Seoul Subway Guide: Lines, Fares and Apps — A Local's Take
I’ve been riding the Seoul subway for years — commuting into the city, getting around on weekends, navigating it with visitors who had no idea where to start. It looks complicated at first, but it genuinely isn’t. Here’s everything you actually need to know.
Seoul’s subway covers the entire city and stretches deep into Gyeonggi Province. With 9 main lines and several express and regional lines, it connects virtually every major destination, neighborhood, and transport hub in and around Seoul. Living just outside the city in Gyeonggi, I use it regularly — it’s genuinely one of the most reliable ways to get around.
The whole system can look overwhelming on a map. But you really only need to understand a handful of things to use it comfortably from day one.
The basics: lines, colors, and numbers
Every Seoul subway line has a number and a color. That’s really the foundation of the whole system — once that clicks, the map starts making sense. Here’s a quick overview of the main lines and their key stops:
| Line | Color | Key stops |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Dark Blue | Seoul Station, Dongdaemun |
| Line 2 | Green | Hongdae, Gangnam, Sinchon, Ewha |
| Line 3 | Orange | Gyeongbokgung, Anguk, Express Bus Terminal |
| Line 4 | Sky Blue | Myeongdong, Seoul Station, Dongdaemun History |
| Line 5 | Purple | Gimpo Airport, Yeouido, Gwanghwamun |
| Line 6 | Brown | Itaewon, Mapo |
| Line 7 | Olive | Konkuk University, Children’s Grand Park |
| Line 8 | Pink | Jamsil, Moran |
| Line 9 | Gold | Gimpo Airport, COEX, Olympic Park |
If I’m being honest, Line 2 is the one tourists use most — and for good reason. It’s a circular loop that connects Hongdae, Sinchon, City Hall, and Gangnam all on one line. When visitors ask me which line to learn first, it’s always Line 2.
Where two or more lines meet, you’ll find a transfer station marked with a circle on the map. You can switch lines at these stations without paying again — just follow the colored signs down to the right platform. The signage inside stations is clear and fully bilingual.
You can view the full Seoul subway map here: Seoul Metro Map →
How to pay: T-money vs. single-use tickets
There are two ways to pay. Here’s the honest breakdown:
T-money Card
A rechargeable transit card that works on subways, buses, and taxis across Korea. Tap on when you board, tap off when you exit. You also get a ₩100 discount on every subway ride compared to single-use tickets.
You can buy a T-money card at any GS25, CU, or 7-Eleven convenience store inside or near subway stations for around ₩3,000–4,000. Top it up with cash at the convenience store counter or at the green recharge machines inside stations. Minimum top-up is ₩1,000.
Single-use ticket
Available at the machines in every station. You pay a ₩500 deposit that gets refunded when you return the card at the purple deposit machines near the exit. Slightly more expensive per ride than T-money.
My recommendation: get a T-money card even if you’re only here for two or three days. You’ll use it on buses too, and it just removes one thing to think about every time you go through a turnstile. If you have a balance left when you leave, you can get a partial refund at the airport.
Step-by-step: how to take the subway
Find your destination. Open Naver Maps or Kakao Maps and search where you’re going. The app gives you the exact line, platform, transfer instructions, and exit number. I use Naver Maps every time — even after years of riding this system.
Enter the station. Look for the numbered subway entrance on the street. Go through the turnstile by tapping your T-money card or inserting your single-use ticket.
Find the right platform. Follow the signs for your line color and direction. Each platform is labeled with the line number and the terminal stations in that direction — so you know you’re heading the right way.
Board the train. Stand behind the yellow line and let passengers exit first. Inside, digital displays show the current and upcoming stations in Korean and English, and announcements are made in four languages.
Exit at your stop. Tap your card on the reader as you go through the turnstile. Then follow the exit numbers — always check which number you need before leaving the platform.
A note on exits: This catches a lot of first-timers. Seoul stations can have 10, 12, even 15+ numbered exits spread across a large area. The wrong exit can mean a 10-minute walk in the wrong direction. Always check your exit number on the map app before you head up.
Best apps for navigating the Seoul subway
Naver Maps
This is what I use. It’s the most accurate mapping app for Korea — enter your destination in English and it gives you exact platform numbers, transfer instructions, real-time arrival times, and the exit number closest to where you’re going. Download the offline map before your trip so it works without data.
Kakao Maps
Equally accurate to Naver Maps. Some people find the interface a bit cleaner. Also shows walking routes from each exit to your destination, which is handy in unfamiliar areas.
Subway Korea
A dedicated subway app that shows the full network map, real-time train positions, and — usefully — which cars are less crowded. Good to have alongside your main map app if you want that extra detail.
Avoid Google Maps for subway navigation in Korea. It technically works, but Naver and Kakao are far more accurate for Korean transit — especially for real-time information and bus connections. I’ve seen Google Maps send people to the wrong platform more than once.
Fares and fare zones explained
Seoul subway fares are distance-based. As of June 2025, the base fare is ₩1,550 with a T-money card (₩1,650 with a single-use ticket) for the first 10 km. After that, ₩100 is added for every 5 km up to 50 km, and every 8 km beyond that.
For most trips within central Seoul, you’ll pay the base fare. It only gets noticeably more expensive for longer rides — out to Suwon, for example, or deeper into Gyeonggi Province. Coming in from Paju or Ilsan, the fare is still very reasonable compared to what you’d pay in most cities.
| Distance | T-money fare | Single-use fare |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 km | ₩1,550 | ₩1,650 |
| 10–50 km | ₩1,550 + ₩100 per 5 km | ₩1,650 + ₩100 per 5 km |
| Over 50 km | ₩1,550 + ₩100 per 8 km | ₩1,650 + ₩100 per 8 km |
Free transfers: If you tap out and tap back in within 30 minutes — continuing your journey on another subway line or a bus — the transfer is free. A subway + bus combination often costs the same as a single ride. This is one of the things that makes Seoul transit genuinely affordable.
Frequently asked questions
Last trains run around midnight, though exact times vary by line and direction. First trains start around 5:30 AM. If you’re planning a late night, check the specific timetable on the Seoul Metro website — missing the last train means a taxi home, which adds up fast.
You can add a T-money card to Apple Wallet or use NFC payment at most turnstiles, but setup can be finicky with non-Korean accounts. A physical T-money card is more reliable and removes any uncertainty. Pick one up at the airport convenience store as soon as you land.
Very. It’s one of the safest metro systems in the world — well-lit, staffed, and monitored throughout. Platform screen doors are standard across the network. Solo travelers and women traveling alone should feel completely comfortable at any hour.
The Seoul subway is genuinely one of the best ways to get around the city — affordable, reliable, and far less stressful than dealing with traffic. Give it one or two rides and it’ll start to feel completely natural. The key things to remember: get a T-money card, use Naver Maps, and always check your exit number before you head upstairs.
We’ll be sharing more practical guides to help you navigate Seoul with confidence — from transport tips to food, neighborhoods, and beyond. Stay tuned!
