Things to know before traveling to Seoul (Part2/2)
π TRANSPORTATION CARDS
① Tmoney Card
- What it is: Rechargeable card for
subway, bus, taxis, airport shuttles, public phones, convenience stores,
and lockers.
- Where to buy/recharge: Subway
stations, convenience stores, Tmoney service centers.
- Minimum recharge: ₩1,000
- Transfer Discount
- If you use public transportation (i.e. subway, bus) with your Tmoney card, you can get a ₩100-plus discount for every ride. Tmoney card holders can enjoy up to four discounts a day, if they transfer within a transfer time limit of 30 minutes (up to 1 hour from 9pm to 7am next day).
The discount is applicable to transfers from subway to bus & via versa, and between one bus to another (excluding buses running along the same route). - Base Fare Discount (only for youth/children)
- Children or youth users can enjoy the discounted fare if they register their card with their date of birth in convenience stores or information center in subway station, by presenting Tmoney card and ID card.
- - Children : Age 6 to 12
- Youth : Age 13 to 18 - ※ Caution : Adults using children or youth cards will be subject to a fine worth 30 times that of the base fare.
- Top-up
- Present your Tmoney card and cash (in Korean won) for top-up in Tmoney sales locations. You can top-up the card in the unit of ₩1,000, in the range of ₩1,000 to ₩90,000. The amount of money deposited in Tmoney card may not exceed ₩500,000.
- Convenience Store - S25, CU, 7-Eleven, MINISTOP, Story Way, Emart24, 365PLUS
- Subway Stations (Top-up Only) - Top-up machine including One-time ticket issuer, Tmoney vending machine, portable reload machine, Information Center
- Others - Tmoney Town (Seoul Stn Exit#10, Seoul City Tower 1F)
- Refunds: Balance of up to ₩20,000
refundable at stores like CU, MINISTOP; over ₩20,000 only at designated
centers.
π https://pay.tmoney.co.kr/ncs/pct/ugd/ReadFrgnGd.dev
② Climate Card Tourist Pass
- Available for tourists/short-term visitors
- Unlimited subway + bus rides in Seoul
- Validity & Cost:
- 1-day: ₩5,000
- 2-day: ₩8,000
- 3-day: ₩10,000
- 5-day: ₩15,000
- 7-day: ₩25,000
- Rechargeable after expiration
- Available at subway stations, some convenience stores
③ Discover Seoul Pass (Foreigners Only)
- Free admission to 70+ attractions,
includes Gyeongbokgung, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World, etc.
- Includes AREX express train
(Airport ↔ Seoul Station) and K Limousine
- Tour bus and Ttareungi bike included
- Languages: Korean, English,
Chinese, Japanese
- Validity & Price:
- 48h: ₩70,000
- 72h: ₩90,000
- 120h: ₩130,000
π www.discoverseoulpass.com
π£️
EXPLORING BEYOND SEOUL
Ticket Reservation Site
π Express Bus
- Main Terminals:
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Subway Lines 3, 7, 9)
- Destinations: Daejeon, Daegu, Pohang, Busan, etc.
- π www.exterminal.co.kr
- Central City Terminal (for Honam Line: Gwangju, Mokpo)
- π www.hticket.co.kr
- Nambu Terminal (Subway Line 3)
- Dong Seoul Terminal (Gangbyeon Station – Line 2)
π
Railroad
- Types: KTX, SRT, ITX, Saemaeul,
Nuriro, Mugunghwa, GTX (coming soon)
- Fastest: KTX, SRT (high-speed)
π KTX /
Korail
π https://www.korail.com/global/eng/intro | ☎ 1544-7788
Major Stations:
- Seoul, Yongsan, Yeongdeungpo, Gwangmyeong, Cheongnyangni,
Suwon, Jeongdongjin
π SRT
π https://etk.srail.kr | ☎ 1800-1472
Main Station: Suseo Station (Line 3, Suin-Bundang)
✈️ Air Travel
- Flights to: Jeju, Busan/Gimhae, Gwangju, Ulsan, Jinju/Sacheon,
Yeosu, Pohang, etc.
Gimpo Airport
- Line 5, 9 / AREX / Seohae Line
π https://www.airport.co.kr/wwweng/index.do
π
K-Shuttle (Foreign Tourist Bus Tour)
- Destinations: Daegu, Gyeongju,
Jeonju, Busan, and more
- Language Support: English, Chinese,
Japanese
- π www.k-shuttle.com | ☎ +82-2-720-1515
Here's a summarized and organized breakdown
of the "Traffic Information for Key Areas of Seoul" from the
latest image:
✈️ Airport to
City Center: Limousine & Train Options
π
Airport Limousine (Incheon Intl. Airport)
- Boarding:
- Terminal 1: Arrivals, 1st Floor Bus Stops 3B–6B
- Terminal 2: Transportation center B1 level
- Inside Terminal 1: Exits 4, 6, 7,
8, 9, 11
- Ticket Info:
- Purchase at booths (until 22:00, some until 22:40)
- Website: www.airport.kr
π
Airport Railroad (AREX)
- Two types:
- Non-stop express (quicker)
- All-stop train (cheaper)
- Destination: Seoul Station (B2F)
- Travel Time: 35–50 minutes
- Website: www.arex.or.kr
- Phone: 1599-7788
π
Airport Limousine (Gimpo Intl. Airport)
- Boarding:
- Domestic: Line 5 Bus No. 3–5
- International: Line 5 Bus No. 13–15
- City Bus: Line 7 Bus Stop 7 (1st Floor)
- Payment: Card or cash on the bus
π²
Ttareungi (Seoul Bike Rental)
- Website: www.bikeseoul.com
- Phone: 1599-0120
- Membership Types:
- 1-hour pass: ₩1,000
- 2-hour pass: ₩2,000
- Seasonal and yearly plans available
- Extra fee: ₩200 per 5 mins over
time
π Taxis
in Seoul
- Types: Regular, deluxe, jumbo, and
app-booked taxis
- Rates: ₩3,800–₩6,500 starting fare
- Call ahead (English/Japanese/Chinese): +82-2-1644-2255
- App: www.intltaxi.co.kr
π Subway
in Seoul
- Lines: 11 total (Lines 1–9, LRT,
and Sinlim/Sillim extensions)
- Connects to: AREX, GTX, Uijeongbu
Line, Gyeonggang Line, etc.
- Color-coded routes and names make
navigation easier
- http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/index.do?device=PC
π Subway in Busan
π Bus
System (Color-Coded by Function)
- Blue Bus: Long-distance routes
across districts — ₩1,500
- Green Bus: Shorter, local routes — ₩1,500
- Yellow Bus: Circular routes in
downtown Seoul — ₩1,500
- Red Bus: Inter-city express
(to/from suburbs) — ₩2,500
- Town Bus: Smaller village/local
routes — ₩1,200–₩1,300
π Use VISITSEOUL
app to search nearby stops
π³ Subway
Tickets
- Disposable Card:
- Buy at station vending machines
- Initial fee ₩500 (refundable) + ride fare ₩1,500
- Total: ₩2,000
