Seoul Subway Guide for First-Time Visitors

Seoul Subway Guide for First-Time Visitors

Purchasing a Subway Ticket

1. Obtain a T-money Card: Buy a T-money card at convenience stores or station kiosks for around 4,000 KRW.
2. Load Your Card: Use recharge machines or convenience stores to add credit.
3. Single-Journey Tickets: Purchase single-journey tickets from vending machines available in multiple languages.

Passing Through the Turnstiles

1. Entering: Tap your T-money card or single-journey ticket on the turnstile sensor to enter.
2. Exiting: Tap your card or ticket at the exit gate to deduct the fare.

Subway Etiquette

• Leave priority seats for the elderly, pregnant women, or disabled passengers.
• Queue properly and let passengers disembark before boarding.
• Keep noise levels low and avoid eating or drinking.

Characteristics of Each Subway Line

Line Number	Color	Key Features
1	Dark Blue	Connects central Seoul to suburban areas; stops at Seoul Station and City Hall.
2	Green	Circular line connecting Gangnam, Hongdae, and Jamsil.
3	Orange	North to south; passes Gyeongbokgung and connects to Suseo.
4	Light Blue	Connects Dongdaemun and Namdaemun; serves northeastern to southwestern Seoul.
5	Purple	East to west; links Gimpo Airport and Yeouido.
6	Brown	Covers northern Seoul, including Itaewon and Korea University.
7	Olive Green	Northwest to southeast; serves residential and business areas.
8	Pink	Focuses on southeastern areas like Songpa and Seongnam.
9	Gold	East-west express line; connects to COEX Mall and Gangnam.

Announcements and Station Names

All announcements are in Korean and English, with key stations also announced in Japanese and Chinese. Station names are displayed in multiple languages for convenience.

Additional Tips

Subway Map: Grab a free map at information centers or use digital apps for navigation.

Operating Hours: Subways run from around 5:30 AM to midnight. Check schedules for specific lines.

Emergency Assistance: Use intercoms on platforms or trains to contact staff if needed.