Capital city, South Korea
Getting around Seoul
How to get around Seoul
The subway covers nearly everything and is cheap and clear in English. Add buses for gaps, Kakao T taxis late at night, and KTX from Seoul Station for other cities.
Ways to get around Seoul
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | From 1,550 KRW, distance-based | Tap T-money or a foreign contactless card; runs about 5:30 am to midnight |
| City buses | From 1,500–1,700 KRW | Free transfers to subway within 30 minutes with a T-money card |
| Taxi | Base fare 4,800 KRW | Cheap by world standards; surcharge after midnight |
| Ttareungyi bike share | About 1,000 KRW per hour | Public bikes along the Han River; app needed |
Ride-hailing apps in Seoul
A 5 km ride costs about ₩6,000–10,000 ($4.5–7.4).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kakao T | Main taxi app; foreign cards now work in the English version |
| Uber | Books licensed taxis; fewer cars than Kakao T |
- Hail or book taxis by app; orange or silver licensed cabs are metered and honest. Avoid unmarked airport touts.
Arriving in Seoul
Incheon International (ICN)
AREX Express to Seoul Station 11,000 KRW, 43 min; all-stops AREX about 4,750 KRW, 66 min; airport limousine buses 10,000–18,000 KRW; taxi 60,000–90,000 KRW.
Gimpo International (GMP)
Mostly Japan, China and Jeju flights; subway lines 5 and 9 and AREX reach central Seoul for about 1,550–2,000 KRW in 30–45 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not rented to visitors in practice; Seoul has electric kick scooters but a licence is required, so skip them. Use the subway.
- Driving: on the right. Visitors can drive for up to a year with a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP plus their home licence.
- Onward travel in South Korea: KTX high-speed trains link Seoul and Busan in about 2.5 hours; SRT trains leave from Gangnam. Express buses are cheap and frequent; fly to Jeju.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Seoul?
Yes. Apps that work here: Kakao T, Uber.
What's the best way to get around Seoul?
The subway covers nearly everything and is cheap and clear in English. Add buses for gaps, Kakao T taxis late at night, and KTX from Seoul Station for other cities.
How do I get from the airport to Seoul?
AREX Express to Seoul Station 11,000 KRW, 43 min; all-stops AREX about 4,750 KRW, 66 min; airport limousine buses 10,000–18,000 KRW; taxi 60,000–90,000 KRW.
Is Seoul walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Seoul
Going to Seoul solo?
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Sources
- Korail (KTX)
- SRT
- Express Bus Lines Association (KOBUS)
- Visit Korea (Korea Tourism Organization)
- Seoul Metro
- Incheon International Airport
- Seoul Global Center
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.