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1. Transportation card

  • When using public transportation, it is convenient to purchase and use a transportation card. Transportation methods that can be used with a transportation card include subways, city buses, taxis, and bicycles.

1) How to use

  • There are two types of transportation cards: Tmoney and Cash-bee, and you can charge them in advance and use them. You can buy the cards at convenience stores (GS25, 7-Eleven, CU, E-Mart 24, etc.), inside subway stations (Lines 1-9), and at the Tmoney online shop. The card sales price may vary depending on the type, but is generally around 4,000 to 8,000 won. You can use the transportation card only if the card balance is at least 250 won.

  • Charging and usage method

    • The transportation card charging place is located in the subway station and you can choose a foreign language. In addition to cash, you can charge with account transfer, check card, credit card, etc. When you touch the transportation card to the 'card holder' of the terminal, the corresponding fare will be deducted with a 'beep' sound. If two or more people are riding with one transportation card, tell the driver how many people are riding and touch the transportation card according to the instructions.

  • Disposable transportation card

    • The Seoul subway allows the use of reusable disposable transportation cards.

    • Disposable transportation cards can be purchased from vending machines located in subway stations.

    • When purchasing a disposable transportation card, you must pay the fare and a 500 won card deposit. After use, you can get your deposit back by inserting the transportation card into the 'deposit refund machine' installed at each station.

    • The fare for using a disposable transportation card is an additional 100 won to the transportation card fare and can only be used on the subway.

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2) Transfer

  • When getting off or transferring, you must touch the transportation card to the terminal to apply the transfer discount and complete the use. If you get off or transfer without touching the terminal, additional fees may apply. In the case of general transportation cards, you can transfer up to 4 times a day between 'subway-bus' and 'bus-bus' (total number of transportation uses: 5 times).

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  • Applicable target

    • When transferring between Seoul Bus, Gyeonggi Bus, Incheon Bus and Subway

  • The transfer use period is within 30 minutes after getting off (1 hour from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM the next day).

  • In the case of disposable transportation cards, they can only be used on the subway.

  • When transferring from bus to bus, if you ride consecutive buses with the same number, the transfer discount does not apply.

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Onehada Tong-il Settlement Support

Traffic

※ This content was written with reference to the publication ‘Seoul Living Guide for Foreigners, Korean Edition’ published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

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3. City bus

1) Bus type

  • Regular bus

    • The most easily visible buses in Seoul are distinguished by their colors: yellow (circular bus), blue (trunk bus), and green (branch bus). The metropolitan buses that travel between Seoul and the metropolitan area are red. Information such as bus route search and Seoul bus map can be found on the Seoul Public Transportation website (bus.go.kr). The expected arrival bus is displayed on the electronic arrival information terminal installed at the bus stop.

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  • Village bus

    • It is a local bus with a short route that operates in densely populated residential areas where subways or regular buses cannot reach.

  • Late night bus (owl bus)

    • It is a late-night bus that runs from midnight (12:00 AM) to 4:00 AM (based on the departure point), and operates a total of 9 routes in Seoul. The route number and owl character are displayed on the LED display boards on the front and side of the bus, so it is called the 'Owl Bus', and it is also called the 'N Bus' because the number is preceded by N (Night), which means night.

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2) Bus fare

  • Bus fares vary by bus type and rider. You can use the bus at a discounted rate when using a transportation card.

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2. Subway

1) Subway fare system

  • Subway fares increase based on the basic fare and the distance traveled. Fares can be paid with a single-use transportation card or a regular transportation card. For adults, 1,400 won is charged for up to 10 km, 100 won is added for every 5 km between 10 and 50 km, and 100 won is added for every 8 km over 50 km (when using a transportation card). 100 won is added to the fare when using a single-use transportation card. You can check the facilities for the transportation disadvantaged, such as the disabled and the elderly, on the Seoul Metro website (www.seoulmetro.co.kr).

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  • Season ticket (season ticket)

    • If you only commute by subway, it may be advantageous to use a pass. Passes can be purchased at subway station offices, and a card fee of 2,500 won must be paid when purchasing the first time. However, subway passes cannot be used on buses.

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2) Carrying a bicycle

  • When carrying a bicycle on the subway, you must follow the rules and etiquette below to prevent safety accidents. For more information, please refer to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's 'Traffic' homepage (news.seoul.go.kr/traffic/).

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5. Bicycle

1) How to use

  • Seoul Bicycle's 'Ttareungi' is an unmanned bicycle rental system that anyone can use easily and conveniently, anytime, anywhere. It can be used by those aged 15 or older, and those under 19 require parental consent to join.

  • To rent a bike, sign up for membership on the Seoul Bike website (www.bikeseoul.com) or the 'Seoul Bike Ttareungi' app and go through the ticket purchase process. Non-members can purchase a day pass.

  • Rental and Return Methods

    • You don't have to return the bicycle to the place you rented it; you can return it to a nearby rental station.

    • As of June 2023, there are a total of 2,749 rental stations in each autonomous district of Seoul, and you can search for rental stations through the Seoul Bike website or app.

  • Membership registration

    • To complete membership registration, go to the ‘My Space → Register Membership Card’ page on the website or app and enter your 16-digit Tmoney card number.

    • Postpaid transportation cards or cards with built-in RFID chips use a smartphone app. Select the bicycle you want to rent on the smartphone app and select the 'Register Membership Card' tab. Press the home button on the terminal and a voice will say, 'Please present your membership card to be registered.' When you present the card to the terminal, registration is complete.

2) Fee system

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4. Taxi

1) Taxi type

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2) Designated driving service

  • It is convenient to use a designated driver service when the owner of the vehicle cannot drive himself for reasons such as a week or other reasons. The peak time for designated driver service is 21:00~01:00. To use, search the portal or search and install the 'designated driver' app. The fare varies depending on the distance traveled.

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6. Express Bus

  • Express buses have the advantage of being cheaper than KTX or airplanes when traveling to local cities in Korea and have a variety of routes. There are three terminals in Seoul: Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Dong Seoul Terminal, and Nambu Terminal.

  • Seoul Express Bus Terminal: Located at Express Bus Terminal Station on Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9 (www.exterminal.co.kr)

  • Dong Seoul Integrated Bus Terminal: Located at Gangbyeon Station on Subway Line 2 (www.ti21.co.kr)

  • Namseoul Nambu Terminal: Located at Nambu Terminal Station on Subway Line 3 (txbus.t-money.co.kr)

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  • Reservations and Ticket Purchases

    • If you use the Express Bus Integrated Reservation Site ( www.kobus.co.kr ) [Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese], you can process terminal information, bus operation information, operation times, and even ticket reservations nonstop. You can cancel reservations without a fee up to 2 days before departure, but a fee will be charged thereafter. It is convenient to use the Express Bus mobile app. For information on related apps, please refer to www.epassmobile.co.kr . Tickets can also be purchased on-site at each Express Bus Terminal ticket office.

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7. Trains and airplanes

  • When traveling from Seoul to other cities, you can use trains and airplanes in addition to express buses.

1) Train

  • Train tickets can be purchased at Korail ticket reservation sites (www.letskorail.com), Korail Talk (App), ticket vending machines, train stations (except subway stations), travel agencies, and other ticket sales agencies. For information on cancellation and refund fees, ticket usage, etc., please refer to the Let's Korail homepage [Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese].

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2) Airplane

  • Domestic flights can be carried out at Gimpo International Airport. You can check flight schedules and airport information and make flight reservations on the Gimpo International Airport website (www.airport.co.kr/gimpo) [Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese].

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8. How to find lost items

1) If lost in the subway

  • There are designated lost and found centers for each subway section. If you lose an item, it is easier to find it if you know the subway information (line, time, train number) you used. Subway lost and found centers are open from 09:00 to 18:00.

  • National Police Agency Lost and Found Integrated Portal ☏182 / Homepage (www.lost112.go.kr)

  • Subway Lost and Found Center in subway stations

2) In case of loss on a city bus

  • Seoul Bus Transport Association Lost and Found Center ☏02-415-4101~8 / Website (www.sbus.or.kr → "Lost and Found Center")

3) If lost in a taxi

  • Seoul Private Taxi Transport Business Association ☏1544-7771 / Homepage (www.spta.or.kr → Association Customer Satisfaction Center → "Register Lost Items")

  • Seoul Special City Taxi Transport Business Association ☏02-2033-9200 / Website (www.stj.or.kr → Customer Center → "Lost and Found Center")

4) In case of loss on the train

  • Let's Korail ☏1544-7788, 1588-7788 / Homepage (www.letskorail.com → "Customer Center" → "Lost and Found")

5) Guide to the Integrated Lost and Found Portal

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