Korea has some of the best public transportation in the world. You can get almost anywhere using buses and subways, which are fast, frequent, and incredibly affordable. Taxis are also very cheap, so I highly recommend against renting a car.
If you use local navigation apps like Naver Map or KakaoMap, they will show you exactly which bus or subway to take and where to transfer. Most importantly, they provide real-time arrival times for both buses and subways, so you’ll know exactly when they are coming. You can even use these apps to hail taxis and pay for your ride. Since the apps communicate your destination directly to the driver, you don’t have to worry about any language barriers.
The Essential Map App
Do not use Google Maps; it does not provide accurate walking or transit data in Korea due to local security laws.
- Download Naver Map as your primary guide. It features excellent English mapping, highly precise transit routes, and real-time arrival countdowns for buses and subways.
Getting Around: Buses & Subways
Korea’s transit system is fast, clean, and incredibly safe. You cannot pay with an international contactless credit card (like Apple Pay or Visa tap) directly at the turnstile. Instead, you need a transit card:
- T-money Card (Best for general travel): Buy a physical card for about ₩3,000–₩4,000 at any convenience store (7-Eleven, CU, GS25) or subway station. Or buy one at the airport on arrival. Top it up using local cash at station kiosks. Use it nationwide for subways, buses, and even taxis.
- Climate Card Short-Term Pass (Best for intense sightseeing in Seoul): If you are staying exclusively in Seoul, buy a Seoul Climate Card. For a flat rate (around ₩5,000 to ₩15,000 depending on a 1 to 7-day duration), you get unlimited rides on Seoul subways and city buses. You can purchase short-term physical passes with foreign credit cards at designated station kiosks.
- Crucial Rule: Always tap your card when boarding AND when exiting buses and subways to ensure you receive free transfer discounts and avoid maximum distance penalties.
Hailing Taxis Without Payment Headaches
Taxis in Korea are plentiful and highly affordable, but registering international credit cards on local apps can fail due to domestic security protocols. Use these two workarounds:
- The Uber/Naver Combo (Easiest): Open your home Uber app. It automatically converts to Uber Taxi in Korea. It bypasses local payment blocks entirely by charging your saved US credit card automatically. For seamless navigation, look up your destination on Naver Map, tap the taxi route tab, and select the prompt to automatically push the destination directly into your Uber app.
- Kakao T / k.ride (Most Available): Kakao T has the largest fleet of drivers nationwide. If the app rejects your foreign credit card, swipe to the end of the payment options and select “Pay to Driver”. When you reach your destination, simply hand the driver cash or your physical Visa/Mastercard. Alternatively, download k.ride, Kakao’s official foreigner-targeted app designed specifically to accept global cards effortlessly.