Is the Seoul subway still running?
Typical first and last departures from central Seoul, by line — and your options after that
Today is a Korean public holiday, so the weekend timetable applies.
These are typical times from central stations, not a timetable. Last trains vary by station and direction, and the final services of the night often stop short of the end of the line. Confirm on the platform display or in Naver Map before relying on it.
Operating hours by line (approximate)
| Line | First | Last Mon–Fri | Last Sat–Sun |
|---|
Departures from central Seoul in the busier direction. Sat–Sun times also apply on public holidays. On New Year's Eve and some festival nights service is extended.
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government (subway & bus fares) · AREX (Airport Railroad) · Verified 9 Oct 2026 · All sources & changelog
Missed the last train?
- Night Owl bus (N-line) — ₩2,500, every 30–40 minutes until about 04:00 on routes such as N15, N26 and N37 through Jongno, Gangnam and Hongdae. Use Naver Map to find the nearest stop.
- Taxi — 40% surcharge between 23:00 and 02:00. Hongdae → Gangnam late at night is about ₩20,000–25,000. Use the taxi calculator.
- Wait it out — first trains start around 05:30. 24-hour cafés, jjimjilbang (bathhouses) and PC bang (internet cafés) are where locals wait.
FAQ
What time does the Seoul subway close?
Most lines run their last trains from central stations between 23:50 and 00:30 on weekdays, and about 30 minutes earlier on weekends and public holidays. The AREX Express stops earlier, around 22:40 from Seoul Station.
Does the Seoul subway run 24 hours?
No. There's a gap from roughly 00:30 to 05:30. Night Owl buses and taxis cover it.
What time is the first subway in Seoul?
Around 05:30 on every line, slightly earlier on the AREX airport line (05:20) — early enough for a morning flight from Incheon with the All-stop train.