Seoul Subway Guide for Foreigners 2025

🚇 Seoul Subway Guide for Foreigners (2025)

The Seoul Metro is one of the best subway systems in the world — clean, fast, and very affordable. This guide explains everything you need to know to get around Seoul by subway as a foreigner.

Getting a T-Money Card

The easiest way to pay for the subway is with a T-Money card, a reloadable transit card accepted across Seoul's entire metro, buses, and even some taxis.

Buy at any convenience store: GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24
Basic card costs around ₩2,500–₩4,000
Reload at convenience stores or subway station machines (look for "교통카드 충전")
Tap on entry and exit — you'll be charged the correct fare automatically

💡 Tip: If you use a T-Money card instead of a single-use ticket, you save ₩100–₩200 per ride and get free transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes.

Single-Use Tickets

If you only need one trip, buy a single-use ticket at any ticket machine. Select "English" on the screen, choose your destination, and pay. Return the ticket at your destination for a ₩500 deposit refund.

Reading the Subway Map

Seoul has 23 subway lines. The most useful ones for foreigners are:

Line 2 (Green): Hongdae, Gangnam, City Hall, Sinchon — the most important line
Line 1 (Blue): Seoul Station, Dongdaemun
Line 4 (Light Blue): Myeongdong, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park
Line 6 (Brown): Itaewon, Noksapyeong
AREX (Airport Express): Incheon Airport ↔ Seoul Station

All station signs, maps, and announcements are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Operating Hours

Subway runs approximately 5:30 AM – 1:00 AM daily. Last trains vary by line and direction — check the Naver Map app or the Seoul Metro app for exact times.

Fare

Base fare: ₩1,400 (up to 10km)
Additional ₩100 per 5km after that
Airport Express (AREX) has separate fares — about ₩9,500 to Seoul Station

Useful Apps

Naver Map — best for navigating Seoul in English
Kakao Map — good alternative
Seoul Metro App — official app for real-time train info

💡 Lost or confused? Every station has a staffed information booth. Most staff in central Seoul can help in basic English. You can also ask other passengers — Koreans are generally very helpful to foreigners.

SeoulTalk