Transportation
Types of Bus
In Korea, there are different types of buses such as intra-city bus, intercity bus, and express bus. You need to purchase a bus ticket in advance to get on an intercity bus or an express bus. Check the departure time and destination before getting on the bus.
Intra-City Bus
How to use intra-city bus
- Pay the bus fare by cash or transportation card when you get on the bus.
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You can purchase a transportation card at subway stations or stores near bus stations. You can charge your transportation cards from KRW 1,000 to KRW 50,000 in 1,000-won units.
A credit card may have a deferred payment function when used as a transportation card. - You may get an AH fare discount if you use a transportation card. In addition, you get a transfer discount if you transfer to a bus or subway.
Long-Distance Bus and Express Bus
How to ride a bus
- To visit other cities, you may ride a bus shown below the bus terminal display screen.
- Intercity buses stop at multiple cities and take more time than express buses.
- Express buses are divided into general bus and deluxe bus for the same destination.
Deluxe express bus has premium seats which are more expensive than general bus.
Intra-city bus terminal
- You need to go to an intra-city bus terminal to get on an intercity bus or an express bus. Visit the KOBUS
website (www.kobus.co.kr) or the website of intercity bus information and booking (https://www.bustago.or.kr) to book a bus ticket or check the bus schedules and other further details.
Subway
You can use the subways in the Seoul Capital Area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon), Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon. The Seoul Capital Area currently has a total of 14 subway lines including Incheon Line 1, Bundang Line, Sinbundang Line, and Jungang line. Seoul subway lines are distinguishable by their colors.
All stations including stations located at the outskirts of Seoul, stations in satellite cities, and transfer stations are marked in subway maps.
Generally, subway trains run at an interval of two to three minutes during rush hours and at an interval of four to six minutes during off hours.
Taxi
Taxis are available 24/7. You can easily distinguish taxes based on the signs placed on top of the cars. You can get a taxi at a taxi stand or hail a taxi on the street.
Each region in Korea has their various call taxi companies (offers taxi services via phone).
Train
South Korean trains are very fast and operate throughout almost all major cities. In addition, trains are well connected to buses and subways, so you can easily arrive at your final destination. The Korea Train eXpress (KTX) is the fastest and most expensive option, followed by SRT, Saemaeul, and Mugunghwa.