost
Card itself: 2,500-5,000원
Then add money for trips
How to Recharge
Go to convenience store
Say: “충전해주세요” (chungjeon haejuseyo)
Say amount (만 원 = 10,000원)
Pay cash or card
Done
Or use subway ticket machines.
Subway Fares
Base Fare
Type
Distance
Price
Base fare
0-10km
1,500원
Additional
Every 5km
+100원
Most trips in Seoul: 1,500-1,800원.
T-money Discount
Using T-money is cheaper than single tickets.
T-money: 1,500원
Single ticket: 1,600원 (includes 500원 deposit)
Free Transfers
Transfer between subway and bus:
Free within 30 minutes
Tap T-money each time
How to Ride
Step 1: Find Your Station
Use Naver Map or Kakao Metro. Search destination in English. App shows which line and direction.
Step 2: Enter Station
Find entrance with number/letter. Go down stairs or escalator. Look for ticket gates.
Step 3: Tap In
Hold T-money to blue pad. Gate opens. Walk through.
Step 4: Find Platform
Look for:
Line number (and color)
Direction (usually shows final station name)
Platform number (1 or 2)
Signs are in Korean AND English.
Step 5: Board Train
Trains come every 2-5 minutes. Stand in line markings on platform. Let passengers exit first. Step on and find spot.
Step 6: Ride
Announcements in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese. Watch for your station. Digital displays show next stops.
Step 7: Exit
Get off at your station. Follow exit signs (numbered exits). Tap out at gates.
The rule that confuses foreigners:
Priority seats are NOT just “preferred” seating. They’re almost sacred.
I’ve seen empty priority seats while people stand nearby. Nobody sits. Even when the train is packed.
My embarrassing moment:
Early 1990s. Tired after work. Empty priority seat. Sat down.
An elderly woman got on. Looked at me. Looked at the seat. Her expression… I still remember it.
I jumped up immediately. Apologized profusely. She said nothing. Just sat down.
The silent judgment of an entire train car. Educational.
The unwritten rules:
Situation
What to Do
Priority seats empty
Don’t sit (unless train is empty)
You’re elderly/pregnant/disabled
You can sit
You accidentally sit
Move immediately when someone boards
Regular seats full
Stand, don’t take priority seats
Koreans take this seriously. Respect it.
Navigating Transfers
Transfer Stations
Many stations connect multiple lines. Transfers are free (don’t exit gates).
Biggest transfer stations:
Seoul Station (Line 1, 4, AREX)
Jongno 3-ga (Line 1, 3, 5)
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Line 2, 4, 5)
Express Bus Terminal (Line 3, 7, 9)
Wangsimni (Line 2, 5, Bundang)
How to Transfer
Get off train
Follow signs for your next line
Walk through corridors (can be long!)
Find new platform
Continue journey
Important: Don’t exit the gates! Stay inside for free transfer.
Long Transfers
Some transfers are 5-10 minute walks. Express Bus Terminal = famously long. Budget extra time.
Subway Etiquette
Priority Seats
Never sit in priority seats.
Pink/marked seats are for:
Elderly
Pregnant women
Disabled persons
People with infants
Even if empty, locals avoid them. You should too.
Quiet Car
Some trains have quiet cars. Marked with special signs. No phone calls, quiet talking.
General Rules
Do
Don’t
Stand right, walk left (escalators)
Block escalators
Give up seat for elderly
Sit in priority seats
Use headphones
Play music out loud
Keep bags close
Take up multiple seats
Let people exit first
Rush into train
Keep voice down
Have loud phone calls
Eating/Drinking
Water: Usually OK
Coffee: OK, but be careful
Food: Technically not allowed
Alcohol: Definitely not
Useful Features
Free WiFi
All stations and trains have WiFi.
Network: “Free WiFi Korea” or similar
Speed: Decent for messaging
Connection: May need to reconnect
Phone Charging
Some newer trains have USB ports. Look near seats or windows.
Station Facilities
Most stations have:
Convenience stores
Public toilets (free)
ATMs
Lockers (coin/card)
Information desk
Accessibility
All stations have elevators
Tactile floor paths
Audio announcements
Staff can assist
Best Apps for Subway
Kakao Metro (카카오지하철)
Best for:
Real-time arrival info
Which car to board for transfers
Exit information
Naver Map
Best for:
Overall navigation
Subway + walking combined
English interface
Seoul Metro App
Official app. Good but Kakao Metro usually better.
Download Kakao Metro before your trip. Our Best Korean Apps for Tourists guide covers this and other essential apps.
Tips & Tricks
Which Car to Board
Apps tell you optimal car for transfers. Saves 2-5 minutes per transfer. Very useful for tight connections.
Rush Hour
Time
Level
7-9 AM
Packed
9-11 AM
Comfortable
11 AM – 5 PM
Easy
5-8 PM
Packed
8-10 PM
Comfortable
Avoid rush hour if possible. Especially Line 2.
Rush hour reality:
Time
Level
My Experience
7:30-9:00 AM
Extreme
Bodies pressed together
9:00-10:00 AM
Heavy
Crowded but manageable
5:00-6:30 PM
Extreme
Same as morning
6:30-8:00 PM
Heavy
Still crowded
What extreme looks like:
Line 2 at Gangnam Station, 8:30 AM.
You don’t walk onto the train. You’re pushed by the crowd. Doors close against bodies. Personal space doesn’t exist.
I did this commute for years. You learn to hold your bag tight, position yourself near doors if getting off soon, and just… accept it.
How I avoid it now:
Working from home when possible. When not possible, I leave early (before 7 AM) or late (after 9:30 AM).
The difference between 8 AM and 9:30 AM is night and day.
Tourist advice:
If you’re sightseeing, there’s no reason to ride rush hour. Start your day at 10 AM. End by 4:30 PM. You’ll have a much better experience.
Last Train
Subway closes around midnight. Last trains vary by line/station. Check apps for exact times.
After midnight: Bus, taxi, or walk.
Finding Exits
Each station has numbered exits. Example: “Exit 3” = specific street corner.
Naver Map tells you best exit. Saves walking above ground.
Lockers
Available at most stations. Sizes: Small (1,000원), Medium (2,000원), Large (3,000원) 4-hour blocks usually. Cash or T-money.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Wrong Direction
Lines go two directions. Check the final destination name. “Towards Sindorim” vs “Towards Jamsil”
If wrong, just get off and switch sides.
Mistake 2: Exiting for Transfer
Stay inside gates for transfers. Exiting = paying again.
Mistake 3: Priority Seats
Just don’t sit there. Even if empty. Koreans will judge (silently).
Mistake 4: Rush Hour Travel
Avoid 8 AM and 6 PM. Seriously, it’s intense.
Mistake 5: Insufficient Balance
If T-money runs low:
Gate won’t open
Recharge at machine nearby
Then tap out
Keep at least 5,000원 loaded.
Beyond Seoul
KTX (High-Speed Rail)
For longer distances:
Busan: 2.5 hours
Gyeongju: 2 hours
Jeonju: 1.5 hours
Book via Korail Talk app. Seoul Station or Yongsan Station.
Other Cities
Other Korean cities have subways:
Busan (5 lines)
Daegu (3 lines)
Gwangju (1 line)
Daejeon (1 line)
Same T-money card works!
Subway Vocabulary
English
Korean
Pronunciation
Subway
지하철
jihacheol
Station
역
yeok
Line
호선
hoseon
Transfer
환승
hwanseung
Exit
출구
chulgu
Platform
승강장
seunggangjang
This stop
이번 역
ibeon yeok
Next stop
다음 역
daeum yeok
Sample Journey
Myeongdong to Hongdae
Start: Myeongdong Station
Board: Line 4 (toward Danggogae)
Ride: 2 stops to Chungmuro
Transfer: Line 3 (toward Daehwa)
Ride: 4 stops to Gyeongbokgung
Transfer: Walk to Line 3…
Wait, easier route:
Myeongdong Station: Line 4
Ride to Seoul Station
Transfer: Line 1
Ride to Sindorim
Transfer: Line 2
Ride to Hongdae
Actually, just use Naver Map. It finds the best route.
Final Thoughts
23 lines. 700+ stations. 7 million daily riders.
And it just works.
I’ve ridden subways around the world. Tokyo, New York, London, Paris. Seoul is the best combination of clean, safe, cheap, and efficient.
The system grew with the city. I remember when Line 9 opened — suddenly Yeouido was accessible. When the airport line connected — no more bus anxiety.
35 years of watching this network expand and improve. It never stopped getting better.
Buy a T-money card. Download Kakao Metro. Trust the system.
It’ll get you anywhere.
— Ted K
Subway etiquette matters in Korea. Learn more cultural rules in our Korean Etiquette Guide.
