Seoul Metro
Seoul Metro
4.5
Public Transportation Systems
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Top ways to experience Seoul Metro and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
12,741 reviews
Excellent
7,384
Very good
4,031
Average
1,126
Poor
147
Terrible
53

Abovetheclouds
1,728 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Generally good and the best way to get around Seoul.  Very cheap.  Stations are clean and signposted in English too.  Stations are huge so allow time to get in and out and make sure you know the correct exit especially at the bigger stations or you will walk around in circles.  If you transfer between lines, the same applies and it can be a bit of a walk but again this is clearly marked.  There are not many staff around but the machines are easy to use and you can select the appropriate language.  Fine at night too for solo travellers.  At the time of C-19 as Korea has just reopened, June 2022 you have to wear masks.  Be mindful and don't sit in seats that are for the elderly or pregnant women even if they are free.  I am from London originally and getting on to a train involves pushing.  In Korea, people line up in an orderly fashion so just be considerate towards customs.  People don't tend to eat or drink nor talk loudly.  Trains can sometimes have a bit of a time gap 6 minutes, 9 minutes.  If you see one coming and your in a rush, then run for it.  Wifi in most stations.  Highly recommend downloading the Seoul KR map which you can use offline too or some sort of map to help you plan a journey.  The one I recommended above is good as you can select your start and end destination, plus it will tell you where to change if needed, direction you need to go and approximate journey time.  To connect to the airport, you need to use Seoul Station.  There are maps and directions in stations but these were sometimes a bit confusing.  If you purchase a single journey ticket or a T-Money card make sure to refund / return your card after and get your deposit back.  I am in Seoul a while so I got a T-Money card which is great.  Top it up each time but don't loose it!  When you swipe in and out at the stations, it will deduct the amount accordingly.  I believe but haven't tried it, you can also use the card in convenience stores to buy goods and of course on the bus.  I used a taxi a few times and believe me, the metro is a lot beter.  Seoul taxi drivers speak limited English.  Even if you have the address in Korean, they still can't find many locations.  Taxis are cheap and will take you right to your destination but overall the metro is good.  If you have luggage, this is the fun part with all the walking and stairs.  There are some lifts.  As a solo female traveller, I struggled when I first arrived with a heavy big bag!  Air conditioning is not too cold thankfully!
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

mgc864
Monaco32 contributions
Feb 2023
Very well interconnected subway network in Seoul. Very clean. With a special application you can easily find any information about any line and stop, indicating also the exit of each stop and interconnection point.
Very well organized system, people is behaving well in the subway, very good sense of security. Crowded during rush hours but people wearing masks all the time (compulsory at present).
Important is to use the t-money card for all transport in Seoul. Only thing I do not like much is that you have to refill your money card with cash, not possible with credit card. Very easy though to refill it in any convenient store (open 7days and 24 hours) or directly with the machines in the subway system.
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

SherbetMelbourne
Melbourne, Australia131 contributions
Jun 2022
Fantastic, punctual, clean, quiet, orderly, cheap and well signed in English also. We downloaded the Naver maps app and it was so easy to follow. The coloured lines and signage make it very easy to navigate. We only mucked up once in 2 weeks of using it and we pretty much went everywhere on it. We also connected to station to catch XT train to Busan which was also simple and easy although our daugher who lived in Seoul had preordered the tickets for us in advance as the sell out early in busy times.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Culinary-Consultants
Ferrara, Italy3,463 contributions
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 January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,756 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
I find this the best, fastest and cheapest way of getting around to see the attractions of the city, meeting friends, and going to restaurants. I bought a subway card for 3,000 krw and then loaded 20,000 krw onto it. I also find the people of Seoul to be very helpful and friendly.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Toshiro_Cowabunga
Barcelona, Spain24 contributions
Dec 2022
Seoul's metro system is convenient and covers a large area, however in my experience it is almost always crowded, and this isn't helped by the fact that train frequency is very low. Once the train arrives the platform is bursting with people.

Sundays were the only days when trains were not very packed, but they weren't empty either, and the frequecy of trains also seemed to diminish.
When compared to Hong Kong I found Seoul's metro system lacking.

If you are going anywhere in a hurry factor in some extra minutes because the metro, though quick, will take a while to arrive to your station. And if the carriage is packed you may have to wait for the next train.
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

H5772HFpamelaw
Seoul, South Korea3 contributions
Jul 2019
Don't hesitate to use the Seoul subways. They are clean, well-lit, and safe at any hour. Unlike Tokyo with its multiple competing transportation lines that don't appear on all maps, Seoul's subway system is integrated and maps are designed so that it is easy to figure out the route. All signage and announcements are in English and Korean, and lines are color coded and stops are both numbered and named. If you get lost, just ask anyone for help. Almost everyone speaks English and will be happy to help you navigate the system. There are a few negatives - it gets crowded at rush hour, especially on the green circle line around Gangnam station, and most entrances and exits are via long staircases with limited elevator access and not enough escalators for those who want to ride upstairs. Aside from that, it's smooth sailing. Almost forgot - it's very affordable, costing less than $2 for a one way ride, and less than $5 to connect to the Incheon line to get to Incheon international airport. I have traveled extensively throughout the world and have never found a subway system that could manage such a high volume of passengers so cheaply, safely, and efficiently. Thank you, Seoul!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Bogie400
New York City, NY202 contributions
Jul 2022
If you are a tourist, there is nothing to fear about the Seoul Metro. Obtain a map in advance, and ride around the city. It is safe, convenient, inexpensive ($1.25 in $US). There are plenty of English, as well as Chinese and Japanese signs. A few things to be aware: 1.) There is currently a mask policy on the train. 2.) if you are buying a single ride ticket, they charge a 500 Won deposit on the physical ticket. You need to deposit it at a vending machine to get the deposit back. 3). The yellow seat on the train is reserved for the elderly or pregnant women. Nobody sits in it!! Even the elderly seem to be saving it for someone who is even older!! :)
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

theone2200
Brisbane, Australia118 contributions
Jan 2023
The Seoul Metro could teach Australian rail services how to run. Fast and efficient you can catch a train to nearly any part of Seoul every 10 mins. Connections are easy even for non Korean speaking and reading tourists. Beware though at peak hour, especially around Seoul Central station, the trains are PACKED. I mean you tube video of people being squashed into the carriage packed. Out side of these times, its pretty good.
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Amy S
Belper, UK38 contributions
Aug 2022
We used private taxis, mainline trains, buses and cable cars. Without doubt the metro is the easiest, coolest and cleanest way to travel. Operates like clockwork, spacious, safe and seats reserved for elderly and pregnant persons. Apart from the huge number of steps in some of them we loved the subway: artwork, plants, great shopping and food stalls all underground. Best part - really cheap for a great service!
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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