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Getting around Seoul

기능성 메뉴

The Seoul Underground Subway

The Seoul Underground Subway has 9 lines, the Central Line (Railroad), the Bundang Line and the Gyeongui Line (as of August 2009). It provides convenient transportation for anyone in Seoul at an affordable price. Each line is marked by a specific color and a symbol, and since each station has a station number, the service is easy to use even by foreign visitors.

Line 1 : Navy Blue 11 This is the oldest line in Seoul. It starts at Gyeonggi-do Dongducheon-si Soyosan station and divides into either the direction to Chungcheongnam-do Cheonan-si Cheonan Station or to from Guro Station to Incheon Station. Important Tourist Attractions Seoul Station, Jongno, City Hall, Noryangjin, Suwon, Incheon	Line 2 : Green 11 It circles Seoul’s city center (City Hall Station to City Hall Station) and has the Seongsuji Line (Seongsu Station to Shinseoldong Station) and the Shinjeonji Line (Shindorim Station to Kkachisan Station). Some part of the line is elevated railway (overground). Important Tourist Attractions Dongdaemun, Jamsil, Gangnam, Euljiro, Shinchon, Ehwa Women’s University, Hongik University (Hongdae)
Line 3 : Orange 11 It connects Daehwa Station in Gyeonggi-do Ilsan-gu with Suseo Station in Seoul Gangnam-gu. A commuter’s line from residential area to Seoul’s city center. Important Tourist Attractions Apgujeong, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung, Jongno, Express Bus Termional, Chungmuro, Namsan (Mt.)	Line 4 : Blue 11 It connects between Danggogae Station in Seoul Nowon-gu to Ouido Station in Gyeonggi-do Shiheung-si. The line passes through various tourist attractions of Seoul. Important Tourist Attractions Myeongdong, Daehakro, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Seoul Station, Seoul Grand Park
Line 5 : Purple 11 The line connects between Banghwa Station of Seoul Gangseo-gu to Sangildong Station of Gangdong-gu, and has a branch which goes from Gangdong Station to Macheon Station. Since it runs quite far into the underground, there are some stations which may take a while to reach the platform. Important Tourist Attractions Gwanghwamun, Gimpo Station, Yeouido, Jongno, Euljiro, Dongdaemun	Line 6 : Brown 11 Connects between Eungam Station in Seoul Eunpyeong-gu and Bonghwasan Station (Mt.) in Jongrang-gu while drawing a loop. Important Tourist Attractions World Cup Stadium, Itaewon, Korea University
Line 7 : Olive 11 The line connects between Jangam Station of Gteonggi-do Eujeongbu-si to Sonsu Station of Seoul Guro-gu. It’s an overground line which runs between Northern residential areas to office areas in Gangnam. Important Tourist Attractions Cheongdam-dong, Express Bus Terminal, Children’s Grand Park	Line 8 : Pink 11 This line connects between Ansa Station of Seoul Gangdong-gu and Moran Station of Gyeonggi-do Seongnam-si. This line is known to be the shortest line. Important Tourist Attractions Munjeong-dong, Garak Market, Seokchon Lake, Lotte World
Line 9 : Gold　　 11 　　　　　　　 The line connects from Gaehwa Station of Seoul Gangseo-gu to Shin-Nonhyeon Station of Seoul Gangnam-gu. It goes through Gimpo Airport and the office area of Gangnam. The line has both normal trains and express trains. The express trains moved from Gimpo Airport to Yeouido in 16 minutes and to Express Bus Terminal in 27 minutes. ※In the case of transferring to another line, use the transfer gates (located at Gimpo Airport, Dangsan, Yeouido, Dongjak and Express Bus Terminal) Important Tourist Attractions Gimpo Airport, Yeouido, Noryangjin, Express Bus Terminal

Bundang Line : Yellow 11
The line connects from Seongreung Station in Seoul Gangnam-gu to Bojeong Station of Gyeonggi-do Yongin-si Giheung-gu. You can transfer to lines 2,3 and 8 from this line.

Central Line (Railroad) : Aquamarine 11
This line connects from Yongsan Station in Seoul Yongsan-gu to Guksu Station in Gyeonggi-do Yangpyeong-gun. The line connects to line 1 in Cheongyangri and Yongsan, line 2 and 5 in Wangshipri, line 3 in Oksu and line 4 in Ichon.

Gyeongui Line (Railroad) : Jade 11
This line connects between Seoul and Munsan Station in Gyeonggi-do. The route from Digital Media City to Munsan Station opened on July 1st of 2009. You may transfer to line 3 at Daegok Station, line 1 and 4 at Seoul Station, line 2 at Shinchon Station and line 6 at Dingital Media City Station, but the transfer platform is located quite far away.

■ Basic Charge (Within 10km)

Category	T-money	Ticket
Adult (19 years and older)	900 won	1000 won
Teenagers (13 to 18 years old)	720 won	1000 won
Children (6 to 12 years old)	450 won	500 won

In the case of foreigners, teenager’s card and T-money use is restricted only to residents in Korea.
Children under 6 years old is free, if accompanied by a ticket holder/ T-money user. Up to 3 children under the age of 6 may board for free this way.
※10～40km：100 won added for every additional 5 km traveled
※over 40km：100 won added for every additional 10 km traveled

■ Taking the Subway Efficiently

Seoul Underground is quite easy to use once you get to know it. All the lines are marked by a color and have numbers. The station names are also written in English and Chinese characters, and numbers alone make it easy to get around.

Example : Myeongdong station/424(Line 4 24th station)
City Hall Station/132(Line 1, 32nd station)
OR 201(Line 2, 1st station)

１．Finding the Entrance·Checking for Destinations and Operations within the Station.

Subway station entrances are marked by signs, like the one shown on the left. Go down from the entrance (exit) check for your destination in the map located above ticketing machines. The stations on the map are written only in Korean and English.

２．Buying Tickets

Starting from May 1st of 2009, a deposit of 500 won in necessary for purchasing all tickets. The plastic ticket needs to be returned to get the 500 won deposit back.


「Single Journey Ticket dispenser·Travel Card Recharge Machine」(Korean, English)	「Single Journey Ticket」

＜ Using Single Journey Ticket Machine·Travel Card Charge Machine ＞

When you touch the orange ‘Single journey’ icon on the left, 25 main stations will come up on the screen. Other stations can be searched for using the alphabets listed to the right. Touch the station of your next destination and the total amount will be shown on the screen, including the deposit fee. Touch ‘Confirm’ and add money to get your Single Journey Ticket.

Touch the orange ’Single Journey’ icon

Choose your destination

Choose the number of tickets

※ Tickets may be purchased at ticket stands, but eventually, tickets will be made available only usingthe automated machines.

３．Going through the Gates

Once you have bought the tickets, walk towards where it is marked ‘Tracks.’ A few of the line’s stops in the direction of where it’s headed are also listed for convenience.


Place the Single Journey Ticket at the gate and go through	Sign which shows where the tracks are

４．Getting On and Off

In Korea, many people on the train use mobile phones, so it may be a bit loud. Station names are announced in English as well, so be careful not to miss your stop. Every station has its name marked, along with numbers and name in Chinese characters, so make sure to check before getting off the train


‘‘Deposit Refund Machine’	If you insert you ‘Single Journey Ticket,’ you will get your deposit back

５．Transfer

When transferring to another line, follow the signs which state ‘Transfer to line (+line number).’ The color of the line you wish to transfer is shown by the wall, so follow the colored line to get to your next line.