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Seoul Metro

Seoul Metro

Seoul Metro
4.5
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Top ways to experience Seoul Metro and nearby attractions

The area
Neighbourhood: Jung-gu
How to get there
  • Hoehyeon • 6 min walk
  • Myeong-dong • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • must_travel_soon_10
    Mississauga, Canada1,821 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing system
    The coverage map looks intimidating, but the system is so extensive and simple to use. The subway app shows you all the routes and connections for a easy commute. The infrastructure is amazing from both a technologic aspect, as well as the engineering. Our new construction in Toronto can't even get the tracks to align! Our trip to the airport was really convenient and efficient. Bravo!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • 197gabes
    Singapore, Singapore178 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Extensive but still room for improvement
    The network is both extensive and comprehensive, there are literally multiple ways to get to your destination as most popular places are supported with more than one line, with many stations serving as interchange. Look out for ‘Transfer’ and ‘Exit’ signs and line direction signages to avoid unnecessary backtracking. Despite its complexity, it is probably still the best way to move about, especially when weather is bad as you are able to avoid the outdoors by moving through its maze of link ways. On a positive side is that all the station’s name are in both Korean and English so it is quite easy to know exactly which station you are at. Highly recommend before starting your adventure in Seoul to download the travel app, Naver Map, to help optimize your travel plan on the lines and to navigate within the stations and your destinations. Seoul subway system main downside is that some of the older lines are not accessibility friendly, not only are there limited number of escalators, there are also no elevators. Making the only mode between levels by flight of steps which can be a real pain to move between platforms.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 October 2023
  • rlahuddin
    Jakarta, Indonesia367 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clean and reach almost all parts of the city
    almost all interesting places in Seoul can be reach by Metro. a little bit more expensive than bus but free from traffic congestion. funny enough, sometimes ride a bus is faster than metro because the Seoul Metro use loop system.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 November 2023
  • Deanosaur89
    Edmonton, Canada8,725 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good Coverage
    The metro has good coverage throughout Seoul and it is very easy and convenient to buy cards at convenience stores and top up at the stations or convenience stores. The stations have lots of machines and there is rarely any crowding at the gates. The trains can get very crowded midday but we got lucky and found lots of seats in the evening even when street level was busy. The metro stations also offer lots of exits so when it was cold in December when we went we could get that extra bit of time inside. The only downside to Seoul's system was the bus connections as they can take some time. We had to wait over half an hour for a bus despite signs showing that it would be there in 10 minutes or less due to congestion one evening. One plus we found out is that the Kakao metro cards used in Seoul can be recharged and used in other public transport systems in Korea like in Busan. The ride prices for the metro are 1400 won and around 400 won for busses.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 December 2023
  • Ruby Red
    Greensburg, Pennsylvania746 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Way to Travel in Seoul
    Once you understand the maps it is an easy way to travel around Seoul. The subway/metro is very clean, marked clearly and the bathrooms are spotless. My husband and I found people to be very helpful in locating our correct train. The metro is safe too. Signage is plentiful too help you navigate routes too.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 January 2024
  • Travels of J
    Malaysia126 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Efficient & clean
    The Seoul Metro is a world class transport system. Stations are listed in Korean & English (as are announcements). As foreigners we found it incredibly easy to navigate with our 2 young kids. Interchanges are easy to find. Trains are clean and arrive regularly. The trains are quiet and people respect the seating for the elderly, disabled and pregnant. We were very impressed with the transport system.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 February 2024
  • NICHOLAS T
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates10,526 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cheap and efficient way to travel
    This is a cheap, clean and efficient way to travel around Seoul. The ticket machines and announcements are all available in English so it is user friendly. Stations are well sign posted and generally offer convenience and other shops.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 April 2024
  • TIersHasie
    Sydney, Australia1,133 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not much not to like
    For the price and convenience I found it relatively convenient and straightfoward to use compared to other first world metro systems such as nearby Tokyo for example. Yes accessability can be an issue with lifts but otherwise there's sufficient signage and interactive maps to assist you with exits. Not a lot of staff around at most stations I noticed so if you need help that can be abit of a problem. If short distances and larger groups in Seoul city taxi's maybe just a good as option if not peak hour.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 July 2024
  • Luv_ Rachmaninoff_No2
    Irvine, California916 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very impressive!!
    We’ve extensively experienced subway systems in Asia and Europe and we are so impressed with Seoul’s system, our favorite!! It’s easy to navigate, convenient to get to most notable attractions and very clean. People line up in orderly fashion, seats are clean & comfortable and air conditioned. There are dedicated seats for elderly/physically impaired/pregnant people. We are so impressed and we use the subway system every time we visit Seoul
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
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Culinary-Consultants
Ferrara, Italy3,745 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I have to say that infrastructure wise and for what I was able to see South Koreans got themselves a nice Metro system. Good reactive machines and the prices are not too expensive either.

For 2 people and for very long journeys including sometimes 1 change and 9 stations per change we paid collectively some 4.200 KW. For regular trips from outta town to the downtown Seoul, we spent collectively 2 persons 3.700 KW per trip. Not bad considering the efficacy of the system.

The only thing you need to understand is that Koreans as a whole DO NOT Speak English whatsoever. I do not understand why. Every time (and there were several times) we stopped regular people in English they avoided us deliberately. And some of those times we were confused, in a pickle you may say as the system is confusing at the beginning until you get a grip.

Do not even get me started with the Staff at the Metro Stations, most of them do not even know what services they offer and the price of such. For example they did not know that there is a card that compiles several trip during the whole month so tat you can recharge it and not have to stop every single time in front of the ticket dispensing machines.

It took us to travel on their suggestion to three major stations to find out that this service was not sold in the other stations but rather in the one we were to begin with. No refund to us for their mistake and nowhere to find someone to complain for this in English.

In a nutshell. You'll have to learn it yourself and deal with it. No friendly user systems and no English speaking on site across the entire system. Very disappointing for a Metropol such as Seoul with millions of tourist every day converging and commuting specially by Metro system.

Good luck and so may God help you :)
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EnLeung
Hong Kong, China175 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
The Seoul Metro is efficient and one of the cheapest way to travel in Seoul. Get a T-Money card and forget about getting the single trip tickets which can be a pain during busy time with many tourists trying to do the same. All stations we visited do have escalators in at least one of their exits but it could be a long walk if it is not the exit you needed. Do look out for the signs for the dedicated seats for the pregnant, disabled and elderly if you are not one of these.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kira Yvonne Lim
Singapore139 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
Seoul is a big busy city with plenty of subway lines that can get really confused. However, if you plan ahead, it should. E fine. I've downloaded an app called Seoul Subway which seriously helped a lot.

People in Seoul are generally OK except for the fact that they rarely say "excuse me" even in Korean so expect a lot of sudden pushing, shoving when someone needs to get on & off. I still do my basic of saying excuse me & thank you which helps that little bit.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eula Saad
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
What a great travel system this is. So clean, easy to get around and inexpensive. We bought a travel card and put 10,000 won on it at a 7 eleven store and that lasted 8 days of city travel every day. It is easy to to travel as the lines are colour coded. The announcements are in Korean and English. The electronic display inside the carriages, is spoken in Korean and English as well as written. Signs in the stations also have an arrow showing you what the next stop is in English. There is no eating or drinking on the subways so the area is clean. People are respectful and we felt safe even late at night. A great way to get around. There are quite a few stairs but usually you can find a lift as well. The shops are also amazing in the subways. Fully recommend using this transport system.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Timothy W
14 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Solo
Dont ride it during rush hours and line 1 smells and rides like a third world subway. Remember to get a transfer ticket or one way ticket. User friendly transport cards or tickets at every major exit passed the turnstiles. You can always go to the special exit and push the button and act stupid and speak English to get a free exit or entrance once in awhile.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,725 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
The metro has good coverage throughout Seoul and it is very easy and convenient to buy cards at convenience stores and top up at the stations or convenience stores. The stations have lots of machines and there is rarely any crowding at the gates. The trains can get very crowded midday but we got lucky and found lots of seats in the evening even when street level was busy. The metro stations also offer lots of exits so when it was cold in December when we went we could get that extra bit of time inside.

The only downside to Seoul's system was the bus connections as they can take some time. We had to wait over half an hour for a bus despite signs showing that it would be there in 10 minutes or less due to congestion one evening.

One plus we found out is that the Kakao metro cards used in Seoul can be recharged and used in other public transport systems in Korea like in Busan. The ride prices for the metro are 1400 won and around 400 won for busses.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elliotizzard
Market Harborough, UK27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Seoul Metro is so efficient, it gets me from A to B and is very cheap. I prefer it to NYC Metro and it's much, much nicer and quieter than the London Underground. Like any public transport system, it can get extremely busy but what do you expect. People are generally well-mannered and the queuing systems to get on board the train work well.
Written 21 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave H
Singapore, Singapore123 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
I love the Seoul metro. It’s clean, cheap, relatively easy to understand, and extends far into the hinterlands around Seoul. Inside the Seoul metro area I think it is very competitive with cars and riding is generally as fast as driving.

English is everywhere and am English speaker can easily use the metro, though specifics like express trains and branch line service can be hard to spot without a little Korean.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dblim
Singapore, Singapore160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Efficient transport system that is real easy to navigate. Do consider the timing - if you’re taking a late train, check whether it’ll bring you to your destination or they may just stop halfway and you’ll be stranded and forced to take a taxi. Buses may be a better option if you’re taking a train around 11pm.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yi Qin
Singapore, Singapore475 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Looks complicated at first especially when we need to change a few lines to get to our station but using the naver map makes it easier for us to check train timings and the best way to get to our destination. Train cabin is usually clean and comfortable. Not all exit has a lift/escalator or sometimes there are stairs leading to the platform so you may need to carry your luggage up and down the steps.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Seoul Metro - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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