Getting around

Subway, buses, KTX and transit cards.

• Climate Card Seoul: Short-Term Pass Prices and RulesBuy a ₩3,000 Climate Card at a Seoul subway machine or a convenience store near a station, then load a short-term pass: ₩5,000 for 1 day up to ₩20,000 for 7 days. It gives unlimited Seoul subway and Seoul bus rides. From October 1, 2026 it works only within Seoul, plus trips ending at Incheon Airport.Checked October 5, 2026
• Korea Express Bus Booking: KOBUS and Bustago for ForeignersBook express buses on KOBUS (kobus.co.kr) and intercity buses on Bustago or at the terminal counter. As of October 2026, Tmoney says KOBUS takes foreign-issued cards without membership, and terminal counters accept foreign cards. KOBUS refunds are free until two days before departure.Checked October 16, 2026
• KTX Booking for Foreigners: Korail Site, App and SRT MergerBook on Korail's English website or the Korail+ app and pay with a foreign credit card. Since 1 October 2026, sales open at 07:00 two months before departure. SRT was merged into KTX on 1 September 2026, so trains from Suseo are now booked through Korail as well.Checked October 5, 2026
• Naver Map and KakaoMap in Korea: Directions Without GoogleInstall Naver Map or KakaoMap before you fly. As of late August 2026, Google Maps in Korea still shows places and public transit routes but no turn-by-turn walking or driving directions, even though the government conditionally approved Google's map data request on February 27, 2026.Checked October 5, 2026
• Seoul Subway Basics: Fares, Tickets, Transfers, EtiquetteTap a T-money or other transit card at the gate and pay ₩1,550 for an adult ride of up to 10 km, or buy a ₩1,650 single-journey ticket plus a ₩500 deposit you get back at your exit station. Trains run from about 05:30 to around midnight.Checked October 5, 2026
• Seoul to Busan: KTX, SRT, Express Bus or FlightTake the KTX: as of October 2026 a standard adult ticket from Seoul to Busan costs ₩54,400. SRT merged into KTX on 1 September 2026, so trains from Suseo are booked on Korail too. Express buses suit same-day plans, since you can board without a reservation if seats are free.Checked October 16, 2026
• T-money Card in Korea: Where to Buy, Top Up and RefundBuy a T-money card at a convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and others) or at Incheon Airport for about ₩3,000 to ₩5,000. Top it up with Korean won cash, tap it on buses and subways, and refund the leftover balance before you fly home for a ₩500 fee.Checked October 5, 2026
• Taxi in Korea: Kakao T, k.ride, Fares and Night SurchargeAs of October 2026, a regular Seoul taxi starts at ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km. A late-night surcharge of 20% to 40% applies from 22:00 to 04:00. Visitors without a Korean account can book through k.ride, Kakao Mobility's app for foreign travelers, which takes overseas cards.Checked October 20, 2026