Seoul & Beyond by Leeloo

– Transportation in Seoul: How to get around easily–

• T-Money card / Climate card:

Using a T-money Card in South Korea

You can easily purchase a T-money card in advance on Klook and pick it up when you land at the airport. Just choose the option that works best for you: an empty T-money card (which you can top up anytime) or one that already comes with a small balance.

If you don’t buy it online, don’t worry — T-money cards are widely available in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, GS25, or CU. You can recharge them directly in-store (cash only) or simply download the T-money app to use a digital version on your phone.

The card is extremely versatile: you can use it on buses, subways, and taxis, but also to pay in some convenience stores and shops. The best part is that you can recharge it as much as you need, and before leaving South Korea, you can even get your remaining balance refunded at a subway machine.

Another big advantage: the T-money card works not just in Seoul but all across South Korea — making it the smartest choice if you plan to visit other cities like Busan, Daegu, or Jeju.

Using the Climate Card in Seoul

As for the Climate Card (환경교통카드), you can also buy it in advance with Klook before your departure, or simply get it once you arrive in Seoul at the airport or in the same convenience stores mentioned before.

To activate it, you’ll need to charge it at a subway machine (cash only). Unlike the T-money card, the Climate Card is valid only in Seoul. It works on a flat-rate system, meaning you can use public transportation (bus and subway) unlimited during the chosen period — for example, 7 days or 30 days.

When recharging it at the subway machine, you’ll also be given the option to include or not a bike-sharing subscription (Ddareungi 따릉이).

👉 In my opinion, this card is a great money-saving option if you’re staying only in Seoul for a week or a month. I used it for 30 days, and it really helped me cut down on transportation costs.

If you want more information, you can check the official Korean website about the Climate Card. 

Things to know about the T-money Card

💡 PS: The T-money card can be more expensive than the Climate Card if you use the subway or bus every day. Plus… when traveling, it’s easy to get lost 😅, so you might end up using public transport several times a day, which can quickly increase the cost.

⚠️ PSS: Don’t forget to tap in AND out when using buses and the subway. If you forget too many times, your card can be temporarily blocked.

Using Kakao Map and Kakao Metro in Seoul

Personally, when it comes to transportation apps in Seoul, I’m team Kakao Map. The app lets you save and organize “groups” of addresses — for example, I have a group for shopping with all the stores I’ve visited or want to visit, and another one for coffeeshops.

Kakao Map provides the fastest routes or routes based on your preferences, whether you want to travel only by subway, only by bus, or a mix of both.

If you’re only interested in navigating the Seoul subway system, you can download Kakao Metro. It’s very handy for viewing the subway lines and planning your trips quickly.

Google Maps vs Naver Map in South Korea

I haven’t personally used Naver Map, but I’ve heard great things about it, especially if you also install the Naver search engine. This combination makes searching for places much easier. For example, if you find a restaurant on Naver that you want to try, you can just click “Go there”, and it will open Naver Map directly.

There’s a lot of debate about the effectiveness of Google Maps in South Korea. Some people find it works perfectly, while others consider it a challenge. In my opinion, Google Maps can be helpful, but it’s generally less precise than local apps, because Google’s access is limited in South Korea for national security reasons.

Taking Taxis in Seoul

Taxis in Seoul 🚕 are much cheaper than in France. For Uber fans, the app is now available in Korea. Otherwise, you can use Kakao T (the “T” stands for taxi). Foreign cards are accepted, and the app lets you see the exact fare in advance, so you know exactly how much your ride will cost.

Of course, you can also have your “movie moment” and hail a taxi directly from the street 😀. Taxis are easy to recognize thanks to their roof light, but how can you tell if they’re available?

In Korea, there’s a small light on the passenger side that is either red or green, with the words 예약 빈차:

• Red: the taxi is empty (“available”) and you can hail it. → 빈차
  
• Green: the taxi is reserved and on its way to pick up another passenger. Even if you signal it, it won’t stop. → 예약
  

⚠️ Disclaimer: I’ve never experienced this myself (or I think not)🤔, but like in any country, it’s possible to encounter a taxi scam. For example, a driver could take a longer route to increase the fare, and the language barrier can sometimes make it a stressful experience.

Taking the KTX in South Korea 🚅

Even though I’ve only used it once, here’s what I can tell you about the Korea Train Express (KTX): I took it from Seoul to Busan, and the journey takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, similar to Paris → Nantes.

You can book your tickets on several platforms. I personally used Klook, but it’s also possible on Trip.com or the official national website Korail.com.

As for the price, it varies depending on the number of passengers, the time of year, and how far in advance you book.