Your first Seoul subway journey
The line colour helps, but the direction and exit number do most of the work. Check both before following the crowd.
By Seemile · Sources checked
Before the gate
- Plan the route to the exact address and note the recommended exit.
- Check the line and the direction using the next station names.
- For an early or late journey, confirm the timetable for that station and direction.
On the way
- Use a transport card or the available single-journey ticket option.
- Follow transfer signs and check the destination again when changing platforms.
- Keep the card ready for the exit gate as well as the entrance.
For an easier arrival
- Allow extra time for a large interchange or unfamiliar station.
- If stairs are a problem, look up the accessible route before setting off.
- Meet at a named exit or landmark rather than saying only the station name.
A little Korean goes a long way
- 이 열차가 서울역에 가나요? — Does this train go to Seoul Station?
- 몇 번 출구로 나가야 하나요? — Which exit should I use?
Official information
- My Seoul+ · Public transport — Seoul Metropolitan Government
Keep going
Taking a bus and keeping the transfer record
In a busy street, buses with the same number can be travelling in opposite directions. Check the stop and direction before boarding.
Choosing and using a transport card
A transport card simplifies daily travel. Check how your chosen card is funded and which services it covers before treating it as a pass for everything.
A taxi trip with less guesswork
Have the exact destination ready in Korean. A building entrance or road-name address is more useful than an English business name that may have several branches.
Before you drive in Korea
Check the licence route before booking a rental car or buying one. A foreign licence, an international permit and a Korean licence are not interchangeable documents.