In short
- Taxis are cheap by global standards and metered — but for daily trips the subway is far cheaper. Use Kakao T (the app 90% of Koreans use) to skip the language barrier.
- No tipping in Korea — the meter or app fare is exactly what you pay.
- Between cities, take the KTX (bullet train) — Seoul–Busan in ~2h40m. Book on Korail; foreign cards can be finicky, so use a 3D-Secure card or the desktop site.
- Express buses reach places trains don't, cheaper but slower.
Within a city the subway usually wins, but taxis and intercity trains fill the gaps — late nights, luggage, groups, and trips beyond the metro. Here's how to use both without stress.
Taxis: use Kakao T
Hailing on the street works (metered, ~₩4,800 base in Seoul as of 2026), but language can be a barrier. Kakao T (카카오T) handles everything in text — enter your destination and the driver gets it, no conversation needed.
Set up the app
Download Kakao T (free). Sign up with a Kakao account or email; an international phone number works for verification (with country code). There's also k.ride, a foreigner-friendly version by the same company.
Enter your destination
English works, but for hyper-local spots, copy the Korean name from Naver Map and paste it in. You'll see a fare estimate before confirming.
Pay
Link a card (Kakao Pay / Korean card is smoothest) or choose "pay to driver" for cash/T-money. Confirm the plate matches before getting in, especially at airports.
| Ride type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Regular / Blue | Standard metered taxi — your default. (Blue is a no-cancel franchise system, same car.) |
| Large (대형) / Vent | Bigger vehicle for groups/luggage. |
| Black | Luxury — 2–3× the price. Only if you want to splurge. |
Rough costs
- Short city hop (e.g. Hongdae → Myeongdong): ~₩10,000 (vs ~₩1,550 by subway).
- Incheon Airport → central Seoul: ~₩75,000–95,000 (incl. bridge toll). The AREX express train is ~₩14,000 in 43 min — far cheaper if your luggage allows.
- Late-night has a small surcharge; outside-city trips can add ~20%.
Intercity: the KTX bullet train
For trips between cities, the KTX (Korea Train eXpress) is usually the best choice — up to 300 km/h, city-center to city-center. Seoul–Busan is ~2h15–2h40m, often faster door-to-door than flying once you count check-in.
- Operators: Korail runs KTX (from Seoul Station); SRT is a separate high-speed line from Suseo (handy for Gangnam/Jamsil). They're booked on different systems.
- Fully reserved seats — your ticket shows car + seat number. No seat number may mean a standing ticket.
- Booking window opens 1 month ahead. Book early for Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and especially Lunar New Year (설날) and Chuseok (추석), when trains sell out within hours.
Book online
Use the Korail website (English) or the KORAIL Talk app (SRT has its own app/site). Pick date, time, stations, seat class, and pay.
If your foreign card is rejected
Common problem. Use a 3D-Secure enabled card, try the Korail Global desktop site (more stable for international banks), or pay via Kakao Pay. Worst case, buy at a station kiosk/counter.
Board with a QR/printed ticket
Arrive early — KTX is famously punctual and doors close 1 minute before departure. Standing/non-reserved tickets exist if it's "sold out" (fold-down seats between cars).
Express & intercity buses
For cities the KTX doesn't serve (or to save money), express buses (고속버스) and intercity buses are a solid option — cheaper but slower (e.g. Seoul–Busan ~4–5 hours, traffic-dependent). All accept T-money for city buses; intercity tickets are bought at terminals or apps. Kakao T also has an intercity taxi option at fixed prices for groups of 3–4.
Common questions
Do I need a Korean number for Kakao T?
Usually not — an international number works for verification. Foreign-card payment is the more common snag; use Wise/Revolut, Kakao Pay, or pay cash.
KTX or SRT?
Same speed class. KTX leaves Seoul Station; SRT leaves Suseo (better for Gangnam/southeast Seoul). Book on whichever suits your station — they're separate systems.
Should I tip the taxi driver?
No — tipping isn't part of Korean culture. Pay the metered/app fare exactly.
How do I get from Incheon Airport to the city?
AREX train (~₩14,000, 43 min) is cheapest/fastest to Seoul Station; airport limousine buses are convenient with luggage; taxi is ~₩75–95k. See our airport guide (coming soon).
Sources: Kakao Mobility (Kakao T / k.ride), Korail & SRT booking info, and current foreigner taxi/rail guides. Fares approximate, 2026.
Last verified: July 2026. Fares, surcharges and booking systems change — check the app/operator before travelling. General information.
Planning a trip out of town?
Ask others about KTX booking or fixing foreign-card errors — post in the community and tag it Transport.