Seoul is one of the busiest cities in the world due to its densely populated area, with over 10 million people within the city limits and 20 million in the metro area. Because the city is packed with people, it was imperative for the city to develop a subway and bus network. You will most likely end up using the public transportation most of the time, along with a ride service called ‘Kakao Taxi’.

I hope this is the only experience you have while using the Seoul subway system. All these stations are packed during rush hours, so try to avoid those times at all costs unless you want to experience what it is like working and living in Korea.

1. Subway

• In my opinion, Seoul’s metro system is one of the best among all of the subway systems I have personally experienced around the world. Its extensive network enables you to go from one end of the city to another fairly easily. It is generally clean and safe all around.
• There is also a subway line going to and from the Incheon International Airport. It stops at major stations along the way and the final station it stops at is called ‘Hongdae’ which is one of the most famous places for local and foreigners.
• Some stations have underground malls consisting of stores and restaurants which add extra fun to your experience.

For your reference only. I can’t even count how many stations are shown on this map. You can search for your routes on Cyber Station in Seoul Metro.

2. Buses

• Buses are also everywhere in Seoul, that will help you go from point A to point B, it can get pretty confusing without GPS. Make sure you know where you are going and follow your GPS to get off at the right stop.
• Blue Buses: Connect neighborhoods with subway stations
• Green Buses: Serve areas not directly connected by subway.
• Red Buses: Operate on express routes from suburban areas to central parts of Seoul.
• Yellow Buses: Connect smaller local areas to blue bus routes.

3. Taxis

• Taxis are quite abundant throughout the city, usually orange in color, though some are silver. They all use a built-in meter, ensuring peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about scams.
• Look for taxis that have a green light on, which indicates that they are available. When the light is off, the taxi is occupied.
• In major areas, you can also find designated taxi stands where taxis queue up to pick up passengers. These are especially common near train stations, bus terminals, or shopping centers.
• Use the app, Kakao T, in which you can book a taxi through your phone. It works very much like Uber.

4. Renting a car

• I definitely do not recommend you rent a car to just get around Seoul. Lack of parking spaces, heavy traffic, and confusing traffic laws could bring a total nightmare to your trip. Unless you are planning to go out of the metro area, it is always best to use the public transportation. Even the train going out of the metro is well established, so you won’t need to rent a car.
• If you are still set on renting a car, I recommend the following apps to navigate.
  • T-Map
  • Kakao Map
  • Naver Map