TRANSPORTATION
Driver Service
 

Visitors can choose to get around Seoul in comfort with a private driver that speaks English – from the airport to your hotel, hotel to Frieze Seoul at COEX, and anywhere else in Seoul and beyond. Below are some of the more well-known international driver services.

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priv driv

Seoul Private Driver

Minivan: ₩28,000/hr
Minibus: ₩35,000/hr

Airport transfer
From Incheon: ₩88,000 ~
Gimpo: ₩75,000 ~

No.: +82 70 7717 9646

Book Online

Taxi
 

Taxis are prevalent in Seoul and are a convenient and relatively affordable choice. Most taxis accept cash, credit cards, and prepaid T-money for payment. Rates are metered and depends on the class of taxi, length of journey, and time of day.

Available taxis show a red light, reserved taxis show a green light, and unavailable taxis show no light.

Most taxi drivers do not speak English and maybe uncomfortable with the language barrier.

reg

Regular Taxi

  • Orange, silver or white

  • Cheapest taxi with base rate of ₩4,800

  • 20% higher rates during peak hours and 10pm-4am

  • Can be flagged down on the streets or called via ride hail apps

delux

Deluxe Taxi

  • Black with golden stripes with "Deluxe Taxi" insignia on each side

  • Fares 40-50% higher than regular taxis with base rate of ₩6,500

  • More spacious seats, no late-night surcharges

  • More English-speaking drivers and safer service

Intaxn

International Taxi

  • Black or orange with "International" insignia on each side

  • Driven by drivers who are proficient in either English, Japanese or Chinese

  • Usually operate on a reserved basis, but an sometimes be hailed on the streets

No.: +82 1644-2255
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00 | Sat 09:00-13:00

Book Online

Ride Hail Apps
 

Of the many ride hail apps available in Seoul, we recommend visitors use those introduced below as they are the most efficient and foreigner-friendly.

utUT (Uber) taxi in Seoul
 

Uber

If you already have the Uber app on your phone, simply open the app for it to automatically adjust its location to Seoul.

kakaoKakao Taxi
 

Kakao T (카카오 T)

Kakao T (Kakao Taxi) is the most widely-used Korean ride hail app  that offers the most drivers in its system. Download "Kakao T" from the App Store or Google Play Store, and sign in and verify your number to begin using their services.

  • Although Kakao T offers different types of taxis, only General Request is available for foreigners as others require in-app Korean card payments

  • Select Pay to the driver under Select payment method as in-app card payments are only available for Korean cards

  • To book a General Request taxi, follow the steps below:

ridehail1Select Taxi

ridehail2Search starting point and destination and select General Request

ridehail3Select Medium or Large taxi and Select Payment Method

ridehail4Swipe right to select Pay to the driver, Apply, and Request your taxi

Public Transportation
 

Seoul's public transport network is amongst the best in the world – clean, punctual and committed to accessibility – and getting around the capital of South Korea is now smoother than ever thanks to several smartphone apps that provide real-time information.

T-money Card

We recommend that visitors purchase a rechargeable T-money card that can be used on Seoul's subway, bus systems, and select taxi rides.

  • Sold for ₩2,500 at convenience stores: CU, GS25, Ministop and 7-Eleven

  • Lower rates than using cash or purchasing single journey tickets to get around the city

  • Transfer discounts limited to four times a day, within a transfer time limit of 30 minutes (up to 1 hour from 21:00 to 07:00 the next day)

Charging your card

  • Cashier at retail convenience stores

  • Ticket vending machines located in all subway and train stations *Recommended (English option)

  • Newsstands near a bus stop with a T-money sign, usually next to subway station exits and entrances

Checking the balance on your card

  • Ticket vending machines located in all subway and train stations

  • Remaining balance displayed on card readers when tapped on on subways and buses

tmoney1Purchase and charge your T-money card at a machine in stations

 

tmoney2Charge your T-money card at a newsstand near a bus stop

sub1Interior of Seoul subways

 

sub2Tap your T-money card at a subway station

Subway

The city has its fair share of traffic jams that cause significant delays, so the clean and extensive subway system is a safe and reliable option. Visitors who only intend to utilise the subway once or twice can purchase single journey tickets at any station.

  • Colour-coded 10 subway lines

  • Operation hours are 5:30am to approximately midnight

  • Estimated travel time between stations is 2˜3minutes

  • To use cash, purchase a single journey ticket from ticket vending machines

  • Fare depends on the final destination, in addition to a 500 KRW deposit

  • Deposits can be refunded by returning the card to a Card Refund Deposit machine at the destination station

Bus

  • Operation hours of most routes are 4:30am to approximately 1:00am

  • Night buses run nine routes exclusively from midnight to 5:00am

  • Base rate: 900-2,300 KRW T-money and 1,000-2,400 KRW cash for adults, depending on bus circuit

Colour-coded bus circuits

  • Green: within one neighbourhood (adults base rate: 1,200 KRW T-money, 1,300 KRW cash)

  • Blue: between neighbourhoods across town (adults base rate: 1,200 KRW T-money, 1,300 KRW cash)

  • Yellow: short circuits and tourist destinations (adults base rate: 1,100 KRW T-money, 1,200 KRW cash)

  • Red: different cities (adults base rate: 2,300 KRW T-money, 2,400 KRW cash)

bus1Colour-coded buses in Seoul

 

bus2Tap your T-money card when boarding and alighting a bus

Travelling from the airport to Seoul
 

There are several ways to travel from either Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul, most of which will take approximately an hour. The most convenient options include taxing a taxi, Airport Railroad Express (AREX), Seoul Metropolitan Subway and airport limousine buses.

Taxi

Taxi

Visitors can easily get a taxi from the airport at the taxi stands located just outside the Arrivals Hall (1F) of both terminals. You can choose to take a regular taxi, deluxe taxi or a jumbo taxi depending on your situation and needs. If visitors wish to take a taxi with a driver who can communicate in English, Japanese or Chinese, they can opt for an international taxi.

Driver Service

Driver Service

For a more convenient mode of transportation to and from the airport and to travel around Seoul, visitors may arrange for a driver service to be picked up at the airport. With a range of cars that accommodate different numbers of people, riders' safety and needs, driver services with licensed English speaking drivers may be the best choice for some visitors.

AREX1

Airport Railroad Express (AREX)

AREX operates two trains: the Express Train, running from the two terminals within the Incheon International Airport directly to Seoul Station, and the All Stop Train that stops by 14 subway stations along the way from Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 to Seoul Station.

Express Train

  • Approximately 45 minutes

  • Must purchase an Express Train Pass from the station

  • Ticketing locations:

    • AREX Travel Centers in Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal 1 and 2

    • Seoul Station Airport Railroad B2F

  • Discount available to customers who present flight tickers from Jeju Air, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, T'way Air, or Easter Jet for departure within seven days

All Stop Train

  • Must use a transportation card (e.g. T-money card)

  • Transportation card purchase locations:

    • Int'l Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

    • Convenience stores inside Incheon Int'l Airport (T-money card)

AREX2

Airport Buses

Airport buses run from Incheon International Airport to many areas of Seoul. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths just outside the 1F Arrivals Hall of each terminal. Detailed inquiries on bus routes and bus stops can be made at the ticket boots.

Airport bus types

There are two types of airport buses: deluxe and standard. Deluxe buses run on non-stop or shortened routes to major hotels and destinations, while standard buses make more stops. Please note that the fare for the two bus types may differ depending on their routes and destinations.

Taking an airport bus

  • Check bus routes and purchase tickets at the ticket booths at the Arrivals Hall (1F) or Terminal 1 near Gates 4 & 9 outside by Gates 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 or 13. Tickets at Terminal 2 can be purchased from the bus terminal at the Transportation Center (B1F)

  • Check the bus boarding number and departure time indicated on the ticket.

  • Once aboard the bus, listen carefully to the English announcement for your stop.

 

Contact Information

For any enquiries regarding this guide, please reach us at vip@frieze.com

Emergency numbers: 119 – Emergency (Fire & Ambulance) | 112 – Police | 182 – Missing Persons & Property | 1330 – Korea Travel Hotline