Korea, Seoul: How to use the subway

Seoul provides an extensive subway system which is very easy to use, once you know how to use it.

Knowing Hangul is definitely an advantage but not necessary as long as you stay within the metropolitan area.

Unfortunately, you cannot rely on a map on paper since those on the internet may be old and you cannot get them at the station.
So if you want to get from A to B you either need to use this website: Cyber station and memorize the transfer and destination points or you use a smartphone and install the app Subway Navigation.

The Subway Navigation app is very easy to use and provides you with all necessary information to guarantee a quick and easy transfer.

First you need to know how the subway works in general:
All lines have a number or a letter and a color. Each line has always has its own platform so basically all you need to do is follow the signs with the color of your line. If you have to transfer to another line, you will always have big signs on the floor or the wall painted in the color of your next line.
Don't get confused if your direction or actual destination is not shown, just follow the color for starters.
On most stations, there is one platform for both direction but in some stations platforms are opposite each other so it's best to always remember the final stop of the line you want to use so you know which direction to go to. If you don't know the final stop you will always have a map of that line down at the platform.
Also, don't get confused if you don't find the final stop when following the signs, as sometimes they will only show the next major station. In these cases, ignore the station names and just follow the color.

When in the subway, music will play whenever you reach a station where you can transfer to another line. On major stations announcements will be made in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese and you will always have a display either at above the doors or in the center showing the next stop and transfer information in at least Korean and English.

Using the subway and transfering is much easier with the Subway Navigation app.
To use the app, open it and you will get the complete subway map. You can choose between a couple of cities, "Metropolitan" being Seoul. In the settings you can switch between Korean and English station names, choose whatever suits you best.

Source: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.orizinal.subway

In this map, you first click on the station you want to depart. A context menu will open with different options such as "Departure", "Destination", "Add Favorite" and "View station info".
The last option will give you real time information about the next trains. This will only work if you have internet.
Choose "Departure" and then proceed to click on the station you want to get to and choose this as "Destination".
A new window will open showing the lines and transfer points.

Source: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.orizinal.subway

Sometimes, there are different routes, so at the top left you can switch between the route that takes the shortest time and that needs the fewest transfers.
Next to that you can switch between Holiday and Workday and look for the first or last train on that route.

The next line shows the departue time. Per se this is always the current time. By clicking on the arrow you can choose a different time. Same goes for the field "Arrival" to set your desired time of arrival.

Then you see the actual route. It shows the start station and beneath that in smaller letters the final stop on that line. This is very important because this station shows you which direction you have to go.
Next to your start station you will see the color and number of the line you have to take and next to that the time of departure.

If you have to transfer, the next line will indicate something called "Quick transfer". This is very helpful because it shows you what wagon you have to get into in order to be closest to the stairs that will get to you to the next train. The wagon number is also always located in front of the doors at the platform so you can already go there.
This line will also show you how many stops you have to take and how long it will take.

And from then on the same information will repeat with the next transfer until the last line containing the destination station and the time of arrival, the duration and the fare.

For more information about using the Subway Navigation App, go to the Android Play store.




As for tickets, I suggest you buy the T-Money card upon entering Korea, since this will give you one less thing to worry about when traveling by subway. You can use the card in all major cities.
If you go to Busan and plan on using the bus system there, I advise you to get a card provided by the Hu Metro, which is the local subway provider.

If you don't want to buy the T-Money card you can always by individual tickets for every trip.
All you have to do is go to a "Ticket Vending and Card Reload Device".
Select your language.
Click the left button to buy a single fare ticket.
Choose your destination. Destinations are sorted alphabetically.
Enter the number of passengers you want to buy tickets for.
Pay the amount shown on the screen.
Wait for a moment, then receive the credit card sized tickets.
Go through the security gate by placing your ticket at the security card reader and exit at your destination the same way.
Once you exit through the security gate, look for a machine called "Deposit Refund Device". Put your single ticket into the machine and receive the 500Won deposit.

Buying individual tickets seems more expensive at first but you will get a 500Won deposit when returning the ticket. Still, I recommend buying the prepaid T-Money card or one of the other available passes, especially if you plan on using the public transportation system for a couple of days.

You can find information about how to get a subway ticket for Seoul subway at the Official Korean tourism site