Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around South Korea.

KTX is fastest — Korea Train eXpress (KTX) connects major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju in 2–5 hours. Book via Korail.com or the Korail app; seats fill quickly during weekends and holidays.
Cheaper alternatives — Mugunghwa and Seemaul trains cost 30–50% less than KTX but take longer. Use these for budget travel between secondary cities.
Strikes occasionally disrupt service, especially in autumn. Check Korail's website or news before booking long trips.
No eating on KTX — Outside the dining car, eating strong-smelling food is prohibited. Beverages are allowed at your seat.
Reserve in advance — Book 30 days ahead online for the best prices and seat selection, especially for peak travel dates.

Metro is the fastest — Seoul, Busan, and Daegu have extensive subway systems with frequent trains (2–8 minute intervals). Signs in English and Korean make navigation straightforward.
Use a transit card — Buy a rechargeable T-money or Cashbee card at convenience stores (GS25, CU, Emart24) for seamless metro and bus payment. A single journey in Seoul costs ₩1,250–₩2,450.
Crowded during rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm). Trains can be extremely packed, especially in Seoul; women-only cars exist but may still be crowded.
Etiquette rules — Do not eat, drink (except water), or apply makeup on trains. Speaking loudly on phones is considered rude and may draw stares.
Buses for longer routes — City buses (often with numbers 100–999) cover areas metro doesn't reach. Airport buses are a cost-effective option for getting to/from airports.
Naver Map app — Use Naver Map or Kakao Map to navigate metro and bus routes in real time. Both show departure times, transfers, and fares in English.

Regular taxis are cheap — Base fare is ₩3,800 (Seoul), with ₩100 per 142 meters or 35 seconds of waiting. They're abundant and a quick way to reach non-metro areas.
Some drivers refuse non-Korean passengers or don't know English. Have your destination written in Korean or use a map app to show the driver.
Premium options — Kakao Taxi and Naver Taxi apps let you book taxis in advance and see fares upfront. Uber is unavailable, but Kakao Taxi's premium service (Kakao Black) offers higher-end vehicles.
Night surcharge — After midnight, taxis add a 20% surcharge. Prices can spike significantly during late-night hours.
Always get a receipt — Request a receipt (영수증) for your records, especially if paying by card, to avoid disputes or scams.

International Driving Permit required — You must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home country's license. Korean police conduct frequent checks and fines for missing documentation are steep.
Speed limits & enforcement — Urban speed limits are 50–60 km/h, highways 100–110 km/h. Speeding fines start at ₩100,000 and can exceed ₩300,000 for major violations. Speed cameras are widespread.
Aggressive driving culture — Korean drivers are impatient and lane-changing is frequent. Stay defensive and avoid driving at night if unfamiliar with local habits.
Alcohol limits & fines — Zero-tolerance policy: any detectable alcohol results in a mandatory ₩1 million fine, license suspension, and possible jail time. Use taxis or public transport after drinking.
Rental agencies — Major companies like Lotte Car Rental, Avis, and Hertz operate at airports. Daily rates average ₩50,000–₩100,000. Fuel is expensive (₩1,600–₩1,700 per liter).
Parking fines are common and expensive (₩20,000–₩100,000+). Many central areas use complex permit systems; use parking apps like ParkNow to avoid violations.

Incheon (ICN) main hub — Incheon International Airport, 48 km west of Seoul, handles most international flights. It's modern, efficient, and has excellent ground transport links.
Airport rail links — The AREX (Airport Rail eXpress) express train reaches Seoul Station in 43 minutes for ₩9,000. Local trains take 60 minutes but cost ₩4,250 and serve more stations.
Airport buses — Limousine buses (공항리무진) run to major hotels and areas; fares are ₩10,000–₩25,000. City buses (100–600 series) are cheapest (₩2,500–₩10,000) but slower.
Gimpo (GMP) closer to Seoul — Gimpo International Airport, 18 km west, serves mainly regional and domestic flights. It's closer to central Seoul (20 minutes by rail) than Incheon.
Airport taxis cost ₩60,000–₩80,000 to central Seoul plus tolls. Only use official metered taxis or pre-booked services to avoid scams.

Island access — Ferries connect mainland to islands like Jeju (high-speed ferries: 3–3.5 hours), Namhae, and Tongyeong. Operators include Korea Ferry and Jeju Shipping.
Book in advance — Summer and weekends fill quickly. Reserve at ferry company websites or through Naver/Kakao Map. Prices vary ₩15,000–₩60,000 depending on route and vessel.
Rough seas can cause cancellations and refunds, especially in winter. Check weather and sea conditions before booking.
Luggage & vehicle fees — Large luggage incurs additional charges (₩5,000–₩10,000 per piece). Bringing a car costs significantly more; book separately.

T-money card best option — A rechargeable transit card (T-money or Cashbee) works across subways, buses, and taxis nationwide. Buy at convenience stores for ₩2,500 and load funds as needed.
Day passes for tourists — Seoul offers a 1-day metro pass (₩8,500) and combined metro/bus pass (₩10,800). Other cities like Busan have similar options; check local tourism sites.
Rail pass for long trips — The Korea Rail Pass (foreign tourists only) offers unlimited KTX/Mugunghwa travel for 3–7 consecutive days (₩65,000–₩215,000). Buy before arrival or at tourist centers.
Contactless payment limits — Some older ticket machines don't accept foreign credit cards; have cash (₩10,000+ notes) or use your transit card instead.
Convenience store purchases — GS25, CU, and Emart24 sell single-journey tickets and transit cards. Staff speak minimal English, but ticketing is straightforward and machines have English menus.

SIM cards at airports — Buy prepaid SIM cards from SK Telecom, KT, or LG U+ at airport convenience stores or info desks. Starter packages (₩20,000–₩50,000) include data and calls; activation is instant.
Cheap data plans — Monthly prepaid plans offer unlimited data for ₩30,000–₩50,000. Day passes (₩3,000–₩7,000) suit short stays. Speed is excellent (LTE/5G) nationwide.
WiFi widely available — Free WiFi (공공 와이파이) is available at cafes, malls, metro stations, and hotels. Connect via 'Seoul_WiFi' (Seoul) or similar city networks using your phone number.
Using a phone while driving incurs a ₩120,000+ fine and license deduction. Mount devices safely or use hands-free systems.
Essential apps — Download Naver Map, Kakao Map, Kakao Talk (messaging), and Papago (translation) before arrival. These are used by locals and work offline for maps.