Must-Know Korean Phrases for Subway and Bus Travel
Must-Know Korean Phrases for Subway and Bus Travel
Seoul's subway is one of the most foreigner-friendly transit systems in the world — English announcements, English signage, and an intuitive layout. But there are a few rules that aren't obvious from the signage alone, and getting them wrong can cost you money or leave you stranded. Here's what you actually need to know, plus the phrases to handle any situation.
The Quick Answer
The Seoul subway works exactly as you'd expect — tap your card, ride, tap out. Buses are similar but have one rule that surprises most foreign visitors: you must tap your card when you get off the bus too, not just when you get on. Miss the exit tap and you'll be charged the maximum fare and lose your transfer discount. Everything else is straightforward once you know the system.
Step 1: Get a T-Money Card
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| Your Seoul transit journey starts with a T-money card. Buy it at any convenience store (₩10,00–₩20,000), charge it with cash, and you're ready for subway, bus, and taxi!" |
Before anything else, get a transit card. Cash is technically accepted on buses and some subway lines, but it's significantly more expensive, doesn't qualify for transfers, and is genuinely inconvenient.
Your Options
T-money card (티머니) — the standard reloadable transit card. Works on all Seoul subway lines, buses, and taxis. Available at convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) and subway station vending machines.
- Purchase price: approximately ₩5,000–₩10,000 (card cost)
- Load it with any amount at convenience stores or station kiosks
- Works on subways, buses, taxis, and even some convenience stores
Cashbee (캐시비) — an alternative to T-money. Works on the same network. Less common but fully compatible.
Single-journey ticket (1회권) — available at station vending machines for one-time use.
- Includes a ₩500 deposit (보증금 / bo-jeung-geum)
- Return the card at the refund machine near the exit after your trip to get ₩500 back
- Don't throw it away — that's ₩500 you paid
Mobile transit card — KakaoT, Naver Map, and T-map all support mobile T-money on compatible Android and iPhone devices. No physical card needed, charged directly through the app.
Charging Your Card
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 충전해 주세요 | chung-jeon-hae ju-se-yo | Please charge my card |
| 만 원 충전해 주세요 | man won chung-jeon-hae ju-se-yo | Please charge ₩10,000 |
| 잔액 확인해 주세요 | ja-naek hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo | Please check the balance |
| T머니 어디서 사요? | T-meo-ni eo-di-seo sa-yo? | Where can I buy a T-money card? |
The Subway — How It Works
Cities with Subway Systems
Subway systems operate in six major Korean cities:
| City | System | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Seoul Metro | Lines 1–9 + Sinbundang, Gyeongui-Jungang, and others |
| Busan | Busan Metro | Lines 1–4 + Donghae Line |
| Daegu | Daegu Metro | Lines 1–3 |
| Gwangju | Gwangju Metro | Line 1 |
| Daejeon | Daejeon Metro | Line 1 |
| Incheon | Incheon Metro | Lines 1–2 |
Seoul's subway also extends into the greater metropolitan area — including Gyeonggi Province, and as far as Chuncheon (Gangwon), Cheonan, and Asan (South Chungcheong) on certain lines.
Riding the Subway
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- Tap your T-money card at the entry gate
- Find your platform using the line color and direction signs — English is on all signs
- Board the train and check the digital display inside for upcoming stations
- Tap out at the exit gate when you arrive
Fares are distance-based. A short trip within central Seoul starts at around ₩1,500. Longer trips cost more, calculated automatically when you tap out.
Transfers
Transferring between subway lines is free within a single journey — tap in, ride as many lines as you need, tap out once at the end. The system calculates everything automatically.
One exception: A small number of transfer stations require you to tap out, walk to a different entrance, and tap back in. This is marked at the station. The Korail app and Naver Maps will flag this in the directions if it applies to your journey.
Bus and Subway Together — The 30-Minute Transfer Rule
You can combine bus and subway rides as part of one continuous journey — as long as you transfer within 30 minutes of your previous tap. The system merges the fares automatically and you pay one combined distance-based fare at the end.
If more than 30 minutes pass between taps, the system treats it as a new journey and charges a fresh base fare.
Subway Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| ~역이 어디예요? | ~yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is ~ Station? |
| ~에 가려면요? | ~e ga-ryeo-myeon-yo? | How do I get to ~? |
| 이 열차 ~가요? | i yeol-cha ~ga-yo? | Does this train go to ~? |
| 몇 호선이에요? | myeot ho-seon-i-e-yo? | Which line is it? |
| 환승해야 해요? | hwan-seung-hae-ya hae-yo? | Do I need to transfer? |
| 다음 역이 어디예요? | da-eum yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo? | What's the next station? |
| 어느 방향이에요? | eo-neu bang-hyang-i-e-yo? | Which direction? |
| 종착역이 어디예요? | jong-chak-yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo? | What's the last stop? |
Buses — The Rules That Matter
Seoul buses are color-coded by route type. You don't need to know all the colors right now — what matters first is understanding how to board and exit correctly.
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Boarding
- Always board through the front door
- Tap your T-money card on the reader as you get on
- Find a seat or grab a handle
Getting Off — The Rule Most Foreigners Miss
⚠️ You must tap your card when you exit the bus — not just when you board.
In Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon, tapping out when you leave the bus is mandatory. If you skip the exit tap:
- You'll be charged the maximum possible fare for that route
- Your transfer discount will not apply — the next tap starts a completely new journey
- You'll effectively pay double or more for what should have been a simple trip
How to exit:
- Press the bell button (벨) when your stop is approaching — the door won't open if no one has pressed it
- Move to the rear door
- Tap your card on the reader next to the rear door before stepping off
- Exit
Regional note: In Jeju and some rural areas, exit tapping is not required. When traveling outside the Seoul metro area, check local rules or just tap out anyway — it never hurts.
Bus Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이 버스 ~가요? | i beo-seu ~ga-yo? | Does this bus go to ~? |
| ~에서 내려요 | ~e-seo nae-ryeo-yo | I'm getting off at ~ |
| 다음 정류장이 어디예요? | da-eum jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo? | What's the next stop? |
| 어디서 내려야 해요? | eo-di-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo? | Where should I get off? |
| 벨 누르면 되죠? | bel nu-reu-myeon doe-jyo? | I just press the bell to get off, right? |
Getting Around Without Language — App Guide
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You don't need Korean to navigate Seoul's transit system. These apps handle everything.
| App | What It Does | English? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naver Map (네이버지도) | Full transit routing — subway, bus, walking | ✅ | Best overall for Korea navigation |
| KakaoMap (카카오맵) | Transit routing + real-time bus tracking | ✅ | Good for bus arrival times |
| KakaoT (카카오T) | Taxi booking + mobile transit card | ✅ | Useful for taxis after transit |
| T-map | Transit + taxi + driving | Partial | Good for drivers |
⚠️ Google Maps limitation: Google Maps works in Korea for basic navigation but has significant limitations for transit routing due to data restrictions. Naver Map or KakaoMap will give you more accurate and complete transit directions.
How to use Naver Map for transit:
- Search your destination
- Tap the transit icon (bus/train symbol)
- The app shows all options — subway, bus, or combined — with real-time arrival times and transfer instructions
- Follow the step-by-step directions including which exit to use
Subway Etiquette
A few unwritten rules that are actually enforced:
Priority seats (노약자석 / no-yak-ja-seok) — the seats at the ends of each carriage, usually marked in a different color (often pink or yellow). These are reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Do not sit in them even if the carriage is empty — it's considered disrespectful.
Eating and drinking — not allowed on the subway. Water is generally tolerated; food is not. Strong-smelling food will get you noticed.
Phone calls — technically permitted but socially frowned upon in quiet carriages. Keep calls short and your voice low. Texting is fine.
Volume — Seoul's subway is notably quiet compared to many other cities. Match the energy of the carriage.
Lost Items
Losing something on Seoul's transit system is stressful but not hopeless — the recovery rate for lost items in Korea is genuinely high.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 지갑 잃어버렸어요 | ji-gap il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo | I lost my wallet |
| 핸드폰 잃어버렸어요 | haen-deu-pon il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo | I lost my phone |
| 유실물 센터 어디예요? | yu-sil-mul sen-teo eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is the lost and found? |
| 역무원 어디 있어요? | yeok-mu-won eo-di i-sseo-yo? | Where is the station staff? |
| 도와주세요 | do-wa-ju-se-yo | Please help me |
If you lose something on the subway: Report it at the station office (역무실 / yeok-mu-sil) or call the Seoul Metro lost and found at 1577-1234. Items found on trains are held at the terminal station.
If you lose something on a bus: Contact the Seoul bus lost and found center at 120 (Dasan Call Center, English available).
Useful Transit Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Metro Lost & Found | 1577-1234 | Korean, some English |
| Dasan Call Center (Seoul city services) | 120 | English available 24/7 |
| Korea Tourism Hotline | 1330 | English, Chinese, Japanese 24/7 |
💡 1330 is the number to know. The Korea Tourism Hotline operates 24 hours in multiple languages and can help with transit questions, lost items, and general travel emergencies anywhere in Korea.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a T-money card or can I just use cash? Cash works on buses but costs more, doesn't qualify for transfer discounts, and creates delays. On the subway, cash single-journey tickets have a ₩500 deposit you need to reclaim. A T-money card from any convenience store is strongly recommended.
Q: Can I use a foreign credit card to tap into the subway? Some newer subway gates accept contactless foreign Visa and Mastercard directly. This isn't universal — not all gates and not all lines support it. A T-money card is the reliable option. Mobile T-money through KakaoT or compatible devices also works.
Q: What happens if I forget to tap out of the bus? You'll be charged the maximum fare for that route and lose your transfer discount. If you realize immediately, you can sometimes ask the driver — but prevention is easier. Make tapping out a habit every time you get off a bus in Seoul, Gyeonggi, or Incheon.
Q: Is the transfer discount automatic? Yes. As long as you tap in and out correctly and transfer within 30 minutes, the system handles the combined fare calculation automatically. You don't need to do anything extra.
Q: When does the last subway train run? Seoul subway lines generally run until around midnight, with the last train varying slightly by line and direction. Check Naver Map or the Seoul Metro app for real-time last train times on your specific line.
Q: What's the difference between the subway lines in terms of cost? Base fares are the same across all standard Seoul subway lines — the fare is distance-based, not line-based. Some special lines (like the Sinbundang Line) have a small surcharge.
Q: Can I bring a large suitcase on the subway? Yes. There are no size restrictions, but large bags during rush hour (7–9 AM, 6–8 PM weekdays) are difficult to manage. If you're arriving with luggage from the airport, the Airport Railroad (AREX) is designed for this and connects Incheon Airport to central Seoul.
Q: Where can I download an official Seoul subway map? Two options — both official and free:
- View online + route search (English available): seoulmetro.co.kr/kr/cyberStation.do The Seoul Metro Cyber Station lets you search routes, check fares, and view the full map in English.
- Download PDF (Korean / English / Chinese / Japanese): data.go.kr/data/15120713/fileData.do Official four-language subway map provided by Seoul Metro via the Korean Public Data Portal. Updated annually.
Note: Seoul's subway map was redesigned in 2025–2026 with improved multilingual labeling, station numbers, and color-coded transfer markers. Printed maps inside stations have been updated to the new design.
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Bookmark this page before your first Seoul transit ride — or screenshot the phrase tables to use offline.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments — we'll help you figure it out.
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