The Seoul Metro, located in the north-east of South Korea, is an extensive railway system with a total length of almost 330 kilometres. With 9 lines and 300 stations, it’s mainly underground and serves most regions within the Seoul metropolitan area. This includes connections to Incheon International Airport, all cities surrounding the capital and several cities in Gyeonggi Province. Of the 24 million people living in the Seoul metropolitan area, about a third use the metro. It operates from 5:30am to 1:00am and the regular ticket price is 1,350 won (about €1).
The Seoul Metro, also known as the Subway, serves approximately 5,610,000 passengers daily. It is not a 24-hour service, but operates between 5:30am and 00:00am from Monday to Sunday.
The trains are air-conditioned and allow passengers to walk between platforms. Although the trains are not driverless, screen doors are installed on the platforms of lines 2 and 9, with plans to install them on all lines by 2010.
The fare for a ride on the Seoul Metro is 1.
For more information, you can visit the Seoul Metro Official Website.
Metro map of Seoul
Map of Seoul Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it.
History
The Seoul Metro opened on 15 August 1974 with a single line, 9 stations and a length of only 8 kilometres. Originally, the railway only ran between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station. Now, more than 40 years later, it has grown into one of the world’s most extensive metro systems, with 9 lines, over 300 stations and a railway length of 327 kilometres, covering all corners of the Seoul metropolitan area. It is used by more than 7 million people every day.
Lines and Stations
The network of the Seoul Metro connects each district of the city and its surrounding areas. The Seoul Metro consists of 9 lines covering Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, the western part of Gangwon Province and the northern part of Chungnam Province.
Line 1 or Dark Blue
Line 1 started operating on 15 August 1974, with trains running through the business districts of downtown Seoul. It is integrated with Korail’s Gyeongbu, Gyeongin and Gyeonwon lines. It is the only line where trains run on the left side of the tracks. This line starts at Soyosan station and its network is divided into branches leading to the terminal stations of Incheon, Sinchang, Gwangmyeong and Seodongtan. There are 114 stations along the route. The line is shown in dark blue on Seoul Metro maps. This line provides a transfer to the metro in Incheon city, where the international airport is located. Incheon Metro is operated by both Korail and Seoul Metro. It is owned by both the South Korean government and the city of Seoul.
Line 2 or Light Green
Line 2 was built between 1978 and 1984. It includes the railway between Seongsu and Sinseol-dong stations and connects the city centre of Gangnam in the south, the second largest district of Seoul. Later, in 1993, the line was extended by 51 stations between Sindorim and Kkachisa stations. It is shown in light green on Seoul Metro maps. This line is managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Line 3 or Orange Line
Line 3 was built between 1980 and 1993. It covers the stations between Daehwa and Ogeum stations and has 44 stations in total. It is marked orange on the metro maps. It is managed by both Korail and the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by both the South Korean government and the city of Seoul.
Line 4 or Blue Line
Line 4 was built between 1980 and 1994. It connects the populous northeastern district with the southern part of Seoul. This line runs from the Gwacheon and Ansan areas through the centre of the old city. This line serves 51 stations between Dangogae and Oido stations. It is shown in blue on the Seoul Metro maps. This line is managed by both Korail and the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by both the South Korean government and the City of Seoul.
Line 5 or Purple Line
Line 5 was built between 1990 and 1996. It connects the eastern region of Seoul with the western region and provides access to Gimpo Airport and the Yeouido business district. Line 5 covers 51 stations between Banghwa Station and Sangil-dong/Macheon Station. It is shown in purple on Seoul Metro maps. This line is managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by the City of Seoul.
Line 6 or Brown Line
Line 6 is U-shaped and runs from Eungam and Bonghwasan stations. It started operation in August 2000, with four additional stations added at the end of the year. The line was completed in August 2001. Trains on this line serve 38 stations. It is marked in brown on Seoul Metro maps. This line is managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by the City of Seoul.
Line 7 or Olive Green Line
Line 7 was built between 1990 and 1996 and was completed in August 2000. It connects Jangam station with Konkuk University and Bupyeong-gu office without going through downtown Seoul. The line currently extends beyond Onsu in western Seoul. It serves 51 stations and is shown in olive green on Seoul Metro maps. This line is managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by the cities of Seoul, Bucheon and Incheon.
Line 8 or Pink Line
Line 8 was built between 1990 and 1999. It is the shortest line of the Seoul Metro. It serves the southeastern part of Seoul and the satellite city of Seongnam, connecting Amsa Station with Moran Station. Trains on this line serve 17 stations. It is marked pink on the Seoul Metro maps. This line is operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation and is owned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Line 9
Line 9 was opened on 24 July 2009. It connects Gaehwa Station with Sports Complex Station. Trains stop at 30 stations on their way between these two stations. This line is jointly managed by Line 9 Corporation and Seoul Metro and is owned by the City of Seoul, Line 9 Corporation and Seoul Metro.
Additional Lines
Beyond the original 9 lines of the Seoul Metro, there are many additional lines (19 in total) that criss-cross the city, resulting in a total length of 975.4 km (606.1 miles). This makes the Seoul Metro the longest metro system in the world. With 2.5 billion passengers a year, it’s the world’s busiest metro system. It is also the second busiest metro system in the world, with a total of 607 stations. Only the New York Metro has more stations than the Seoul Metro.
- AREX Line (light blue): Trains on this line run from Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport. The line has 10 stations with a total length of 58 km and is operated by Korail Airport Railway.
- Jungang Line (turquoise): Trains on this line run from Yongsan to Yongmun. The line serves 28 stations over a length of 71.2 km and is operated by Korail.
- Gyeongui Line (turquoise): Trains on this line run from Gongdeok/Seoul Station to Munsan. The line serves 23 stations over a length of 50.8 km and is operated by Korail.
- Gyeongchun Line (turquoise): Trains on this line run from Sangbong to Chuncheon. The line has 19 stations over a length of 80.7 km and is operated by Korail.
- Bundang Line (yellow): Trains on this line run from Wangsimni to Mangpo. The line has 32 stations over a railway length of 46.8 km and is managed by Korail.
- Suin Line (yellow): Trains on this line run from Oido to Songdo. The line has 9 stations over a length of 13.1 km and is operated by Korail.
- Shinbundang Line (yellow): Trains on this line run from Gangnam to Jeongja. The line serves 6 stations over a length of 17.3 km and is operated by Neo Trans (DX Line).
- Incheon Line 1 (pastel blue): Trains on this line run from Gyeyang to the International Business District. The line serves 29 stations over a length of 29.4 km and is operated by Incheon Transit.
- EverLine (green): Trains on this line run from Giheung to Jeondae-Everland. The line serves 15 stations over a length of 18.1 km and is operated by the Yongin Rapid Transit Corporation.
- U Line (yellow): Trains on this line run from Balgok to Tapseok. The line has 15 stations over a length of 11.1 km and is operated by the Uijeongbu LRT Corporation.
Stations are usually two to three minutes apart by train, but some neighbouring stations are 15 minutes apart. Each station is identified by its name and a 3-digit number. The first digit is the number of the line and the remaining two digits indicate the position of the station in relation to the first station on the line. In addition to the station number and name, the names of the next and previous stations are displayed on the platforms in both English and Korean.
All stations have maps showing the exits, the avenues and streets where the trains stop, which exits have escalators or lifts, and even the location of the available toilets (which are impressively clean). The Seoul Metro also uses a simple colour coding system. Each line has a specific colour used for trains, stations, maps and transfer points, making it easier for foreign tourists to navigate the trains. This is particularly useful for tourists who do not speak or read Korean.
All stations have 4G broadband internet coverage. Signposts and maps are in both Korean and English. LCD screens and announcements in the carriages provide information in both languages. In the main stations, information is also provided in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. The coaches are air-conditioned and the seats are heated in winter. These features, together with efficient, fast and safe service, make the Seoul Metro the best metro system in Asia and one of the best in the world.
For passenger safety, almost all metro stations have glass walls along the edge of the platform. The platform doors open synchronously with the train doors when the train arrives at the platform. These walls not only protect passengers from noise and dust, but also prevent overcrowding between the platform and the train.
Schedule, Timetables, and Calendar
The Seoul Metro operates from 5:30 am to 1:00 am from Monday to Friday. On weekends, it runs from 5:30am to midnight. Trains run every four to six minutes during off-peak hours and every two to three minutes during peak hours.
Tickets, Prices, and Cards
The Seoul Metro operates in conjunction with other transport services in Seoul, allowing transfers to metros in surrounding suburbs and cities, as well as buses.
The Seoul Metro and other urban transport services share an integrated fare system: their tickets allow transfers between all modes of transport in Seoul. In other words, tickets allow transfers from metro to bus or vice versa, as well as transfers from bus to bus. These transfers can be made up to five times at no extra charge, except for the Shinbundang line, the U line and the Ever line, where there is an extra charge of 900, 300 and 200 won respectively.
Transfers should be made within 30 minutes of validating the ticket at the subway or bus exit (one hour for transfers between 21:00 and 07:00).
Tickets can be purchased from any of the ticket machines in each station, which accept both cash and credit cards. Tickets can also be purchased from many kiosks (e.g. 7-11 stores) located in all metro stations and throughout the city.
The price of a single ticket is 1,350 won (about €1), which includes a 500 won deposit that can be refunded at special machines (called Deposit Refund Devices). These machines can be found in all subway stations.
The 1,250-won fare on the T-money cards allows you to travel up to 10km. If you travel beyond this distance, you will be charged 100 won for each additional 5 km. And if the distance travelled is more than 50 km, 100 won is charged for each additional 8 km.
T-money Cards
In addition to single tickets, there are also refillable transport cards. These cards are known as T-Money and are similar in size to a credit card. These cards have RFID technology, which makes them useful for various tasks, such as refunding the customer’s deposit at the time of purchase. These cards can be purchased either with debit or credit cards, or by using Android smartphones that support T-money cards. This method of purchasing a T-money card is the most popular among South Koreans.
In summary, T-money cards are essential prepaid transport cards that can be used until the money loaded on them runs out. They can be topped up for reuse. However, with a price tag of 4,000 won, it may not be worth getting a T-money card for a one- or two-day stay in Seoul. You would not use the subway enough to justify the relatively high price.
Children Fares
For children aged 7-12, the ticket price is 450 won. Teenagers aged 13 to 18 pay 720 won. Finally, people aged 19 and over are considered adults.
Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities
Senior citizens and people with disabilities can enter free of charge. They can get a free ticket or use the side doors to enter and exit the metro instead of using the turnstiles.
For people who use the metro frequently and for a long time, the city council offers a monthly pass for about 48 euros. Here are some of the prices:
- Single ride, for up to 10 km: 1,250 won. An additional 100 won will be charged for every additional 5 km.
- Shinbundang Line Single Ride Ticket: 1,750 won.
- EverLine and U Line Single Ride Ticket: 1,300 won.
- Tickets for Children: they get a 50% discount on their tickets.
- Seniors and People with Disabilities: free.
- Cards available: T-money, Upass, and KB Free Pass.
Tips
Seoul Metro trains are quite long. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the station maps to see where the exits are at your destination. This way you will know which car to board.
It is also important to know which exit to go to at the stations, as there are many exits and the corridors are very long.
Fun facts and tips
Most stations of the Seoul Metro have lockers that can be used by passengers and have text in different languages. Prices and the time allowed for use vary from station to station (usually between two and four hours), and prices vary according to the size of the locker: small lockers cost between 1,000 and 2,000 won; medium lockers cost between 1,500 and 3,000 won; and large lockers cost between 2,000 and 4,000 won. Payment methods vary from station to station, but in general you can pay with transport cards (T-money) or credit cards.
As a fun fact, some stations have vending machines that sell gas masks. The reason for this is quite understandable, as these stations, like all subway stations in the world, can be used as shelters in case of terrorist attacks or war.
Future Expansions
In general, it can be said that as the population of Seoul and its surrounding cities grows, the metro service will also grow to meet the increased demand. However, extending the metro lines to provide more transport in Seoul’s satellite cities would create more demand for transport in these cities, as there are a large number of potential passengers in these cities. The number of annual passengers in Seoul’s satellite cities can be compared to the metro services of major metropolises such as Tokyo or Moscow.
In 2010, Seoul Metro added a new line that connects the city of Bundang with Gangnam Station in about 15 minutes. This is the busiest metro station in Seoul (with an average of 125,000 passengers per day this year). Gangnam Station is located in the southern part of the city, where many of South Korea’s most important businesses and entertainment venues are located.
Also known as the DX line, it is the first line of the Seoul Metro to be fully automated. It is managed by a state-of-the-art train control system that allows the trains to operate without a driver. This control system only requires assistants who are available to assist passengers.
Another recently inaugurated line is the renovated Gyeongchun line, which now offers services to Chuncheon, Gangwon-do. Trains on this line travel between the western terminus of Sangbong in Seoul and the eastern terminus of Chuncheon in less than 90 minutes.
One of the lines to be inaugurated in 2017 is the Ui LRT line. This line will connect Line 4 from Sungshin Female University with Line 6 at Bomun Station and with Lines 1 and 2 at Sinseol Dong. It will have 12 stations. The Ui LRT Line is expected to carry 110,000 passengers daily.
Connection to the airport
Seoul has two airports: Gimpo International Airport, which is mainly used for domestic flights, and Incheon International Airport. The easiest way to get to Incheon Airport is via the AREX line, which opened in 2010. This line connects Seoul Station with Incheon International Airport via its brand new express train, which makes the journey in just 45 minutes. This line also has stations at Hongik University and Digital Media City.
To get to Gimpo International Airport, take subway line 5 or 9 to Gimpo International Airport Station.
Interesting information for the tourist
The Seoul Metro is the ideal means of transport for tourists to visit all the historical sites as well as other tourist attractions such as theme parks and, eventually, film sets and locations.
The Seoul Metro itself can also be considered a tourist attraction. Its busiest stations host cultural events such as free concerts, art exhibitions and collective or individual performances by all kinds of artists. This makes the Seoul Metro a cultural centre.
There is another interesting fact that may surprise foreigners, which is something that was done as a way of compensating for the huge investment of money required to maintain the metro system: The Seoul government decided some time ago to sell the names of the stations to private companies and educational institutions within 500 metres of the stations at high prices. One of the most expensive station names was worth the equivalent of $300,000 and was bought by the Industrial Bank of South Korea. For example, Bubyeong station has the alternative name “Catholic University of Incheon” written in parentheses, Sosa station is also called “Seoul’s Theological University”, and Yeoggok station is also called “Catholic University of South Korea”. Such names illustrate the influence that Christianity still has in South Korea.
