Worried about getting around when you first arrive in Korea? 🚇
Don’t be! This essential guide is made for Indonesian travelers and first-timers in Seoul to navigate the subway system with ease.
1️⃣ Key Features of the Korean Subway
✅ Punctuality: The trains arrive almost exactly on schedule, matching the digital board times
✅ Quiet atmosphere: Most passengers stay silent—phone calls are discouraged
✅ Precise door alignment: The train doors stop perfectly at the yellow lines
✅ Foreigner-friendly: English announcements, signs, and color-coded maps are available at most stations
SEOUL METRO
2️⃣ What Are T-money and WOWPASS Cards?
💳 T-money Card
Korea’s standard rechargeable transit card
📍 Where to buy:
At the airport, subway vending machines, or convenience stores like CU and GS25
💰 How to reload:
Use top-up machines in stations or pay at convenience store counters (cash or card)
🚆 Where to use:
Subways, buses, taxis, and some convenience stores
💳 WOWPASS Card
A prepaid card for foreigners that works as both a payment card and a transit pass
✨ Benefits:
- Charge Korean won and use it like a debit + transit card
- No need for a credit card
- Instantly available from kiosks near tourist spots (e.g., Myeongdong, Hongdae)
📍 Where to use:
- All transport systems that accept T-money
- Most offline stores, cafés, and restaurants in Korea
3️⃣ How to Ride the Subway
🚉 Tap-to-ride: Just tap your T-money card at the gate both when entering and exiting
🎟️ Single-use tickets: Can be bought from ticket machines (refundable ₩500 deposit after use)
📱 Recommended apps:
- Subway Korea (English available)
- KakaoMetro (great for route planning and transfers)
🔁 Transfer Tips
🚌 ↔ 🚇 You can transfer for free between subway and bus!
📌 Conditions: Transfer within 30 minutes using the same T-money card for automatic fare adjustment
🔄 Took the wrong direction?
Just get off at the next station and head to the opposite platform
(Note: At some stations, you may need to exit and re-enter through the gate)
📍 Must-Know Tourist Stations
| Station Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Myeongdong (Line 4) | Shopping paradise—cosmetics, fashion, and street food galore |
| Dongdaemun (Line 1 & 4) | Night markets + fashion wholesale centers + open till late |
| Hongdae (Line 2) | Youth culture, busking, café alleys, and vibrant nightlife |
| Itaewon (Line 6) | Multicultural food and friendly to foreign visitors |
| Gangnam (Line 2) | Hub of Korean MZ culture, shopping malls, and tech offices |
🎯 Hello Korea Tip
First day in Korea? Get a T-money card right away! If you master the subway, you’ve already nailed half your Seoul trip. 😎
