🚇 How to Use Korean Subways (Including Apps and Signage)

The Korean subway system is one of the most efficient, clean, and foreigner-friendly transit systems in the world. Whether you’re commuting in Seoul, Busan, or other major cities, mastering the subway will save you time and money. Let’s explore how it works, how to read signs, use apps, and pick up useful Korean expressions!

🚉 1. Subway System Overview

Korean subways operate in most major cities including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju. The Seoul Metro is the largest and connects to nearby cities like Incheon and Suwon.

Subway lines are color-coded and numbered (e.g., Line 1 = Dark Blue)
Announcements are made in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese
Subway stations are equipped with elevators, escalators, and clear signage

Seoul Metro Map Download(Korean-English, 2025)

📱 2. Recommended Apps for Navigation

Here are some useful apps for navigating Korea’s subway system:

Kakao Metro: Accurate and user-friendly in English and Korean
Naver Map: Shows fastest routes, transfer times, platform numbers
Subway Korea: Offline maps for Seoul, Busan, Daegu, etc.

All of these apps work well without a Korean SIM card if downloaded over Wi-Fi.

🚏 3. How to Read Subway Signs

Subway signs are bilingual or trilingual. Here’s how to interpret them:

Korean	Romanization	English
출구	chul-gu	Exit
환승	hwan-seung	Transfer
이번 역은...	ibeon yeog-eun...	This station is...

🗣️ 4. Useful Korean Subway Phrases

지하철 어디서 타요? – jihacheol eodieseo tayo? – Where do I take the subway?
이 열차는 어디로 가요? – i yeolchaneun eodiro gayo? – Where does this train go?
다음 역은 뭐예요? – daeum yeogeun mwoyeyo? – What’s the next stop?
카드 충전해주세요 – kadeu chungjeonhae juseyo – Please recharge my card

💰 5. Subway Fare Info (in USD)

Fares vary slightly by city, but Seoul’s subway fare structure is:

Base fare: ₩1,400 (~$1.00) using a T-money card
Additional ₩100–₩500 (~$0.07–$0.35) for long distances
Single-use paper ticket costs ~₩1,500 (~$1.10)

Discounts are available for seniors, children, and teens with proper cards.

💡 6. Did You Know?

Seoul’s subway is ranked among the top 3 most efficient metros in the world. With over 7 million daily riders and trains arriving every 2–3 minutes during rush hour, it’s not just convenient — it’s a lifeline. Some subway cars even have air purifiers and Wi-Fi!

🎓 Learn Korean Through Everyday Situations

👉 Book a class with me on italki to learn practical Korean expressions for navigating transportation and daily life in Korea!

Thanks for riding through this post with me! 💚 I hope next time you’re on the Korean subway, you’ll feel more confident, not just in travel — but in Korean too! Check out more posts and keep learning! 😊