KOREA ON CUE · ISSUE 13 · GETTING AROUND

Getting Around Seoul

Before the exit numbers and walking times in every story, there is the ride itself. Which card to buy, how a transfer works, how to take a bus and how to get back late at night — one way of getting around per piece, with fares and rules checked against official sources.

Read the first story

Recommended reading order

  1. From Incheon Airport to Seoul Station: Choosing the First Train on Arrival Day — Elena weighs the AREX Express against the all-stop train, rides twelve stops to Seoul Station and walks on to Sungnyemun01From Incheon Airport to Seoul Station: Choosing the First Train on Arrival DayThe airport piece of “Getting Around Seoul.” The AREX all-stop train takes 59 minutes from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to Seoul Station and costs ₩4,750 with a transit card. The Express runs non-stop in 43 minutes for ₩13,000. And you cannot board at the Incheon Airport stations with a Climate Card. Elena, who reads scenes, walks the hour that films usually cut between landing and the city.SEOUL · 13 min read
  2. At the Ticket Machines in Seoul Station: Choosing a First Transit Card for a Friend — On the Line 4 Concourse, Lulu Weighs Up a Stored-Value Card, a Single-Journey Ticket, the Climate Card’s Short-Term Pass and Paying With an Overseas Card — Then Rides Line 4 Four Stops to Ichon02At the Ticket Machines in Seoul Station: Choosing a First Transit Card for a FriendThe transit-card piece of “Getting Around Seoul.” Seoul’s Climate Card short-term passes come in five lengths, from ₩5,000 for one day to ₩20,000 for seven, and since 17 March 2026 the new machines at 273 stations on Lines 1–8 have accepted Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad. Lulu, who is always choosing what to show a friend, picks the first card that friend will hold at Seoul Station.SEOUL · 12 min read
  3. From Gyeongbokgung to Seoul Forest: Your First Subway Transfer — Maya changes once, from Line 3 to Line 2, and picks her direction by the name of the next station rather than the last03From Gyeongbokgung to Seoul Forest: Your First Subway TransferThe subway transfer piece of “Getting Around Seoul.” From Gyeongbokgung on Line 3, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga is the third stop. Change there to Line 2, head towards Euljiro 4(sa)-ga, and Ttukseom is the seventh stop. You choose the direction by the next station’s name, and you tap your card when you board and when you get off. Maya, who first picked Seoul from screens, walks the transfer that a screen passes over in a single cut.SEOUL · 12 min read
  4. Tapping On and Off: Bus Jongno 09 from Gyeongbokgung to Suseong-dong Valley — Noah works out a first Seoul bus ride for a friend and takes it to the foot of Inwangsan04Tapping On and Off: Bus Jongno 09 from Gyeongbokgung to Suseong-dong ValleyThe bus piece of “Getting Around Seoul.” Seoul’s buses are colour-coded by type, and you tap your card both getting on and getting off. On a regular transit card, the transfer discount runs for 30 minutes from that second tap. Noah, who reads streets and routes by eye, rides bus Jongno 09 from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3 to the stop below Suseong-dong Valley.SEOUL · 11 min read
  5. From Myeongdong Cathedral to the Journey Back After the Last Train — Rina returns to Myeongdong Cathedral at dusk, then weighs the taxi against the Owl Bus once the subway stops05From Myeongdong Cathedral to the Journey Back After the Last TrainThe last piece of “Getting Around Seoul.” Seoul’s Owl Buses — city buses that run only at night — operate 140 vehicles on 14 routes from 11 pm to 6 am, for ₩2,500 by card. Standard taxis add a late-night surcharge from 10 pm to 4 am. Rina, who always comes back to a place a second time, climbs the hill of Myeongdong Cathedral again — this time at dusk — and works out how to get back to her room once the subway has stopped.SEOUL · 13 min read

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Palaces & Downtown

See all neighbourhoods Seoul in 30 places: how to get there