Subway decoded
Getting around

Seoul subway, decoded

Fares, the transfer rule and — for the stations visitors use most — the exit that gets you there, taken from the venues' own directions.

5 rules to ride like a local

T-money + what a ride costs
With a transit card a ride is ₩1,550 for the first 10 km (₩1,650 on a single-journey ticket), then +₩100 per 5 km — youth ₩900, children ₩550. The card itself is not refundable; leftover balance can be refunded for a ₩500 fee. Reload at station machines or convenience stores.
Tap in AND out
Since 7 Mar 2026 skipping the exit tap automatically adds one base fare (adult ₩1,550 / youth ₩900 / child ₩550) to your NEXT ride, and it now applies across every metropolitan rail operator, not just Seoul Metro. Season passes, single-journey tickets and concession cards are exempt. If you forget, talk to a staff member at the station office.
Transfers
Tap onto the next subway or bus within 30 minutes of tapping out (60 minutes between 21:00 and 07:00) and it counts as one journey: you pay the base fare once plus distance, for up to 4 transfers.
Priority seats
Seats set aside for older, disabled and pregnant riders are marked — leave them free.
Late-night routes
The last train reaches the end of its line around 01:00 on weekdays and around midnight at weekends and on public holidays, so it leaves central stations earlier — check the timetable at your station. After that, night "N" buses run 23:00–06:00 (₩2,500 by card), or take a taxi.

Stations international visitors actually use

Hongik Univ. (Hongdae)

홍대입구 · Line 2

Hongdae streets and buskers; the station is also on AREX (to Incheon Airport) and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 9Central Hongdae (about 80 m) — The quickest way in — and often crowded.
Transfer tip
  • • The AREX and Gyeongui-Jungang platforms sit in a far corner of the station — allow time for the walk.
Make a cab card →

Myeong-dong

명동 · Line 4

Myeong-dong shopping and street food, and the way up to the Namsan cable car.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 3Namsan cable car (on foot)
  • 4Namsan Oreumi elevator (toward the cable car)
Make a cab card →

Gangnam

강남 · Line 2

Busy office, shopping and nightlife district along Gangnam-daero.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 12Airport limousine 6020 stop (to Incheon Airport, adult ₩17,000)
Make a cab card →

Jongno 3-ga

종로3가 · Lines 1, 3, 5

Jongmyo Shrine, the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 11Jongmyo Shrine (5-min walk) — Exit 8 works too.
Make a cab card →

Jongno 5-ga

종로5가 · Line 1

Gwangjang Market food stalls.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 8Gwangjang Market
Make a cab card →

Gyeongbokgung

경복궁 · Line 3

Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 5Gyeongbokgung Palace (2-min walk)
  • 6Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Make a cab card →

Gwanghwamun

광화문 · Line 5

Gwanghwamun Square, Sejong Center, and a short walk to Gyeongbokgung.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 1Sejong Center for the Performing Arts — Exits 7 and 8 work too.
  • 2Gyeongbokgung Palace (6-min walk)
Make a cab card →

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (DDP)

동대문역사문화공원 · Lines 2, 4, 5

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) exhibitions and markets.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 1DDP — Eoullim Plaza, DDP Market
  • 2DDP Design Lab (1F entrance)
Make a cab card →

Seoul Station

서울역 · Lines 1, 4

KTX intercity trains and AREX to Incheon Airport.

Transfer tip
  • • AREX Express to Incheon Airport: ₩13,000, 43 min to T1 and 51 min to T2. Use the AREX gates, not the Line 1/4 gates.
Make a cab card →

Jamsil

잠실 · Lines 2, 8

Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky), connected directly to the station, and Lotte World.

Make a cab card →

Samseong (COEX)

삼성 (COEX) · Line 2

COEX Mall and Starfield Library.

Exit cheat-sheet
  • 5COEX (direct underground passage) — Exit 6 also connects straight in.
Transfer tip
  • • COEX is also connected directly to Bongeunsa station (Line 9), exit 7.
Make a cab card →

Incheon Airport T1 (AREX)

인천공항 1터미널

AREX terminus, in the Transportation Center (B1).

Transfer tip
  • • Express AREX = ₩13,000, 43 min to Seoul Station. All-stop AREX = ₩4,750 to Seoul Station with a transit card.
Make a cab card →