Photo: MYUNGKU KIM / Shutterstock.com 

The Subway System of Seoul is one of the most efficient transportation. It makes very easy to travel around the Seoul Metropolitan Area without speaking any Korean.

Its usable facilities, cleanliness, and short service interval make it selected as one of the best subways in the world by 'Trip Advisor', 'BBC'.     

To find route click HERE. 

y Codes and Marks

The subway of Seoul Metropolitan area has 22 lines and the lines are color-coded for convenience. Every station is written in Korean, English, and Chinese character and every exit of stations has number.

y Fares

Subway fare increases by how long you travel.

Basic fare is applied for 10 km or less and additional KRW 100 will be added for every 5km until the distance of 50km. after 50km, KRW 100 will be added for every 8km.

y Transportation Cards

In order to use subway, you need transportation card for subway use. there are Single Journey Ticket cards for one-time use, and rechargeable transportation cards (T-money, Cashbee, M-pass) for multiple uses.

For more information about rechargeable transportation cards, click blow the link

u Transportation cards

You can buy Single Journey Tickets at a ticket vending machine in every subway station with refundable deposit of KRW 500, and Rechargeable transportation card at most of convenience stores in the city. In case of T-money card, you can also purchase at the ticket vending machine inside subway stations.

In addition, when you make credit card form banks in Korea, you can add transportation card function to your credit card.

u Purchasing Single Journey Tickets 

y Entering Platform

Before you pass the ticket gate, put the transportation card on card reader, located on top of the ticket gate. When the reader beeps, you may pass the gate.

When the reader beeps, you can also check balance of the card. In case you use credit card, the reader will show cumulative transportation cost of the month on the balance screen. 

y Transfer

Subway transit takes place in transfer stations. When you need transfer to the other line, get out of the subway train and follow the sign with symbolic colors and numbers.

There should be transit gates, you can pass the gate by putting the transportation card on card reader just like other ticket gates.

y Exiting Platform

When You arrive the station, you can go to the nearest exit from your destination. The exits are coded with black number in yellow boxes. Follow the number.

When you see the ticket gates, tap your transportation card at the reader again.

y Refunding deposit

If you use a Single Journey Ticket card, you can get KRW 500 refund from the Deposit Refund Device usually located near ticket gates.