In short
- Seoul's public bike, Ttareungi (따릉이), is dirt cheap — a 1-day pass is ₩1,000 (1-hour rides) and a 1-year pass is ₩30,000.
- You don't need a Korean phone number. Use the Tmoney GO app (best for foreign cards) or the "Seoul Bike" app's Foreigner option.
- Rent by scanning the bike's QR code, ride, and return to any station. Other cities have public bikes too; Kakao T Bike covers many cities nationwide.
- The Han River paths are flat, traffic-free and gorgeous — Korea's best casual ride.
For trips "too long to walk, too short for a taxi," a shared bike is perfect — and Seoul's Ttareungi is one of the cheapest bike-shares anywhere. Here's how to use it, plus scooters and cycling tips.
Ttareungi: Seoul's public bike
Green-and-white bikes at unmanned docks by nearly every subway exit, park and bus stop. Rent at one station, return at any other — like a bike library. Open 24/7, age 13+.
| Pass | Price (1-hour ride type) |
|---|---|
| 1-day | ₩1,000 |
| 7-day (commuter) | ₩3,000 |
| 30-day | ₩5,000 |
| 6-month | ₩15,000 |
| 1-year | ₩30,000 |
Each "ride" resets if you return and re-rent within the pass period, so a 1-day pass = unlimited 1-hour rides that day. (A 2-hour ride type costs a bit more: ₩2,000/day, ₩40,000/year.)
How to rent (foreigners)
Get the app
Tmoney GO is the top pick in 2026 — it bundles Ttareungi + scooters + bus booking and has the best foreign-card success rate. Or use the "Seoul Bike / 따릉이" app and pick English (top-right) + the Foreigner option. No Korean phone number needed.
Buy a pass
Register with email or Google/Facebook login, choose a pass, pay with an international Visa/Mastercard or mobile pay. Save your 8-digit rental code.
Rent the bike
Tap "Rent," scan the QR code on the rear wheel; the lock releases. Check brakes, tires and chain first.
Return anywhere
Dock at any station and lock it — wait for the "returned" confirmation (voice + text). If the rack is full, use the app's temporary/nearby return.
Best rides in Seoul
- Han River (한강) paths — flat, dedicated, riverside, and stunning. Yeouido is famous; Ichon → Mangwon is a lovely, more local stretch ending at Mangwon Market food.
- Seoul Forest → Han River — through the park (deer enclosure) then a ramp straight onto the river path.
- Cheonggyecheon stream — a green corridor through the city center (DDP ↔ Gwanghwamun).
- In spring (late March–April), the riverside cherry blossoms make an evening ride unforgettable — see seasonal Korea.
Beyond Seoul & other options
- Kakao T Bike — private bike-share (incl. e-bikes) via the Kakao T app, in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Incheon and more — wider reach than city public bikes.
- Public bikes in other cities — Daejeon, Gwangju, Gyeongju, Yeosu and others run their own (usually cheap) systems.
- Electric kickboards/scooters — app-based (various brands) in many areas; a helmet is legally required and a driver's license may be needed for some.
Rules & safety
- Use bike lanes where they exist; Seoul is enforcing bike-only lanes in 2026. No lane? Keep to the far right of the road (not the sidewalk).
- Wear a helmet (legally required; Ttareungi doesn't provide one — bring your own). Don't use earphones.
- No cycling under the influence — Korea enforces this like drink-driving.
- Navigate with Naver Map / KakaoMap (not Google) — pick the bicycle mode for dedicated paths that avoid hills and traffic.
- Handy app term: 임시잠금 (imsi-jamgeum) = temporary lock (for a quick convenience-store stop mid-ride).
Common questions
Do I need a Korean phone number?
No — the Foreigner option and Tmoney GO work with email/social login and an international card.
My card keeps getting rejected — what do I do?
Use Tmoney GO, or buy a Climate Card whose passes include Ttareungi and skip card registration.
Where can I ride?
Bike lanes and the Han River paths are ideal. Use Naver/KakaoMap bicycle mode; stay off sidewalks.
Is it only in Seoul?
Ttareungi is Seoul; other cities have their own public bikes, and Kakao T Bike covers many cities nationwide.
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government (bikeseoul.com / Ttareungi), Tmoney GO, VisitKorea bike-share info, and 2026 foreigner cycling guides. Fares per Seoul Bike 2026.
Last verified: July 2026. Fares, apps and lane rules change — check the app/city site. General information; ride safely and wear a helmet.
Planning a Han River ride?
Ask others for favorite routes or card-error fixes — post in the community and tag it Transport.