Explore Korea: places to visit and Korean to use
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.