If you are using the subway in Korea for the first time, the system can look more complicated than it actually is.
There are entrance gates, transportation card readers, transfer signs, platform directions and numbered exits. At a large station, choosing the wrong exit can even leave you several blocks away from where you wanted to go.
The good news is that once you understand a few basic rules, using the subway in Korea is fairly straightforward.
Here is what you should know before your first ride.
1. Is the subway difficult to use in Korea?
Not really.
You do not need to understand every Korean sign in the station.
For most subway trips, you mainly need to know three things:
which direction your train is going, where to tap your transportation card, and which exit number you need at your destination.
Many subway stations also display station names, line information and exit numbers in English.
The part that often confuses first-time visitors is not actually riding the train. It is figuring out where to enter, where to transfer and which exit to use after getting off.
2. What do you need before entering the subway?
For most travelers, a rechargeable transportation card such as T-money is one of the easiest ways to use public transportation in Korea.
Depending on the city and station, other compatible transportation cards or one-time tickets may also be available.
If you are using a transportation card, remember one basic rule:
Tap when you enter, and tap again when you leave.
Do not assume that a foreign contactless credit card or a mobile wallet that works on public transport in your home country will automatically work at every Korean subway gate.
A dedicated transportation card is generally the simpler option for visitors.
The same transportation card can also be useful when taking city buses. If you plan to use both buses and subways during your trip, you can read my guide to using buses in Korea.
3. How do you know which subway gate to use?
When you arrive at the ticket gates, look for the entrance arrow or direction indicator on the gate itself.
Some gates are for entering the station, while others are for passengers leaving.
You may see arrows, the Korean word 입구 meaning entrance, or a no-entry symbol on gates that are being used in the opposite direction.
If you are not sure, do not simply follow the person in front of you. Check the arrow or entrance sign first.
Once you know which gate to use, you are ready to tap your transportation card.
4. Where do you tap your transportation card?
Look for the card reader on top of the subway gate.
It will usually be clearly marked, and you simply place your transportation card on the reader.
Wait for the card to register before walking through the gate.
When you reach your destination, you will use the same card again at the exit gate.
If the card does not work, do not try to force your way through the gate. There may be insufficient balance, a reading error or another issue that station staff can help you with.
For travelers, one card per person is generally the simplest setup.
5. Do you tap again when transferring to another subway line?
Usually, you do not tap out and enter again when transferring between subway lines.
Instead, stay inside the paid area and follow the signs marked Transfer.
Some stations may have additional transfer gates or card readers along the way. If the station directs you to tap your card at a transfer gate, use the same transportation card.
The important thing is not to automatically follow signs for Way Out when you actually need to change lines.
Leaving the paid area and entering again can make the trip more complicated and may affect how the fare is calculated depending on the system and situation.
6. “Way Out” and “Transfer” are not the same thing
This is a small detail that can save you a lot of confusion.
Transfer means you are changing to another subway line.
Way Out means you are heading toward the station exits.
If you still need another subway line, follow the transfer signs.
If you have arrived at your final station, follow the Way Out signs and then start looking for your exit number.
Korean subway signs often show several exit numbers together, which helps you decide which direction to walk before you reach the concourse.
7. Why does the subway exit number matter so much in Korea?
Finding the correct subway station is only half the job.
At many stations, there are several different exits, and they can lead to completely different sides of a road or different parts of a neighborhood.
That means two people getting off at the same station may need completely different exits.
The station in the photo below, for example, lists different nearby destinations for each exit. One exit leads toward a traditional market, while other exits lead toward Gwangju Songjeong Station, where you can take KTX and SRT trains.
So before leaving the station, check the exit number that is closest to your destination.
This can save you from crossing a large intersection or walking several unnecessary blocks after reaching street level.
I usually check the recommended exit before leaving the station. A navigation app can make this much easier, and you can see the basic steps in my guide to using Naver Map in Korea.
8. What if you take the subway in the wrong direction?
This happens even to people who use the subway regularly.
Before going down to the platform, check the direction of the train.
Depending on the station, the signs may show the terminal station or several major stations in that direction.
Another useful method is to check the name of the next station on the route.
If the next station is in the direction of your destination, you are probably on the correct side.
If you accidentally board a train going the wrong way, do not panic. Get off at the next station and follow the signs toward the opposite direction.
At larger interchange stations, changing sides may require a little more walking, so checking before boarding is easier.
Not sure which platform, direction, or exit you need?
If you need to ask station staff or a local which way to go, try Korea For Real Travel Talk.
Speak or type in your own language, show the Korean translation, and understand the Korean reply in your language.
Try Korea For Real Travel Talk
9. How do you know where to get off?
Navigation apps make this much easier than trying to memorize an entire subway line.
Before boarding, check:
- your destination station
- the direction of travel
- the number of stops
Inside many subway trains, electronic displays and announcements also show upcoming stations.
Station names are often displayed in both Korean and English, although the amount of information available can vary between systems and stations.
The easiest habit is to occasionally compare the current station with the route shown on your navigation app.
There is no need to keep your phone open for the entire ride, but check again when you are getting close to your destination.
10. What should you do when you arrive?
Once you reach your destination station, the process is simple.
Follow the signs marked Way Out, check your exit number, walk toward the appropriate exit gates and tap your transportation card again.
After passing through the gate, continue following the same exit number until you reach street level.
A useful routine to remember is:
- Before entering: Check the direction of the train.
- At the entrance gate: Tap your transportation card.
-
When transferring: Follow
Transfer, notWay Out. - Before leaving: Check your exit number.
- At the exit gate: Tap your card again.
Once you have done this once or twice, the subway becomes one of the easiest ways to get around many Korean cities.
The subway is only one part of getting around Korea. If you are planning a trip, you may also find my guides to taking a taxi in Korea, using trains in Korea, and using buses in Korea useful. Each transportation system works a little differently, so knowing the basics before you travel can make getting around much easier.
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