Korea Travel: Seoul Subway System 수도권 전철
Seoul's subway system is one of the most extensive metro systems in the world: 22 lines, over 300 stations and over a thousand kilometers of track. And the system is still expanding!
The metro in Seoul is cheap, clean, efficient, frequent and safe.
The Seoul subway system runs both underground (around 70%) and overground.
It connects central Seoul with both Suwon and Incheon. Line 1 runs more than 100 km from Soyosan in the north to Cheonan to the south of the capital.
Train Connections
Seoul Subway connects with KTX trains to Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Mokpo at Seoul Station and Yongsan Station.
The lines are run by three different organizations: Korail, Seoul Metro and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation. The first lines began service in 1974.
Integrations
Changing is seamless and fares are low - presently 1250 won for a journey less than 10 km (6 miles). Tickets can be purchased from machines or at the station counter.
Lines
Lines 1 To 9 serve Seoul city. The other lines include AREX which links Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport and many suburban lines outside the Seoul National Capital Area (SNCA).
These are the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Gyeongchun Line, Suin–Bundang Line, Ui LRT, Shinbundang Line, Incheon lines 1 and 2, the EverLine, U Line, Gyeonggang Line, Seohae Line and Gimpo Gold Line from Gimpo Airport to Yangchon. Take Line 6 to Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Transportation Cards
Rechargeable T-money, KB Free Pass or Upass travel cards cut costs even further if you are staying at least for a few days. Trains run approximately from 5.30 am to 12.30 pm. Check with your station for the times of your last train.
The Metropolitan Pass, or MPASS, is a transportation card for international tourists traveling in the Seoul metropolitan area and on Jeju Island. The pass offers 20 rides a day for the duration of the pass which ranges from 1 to 7 days. Additional credit can be loaded to MPASS to be used as a Tmoney card.
Each metro line is color-coded and announcements are made in both Korean and English; some station signs are also written in Chinese. Check the final destination of your train on the maps posted on each platform to find which train to ride.
The Seoul subway system is invariably crowded (don't expect a seat), especially during the daily rush hours. Over 2 million people use the system each day and look forward to the odd hawker or sightless busker in your carriage occasionally.
As in Japan, many Seoul subway stations are connected to underground shopping malls and some stations have ATM machines, tourist information offices (as at Itaewon), coin lockers in small, medium and large sizes as well as platform newspaper and snack kiosks.
Look out for tile mosaics, murals and other design features in some of the stations. Many platforms now have safety barriers installed to prevent passengers falling on to the track.
Construction of the Seoul subway began in the 1970's with Line 1 and continues apace today.
Seoul Subway Lines
Seoul's subway lines are color-coded:
Line 1 (dark blue), Line 2 (dark green), Line 3 (orange), Line 4 (azure), Line 5 (purple), Line 6 (light brown), Line 7 (olive green), Line 8 (pink), Line Bundang (yellow), Line Jungang (sky blue), Line Incheon (light blue) and (AREX) Airport Railroad (turquoise).
Lost & Found
Lines 5 & 8 (Wangsimni Station); Tel: 6311-6765/6768
Lines 6 & 7 (Taereung Station); Tel: 6311-6766/6767
Seoul Subway Video
Book Hotel Accommodation in Korea
There are numerous hotels close to Seoul Station in the capital. Places to stay include the fun, three-star K-pop Hotel Seoul Station with free luggage storage, WiFi and a tour guide service, the Hotel Manu Seoul, also three-star and the four-star Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Station, connected directly to the station and offering a restaurant and a modern fitness centre.
See a listing of hotels near Seoul Station
There are several hotels clustered around Yongsan Station in Seoul. Properties include the luxury, five-star Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel and Residences Seoul Yongsan with a fitness centre, indoor golf range and yoga and pilates studios, the Novotel Suites Ambassador Seoul Yongsan, also five-star and the four-star ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan.
See a listing of hotels near Yongsan Station
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