Seoul subway fare calculator
Pick any two stations for the 2026 fare, route and time · ₩1,550 base for 10 km · changing lines costs nothing
Popular stops are listed first; every station on Lines 1–9, AREX (city section), Shinbundang, Suin-Bundang and Gyeongui-Jungang is in the list.
Route
Fare is charged on the shortest rail distance between the two stations, whichever way you ride. Times are estimates from distance and changes, not a timetable.
For trips to Incheon Airport use the airport calculator — the AREX airport section has its own fare that this calculator doesn't cover.
How Seoul subway fares work
- Base fare ₩1,550 (card) covers the first 10 km — most trips inside central Seoul.
- +₩100 for every 5 km from 10 to 50 km, then +₩100 for every 8 km beyond that.
- Single-journey ticket: ₩100 more than the card fare, plus a ₩500 deposit refunded at the machines by the exit.
- Changing lines is free as long as you stay inside the gates. Only distance changes the fare.
- Youth (13–18) pay ₩900 and children (6–12) ₩550 on a youth or child T-money card registered with Korean ID, so visiting families normally pay the adult fare. A child single-journey ticket is ₩550 and is sold at the machines without registration.
- Early-bird discount: 20% off the base fare before 06:30 with a card.
- Tapped out by mistake? You can re-enter the same station within 10 minutes without paying again (once per trip). Leaving the gates and entering a different station starts a new fare.
- The Shinbundang Line (Sinsa ↔ Gangnam ↔ Pangyo ↔ Gwanggyo) adds its own surcharge on top: ₩700 for Sinsa–Gangnam, ₩1,000 for Gangnam–Jeongja or Jeongja–Gwanggyo, up to ₩2,200 for the whole line. The calculator includes it.
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government (subway & bus fares) · Verified 9 Oct 2026 · All sources & changelog
Lines you'll actually use
| Line | Useful stops for visitors |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Seoul Station · City Hall · Jongno 3-ga · Dongdaemun |
| Line 2 | Hongdae · City Hall · Gangnam · Jamsil (circle line) |
| Line 3 | Gyeongbokgung · Anguk (Bukchon) · Apgujeong |
| Line 4 | Myeongdong · Dongdaemun · Seoul Station |
| Line 5 | Gimpo Airport · Gwanghwamun · Yeouido |
| Line 6 | Itaewon · World Cup Stadium |
| Line 9 | Gimpo Airport → Sinnonhyeon (Gangnam) express |
| AREX | Incheon Airport · Gimpo Airport · Hongik Univ. · Seoul Station |
Trains run from about 05:30 to around midnight. Check the last-train page before a late night out.
FAQ
Does changing lines cost extra on the Seoul subway?
No. As long as you stay inside the ticket gates you can change lines as often as you like. The fare depends only on the distance between your entry and exit stations. The one exception is the Shinbundang Line, which adds its own surcharge.
How much is the subway from Seoul Station to Gangnam?
₩1,650 with a transit card (₩1,750 as a single ticket): the shortest rail path is 11.5 km, in the 10–15 km band. The usual ride is Line 4 to Sadang and Line 2 to Gangnam, about 15 km and 35 minutes.
Can I tap a foreign credit card at the subway gate?
As of October 2026 most gates don't accept foreign contactless cards directly. Buy a T-money card at a convenience store, or a WOWPASS at the airport, and load it with cash.
Is the Seoul subway cheaper than Tokyo or London?
Far cheaper. A 10 km ride is ₩1,550 (about $1.10) — roughly a quarter of the equivalent London fare and about half of Tokyo's.