T-money (ν°λ¨Έλ) is a rechargeable transit card used on subways, buses, and even most taxis across Korea. Tap when boarding and again when leaving β fares are calculated automatically and transfers (subway β bus, bus β bus) are discounted or free within 30 minutes.
Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24, Ministop), at most subway station ticket machines, and at Incheon Airport (both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrivals). Card cost: 2,500β4,000 KRW. Then top up any amount you like.
Top up at any convenience store cashier (cash only, just hand the card and say "μΆ©μ λ§μ" for 10,000 won), or at the recharge machines inside subway stations (cash and card accepted, has English menu).
WOWPASS combines T-money + foreign currency exchange β great for short trips. Discover Seoul Pass includes free entry to 30+ attractions plus T-money function. Both bought at Incheon Airport and major stations.
Base fare with T-money: 1,400 KRW for the first 10 km, then +100 KRW per extra 5 km. Cash single-journey ticket is 1,500 KRW and you don't get transfer discounts β always use T-money.
Section 1 (under 10 km): 1,550 KRW with T-money / 1,700 KRW cash. Section 2 (over 10 km): 1,750 KRW with T-money. Day pass available for 5,000 KRW at any station.
Seoul subway runs roughly 5:30 AM to midnight (about 1 AM on Fridays/Saturdays on Line 2). Last train varies by line β always check on KakaoMap or the Subway Korea app before midnight.
Tap T-money at the entry gate, board, then tap again at the exit gate. Free transfers between subway lines inside the gates. If you exit and re-enter elsewhere it counts as a new trip.
Priority seats are for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers β even if empty, locals usually leave them. Quiet phone calls expected. No eating or drinking. Stand on the right of escalators.
Use the "Subway Korea" app (by Malang Studio) for real-time arrivals and route planning, or KakaoMap / Naver Map for door-to-door directions including walking.
Tap T-money on the front reader when boarding, and on the back reader when getting off (this is important β without tapping off, you pay the maximum fare). Press the red bell button before your stop.
Base T-money fare: Blue/Green (city) bus 1,500 KRW Β· Red (express) bus 3,000 KRW Β· Yellow (downtown loop) bus 1,400 KRW Β· Village (λ§μ) bus 1,200 KRW. Cash fare is 100β200 KRW higher.
Long-distance buses are cheap and frequent β Seoul to Busan: ~30,000 KRW (express, ~4β4.5 hrs), Seoul to Jeonju: ~13,000 KRW (~2.5 hrs), Seoul to Sokcho: ~18,000 KRW (~2.5 hrs). Book on Trip.com, Bustago, or at express bus terminals.
Incheon Airport β central Seoul: 17,000β18,000 KRW (~70 min). Pay by T-money or cash. Stops at major hotels. Easier than the train if you have heavy luggage.
Hail with the Kakao T app β English-friendly, GPS pickup, and you can pay through the app (foreign cards accepted). Avoid unmarked "kkachi" taxis at airports and tourist areas.
Seoul base fare: 4,800 KRW (first 1.6 km) Β· +100 KRW per 131 m Β· +20% surcharge between 22:00β04:00. Black "Deluxe" taxis cost more but offer pro drivers and luxury cars.
KTX (Korea Train Express) is Korea's high-speed rail at up to 305 km/h. The fastest, most comfortable way to cross the country β far better than flying for distances inside Korea.
Standard-class one-way: Seoul β Busan ~59,800 KRW (~2 hr 20 min) Β· Seoul β Daegu ~43,500 KRW (~1 hr 45 min) Β· Seoul β Gyeongju (Singyeongju) ~49,000 KRW (~2 hr) Β· Seoul β Daejeon ~24,000 KRW (~1 hr) Β· Seoul β Gwangju (Songjeong) ~47,000 KRW (~1 hr 50 min) Β· Yongsan β Mokpo ~53,000 KRW (~2 hr 30 min). Prices and times are approximate.
Gyeongbu Line (most used): Seoul β Daejeon β Daegu β Busan. Honam Line: Yongsan β Iksan β Gwangju / Mokpo. Gangneung Line: Seoul β Pyeongchang β Gangneung (good for ski and East coast). Jeolla Line: Yongsan β Jeonju β Yeosu.
Easiest for foreigners: Trip.com or Klook (English UI, foreign cards). Official site: Korail (letskorail.com) β supports English and accepts foreign cards. Buy at any train station with passport. Reserve weekend trains 1β2 weeks ahead.
Foreigner-only unlimited rail pass β 3-day pass ~138,000 KRW, 5-day ~210,000 KRW. Covers KTX, ITX, Mugunghwa trains. Worth it for 4+ KTX trips.
KTX takes 2 hr 20 min city center β city center for ~59,800 KRW. A flight is technically 1 hour but with airport transfer + 2 hr check-in + baggage you end up at 4+ hours and similar cost. KTX wins unless you have a tight Gimhae connection.
Always take KTX β Daejeon is 1 hour, Daegu 1 hr 45 min, Gyeongju (Singyeongju station) ~2 hours. There's no faster way.
KTX Gangneung line: Seoul β Gangneung in ~2 hours (~27,000 KRW). Best for East coast and winter ski (Yongpyong / Alpensia).
There's no KTX or land route to Jeju Island β fly. Gimpo (GMP) β Jeju (CJU) is 1 hour, with 100+ flights per day. Tickets often 30,000β80,000 KRW one-way (Jeju Air, T'way, Jin Air, Korean Air, Asiana). Book on Trip.com or directly with the airline.
AREX Express train (Incheon β Seoul Station) ~43 min, ~11,000 KRW Β· AREX All-stop ~58 min, ~4,750 KRW Β· Airport Limousine Bus (door to hotel) ~70 min, ~17,000 KRW Β· Taxi ~70 min, 80,000+ KRW. AREX is best value for solo travelers, limousine bus is best with luggage.
Gimpo Airport (domestic) β Seoul: Subway Line 5 / 9 / AREX direct to city center. About 25β40 min depending on destination, ~1,500 KRW with T-money.
Both Incheon Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have SIM card kiosks (KT, SK, LG U+) and eSIM via Trazy/Klook QR codes. T-money is sold at the convenience stores in arrivals. Pre-order on Klook to skip queues.