The subways usually run non-stop approximately from 5:30 am until midnight every day. One reason why I like riding the subways is that all stations display signs both in Korean and English. When they do announcement for the next stops, it is also in Korean, Japanese and English.
There are 15 subway lines. Each subway line has its own representative color and name. There are also maps placed throughout each subway station which makes it easier for traveling.
Below is the breakdown of the Subway Lines, Prices, How To, Transfers and Getting Off:
***Credit to VisitSeoul.Net for the amazing work and breakdown***
This was the very first subway line. Seoul Station is at the very center of this line, and it extends all the way to Suwon, Incheon, Cheonan and other areas outside of Seoul.
Line 2 - green
This line goes in a loop and connects such popular stations as Hongik Univ., Shinchon, City Hall, Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, Jamsil, Samseong and Gangnam. It is frequently packed back-to-back.
Line 3 - orange
This line stretches all the way from Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province to the southern part of Seoul. On this line you’ll find Sinsa, Apgujeong, Express Bus Terminal, which are popular stops in the Gangnam area, as well as Anguk and Jongno 3-ga Stations, from which you can access the popular tourist neighborhood of Insadong.
Line 4 – sky blue
This line connects parts of northern and southern Seoul. One this line you’ll find Daehangno (Hwehya Station), Dongdaemun Market (Dongdaemun Station), Myeongdong, Namdaemun, and Seoul Station, which are all great tourist areas.
Line 5 - purple
This line connects Gimpo Airport to Seoul. You can connect to lines 1 and 3 at Jongno 3-ga Station.
Line 6 – brown
On this line you can find World Cup Stadium as well as Itaewon, a popular hangout for foreigners and great for shopping and eating a wide array of international food.
Line 7 – olive green
This line starts in Euijeongbu in northern Seoul and extends south to the Gangnam area. The high class Cheongdam area can be found off this line.
Line 8 - pink
This line connects southern Seoul to Seongnam. On this line you’ll find the famous Munjeong-dong shopping area (from Munjeong Station) neighborhood as well as Seoul’s biggest market, Nongsanmul Market, and Garak Market, which is a popular fish and agricultural market.
Line 9 - gold
This line was completed in July 2009. Aside from the all-stop local train, this line also has an express train, which can go from Gimpo Airport to the Gangnam area in just 30 minutes.
Bundang – yellow
This line links the Gangnam area to the residential area of Bundang. It starts at Seolleung Station in Gangnam and goes down to Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province.
Sinbundang - red
This is Korea's very first driverless train line and connects Gangnam, Pangyo, and Jeongja. On this line you'll find Yangjae Citizen's Forest and Jeongja-dong's Cafe Street in Bundang.
Jungang - emerald
This line connects Yongsan Station in central Seoul to Yongmun Station in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province.
Gyeongui - light emerald
This line extends from Seoul Station to Munsan Station, which is the closest station to the North Korean border. You can get off at Munsan Station, and tour the DMZ and visit Dorasan Station, which is actually on the Gyeongui line but is not used by civilians at this time.
Gyeongchun – seafoam green
This line was completed in December 2010. It connects with Line 7 at Sangbong Station and ends at Chuncheon Station in Gangwon Province. On this line you’ll find Cheongpyeong, Gapyeong and Chuncheon.
Airport Rail
This line connects Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport with downtown Seoul. Express trains operate from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station in just under 50 minutes. All-stop trains stop at multiple stations around the city.
There is a difference in pricing if you are using the T-Money Pass (it is a rechargeable card that you can use to swipe. You can get this at most convenient store locations) or just purchasing a ticket. A Ticket is usually for a "single journey" while T-Money Pass you can use it constantly.
**Please Note:
※ Airport Railroad Line and Sinbundang Line cost an additional fee
※ 10 - 40 km: 100 won for every 5 km
※ After 40 km: 100 won for every 10 km
※ Discounts are given only to those residing in Korea who use T-money
Regular (19 years old and up):
T-Money Pass = 1,050 won
Ticket = 1,150 won
Youth (13-18 years old):
T-Money Pass = 720 won
Ticket = 1,150 won
Child (6-12 years old):
T-Money Pass = 450 won
Ticket = 500 won
1.Finding the subway station - Subway station signs are written in Korean, English and other languages, so foreign tourists should be able to find it easily. The corresponding color to the line is also easily visible.
2.Purchasing a ticket - Since May 2009, passengers have been able to purchase a “single journey ticket.” If you purchase one, you must pay a deposit of 500 won, which you get back when you return the card at your destination.
① At the Ticket Vending and Card Reload Device, you can choose the “English” option.
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② On the left-most side in orange, you’ll see the option for “Single Journey Ticket.” Choose that option, and you’ll come to a list of destinations.
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③ Choose your station destination.
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④ Select the number of passengers, and your total will be displayed. Then insert your money into the machine, and the card(s) will be dispensed.
3.Passing through the turnstiles - As you go through the turnstiles, scan your card over the T-money scanner.
4.Transfer - When you’re on the subway train, you’ll notice if you’re approaching a stop where you can make a transfer because over the loudspeaker, you will hear music and then a voice will say which lines you can transfer to. You will also notice as you’re pulling up to a stop whether there are any other subway line colors on the wall. And, of course, you can also check the subway map. If you are transferring, most of the time, transfers take place within the subway station, but if you have to transfer at Noryangjin Station (lines 1, 9), you will have to come out of the turnstiles in order to transfer.
5.Getting off - When you reach your destination, after you come out of the turnstiles, you’ll see a machine that says “Deposit Refund Device.” Insert your card in there, and it will refund your 500 won deposit.
● Lines 1- 4 (Seoul Metro)
Phone)1577-1234
http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/
● Lines 5 - 8 (Seoul Metro Rapid Transit Corporation)
Phone)1577-5678
http://www.smrt.co.kr/index.jsp
● Line 9 (Metro 9)
Phone) 2656-0009
http://www.metro9.co.kr/index.do
***For more information - Check out VisitSeoul.Net
I personally prefer to ride the subway or walk. My incidents with taxis weren’t that great so I tend to lean away from it. Buses were okay but it was difficult to figure out which stop is the right stop since it was rather quick and I didn’t know the roads (or the name of the roads).
My Experience with Taxis: The ones that I encountered were not too nice with foreigners and if they did give me and my friends a ride, they were trying to overcharge or they were speeding like crazy to get us out of the car. I’m not saying that all the taxi drivers are all bad, I’m just saying it was difficult process. I did read up about taxis beforehand but I didn’t realize it was going to be that difficult. Again, NOT ALL taxi drivers are like this. They are not all mean crazy drivers, so please do not let the bad apples we had to deal with ruin it for you. There were a couple that were very sweet and kind and took their time to take care of me and my friends.
We had a situation where the subway had closed on us and we were stuck. We were miles away from home and needed a ride and the bus that we needed to take was also done for the night. No other choice but to take a taxi right? After hours of getting denied by taxi drivers, one driver pulled over and helped us. My Korean was not too good at that time and his English was not great either; so in both Broken Korean and Broken English we were able to figure it out and explain where we needed to go and he drove us home. Like I said before in my first blog post of traveling to Korea, TIPPING is not expected in Korea but we sure did tip him well.
Please do keep in mind that I am also the type of person where if I had a bad experience, I am willing to give it another try but only limited chances (I’m a 3 chance kind of girl). So when I had the first bad encounter, I was hesitate on trying it again. After the second time, I was like NOPE NEVER!! But after the third time and we had a sweetheart driver, I was like okay…but again, I prefer to walk and take the subways. LOL…
So my tip to you is just give it a try. Your experience might be different from mine. Again, THEY ARE NOT ALL LIKE THIS…just a couple that I encountered were. But if you want to read up some more about taxis in South Korea, below are a couple of good reads and tip:
Seoulistic.com
VisitSeoul.Net
**Once again, all credits of the subway breakdown of the Subway Lines, Prices, How To, Transfers and Getting Off goes to VisitSeoul.Net. A big thank you for your wonderful job and services to make visiting Seoul an amazing experience for all!!**
And there you go – my final blog post of Traveling to South Korea. I hope these advice were useful and easy to understand. Thank you to the wonderful sites out there for the great advices that I personally followed and used also. I don’t own any of the information, all I own is my personal experiences that I want to share with each of you!
Any comments, concerns, questions or suggestion, or even if you have a few tips you would like to add, leave me a comment. Until the next blog post…safe travels and happy exploring. Xoxo…