How to Travel Around Seoul – Guide On Using The Metro System

It is easy to get around Seoul as it has a very efficient metro system. During our entire trip, we only used the metro to get to the places of attractions. This is because most of the attractions are within walking distance of the metro stations. This article was last updated on 13 Mar 2019.

Seoul Subway Map

You can see the English Seoul subway map here.

Click here for an interactive subway map. I found this site to be quite handy when I was planning my Seoul train rides on my laptop. This is because I can just input the station name and it will be shown on the interactive map. Considering that the metro system has 18 lines with hundreds of stations, this is a super useful function! The site only works on flash-enabled browsers.

For mobile phones, you can download this Seoul metro app for iPhone users. The Android version is available too. This useful app will help you to plan your trips between the numerous stations.

Types of Metro Cards

1. T-Money
This is a stored value card that can be used for the metro, public buses and taxis. You can also use it to pay for things at convenience stores.

It can be purchased at the locations below:
a. Convenience stores (easiest way)
b. Ticket vending machines inside all subway stations.
c. Newsstands near bus stops displaying the T-money sign. These are usually located near the subway stations’ entrances.

I used the T-Money stored value card as I felt it was the most suitable for my travel needs. I bought the card at a convenience store in the airport. It cost KRW 2500, and was not preloaded.

I topped up the card at the same convenience store. When the card ran out of money, I was also able to reload it at major convenience stores and all metro stations in Seoul.

Personally, I found it great that I could use the card to pay at convenience stores. This meant that I did not have to deal with all the small change (those coins can really add up quickly).

After I was done with the card, I refunded the balance at the T-Money service desk in a metro station. From what I read, it can be refunded at major convenience stores too. There was a small KRW 500 service charge.

2. Korea Tour Card
This card functions as a T-Money card, but it also provides discounts and benefits at many shops, restaurants, and theatres. It also offers free admission to tourist attractions such as The National Museum of Korea, Everland, and Lotte World.

I didn’t get this card because I didn’t think I would make use of all those additional “offers”. The specifics were not very clear too. However, if I were planning to visit the theme parks, I might consider getting it.

3. M-Pass
This is a metro card aimed at tourists taking many rides a day. It is also known as the Metropolitan Pass. The card offers 20 bus and metro rides a day for the duration of the pass. The durations are one-day (KRW 15000), two-day (KRW 23000), three-day (KRW 30500), five-day (KRW 47500), and seven-day (KRW 63000).

It can be purchased at service desks in Incheon International Airport, Seoul Station, and Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center.

Note that the M-Pass cannot be used for taxis and convenience stores.

I didn’t get this card because I wasn’t planning to take so much rides a day, so it was not very value-for-money for me.

You can check out the official M-Pass site for more details.

4. Single Journey Card
This is a one-time card that can only be used for the metro. It can be purchased at metro stations and major convenience stores.

However, I recommend using the T-Money card instead because it is a lot more convenient. Firstly, you do not have to keep buying the card before every train journey. Secondly, you can also use the T-Money for many other things instead of just the metro.

Map of Seoul

Above is a map of Seoul to give you a better sense of the various districts in Seoul.

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Ultimate Seoul Travel Guide. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?