Keep a loaded card ready
Use an accepted transport card instead of relying on cash acceptance. The card price and stored travel balance are separate. Bring Korean won as a backup for reloading; payment methods vary by location.
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE / TRANSPORT
City & local buses
Find your stop, board in the right direction, and reach sights beyond the station.
How to ride a local bus
Check the stop and direction
Match the route number and destination with your map. Stops across the road can serve the opposite direction. Read the stop display for arrival information.
Board and tap
On a typical Seoul city bus, enter through the front door and tap your transit card. If you need ramp assistance, signal the driver before boarding and follow their instructions.
Watch for your stop
Keep the destination visible on your phone. Press the stop button before your stop, then wait for the bus to stop completely.
Tap off and leave
Tap the same card at the exit reader. On a typical Seoul city bus, leave through the rear door. Keep your card ready if you are transferring.
Seoul bus colours at a glance
| Type | Usual role |
|---|---|
| Blue | Main routes across the city |
| Green | Neighbourhood connections and links to metro stations |
| Red | Longer metropolitan routes between Seoul and nearby cities |
| Yellow | Circulating routes within an area |
Colours are a Seoul guide, not a nationwide rule. A red metropolitan bus is different from a reserved intercity coach.
Cards, transfers & cash
Tap on and off
Use the same card throughout your journey for any eligible transfer discount. Time limits, excluded services and additional distance charges depend on the local network.
A metro single-journey ticket cannot be used on a bus.
Local buses beyond Seoul
Use the destination guide for the connection after your train or coach arrives. Check the return service before leaving the terminal, especially for wetlands, rural sights and mountain trailheads.
Low-floor buses & priority seats
Check whether the arriving vehicle is low-floor and ask the driver for boarding support. Not every vehicle on a route has the same equipment. Follow the driver’s guidance for wheelchair positioning and restraints.
Keep priority seating available for older passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant passengers and anyone who needs it.
Accessible journey planning ↗Find information for your region
Local networks and concession schemes differ. Choose a region for arrival points and local support information.
Browse all 17 regions ↗Information checked . Fares and services can change. Use the linked operator information for your travel date.
READY TO PLAN?