Mastering Korean Public Transport: T-money, Metro & Bus

A T-money card is a rechargeable transit card that works on subways, buses, and even taxis and convenience stores. Buy one at any convenience store (₩2,500–3,000 for the card) and top it up as needed.

Pro tip: You can also use your phone — Apple Pay and Samsung Pay both support T-money on compatible devices.

• Hours: 5:30 AM – midnight (varies by line)
• Base fare: ₩1,550 (T-money) / ₩1,650 (single-ride ticket)
• Apps: Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time routes in English
• Transfer: Free transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes

• Use T-money for the ₩100 discount vs cash
• Transfer between bus and subway within 30 min = free
• Night buses (심야버스) run after midnight but cost double
• Climate Card (기후동행카드) = unlimited transit for ₩65,000/month

Korea's subway system shuts down between midnight and 1:00 AM (depending on the line and direction), and the last buses run around 11:30 PM to midnight. If you find yourself out late, here are your options:

Night Buses (심야버스 / N-buses)

Seoul operates special late-night bus routes prefixed with "N" (e.g., N13, N26). These run from midnight to around 5:00 AM, following popular routes. The fare is double the regular bus fare (approximately ₩2,150 with T-money). Night buses run every 15-30 minutes, so check the schedule carefully.

Key Night Bus Routes for Foreigners

Taxis

Korean taxis are relatively affordable compared to other developed countries. Base fare starts at ₩4,800 (may vary by city), with a late-night surcharge of 20-40% applied between midnight and 4:00 AM. You can hail taxis on the street, but using KakaoTaxi app is more reliable — it shows the estimated fare and you can pay by card through the app.

Shared Mobility (Kickboards & Bikes)

Electric kickboards (e-scooters) from services like Kickgoing, Beam, and Gcooter are available 24/7 in major cities. They cost around ₩500 to unlock plus ₩150/minute. Seoul's public bike system 따릉이 (Ddareungi/Seoul Bike) is available until late but not 24 hours.

Safety Tips for Late Night Travel

• Always use the official KakaoTaxi app rather than accepting rides from unmarked vehicles
• Share your live location with a friend when taking late-night transport
• Keep your phone charged — carry a portable battery
• Many convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) are open 24/7 and serve as safe havens

Korea's inter-city transport system is world-class. Whether you're visiting Busan for the weekend or traveling to Jeju Island, here's your complete guide:

KTX (Korea Train Express)

Korea's bullet train connects major cities at speeds up to 305 km/h.

Booking: Use the Korail Talk app or website (letskorail.com) — available in English. Book early for discounts up to 40% off.

Money-saving tip: The KR Pass (available only to foreigners) offers unlimited KTX rides for 2-5 consecutive days. A 2-day pass costs around ₩121,000.

Express Bus (고속버스)

Express buses are cheaper than KTX and serve more destinations:

Booking: Use Bustago app (kobus.co.kr) for express buses.

Terminal Locations in Seoul

• Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널): Gangnam area, Line 3/7/9
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합버스터미널): Eastern Seoul, Line 2
• Seoul Station (서울역): KTX and regular trains, Line 1/4/AREX
• Suseo Station (수서역): SRT trains, Bundang Line

Having the right apps on your phone makes navigating Korea infinitely easier. Here's a detailed comparison:

Navigation Apps

Recommendation: Install both Naver Map and KakaoMap. Use Naver for transit routes and KakaoMap for taxi estimates.

Taxi Apps

Pro Setup for Foreigners

1. Naver Map (set to English) — for all transit routing
2. KakaoTaxi (register with phone number) — for late nights
3. Korail Talk — for weekend trips
4. T-money on phone (if compatible) or physical T-money card