Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Incheon Airport, the AREX train reaches central Seoul (Seoul Station) in about 43 minutes on the Express line. Airport limousine buses and taxis are also available.
- AREX Express
- Incheon → Seoul Station ≈ 43 min
- Airport bus
- Limousine buses to many hotels/areas
- Taxi
- Metered; higher cost, door-to-door
- Gimpo Airport connects via subway/AREX to the city
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Seoul's subway and buses are clean, cheap and easy, with English signage. Tap a T-money card to ride and transfer.
- Subway
- Extensive, English signs, frequent trains
- Buses
- Color-coded routes; tap card on board
- Fares
- Cheap; transfers discounted with T-money
- Use Naver Map/KakaoMap for routing
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
T-money is the standard rechargeable transit card, sold at convenience stores and stations. It also works for many taxis and small purchases.
- T-money
- Buy/top up at convenience stores and stations
- Uses
- Subway, buses, some taxis and shops
- WOWPASS
- Combines a prepaid card with T-money
- Tap on entry and exit; transfers are discounted
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
To rent a car you need a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home licence. Korea drives on the right.
- IDP required
- Obtain in your home country before travel
- Drive on
- The right-hand side
- City tip
- Public transport often beats driving in Seoul
- Bring the original home licence alongside the IDP
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
The KTX high-speed train links major cities fast: Seoul to Busan takes about 2.5 hours. Express buses reach places trains don't.
- KTX
- Seoul → Busan ≈ 2.5h, up to 305 km/h
- Depart
- Seoul Station (linked to AREX)
- Buses
- Express/intercity buses cover the rest
- Book KTX in advance in peak seasons
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are handy for Jeju Island and long north-south hops. Gimpo Airport handles most Seoul domestic routes.
- Popular route
- Gimpo ↔ Jeju (very frequent)
- Hubs
- Gimpo (Seoul), Busan, Jeju
- Vs KTX
- Train often wins for Seoul–Busan door-to-door
- Low-cost carriers offer competitive fares
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Get a T-money card on arrival and use Naver Map/KakaoMap for routes. Avoid rush hours (roughly 8am and 6pm) on the subway.
- Card first
- T-money simplifies everything
- Apps
- Naver Map/KakaoMap for routing
- Timing
- Avoid peak commute if you can
- Subway lines are numbered/colored for easy navigation