How to Get Around South Korea
Explore South Korea with ease using our comprehensive transportation guide. Whether you’re planning to ride high-speed trains across the country or navigate city streets by subway, this guide will help you travel smoothly, confidently, and efficiently.
Last updated: 18.06.2025
Last updated: 18.06.2025
Getting around South Korea is easier than you might think. If you’re wondering how to travel in South Korea, the good news is that the country has one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world. It offers travelers a wide range of efficient and affordable ways to explore its cities, coasts, mountains, and islands. From lightning-fast high-speed trains to clean and reliable subways, South Korea’s infrastructure is built for convenience.
Learn the best ways to move between cities, navigate within them, and even reach more remote destinations. Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, or family, understanding how to use Korea’s transport system will help you save time and make the most of your adventure.
High-Speed Trains (KTX)
The Korea Train Express (KTX) is the backbone of South Korea’s long-distance transportation network and is by far the most convenient and time-saving way to travel between major cities. When it comes to getting around in South Korea, KTX trains offer unmatched speed and efficiency. These high-speed trains connect Seoul with key destinations like Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju, and Mokpo. Traveling at speeds up to 305 km/h (190 mph), KTX trains drastically cut down on travel time. For instance, a train from Seoul to Busan takes just over 2.5 hours compared to over 4 hours by car.
KTX trains offer clean, modern interiors with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and English-friendly signage, making them particularly suitable for international travelers. They are known for their punctuality and reliability, often departing and arriving on time to the minute. Booking tickets is easy through platforms like Rail.Ninja or the official Korail website, and travelers can also purchase tickets at stations.
For those planning to visit multiple cities, the KORAIL Pass allows unlimited travel over a fixed period, making it an economical and flexible choice. This pass is especially beneficial for tourists following a multi-destination itinerary. Whether you’re exploring historical sites, coastal towns, or bustling cities, KTX is a smart and enjoyable way to travel across the country.
For those planning to visit multiple cities, the KORAIL Pass allows unlimited travel over a fixed period, making it an economical and flexible choice. This pass is especially beneficial for tourists following a multi-destination itinerary. Whether you’re exploring historical sites, coastal towns, or bustling cities, KTX is a smart and enjoyable way to travel across the country.
Subways
South Korea’s major cities are equipped with extensive subway systems that are both foreigner-friendly and incredibly efficient. As a key part of South Korea transportation, these networks make it easy to explore cities like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon, all of which have metro systems connecting major attractions, commercial districts, and neighborhoods. In Seoul alone, the subway system spans over 300 stations across 23 lines, providing fast and affordable transportation throughout the city.
The subway is an excellent way to avoid traffic and cover large distances quickly. Signage is available in Korean, English, and often Chinese and Japanese, which makes navigating the system manageable for non-Korean speakers.
The subway is an excellent way to avoid traffic and cover large distances quickly. Signage is available in Korean, English, and often Chinese and Japanese, which makes navigating the system manageable for non-Korean speakers.
Trains are frequent, well-maintained, and stations often include amenities such as lockers, public restrooms, and convenience stores.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase a T-money card, a rechargeable transit card that can be used on subways, buses, and even some taxis and convenience stores. It saves time and makes transferring between different types of public transport seamless. These cards can be topped up at stations, convenience stores, and kiosks found throughout urban areas.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase a T-money card, a rechargeable transit card that can be used on subways, buses, and even some taxis and convenience stores. It saves time and makes transferring between different types of public transport seamless. These cards can be topped up at stations, convenience stores, and kiosks found throughout urban areas.
Quick Fact
- Seoul’s subway system is one of the most extensive in the world, with over 300 stations across 23 lines, and it serves over 7 million passengers daily. It’s known for being clean, safe, punctual, and foreigner-friendly, with multilingual signage and apps available.
Intercity and Local Buses
Intercity buses are a reliable and budget-friendly way to travel around South Korea, especially for routes not served by high-speed trains. The country offers two primary types of long-distance buses: express buses and intercity buses. Express buses operate between major cities and feature comfortable seating, air-conditioning, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Intercity buses serve smaller towns and rural areas, offering wider coverage.
Bus terminals are easy to find in most cities and often have English signage, ticket counters, and rest areas. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or booked online in advance, which is highly recommended during peak seasons. Schedules are usually punctual, and buses depart frequently for popular routes.
Bus terminals are easy to find in most cities and often have English signage, ticket counters, and rest areas. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or booked online in advance, which is highly recommended during peak seasons. Schedules are usually punctual, and buses depart frequently for popular routes.
For local travel within cities or towns, municipal bus systems are available and integrated with T-money card payments. These buses are especially useful in areas like Jeju Island or Gangwon-do, where train coverage is limited. Though local buses may require a bit more navigation effort, apps like KakaoMap or Naver Map can help with routes, bus numbers, and real-time updates.
Domestic Flights
South Korea’s domestic air travel network is efficient and plays an important role in transportation in South Korea, especially for reaching regions not easily accessible by train or bus. Flights are a practical option for traveling to places like Jeju Island, South Korea’s most popular island destination, known for its volcanic landscapes, beaches, and hiking trails.
Several low-cost carriers operate on domestic routes, including Jeju Air, T’way Air, Jin Air, and Air Busan, along with full-service airlines like Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
Several low-cost carriers operate on domestic routes, including Jeju Air, T’way Air, Jin Air, and Air Busan, along with full-service airlines like Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
Flights are short, often under an hour, and frequent throughout the day.
While flying may not always save time when factoring in airport travel and check-in, it can be ideal for travelers with limited time or specific regional destinations in mind. Airports across South Korea are modern and traveler-friendly, offering convenient connections, shuttle buses, and ground transportation to nearby cities.
While flying may not always save time when factoring in airport travel and check-in, it can be ideal for travelers with limited time or specific regional destinations in mind. Airports across South Korea are modern and traveler-friendly, offering convenient connections, shuttle buses, and ground transportation to nearby cities.
Taxis, Rideshares, and Car Rentals
Taxis are widely available in all Korean cities and are a practical option for short trips, especially when traveling with luggage or during late hours when public transport is less frequent. Fares are relatively affordable compared to other developed countries, and most drivers use a meter. Taxi colors vary slightly by service type, with black “deluxe” taxis offering larger vehicles and higher rates.
While not all taxi drivers speak English, apps like KakaoTaxi allow you to request a ride without language barriers. The app also offers fare estimates, driver information, and route tracking for added convenience and safety. Payment can be made by cash, card, or T-money in most vehicles.
While not all taxi drivers speak English, apps like KakaoTaxi allow you to request a ride without language barriers. The app also offers fare estimates, driver information, and route tracking for added convenience and safety. Payment can be made by cash, card, or T-money in most vehicles.
Rideshare options are limited due to regulations, but car rentals are a good alternative if you plan to visit rural or coastal areas. Renting a car is especially popular on Jeju Island, where public transportation is less comprehensive. To rent a car, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid driver’s license. Navigation is best done with local apps like Naver Map or KakaoMap, as Google Maps has limited functionality in South Korea.
South Korea’s transportation system is one of the most advanced in the world, offering travelers a wide range of options suited to every budget and itinerary. High-speed KTX trains remain the most efficient and enjoyable way to travel between cities, while subways and buses provide excellent coverage within urban areas. For remote destinations or island getaways, flights and car rentals fill the gap.