πŸš‰ How to Use Public Transport in Korea Without Speaking Korean(The Ultimate Foreigner-Friendly Guide for Subway, Bus & Apps)

 

A young foreign traveler tapping a T-money card at a subway gate in Seoul, with a visible subway map and signage in Korean and English.
A young foreign traveler tapping a T-money card at a subway gate in Seoul, with a visible subway map and signage in Korean and English.

Navigating Korea's subway and bus system might feel intimidating—especially if you can’t read Korean. But don’t worry.

Korea offers one of the most foreigner-friendly, efficient, and affordable public transport systems in the world.
Whether you’re in Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, here’s your complete guide to getting around without getting lost. πŸšŒπŸš‡

🎫 First Thing First: Get a T-money Card

The T-money card is a rechargeable transportation card used for:

  • πŸš‡ Subways

  • 🚌 Buses

  • πŸš• Some taxis

  • πŸͺ Convenience store purchases

πŸ”Ή Where to Buy:

  • At convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24)

  • Inside subway stations

  • At Incheon Airport

πŸ’³ Price: Around ₩2,500 (card only) + Recharge as needed
πŸ’‘ Tip: Choose a cute character design for fun!

πŸ’° How to Recharge Your T-money Card

  • πŸͺ Convenience stores: Just say “T-money chongje (μΆ©μ „)” and hand over your card.

  • πŸ™️ Subway stations: Use automated machines—available in English.

  • πŸ“± Some mobile apps allow recharging with a Korean bank card (requires registration).

❗ You cannot recharge with a foreign card at machines—bring Korean cash or visit a convenience store.

πŸš‡ Subway 101: What You Need to Know

Korea’s subway system is:

  • πŸ•’ Open: ~5:30 AM to ~12:00 AM

  • πŸ“ Color-coded, numbered, and named in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese

  • ⏱️ Arrival time displayed on platforms in real-time

πŸ“² Use These Apps (Available in English)

AppWhat It Does
KakaoMetroSubway map with live train schedules & transfers
Naver MapBest for overall navigation—bus, subway, walk
Subway KoreaOffline map of all major cities
PapagoTranslate subway signs and announcements in real-time

πŸ”„ Transfers

  • πŸš‰ Free transfer between subway lines or subway ↔️ bus

  • ⏱️ Within 30 minutes between transfers

  • πŸ“Œ Always tap in & out using the same card

🚌 How to Ride Korean Buses (Even Without Speaking Korean)

Buses in Korea come in colors that indicate their routes:

ColorMeaning
BlueLong-distance city routes (e.g. Gangnam ↔ Mapo)
GreenLocal neighborhood buses
YellowCirculating in specific areas
RedExpress/commuter to/from suburbs

How to Board:

  1. Stand in line at the stop.

  2. Enter at the front door, tap your T-money card.

  3. Exit at the back, tap again.

  4. The screen displays your balance and transfer availability.

πŸ’‘ Tip: If unsure about your stop, follow the app GPS or ask the driver “Itaewon nae-ryeo-yo?” (μ΄νƒœμ› λ‚΄λ €μš”?) = “Do I get off at Itaewon?”

πŸ”£ Reading Signs & Announcements

Most subway and bus announcements are in Korean and English—especially in major cities.
Signage at stations and buses is also multilingual.

But just in case:

Korean PhraseEnglish Meaning
λ‹€μŒ 역은…"Next stop is..."
λ‚΄λ¦΄κ²Œμš” (Nae-ril-gae-yo)"I’m getting off"
좜ꡬ (Chul-gu)Exit
ν™˜μŠΉ (Hwan-seung)Transfer

πŸ“Œ Tip: Practice “μ‹€λ‘€ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€, λ‚΄λ¦΄κ²Œμš”” (Excuse me, I’m getting off) during crowded hours.

🧳 Airport Transfers

From Incheon Airport to Seoul, you can use:

  • Airport Railroad Express (AREX)

  • Airport limousine buses

  • Taxis or ride-hailing apps (like Kakao T)

  • T-money works for all—except taxis (some accept)

πŸ• Travel time:

  • Subway (AREX): ~50 minutes

  • Bus: ~1 hour

  • Taxi: ~45 minutes (₩60,000–100,000 depending on time & destination)

πŸ“Œ Quick Tips to Blend In

✅ Always move away from the door after entering.
✅ Stand on the right side of escalators.
✅ Avoid talking loudly—especially on the subway.
✅ Offer your seat to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers.
✅ Carry your backpack in front during rush hour.

πŸ“² Free Wi-Fi & Connectivity

  • All subway cars and buses offer free Wi-Fi (although speeds vary).

  • LTE or 5G coverage is excellent even underground.

  • Most stations have convenience stores, restrooms, lockers, and charging spots.

πŸ‘‰ CTA:

No Korean? No problem.
Download the right apps, grab your T-money card, and enjoy one of the world’s most advanced public transport systems like a local! πŸ‡°πŸ‡·πŸš

Location: λŒ€ν•œλ―Όκ΅­ μ„œμšΈνŠΉλ³„μ‹œ

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