The Busan Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Busan, South Korea. Originally built in 1985 with only 17 stations, it now has 5 lines with a total of 121 stations. The system is operated by the Busan Transportation Corporation and is 133.4 km long. It is a popular means of transport in the city, with a daily ridership of 890,108 people (2014). Everything from train directions to announcements is in multiple languages for the convenience of passengers.
The Busan Metro, also known as the subway, is a vital part of the city’s public transport infrastructure, serving an average of 890,000 passengers daily. It does not operate 24 hours a day, with operating hours typically between 5am and 12:30am.
Despite the lack of air conditioning, it ensures passenger safety through the use of screen doors on all platforms of Line 3. There is no opportunity to walk between platforms and all trains are manually operated, indicating the absence of driverless trains.
A trip on the Busan Metro costs 1300 won.
Map of Busan Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Busan Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The primary transport system in Busan, the Busan Metro, consists of four operational lines, numbered 1 to 4. This system is supplemented by the Busan-Gimhae light rail and the Dongjae line, which are operated by different companies. Initially, most stations were underground, but various surface stations have been added to meet the city’s specific needs. Busan Metro lines include
Line 1
Line 1 of the Busan Metro crosses the city from north to south. It covers a distance of 39.8 kilometres (24.7 miles) with 40 stations along the way. Trains on this line consist of eight cars. This line was the first to be inaugurated in 1985, after construction began in 1981. Several extensions were made in 1987, 1990 and 1994, and a new 7.3-kilometre (4.5-mile) section was inaugurated in 2017. It terminates at Dadaepo Beach and Nopo and can be identified by its orange colour.
Line 2
Line 2 crosses the city of Busan from east to west. It is 46 kilometres (28.6 miles) long and has 43 stations. Although it’s the longest line in the system, the trains have only six carriages. Construction of the line began in 1991 and it was officially opened to the public in June 1999. Further extensions were made in 2003 and 2009. Line 2 terminates at Jangsan and Yangsan, and the colour associated with this line is light green.
Line 3
Line 3 was officially opened in 2005, eight years after construction began on the first section. The line is currently 18.3 kilometres (11.4 miles) long and has 17 stations. Each train on this line consists of three to four carriages, as it’s not one of the busiest lines. Line 3 terminates at Sueyong and Daegeo, and its distinctive colour is light brown. Notably, all of its stations have platform doors, making it one of the few systems in the world with this feature.
Line 4
Originally planned as an extension of Line 3, Line 4 was formally established as a separate line and opened in 2011. Also known as the Bangsong Line, Line 4 uses rubber-tired metro cars, making it different from previous models. It is currently the shortest line in the system, covering 12.7 kilometres (7.9 miles) with 14 stations along the way. Eight of these stations are underground, one is at ground level and five are elevated. Line 4 terminates at Minam and Anpyeong, and its identifying colour is blue.
Busan-Gimhae Light Rail
The Busan-Gimhae Light Rail connects the neighbouring city of Gimhae with Busan. It opened in September 2011 and is operated by the private company Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit Operation Corporation, or B&G Metro. The total length of the line is 23.9 kilometres (14.9 miles) and includes 21 stations. It serves as an important link between Busan International Airport, nearby areas and more distant locations. The light rail terminates at Sasang and Kaya University. It’s typically identified by the colour purple and each train consists of just two cars.
Dongjae Line
Korail, the public company that manages South Korea’s railway system, oversees the Dongjae line. This railway connects Moryang and Bsanjin stations with Pohang station in South Korea. The Busan section of the line is integrated with the subway and runs between Ilkwang and Taehwa over a distance of 28 kilometres. An additional section between Ilkwang and Taehwa is scheduled to open in 2019. This line is associated with the Korail blue colour, which is slightly darker.
Connections to Other Systems
The metro is undoubtedly the most important mode of transport in Busan because of its convenient connections to different parts of the city and its integration with similar systems. However, the other interconnected transport systems are also crucial. For example, the Busan-Gimhae light rail connects to the rest of the system at Sasang (Line 2) and Deunggu (Line 3) stations. The Busan section of the Dongjae line connects to Line 3 at its Geoje station. Its Busan National University of Education station connects to Line 1, and BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) connects to Line 2.
Buses serve as the city’s second most important transportation system after the subway. Buses operate mainly within the city, but also serve neighbouring areas such as Ulsan, Gyeongsangnam and Gimhae. There are 34 bus companies with different routes. Despite the large number of operators, the system is unified, with no differences in fares. There are currently 131 routes, with regular blue buses covering all stops, express red buses with limited stops, night buses operating after 10pm, tourist buses and a limousine service for Gimhae airport.
The Busan Railway is another important part of the city’s transport system. With the availability of high-speed train services, the southern half of the Korean peninsula is well connected. There are major stations such as Busan, which is connected to Line 1, and Gupo and Gaya, which are connected to Line 2. The Gyeongbu line, among others, connects various regions of the country.
As a coastal city, Busan’s port plays an important role. Although it is primarily a commercial port, it is also home to several passenger routes that connect the city to other parts of the Korean peninsula, particularly the neighbouring Japanese islands and the Japanese city of f*ckuoka.
Airport Connections
Gimhae International Airport, which serves the city of Busan, is located in the neighbouring city of Gimhae. It was inaugurated in 1978 and a new terminal was opened in 2007. The airport is the main operating hub for Air Busan and is one of the most important in the southern part of the Korean peninsula.
The airport is easily accessible via the Busan-Gimhae light rail system. Gimhae International Airport Station is located directly at the airport and offers easy connections to Line 2 at Sasang Station or Line 3 at Deunggu Station.
Operating Hours and Frequency
The operating schedule of the Busan Metro is relatively consistent across all lines.
The first train for Line 1 departs at 5:04 a.m. and the last train arrives at Dadaepo Beach Station at 11:11 p.m. Service for Line 2 begins at around 5:00 a.m., with the first train departing at 5:18 a.m. and the last train departing at 11:43 p.m. for Gwangan Station. Line 3 departs from Suyeong station at 5:20am, with the last train departing for Daejeo station at 11:59pm. Line 4 departs from Minam station at 5:40am, with the last train departing for Anpyeong at 12:20am.
The Busan-Gimhae LRT runs from 5:00am to 12:00am, with the full journey taking approximately 37 minutes. The average interval between trains is 3.9 minutes during rush hour, 6 minutes during rush hour and up to 10 minutes at night.
On line 1, the frequency starts at about every 14 minutes, decreasing to 9 minutes until 7:00 am, when it becomes every 5 minutes. It then stabilises at about every 6 to 7 minutes until 17:00, when it becomes 4 to 5 minutes. Line 2 has a similar frequency schedule, while Line 3 operates at a frequency of every 15 minutes, which drops to every 5 minutes at 7:00 a.m., and then varies throughout the day and night. Line 4 starts with a frequency of every 10 minutes, dropping to every 5 minutes at 8:00 am and varying throughout the rest of the day and night.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
The fare structure for the Busan Metro is integrated with other public transport systems and is determined by the distance travelled. Since 2014, fares for trips under 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) have been 1200 won ($1.15), while trips over this distance cost 1500 won ($1.33). Short trips for teenagers cost 1050 won ($US 0.93), while longer trips cost 1200 won ($US 1.07). Children’s fares are 650 won ($US 0.58) for short trips and 750 won ($US 0.67) for longer trips. Tickets are mainly purchased from vending machines at train stations. Travel is free for senior citizens aged 65 and over, the disabled, military personnel and veterans.
Day tickets are also available. A 24-hour ticket for unlimited travel costs 5000 won ($4.44). A 7-day pass costs 21,000 won ($US 18.64) and a monthly pass costs 60,000 won ($US 53.28).
Another form of payment is by card. The Hanaro Card and the Digital Busan Card are the most popular. They offer a 10% discount for adults and a 20% discount for young people aged 13 to 18. These contactless cards can also be used on city buses. The Hanaro card costs 2000 won ($1.78). There are also a number of post-paid cards that cover various suburban rail systems.
Future Expansions
The expansion of Busan Metro is progressing at a steady and secure pace. Ongoing growth and the opening of new lines will continue, including the construction of Line 5, which will connect Sasang Station to Gadeokdo via the reconfigured Gyeongjeon Line. More rail projects are in the pipeline, as the Donghae Nambu line is being prioritised for redevelopment and integration into the metro system with regional and national trains.
Another rail line that may be incorporated into the Busan metro system is the Yangsan line, which will connect Nopo on Line 1 to the Yangsan Sports Complex on Line 2 and terminate in this area. A possible extension of Line 4 to Anpyeong is also planned.
Tips
To make your journey as smooth as possible, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind when travelling on the Busan Metro. Some of them are
- Understanding people and system messages is crucial. Remember that signs are in English and Korean, and announcements are made in both languages as well as Mandarin Chinese and Japanese.
- Although Busan is not a crowded city, bear in mind that travelling on an Asian metro system can be extremely busy at peak times.
- It is useful to have a metro map and a pre-planned route. It’s also a good idea to buy tickets based on how much time you’ll be spending in Busan and how often you’ll be using public transport.
Interesting Facts
- Unlike similar transport systems around the world, photography is allowed on the Busan Metro.
- The system has a lost and found office open during business hours. After seven days, items are handed over to the police.
- It is one of five metro systems in South Korea, along with those in Seoul, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju.
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Exploring Busan via Busan Metro
Busan has developed into a charming city that’s perfect for exploring the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Its proximity to Japan has made it one of the country’s most important ports. The city has also become famous for its green valleys and commercial port ambience. Historic religious temples, beaches and distinctive cuisine are all part of the Busan experience. Many of these sites are accessible via the Busan Metro. Here are a few examples:
- Haeundae Beach: You can actually go to the beach in Korea. It may not be the same as a Caribbean beach, but the sea is a great alternative during the warm months. This place is known for its leisure and recreational activities, its many hotels and the daily crowds. To get to this beach, get off at Haeundae station on Line 2 and walk a few blocks to the sea.
- BIFF Square: BIFF stands for Busan International Film Festival. The square was renamed in 1996 in honour of the festival. This 428-metre-long entertainment space is a hub for film industry events and artists. It’s also surrounded by several theatres. To get to the square, take subway line 1 to Jagalchi station.
- Gwangbokro Street: Shopping also has its place in Busan. On this street, you can explore a variety of shops selling items such as clothes and cosmetics. The variety of food options has also made it a popular meeting place. To reach this destination, get off at Nampo station on Line 1 and walk up one block.
