Entry 02: Navigating Seoul's Metro System

Seoul’s metro system is often praised as one of the most efficient, affordable, and user-friendly in the world, and for good reason. Whether you're commuting daily or just visiting, chances are you'll end up on the subway at some point, and you’ll be glad you did. It's clean, fast, relatively cheap, and incredibly convenient, with announcements in Korean and English.

How It Works

Before we dive into the practical stuff, here are a few fun facts to show just how impressive Seoul’s subway really is:

• It’s massive: With over 330 kilometers of track and more than 300 stations, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is one of the largest in the world.
• It’s multilingual: Station signs and train announcements are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.
• Underground cities: Many stations double as underground malls, you can shop, eat, and even do groceries without leaving the station.
• Clean and safe: It’s known for its cleanliness, safety features, and platform screen doors.

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway consists of multiple lines that connect not only the capital but also surrounding cities like Incheon and Suwon. Trains run frequently and are usually on time. Stations are numbered and color-coded (Line 2 = Green, Line 3 = Orange, Line 4 = Blue, Line 5 = Purple etc.), which makes navigation easier even if you don’t speak Korean. 

That said, I don’t recommend traveling during rush hour (roughly 7:30–9:00 AM and 6:00–7:30 PM). It can get extremely packed, especially at transfer hubs like Wangsimni, where the crowds can be overwhelming.

How to Ride the Metro

To use the metro, you’ll need a transportation card, the most common is the T-money card. It’s a rechargeable smart card that can be used on all public transport in Korea, including buses and even taxis. T-money cards come in many different designs, from cute characters to K-pop idols, so you can choose one that fits your style. As long as it has the T-money logo on it, it will work like any other T-money card. You can buy one at most convenience stores (like CU, GS25 or 7-Eleven) and subway stations.

However, if you want to get your card right after arriving, the airport is a great place to do so. The most convenient location is the Transit Centre (Floor B1) at Incheon Airport, Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. 

The base price of a T-money card is typically ₩2,500–₩3,000 in convenience stores and ₩4,000 at Incheon Airport. Cards with special or cute designs (including K-pop idols) may cost ₩5,000–₩6,000.

Important notes:

• At Incheon Airport Terminal 1, the Transit Centre is the only place to buy a T-money card, the CU convenience stores there don’t sell them.
• At Terminal 2, you can get them at the convenience stores.
• You can also get a T-money-compatible card with the Discover Seoul Pass, which includes free access to dozens of attractions.

How to charge your T-Money card at the Subway Station:

1. Go to a recharging machine inside the station (usually near the entrance gates).
2. Choose your language and tap “Reloading the transit card.”
3. Select how much cash to add (starting from ₩1,000).
4. Insert your cash (one bill at a time).
5. Place your card on the recharge reader and wait a few seconds.
6. Once the transaction is complete, you're good to go.

To charge it at a convenience store: Show your card to the cashier and say: “T-money chongje hago sipeoyo” (티머니 충전하고 싶어요), which means “I want to charge my T-money card.” Note that charging at both stations and convenience stores can only be done with cash.

Tip: ₩10,000 per day is usually more than enough for subway and bus travel. Every time you use your card, the reader will show the fare and your remaining balance. You also get transfer discounts when switching between subway and bus (within 30 minutes). If you accidentally tap in at the wrong subway gate, leaving within 10 minutes won’t charge you on some lines.

To enter the subway, you’ll need to tap your T-money (or equivalent) card at the small gates. When you arrive at your destination, tap again to exit through the same type of gates. Make sure your card has enough balance before you start your trip.

Climate Card and WOWPASS

If you plan to use public transport in Seoul frequently, consider the Climate Card, a relatively new option that allows for unlimited rides over a certain period. 

There is a Climate Card Tourist Pass, which allows tourists to purchase short-term passes for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days of unlimited travel on Seoul’s public transportation system. These tourist passes often come with a pink animal design (we're not sure what animal it is either!). Tourist pass holders also receive discounts on attractions like the Seoul Science Center and Seoul Grand Park.

Seoul Climate Card Prices:

Duration	Price
1- day pass	₩5,000
2- day pass	₩8,000
3- day pass	₩10,000
5- day pass	₩15,000
7- day pass	₩20,000
30- day pass*	₩62,000

*Note: The 30-day pass does not include Seoul public bicycles, which require a Korean phone number for verification, which most tourists don't have.

The longer the pass, the better the per-day value. For example, with the 7-day pass, the cost per day breaks down to just over ₩3,200, which can easily be covered with just three subway rides per day. You can find Climate Cards at:

• Tourist Information Centers (e.g. in Myeongdong and Seoul Tourism Plaza)
• Customer Safety Centers (inside lines 1–8)
• Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)

While the design options for the Climate Card are limited compared to T-money cards, they still make a useful short-term option.

‼️ Note: The Climate Card will not work on the Sinbundang Line, lines outside of Seoul, intercity/airport buses, or non-Seoul-licensed buses. This card will not work in Busan!

Another convenient alternative is the WOWPASS. It's a tourist-friendly prepaid card that combines T-money transport functionality with foreign exchange. You can top it up in Korean won or foreign currency at WOWPASS machines, or via the mobile app using international credit cards or wallets. Note that the T-money portion of the WOWPASS must be topped up separately, at stations or convenience stores, just like a regular T-money card. You can also transfer funds from the WOWPASS balance into T-money using the app.

The WOWPASS is particularly useful if:

• You don’t have a Korean bank card
• Your foreign credit card sometimes doesn’t work at Korean machines
• You want one card that works for both payments and transit .

It's a tourist-friendly prepaid card that combines the functions of a T-money card and a foreign exchange card. You can top it up with your local currency, convert it to Korean won, and use it for both payments and transit.

Using Naver Maps

If you’re navigating Seoul by public transport, Naver Maps is your best friend. Unlike Google Maps, which doesn’t work well for navigation in Korea, Naver Maps gives detailed and accurate metro and bus directions, even in English.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enter your departure and destination, and it will show you multiple route options, including travel time and cost.
2. It tells you which subway line to take, which direction to go (for example, Ogeum bound), and which car and door number to board from if you want a faster exit.
3. You'll also see which station you'll arrive at and which exit to take, this is super helpful because many stations have more than 10 exits and taking the wrong one can lead to long detours.
4. As a bonus, it shows walking directions before and after your subway ride, clearly marked on a map, and the names of the next stations, so you can double-check you're on the right track while on the train.

In the screenshots, for example:

• From Gyeongbokgung Palace to Jangjakjib in Euljiro, Naver Maps recommends taking Line 3 in the Ogeum direction, boarding at Gyeongbokgung Station.
• You ride three stops and get off at Euljiro 3-ga Station.
• It then guides you to take Exit 8, and walk 4 minutes to your final destination. 

This level of detail is what makes Naver Maps incredibly convenient and trustworthy when using public transport in Korea. Make sure to download it before your trip, and set it to English if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid!

• Relying on Google Maps: It’s notoriously unreliable for navigation in Korea. Use Naver Maps (as explained before) instead, it supports English and gives detailed metro directions, including which exit to take at each station. This is a game-changer, especially since some stations have more than 10 exits.
• Not checking the direction: Make sure you’re entering the platform going in the right direction. Naver will show the final stop of the line to help you double-check.
• Not using the right exit: Exits are numbered and displayed clearly on signs above you. Taking the wrong one can lead to a lot of unnecessary walking.
• Standing on the left side of escalators: In Seoul, the left side is for people who want to walk. If you're standing still, stay on the right side to avoid blocking others.
• Sitting in priority seats: These are marked with different colors (often orange or pink) and reserved for elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers. It's best not to sit there, even when very busy. 
  

Notable Stations (Optional Stops to Explore)

1. Hongik University Station (Line 2): Youthful area with street performances, cafes, and shops. Wander around to discover quirky fashion boutiques, photo booths, and themed cafes. In the evenings, you'll often find live music and dance performances happening right on the streets.
2. Gwanghwamun (Line 5): Near Gyeongbokgung Palace and museums. And if you like books: there's a massive Kyobo bookstore here, perfect for browsing Korean and international titles. 
3. Jamsil Station (Line 2): It’s home to Lotte World, one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world — perfect for a fun day out, rain or shine. You’ll also find Seokchon Lake nearby, which is a beautiful spot for a walk, especially during cherry blossom season. Plus, Lotte World Mall and Lotte Tower (the tallest building in Korea) are connected to the station, offering everything from shopping to observation decks.

Seoul’s subway system is a traveler’s best friend. Between the efficient trains, clear signage, and tech tools like Naver Maps, getting around the city is a breeze. Just grab your T-money card, and you’re ready to explore!