Navigating Korean Public Transportation: Tips for Getting Around Easily

In order on this post: Buses -> Trains -> Taxis-> Subways

Buses:

“T-Card” (Transportation Card)

Your T-Card will allow you to pay for the bus (You can also pay in cash but a T-Card is the most convenient and commonly used method of paying fare).

Some bank/credit cards are also T-cards, others are not. You can buy a T-card (티카드) at any convenience store; some other stores offer cute t-cards as well with different themes/characters. But you can only add money to/recharge your T-card at convenience stores. Ask for “충전” (“top up”) and lay your t-card onto the scan part of the card machine. Topping up your T-card balance is cash only. You’ll need to be ready to say the won amount you want to add to the card, so brush up on your Korean numbers if you’re still a beginner.

Scan your t-card when getting on and off (some ppl don’t scan when getting off and tbh I haven’t quite figured out if it’s necessary or not. Scan it when getting off just in case though). I suggest sticking a card pocket on the back of your phone because you'll be pulling the card out often. Get the magnet blocker thing (I forget what it’s called) if you store other cards on your phone (otherwise the system will sense multiple cards and not accept your scan)

Bus Culture:

Bus culture can vary depending on the driver. In general, though: Keep silent, don’t be loud, don’t be talking to someone or on your phone. Korean public transport is often quite silent. Some drivers are friendly. Some are very sensitive about noise, how close you are to the front door steps, etc. If a driver berates/yells at you, just say sorry and keep your head down. It happens to everyone so don’t feel too bad. 

Front seats/labeled seats are reserved for special persons (elderly, pregnant, etc); if in doubt sit in the back

You can open/close the windows if you’re hot/cold

Riding the bus:

To get off, press the stop button (all over the bus) to signal to the driver to stop at the next stop, otherwise they’ll skip if there’s no one to get on or off. There are buttons on the ceiling too if you’re standing

The bus will announce ‘this stop’ (이번 정류장 ) and ‘next stop’ (다음 정류장 , or just 다음은 ). Wait for ‘this stop’ (이번 정류장 ) to be yours in order to press button. Don't forget to scan your card when getting off!

Hold on to something bc the buses can be super swervy and bumpy! Depends on the driver, but some drivers are zoooooming and start/stop very quickly. Sit down immediately after getting on or grab a rail bc some drivers will go into rocket mode as soon as you scan your card

Bus Resources:

Bus stations almost always have an electronic sign displaying the buses, bus numbers, and up to date arrival times. Each bus stop will also often have a poster stating the bus numbers that come to the stop and their subsequent bus route/stops

Bus stops and buses have public wifi! They also have a password protected WiFi (the password is on the poster at each bus stop) but I haven’t been able to get it to work for my phone so I just use the public non password one.

I recommend download the 전국스마트버스 app. It doesn’t always have arrival/departure info but when it does, the times are accurate. It’s the opposite of Naver/Kakao Maps, which always have arrival/departure info but are inaccurate 90% of the time (in my experience). Though to be fair to Naver and Kakao, I’m in a smaller city, so maybe the times are more accurate in Seoul, Busan, etc? Anyway, download the 전국스마트버스 app. It was recommended to me by my host family when I first arrived and it is a dream.  You have to search for a bus or a bus stop, but once you’ve set up your usuals it’s very convenient. Even though it doesn’t always have arrival/departure info, it is refreshed often and you can check in every once in a while in advance to get a sense of your target bus’ intervals.

Trains:

The most common trains are the KTX and the SRT

Ticketing:

You buy your ticket in advance online and either print it or have it on your phone through the Korail (KTX) app. There are terminals at the station where you can buy a ticket at the last minute but I very much don't recommend that bc tickets sell out.

Especially if going to/from Seoul, look at KTX/SRT tickets weeks ahead of time bc they fill up fast. The reservations open up a month in advance. If there is no seating available, you can still purchase a standing ticket.

The best place to buy train tickets is the Korail website (letskorail.com). Make sure to change the language into Korean on the site bc it completely changes the site format and reservation abilities (you can then translate it into English using the Chrome extension, just make sure you’re on the website’s Korean version).

I would recommend downloading the Korail app in order to access your e-tickets.

Tickets are not scanned in order to board; it’s kind of an honor system, but at the same time, every ticket comes with a specific seat reservation, like on an airplane. Someone might also be walking around looking at seats, so if you didn’t buy a ticket, it will be easy to tell when someone gets on and you’re in their seat. So please buy the ticket.

Train culture:

Noise rules are the same as for buses, but stronger. If you speak, speak quietly or in a whisper. Be considerate of others. Etc. 

Riding the train:

When you get to the train station ([city name] 역), check the board to see what platform your train will be on.

Trains in Korea are VERY precise with their timing. If it says it’s departing 4:47, that means you should be waiting at the platform at 4:40 because it will pull up at 4:47 and pull away at 4:48.

Once you’re at the platform, find your train car (호차) number. There will be signs along the platform showing where to stand in order to be at the right train car when the train pulls up. Since the timing is so precise with arrival and departure, make sure to be at the right 호차 location on the platform before the train pulls up. You will see people lining up in front of each 호차 number to board

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Taxis

Coming soon!

Subways

Coming soon!