Getting Around: Subway, Bus and Taxi

The transit card

In big Korean cities, most people pay for the subway and bus with a transit card (교통카드). You can buy one at convenience stores or at machines in subway stations, then put money on it. Putting money on the card is called 충전 (charging), just like charging a phone.

You simply tap the card on the reader when you get on. On buses, in many cities you tap again when you get off. This lets the system give you a cheaper fare when you transfer (환승) to another bus or the subway within a short time. If you forget to tap out, you may lose that discount.

Many phones and some bank cards can also work as transit cards. Rules and fares differ by city, so check the information at the station.

Riding the subway

Subway lines are called by number + 호선: 1호선 (Line 1), 2호선 (Line 2). Each line has its own color, and station signs show the station name in Korean and usually English, too.

To transfer, you follow signs that say 갈아타는 곳 (transfer point) or simply the line number and color. When you leave the station, check the exit number (출구). Koreans often meet at a specific exit: 강남역 11번 출구에서 만나요 (Let’s meet at Gangnam Station, Exit 11).

One more thing: subway cars have special seats near the doors, usually in a different color, for elderly people, pregnant women and people with disabilities. It is good manners to leave them free.

Taking the bus

City buses have numbers, and the screen and announcements tell you the next stop. Usually you get on at the front door and get off at the back door. Before your stop, press the stop button (하차 벨) so the driver knows you want to get off.

If you are not sure, ask the driver when you get on: 이 버스 동대문에 가요? (Does this bus go to Dongdaemun?). You can also ask 동대문에서 내려야 돼요. 알려 주세요 (I need to get off at Dongdaemun. Please let me know). Hold on tight, because buses can start quickly!

Taking a taxi

Get in the back seat and tell the driver your destination with (place)(으)로 가 주세요 or (place)에 가 주세요. Showing the address on your phone is also very common and completely fine.

You can call the driver 기사님, a polite word for drivers. To stop, say 여기에서 세워 주세요 (Please stop here) or 저 앞에서 내려 주세요 (Please let me off up ahead). Taxis show the fare on a meter, and you can usually pay by card. As in restaurants, you don’t need to tip.