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Getting around Seoul: the metro, the airport railway and the KTX

In depth·Seoul

One of the world’s great metro systems, AREX from Incheon, KTX and SRT trains to Busan and Jeonju, a T-money card and Kakao T: how to move through Seoul.

Seoul runs on its metro: numbered, colour-coded lines with signs and announcements in English. From Incheon International Airport, the AREX airport railway runs to Seoul Station; from Gimpo, AREX and the metro reach the centre. For the rest of Korea, KTX trains leave Seoul and Yongsan stations, and SRT trains leave Suseo in the south-east.

From the airports

Incheon International Airport (airport.kr) is linked to Seoul Station by the AREX railway (airportrailroad.com); Gimpo Airport (airport.co.kr/gimpo) is closer, with AREX and metro lines.

In the city

Seoul Metro (seoulmetro.co.kr) and the other operators run the lines; tap in and out with a T-money card. Taxis are metered.

Buy a T-money card at the first convenience store you see.

Out of the city

KTX (korail.com) from Seoul and Yongsan stations; SRT (srail.kr) from Suseo. GTX-A, the new express line, is partly open.

Our advice: travel outside the rush hours where you can, and keep your T-money card topped up.

Why it's on our list

  • From the airports
  • In the city
  • Out of the city

Location

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