Korea’s transport infrastructure is excellent and well-priced. Here is the complete guide to moving between cities and within them, from the KTX bullet train to the T-money card.
Korea is a small country with outstanding transport infrastructure. The KTX connects Seoul to Busan in 2.5 hours. The subway systems in Seoul and Busan are comprehensive and affordable. A single T-money IC card covers subways, buses, and most taxis in every city. This guide covers how to use the full transport system efficiently.
The T-money Card – Your Most Important Tool
The T-money IC card is the foundation of Korea’s transport system. Get one at Incheon Airport immediately on arrival. It covers:
- Every Seoul subway line
- Every Seoul and Busan bus route
- Most taxis in major cities
- Some convenience store purchases
Tap the card on the reader when boarding, tap again when exiting. The correct fare is automatically deducted. Top up at any subway station machine or convenience store. Load 30,000 to 50,000 won initially. See the T-money guide for full setup details.
Intercity Transport
KTX Bullet Train
South Korea’s high-speed rail network efficiently connects Seoul to all major cities. Key routes:
- Seoul to Busan: 2 hours 30 minutes, around 59,800 won
- Seoul to Gyeongju: About 2 hours to Gyeongju, around 45,000 won
- Seoul to Daejeon: About 50 minutes, around 23,700 won
- Seoul to Daegu: About 1 hour 40 minutes, around 38,000 won
Book at korail.go.kr or the Korail app. Walk-up tickets are usually available, but book ahead for weekend and holiday travel. See the Seoul-to-Busan guide for the full intercity transport comparison.
Express Bus
Korea’s express bus network covers destinations not on the KTX network and offers cheaper fares on routes where KTX exists. Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam) is the main hub. Most routes cost 30 to 50 percent less than the equivalent KTX. Journey times are 40 to 100 percent longer. Good for: budget travellers, destinations like Jeonju and Gyeongju, where the bus arrives more centrally than the KTX.
Domestic Flights
Essential for Jeju Island. Gimpo Airport (30 minutes from Seoul by subway) is the domestic hub. Seoul to Jeju takes 55 minutes and costs 30,000 to 80,000 won when booked 3 to 6 weeks in advance. See the Seoul-to-Jeju guide for full booking details.
City Transport – Seoul
Seoul’s subway has 9 main lines plus multiple additional lines, covering virtually every part of the city. Fares are distance-based, starting at 1,250 won with T-money. The system is clean and punctual, with English signs at every station.
Buses supplement the subway for areas not directly served by the train. The bus network in Seoul uses the same T-money fare system with connections between subway and bus within 30 minutes of the last tap.
Taxis: readily available throughout Seoul. The Kakao T app (Korea’s ride-hailing service) is more reliable than hailing on the street, particularly late at night. See the Best Apps for Korea guide for Kakao T setup.
City Transport – Busan
Busan Metro has 4 lines connecting the main tourist and commercial areas. Line 1 (orange) connects Busan Station, Jagalchi Market, and Nampo-dong. Line 2 (green) connects Seomyeon, Haeundae, and Gwangalli. The T-money card works throughout.
City Transport – Jeju Island
Jeju has a public bus network, but it is infrequent outside the main routes. A rental car is effectively essential for most Jeju itineraries that include the west and south coasts, Hallasan, and the less accessible coastal sights—an international driving permit is required for foreign visitors. See the Jeju Island guide for car rental guidance.
Navigation Apps
Naver Map: Essential. Google Maps does not give walking or driving directions in Korea. Naver Map is accurate for transit, walking, and driving. Download before arriving and download offline maps for your destinations.
Kakao Map: An alternative to Naver Map with similar functionality. Some users prefer the interface.
Korail app: For booking KTX tickets.
See the Best Apps for Korea guide for the full list of app setups.
