Around a city
Start with the subway where available. Use a local bus for the final neighbourhood connection, or a taxi when carrying luggage.
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE / TRANSPORT
Korea Transport
Learn Korea’s transport system: subway, KTX, buses, taxis, traffic signals and expressways. Plan, book and travel with confidence.
MOVE WITH CONFIDENCE
Understand the system.
Enjoy the journey.
From your first subway gate to a cross-country KTX trip. Learn the essentials, then open the detailed route and ticket guides.
Find my route →Which transport should I use?
Plan the whole journey: main service + last connection + return.
Build a door-to-door trip
1 · StartHotel or airport terminal
2 · ConnectWalk, subway, local bus or taxi
3 · Main journeyKTX, train or intercity coach
4 · ArriveLocal connection to your destination
Plan the same connections for your return, including the last local service.
Between cities
Compare KTX or other trains with express/intercity coaches. Compare arrival locations as well as journey time.
Airport, islands & countryside
Use the airport route finder for your terminal. For Jeju or islands, compare flights or ferries; rural outings need a return-bus or taxi plan.
Traffic lights & crossings
Read the signal for your lane or crossing. Never assume a turning vehicle has seen you.
Recognise the actual signal shapes
Each picture shows a separate signal state. These are simplified drawings of common Korean signal housings, not a timing sequence.
Red: stop
Stop at the stop line. Right-turn rules still require a full stop first; follow any dedicated right-turn signal.
Yellow: the signal is changing
Do not accelerate to beat the light. If already inside the junction, clear it safely.
Green left arrow
The arrow applies to the marked turning movement. Use the correct lane and check that the way is clear.
Green: proceed when clear
A circular green light does not give unrestricted permission for every turn. Check lane arrows and signs.
Pedestrian signals are separate
Standing red person: wait
Stay at the kerb. The vehicle signal is not your crossing signal.
Walking green person: check, then cross
Check for turning traffic. If green is already flashing, do not start; if already crossing, finish promptly and safely.
🔴 Red · stop
Pedestrians: wait at the kerb. Drivers: stop before the stop line. A vehicle green light is not a pedestrian crossing signal.
🟢 Pedestrian green
Check that vehicles have stopped, then cross on the marked crossing. If the signal starts flashing before you set off, wait for the next cycle.
🟡 Yellow · changing signal
Do not speed up to beat the light. Follow the stop line and signal; if already in the junction, clear it safely.
← Green arrow · permitted direction
Use the marked turn lane and corresponding arrow. A normal green light does not automatically permit every turn.
Turning vehicles: what visitors should know
Drivers must give priority to pedestrians. A right turn on red requires a complete stop first; do not proceed across someone crossing or about to cross. Where a dedicated right-turn signal exists, follow it. A “비보호” unprotected left-turn sign allows a cautious left turn on green only when the way is clear; it is not permission to turn on red.
For walking routes, use signed crossings or underpasses. Keep looking for turning cars, bicycles and delivery traffic, including at small side streets.
Official reference: Driving rules & signs →
Subway · 지하철
Line → direction → transfer → station → exit.
- Plan: save the station name in Korean and English, line number, transfer station and destination exit. Check the last train for the complete journey.
- Enter: tap a supported transport card or use the local operator’s single-journey ticket. Check the platform direction by the next station and terminus.
- Ride: let people off first. Check whether the service is local or express and whether it stops at your station.
- Transfer: follow the next line’s signs inside the paid area. Some services have separate gates or supplements.
- Exit: tap out, then use the numbered exit or lift shown in your route. An accessible exit may be different from the nearest exit.
Official reference: Subway networks →
KTX, SRT & other trains
Intercity rail is a separate journey from the metro: buy the correct train ticket.
KTX
High-speed Korail services. Select the actual departure station, date and train; Seoul, Yongsan and other stations are not interchangeable.
SRT
A separate high-speed operator. Confirm the departure station and book through the correct operator; a KTX booking is not an SRT ticket.
ITX & conventional trains
Useful alternatives depending on the route. Compare stopping pattern, time and seat availability rather than choosing by train name alone.
- Book the outward and return services. Save the ticket and cancellation conditions; a booking search result is not a confirmed ticket.
- At the station, match your train number and departure time on the board. Go to the displayed platform, carriage and seat.
- Keep luggage out of aisles and doors. Check the arrival station’s onward bus, subway or taxi connection before boarding.
Official reference: Train types & routes →
City bus types & how to ride
The colours below describe Seoul. Other cities use their own systems.
Seoul buses: recognise the colour
Blue · trunk
Longer links across the city.
Green · branch / local
Neighbourhood and subway connections.
Red · metropolitan
Connections with the surrounding metropolitan area; different fares may apply.
Yellow · circulation
Circulation routes in designated areas.
Village bus · 마을버스
Small neighbourhood feeder services. Check the route number and local stop; fares can differ from other city buses.
Airport & night services
Check the specific airport terminal, baggage rules and ticket method. Night routes have their own numbers and timetables.
- Check the route number, destination and stop ID. The same road can have several stops serving different directions.
- Have a supported transport card ready; do not rely on cash being accepted. Board through the indicated door and tap the reader.
- Watch the stop display, press the stop button before your stop, and tap out. Hold a rail until the bus stops.
Choose the right taxi
Compare the service category and quoted fare, not the paint colour alone.
Regular · 일반택시
Everyday metered taxi. Check the destination and payment method before departure.
Deluxe · 모범택시
Higher-priced service, commonly black. Confirm the category instead of assuming all black vehicles are deluxe taxis.
Large / jumbo taxi
Useful for groups or luggage. Confirm passenger seats, suitcase space and the fare basis when booking.
International taxi
Foreign-language service for Seoul and airport journeys. Request the language and pickup arrangement when booking.
Before you get in, and before you get out
Use a taxi rank or a recognised booking service. Match the plate and driver details to your booking. Show the full Korean address, including the entrance. Ask whether tolls, late-night or other surcharges apply. Keep the receipt and check the seat and boot for belongings. Tipping is not normally expected.
With an app, check whether payment is automatic or due to the driver so you do not pay twice. Overseas-card acceptance and booking options vary.
Official reference: Taxi types & use →
Express & intercity coaches
고속버스 = express bus · 시외버스 = intercity bus.
Express coach
Usually a long-distance expressway service between terminals. Compare standard, excellent/우등 and premium classes where offered.
Intercity coach
Connects cities and smaller towns; some services make intermediate stops. Check the exact destination and stop pattern.
Terminal matters
Express and intercity terminals may be separate. Use the terminal printed on the ticket, not just the city name.
- Choose departure terminal, destination, date, time, class and seat. Confirm whether your online booking is ready to board or must be exchanged for a ticket.
- Find the departure bay and match the destination/time. Store large luggage as directed and keep valuables with you.
- Wear the seat belt. Do not assume a toilet is available onboard. If a rest stop is announced, confirm the departure time and remember the bus plate and parking position.
- Check the return service before leaving for a small town. Road congestion can delay arrival; allow a buffer before flights or other bookings.
Official reference: Express & intercity buses →
Expressways & rental cars
Drive on the right. Speeds are in km/h; obey the limit posted for your road and conditions.
Road markings: colour + line pattern
White, yellow and blue markings have different purposes. Pink and green guidance lines help identify a route through a junction; they are not lane-change permission.
White broken line
Separates same-direction lanes. Change lanes only when safe and permitted; signal and check mirrors and blind spots.
White solid line
Do not cross this lane boundary to change lanes. Choose the correct lane before the solid section.
Yellow line / boundary
Yellow centre markings separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. Expressways usually have a physical median; never cross a median-side boundary. Kerbside yellow markings relate to stopping/parking.
Blue: designated bus lane
Check the operating hours and vehicle eligibility on signs. An ordinary rental car is not entitled to use an active bus-only lane.
Pink & green: route guidance
Match the coloured path to the destination sign at that junction. The colours do not mean the same destination everywhere. Stay within legal lane boundaries.
Blue at a toll plaza: read the sign
A blue approach guide to Hi-pass is different from a bus-lane boundary. Use Hi-pass only with the correct working device and payment setup.
References: MOLIT road-marking guide · MOLIT coloured guidance-line manual · KoROAD bus-lane guidance
Illustrations isolate individual markings for learning. Actual layouts, signs and restrictions take priority.Read your expressway journey
IC · EnterLocal road → expressway
JC · ConnectExpressway → another expressway
휴게소 · RestLeave the traffic lanes to stop
IC · ExitExpressway → local road
At the toll gate
Conceptual sequence; not a road map. Follow actual signs and your chosen route.Hi-pass: working device + agreed payment setup.
General lane: follow the displayed payment instructions.
IC · interchange
An entry or exit linking the expressway to local roads. Save the exit name as well as your destination.
JC · junction
A connection between expressways. Check the route number and direction before the lanes divide.
휴게소 · service area
A place to stop for toilets, food and a break. Fuel and charging facilities vary; check availability before relying on them.
Hi-pass · electronic toll
Use only with a working, correctly configured device and payment arrangement. Ask the rental company how tolls are billed.
Rental pickup → driving → return checklist
- Confirm accepted licence/IDP documents, passport, payment card, driver eligibility and insurance with the rental company before paying. A foreign licence alone may not qualify.
- Photograph existing damage. Ask about child seats, tolls, fuel or charging, roadside assistance and the return location.
- Use the correct toll lane. Without working Hi-pass, choose a staffed/general lane. If you enter the wrong lane, do not reverse or stop suddenly; arrange payment with the operator or rental company.
- Return to the agreed branch, by the agreed time, with the required fuel/charge. Check one-way fees, after-hours procedures and the airport shuttle time. Keep the return receipt.
Wear seat belts in every seat. Do not drink and drive or handle a phone while driving. Follow bus-lane restrictions and parking signs; a navigation suggestion does not override a road sign.
Official reference: Rental requirements & tolls →
Payment, transfers & getting help
Prepare your payment method and a backup before setting off.
Which ticket do I need?
LOCAL JOURNEYSupported transport card or local single-journey ticket
RESERVED JOURNEYSeparate ticket for your KTX, SRT or long-distance coach
A local transport card does not replace a reserved intercity ticket.
Transport card
Check local acceptance and top-up options. Use one card per traveller for the simplest journey. Tap in and out as required; transfer discounts depend on the region, route and timing.
Reserved tickets
KTX, SRT and long-distance coaches need their own tickets. A local transport card or city pass does not automatically cover them.
If something goes wrong
Ask station or terminal staff, show your ticket and destination, or use Travel Help + Clip for practical Korean phrases. Keep receipts for lost-item enquiries.
Guide reviewed 27 September 2026. Prices, last services, booking eligibility and local rules vary. Check the linked operators for your travel date.
Traffic signs · 교통 표지판
Recognise the picture, read the instruction, then check any additional time or vehicle restrictions.
No entry진입금지
Do not enter from this direction. Find a permitted approach, even if navigation suggests this turn.
Stop일시정지
Come to a complete stop at the stop line, then check for pedestrians and traffic before moving.
Maximum speed최고속도
This example means a maximum of 50 km/h. Read the number actually posted; conditions may require a lower speed.
No parking주차금지
Do not park here. This does not mean a brief stop is always lawful: other stopping restrictions may still apply.
No stopping or parking주정차금지
Do not stop or park. Do not use this area for a planned pickup or drop-off.
Pedestrian crossing횡단보도
Identifies a crossing. Pedestrians should follow crossing signals; drivers must yield to people crossing or about to cross.
School zone어린이보호구역
Watch for children and obey the posted limit (30 shown as an example). At an unsignalised crosswalk inside a school zone, stop even when nobody is crossing.
Unprotected left turn비보호
At a permitted left-turn lane, turn on green only when opposing traffic and pedestrians are clear. This sign does not permit a left turn on red.
Parking information주차장
Indicates parking information or a parking facility. Check the entrance, charges, opening hours, vehicle restrictions and payment method.
These are learning illustrations of common signs. Follow the actual sign, road markings, signals and supplementary plates at your location.
Official references: VISITKOREA driving signs · KoROAD traffic-sign chart · KoROAD school-zone crossings
Information checked . Fares and services can change. Use the linked operator information for your travel date.
READY TO PLAN?