Why Korea’s Public Transit Is One of the Best in the World

Subway Wi-Fi, contactless transfers, spotless interiors—welcome to transit paradise.

by 아사달, 공유마당, CC BY

1. Subway Fares That Make Sense

In Seoul and the surrounding metro area, the base fare for the subway is just ₩1,400 (about $1) when using a T-money transportation card. This covers trips up to 10 km. If you go farther:

• +₩100 for every 5 km after the first 10 km
• Early bird discounts: ₩1,120 for adults before 6:30 AM
• Single-use tickets: ₩1,500 for adults, ₩500 for children

2. Affordable & Integrated Bus System

ⓒ 한국관광공사 - 촬영자

Buses use the same T-money system and offer extremely affordable fares:

• Seoul city buses (blue/green): ₩1,500
• Metropolitan express buses: ₩2,800
• Gyeonggi province local buses: ₩1,250
• Gyeonggi intercity direct buses: ₩2,400

3. Free Transfers? Yes, Really.

Use your T-money card and get free transfers between subway lines or buses within 30 minutes (60 minutes late at night). You only pay distance-based charges once.

4. Spotless, Well-Maintained Trains and Buses

ⓒ 한국관광공사 - 촬영자

Both subway cars and buses are cleaned multiple times daily. You won’t find litter, graffiti, or bad smells. Even late at night, the stations are well-lit and patrolled, making Korea’s system feel safe and civilized.

5. Free Wi-Fi, Everywhere

All subway stations and train cars offer free, fast Wi-Fi—enough to stream videos underground with no problem.

6. Charging Ports & Platform Safety

USB charging stations are available in many subway stations. Plus, every platform in Seoul has full-height screen doors that prevent accidents and keep platforms quiet and clean.

7. Foreign-Friendly and Fast

• All announcements and signs are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese
• Real-time train arrival screens everywhere
• Subways come every 2–5 minutes during the day

8. How to Ride Like a Local

ⓒ 한국관광공사 - 촬영자

Pick up a T-money card at any station or convenience store (₩2,500–₩4,000), load it with cash, and tap to ride. The same card works on buses, subways, taxis, and even vending machines or convenience stores.

📌 Final Thoughts

From clean stations and reliable Wi-Fi to cheap fares and seamless transfers, Korea’s public transportation system sets the gold standard. If you’re visiting from the U.S., don’t miss the chance to experience what public transit should be like.