Hi, Welcome to Living and Working in Korea.
I'm Ryan, M, Korean CPA.
In Korea, all metropolitan area is covered by metro.
This is SEOUL SUBWAY GUIDE FOR FOREIGNERS Complete Guide(Updated January 1, 2026)
You can download the latest Seoul Metro map in the tail.
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QUICK FACTS on Seoul Metro
- Total Lines: 9 main lines + 9 additional operator lines
- Total Stations: 650+ stations (cover everywhere in metropolitan)
- Service Area: Entire Seoul and adjacent areas
- Language Support: Full English signage and announcements
- Operating Hours: 5:30 AM - 11:50 PM (varies by station)
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HOW TO GET STARTED
Step 1: Get a T-Money Card
- Where: Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven), subway station booths
- Cost: ₩4,000~
- Reload: ₩1,000 minimum (recommend ₩20,000 for 3-4 days)
This is the link for T-money for foreigners.
And, if you transfer a lot in a day, you can use Mpass
Transportation daily pass which enables the users to ride the public transportation such as Seoul metropolitan subway, Seoul bus, and Airport Railroad Express up to 20 times a day -> Very good.
Step 2: Understand the Fare
- Base fare (up to 10km): ₩1,550
- Longer distances: ₩2,050-3,550 (depends on distance)
- Card is cheaper than cash (cash is ₩1,650)
- Transfers: Free within 30 minutes to subway or bus --> Remember the 30 min
Step 3: Use the App
- Download KakaoMap or naver map(FREE)
Kakaomap
Navermap
Seoul metro map
- Real-time arrival info, route planning, everything in English
- Essential for navigation
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CURRENT FARES (January 1, 2026)
ADULT FARES (T-Money Card)
- Distance | Fare
- ----------|------
- Up to 10km (base) | ₩1,550
- 10-20km | ₩2,050
- 20-30km | ₩2,550
- 30-40km | ₩3,050
- 40-50km | ₩3,550
- Each +10km | +₩500
DISCOUNTED FARES
- Youth (13-18): ₩900
- Children (6-12): ₩550
- Early morning (before 6:30 AM): ₩1,240 (save ₩310)
- Cash fares: +₩100 (not recommended)
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THE 9 MAIN SUBWAY LINES
LINE 1 (Dark Blue) - NORTH-SOUTH MAIN CORRIDOR
- Major Stations: Suwon (start in Gyeonggi) → Seoul Station → City Hall → Jongno-3ga → Dongdaemun → Yongsan → Myeongdong → Gangnam Station → Incheon (end in Gyeonggi)
- Characteristics: Longest line (103.8 km), connects all major Seoul landmarks
- Travel Time: Seoul Station to Gangnam = 30 minutes
- Best For: Business travelers, tourists visiting central Seoul
- Crowded Areas: Jongno section very crowded
LINE 2 (Green) - CIRCULAR LOOP LINE
- Major Stations: Forms a complete circle: Hongdae → Sinchon → Ewha Womans Univ. → City Hall → Euljiro → Dongdaemun History & Culture Park → Jamsil → Samseong → Gangnam → Apgujeong → Hongdae (full circle)
- Characteristics: Circular route, 43 stations, highest station density
- Route Type: Complete loop around Seoul (no start/end)
- Travel Time: Full circle = approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
- Best For: Quick access to multiple neighborhoods, tourists
- Note: Connects both Gangbuk and Gangnam areas
LINE 3 (Orange) - NORTH-SOUTH WITH CROSS-CONNECTIONS
- Major Stations: Goyang/Ilsan (Gyeonggi, north) → Anguk → Jongno-3ga → Myeongdong → Express Bus Terminal → Apgujeong → Gangnam → Bongeunsa-ro → Garak Market → Ogeum (south)
- Characteristics: North-South corridor from Gyeonggi to southeastern Seoul
- Coverage: Central areas (Insa-dong, Jongno) + Gangnam areas + southeastern markets
- Best For: Accessing Insa-dong (traditional culture), Gangnam shopping, traditional markets
- Note: Connects to Goyang/Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province
LINE 4 (Light Blue) - NORTH-SOUTH WITH EXTENSIONS
- Major Stations: Uijeongbu (far north) → Daehangno → Dongdaemun Market → Myeongdong → Seoul Station → Yongsan → Sadang → Oido (far south, Gyeonggi)
- Characteristics: North-South corridor with branches to outlying areas
- Coverage: Central Seoul + northern and southern extensions
- Best For: Visiting traditional markets, central Seoul, suburban areas
- Note: Two branches extend to outer areas (Jinjeop north, Oido southwest)
LINE 5 (Purple) - AIRPORT + EAST-WEST CONNECTOR
- Major Stations: Gimpo Airport (west) → Yeouida → Gongdeok → Jongno-3ga (connects to Line 1, 3) → Dongdaemun → Wangsimni → Olympic Park → Macheon (east)
- Branch Lines: Olympic Park branch, Macheon branch extensions
- Characteristics: Connects Gimpo Airport to central Seoul, extends to eastern areas
- Best For: Airport access, central-to-east travel
- Note: Multiple branches serve different directions
LINE 6 (Brown) - PARTIAL LOOP + WESTERN AREAS
- Major Stations: Sinnae (east) → Hongdae → Sadang → Itaewon → Samgakji → Hangangjin → World Cup Stadium → various western areas
- Characteristics: Serves western Seoul and Hongdae area
- Coverage: Western Seoul, Hongdae arts district, Itaewon (international zone)
- Best For: Nightlife in Hongdae, visiting Itaewon, World Cup Stadium area
- Note: Line 6 also serves Hongdae (shared with Line 2)
- Transfer Points: Line 3 at Yeonsinnae and Bulgwang
LINE 7 (Olive Green) - LONG EAST-WEST LINE
- Major Stations: Seongnam (Gyeonggi, far west) → Nowon → Jangam (north) → Cheongdam-dong (luxury shopping) → Gangnam → various eastern areas
- Characteristics: Connects western Gyeonggi to eastern Seoul via Gangnam
- Coverage: High-end shopping areas (Cheongdam), Gangnam, northern and eastern Seoul
- Best For: Gangnam area, northern Seoul, Cheongdam-dong luxury shopping
- Note: Very crowded during commuting hours
- NOTE: Line 7 does NOT go to Hongdae or Hongik University
LINE 8 (Pink) - SOUTHEASTERN SEOUL + OUTLYING AREAS
- Major Stations: Konkuk University → Amsa → Jamsil → Munjeong-dong (outlet shopping) → Seongnam (Gyeonggi) → Namyangju Byellae (added August 2024)
- Characteristics: Shortest line (17.7 km), serves southeastern Seoul and beyond
- Coverage: University areas, sports complexes (Jamsil), shopping outlets, large markets (Garak Market)
- Best For: Agricultural market (Garak), outlet shopping (Munjeong), suburban Seongnam/Namyangju areas
- Travel Time: Jamsil to Namyangju = approximately 27 minutes (new as of Aug 2024)
LINE 9 (Gold/Yellow) - EXPRESS + LOCAL SERVICE
- Main Route: Gaehwa (Gimpo area, west) ↔ Sinnonhyeon (express section) ↔ Central Veterans Hospital (extended)
- Major Stations: Gaehwa → Magoknaru → Yeouida → Noryangjin → Dongjak (transfer to Line 4) → Express Bus Terminal (transfer to Line 3, 7) → Sinnonhyeon → Bongeunsa Temple → Sports Complex (transfer to Line 2) → Seokchon → Olympic Park (transfer to Line 5) → Central Veterans Hospital
- Characteristics: Express + local trains, premium service with more comfort
- Travel Time: Gimpo Airport area to Gangnam = approximately 30 minutes (when completed)
- Best For: Fast travel across southern Seoul, airport access (when Gimpo extension opens in 2028)
- Upcoming Extensions (2028): Gimpo Airport connection, further eastward to Saemteo Park
English Map
Chines Map
Japanese Map
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I'll upload the subway manner in the next articles!
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
This guide reflects current fares, operations, and procedures for Seoul's metropolitan subway system.
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LIFE TIPS
Many Korean taxi driver uses Kakao map.