πŸ‡°πŸ‡· A Complete Guide to Public Transportation in Korea for Foreign Visitors (2025)

πŸ‡°πŸ‡· A Complete Guide to Public Transportation in Korea for Foreign Visitors (2025)

If you're visiting Korea for the first time, you’ve probably heard that the public transport system is clean, safe, and efficient. But once you arrive, you might find yourself wondering: “Which card should I buy?”, “How do I transfer?”, or “Where do I recharge my card?”

This guide covers everything you need to know — transportation cards, subways, buses, transfers, apps, etiquette — to make your trip smooth and stress-free.


πŸ’³ Transportation Card Comparison (Simplified)

1. T-money

  • Price: 2,500–4,000 KRW
  • Transfer: ✅ Supported
  • Rechargeable: ✅ Yes (at convenience stores, subway stations)
  • Best for: Long-term visitors, students

2. T-money Travel Card

  • Price: 4,000–5,000 KRW
  • Transfer: ✅ Supported
  • Extra: Includes tourist discounts (replaces Korea Tour Card)
  • Rechargeable: ✅ Yes
  • Best for: Tourists

3. M-Pass

  • Price: Starts at 10,000 KRW (1-day)
  • Transfer: ❌ Not supported
  • Limit: Up to 20 rides per day
  • Rechargeable: ❌ Not rechargeable
  • Best for: Heavy-use short-term tourists


πŸ›️ Where to Buy & Recharge

  • Buy at:
    • Incheon Airport Tourist Info Centers
    • Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
    • Online (for pickup)
  • Recharge at:
    • Convenience stores (cash or card)
    • Subway station kiosks (some are cash-only)
    • ⚠️ Note: Airport info centers do not support recharge

πŸ’‘ Tip: It's best to get your transportation card right at the airport after landing. Navigating unfamiliar convenience stores can be confusing — solve it early and travel stress-free!


πŸš‡ How to Use the Subway

  • Tap your card at the entrance gate (beep!)
  • Tap again when exiting to calculate fare
  • English, Chinese, and Japanese available at most stations
  • Missed a tap? You’ll get overcharged next time

🚌 How to Use the Bus

  • Board at the front door → Tap your card
  • Getting off? Tap again at the REAR door reader
  • Never tap early or at the front when exiting
  • Best timing: Right when the rear door opens

Bus colors: Blue = long distance / Green = local / Red = express / Yellow = circular


πŸ” Transfer Rules

  • Free transfers within 30 minutes
  • Subway ↔ Bus, or Bus ↔ Bus allowed
  • Re-boarding the same bus/line not allowed
  • T-money & Travel Card: ✅ Supported
  • M-Pass: ❌ Not supported

πŸ“± Must-Have Apps

  • KakaoMetro: Subway navigation
  • KakaoBus: Real-time bus info
  • Naver Map: Best overall (English support)
  • Papago: Translation for signs and announcements

⚠️ Tip: Avoid Google Maps — use Naver or Kakao for better accuracy in Korea


🀫 Public Transport Etiquette

  • Priority seats for elderly, pregnant, or injured
  • No calls or loud music
  • No eating or drinking (water OK)
  • Keep bags off seats and out of aisles

✅ Final Tips

Once you buy and recharge your card, most of Korea is accessible with just a simple beep!

Next post: We’ll share more tips and practical advice for traveling around Korea πŸ‡°πŸ‡·

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