South Korea’s public transportation system is one of the best in the world. Subways, buses, and trains make it easy to get anywhere—but knowing the hacks can save you both money and stress.
1. Get a T-money Card
Available at convenience stores, this rechargeable card works for buses, subways, and even taxis. Bonus: transfers between bus ↔ subway are discounted if tapped within 30 minutes.
2. Use Mobile Transit Apps
Apps like Kakao Metro and Naver Maps give real-time train arrival times, station exits, and bus locations. They’re far better than Google Maps in Korea.
3. Avoid Rush Hour
Peak times: 7:30–9:00 AM and 6:00–7:30 PM. Subways are packed, so plan outside these hours if possible.
4. Save with a Monthly Commuter Pass
In Seoul, a transport pass for 55,000–65,000 KRW/month offers unlimited subway + bus rides. Perfect for workers and students.
5. Know the Express Trains
Some subway lines (like Line 9 in Seoul) have express trains that cut travel time in half.
6. Take Airport Railways Smartly
From Incheon Airport, the AREX All-stop train is only 4,150 KRW compared to 9,500 KRW for the Express train.
7. Late Night Options
Subways close around midnight. After that, use late-night buses (N-bus routes) or Kakao Taxi.
✅ Final tip: Keep at least 10,000 KRW on your T-money card to avoid being stuck at a gate.