How to Navigate the Seoul Subway System Effortlessly: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
Every city has its own public transportation system, with different names and signage—like NYC’s subway, Singapore's MRT, or Hong Kong’s MTR.
Knowing how Seoul’s subway system works is essential for easy navigation, reading signs, and asking locals for directions. Plus, it helps you make the most of navigation apps like Kakao Map and Naver Map. This guide explains Seoul’s subway system, so you can travel confidently and effortlessly around the city.
Understanding Basic Subway Systems and Navigation
Understanding basic subway systems is key because they are largely similar worldwide, with regional differences reflecting local culture and development.
If you're new to public transit, here's a quick guide (if you are already familiar with it, then you can skip this section):
Stations: Places where trains stop, each with a unique name and sometimes a number or letter. Larger stations often have multiple lines for easy transfers and several entrances/exits.
Entrances/Exits: Access points to the station, labeled with letters, numbers, or landmarks, like Exit A – South Gate.
Train Lines: Routes with multiple stops, each identified by a number, letter, or name, often color-coded. They operate in two directions.
Train Directions: Usually shown by the last stop or the next station, indicating the train’s route and helping you determine which platform to board from.
Platforms: The area where you board the train, situated after the ticketing zones.
The above knowledge should help you navigate most subway systems worldwide. Some countries, like Japan, add extra details, such as, car numbers on platforms, for a more efficient boarding process.
How to Navigate Seoul’s Subway, Metro, and Train System with Ease
Below is a breakdown of how the Seoul subway system works.
Train Lines:
Seoul’s subway lines are color-coded for easy identification.
There are 9 lines that run within Seoul itself. These are numbered and often shown with different colors.
Lines connecting Seoul to nearby areas, like Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, are named individually, with 12 such lines. Check the full list here.
Train Stations:
Each station has a unique name, usually related to a nearby landmark or neighborhood.
Stations are assigned numbers linked to specific lines. These numbers are always shown in the color of the lines.
If a station serves multiple lines, it will have multiple numbers, each in a different colour based on the train line it serves.
Languages:
Station names are written in Korean, English, and Chinese for accessibility.
Entrances/Exits:
Exits are numbered and labeled with street or landmark names, often shown on signs in yellow.
Train Directions:
Most stations show the next stop’s name to tell you which way the train is headed, so remember to always check the next station when planning your trip.
Visual Aids:
Use the images below to see examples of how these labels, colors, and numbers appear on station signs and in navigation apps like Naver Map. This will help you navigate more confidently.
An example of how a Seoul train station, train lines and exit numbers are typically displayed at station entrances/exits.
Example of an exit/entrance signage for a station that serves 3 different train lines.
Example of a platform signage
Example of signage above platform door.
Example train route results by Naver Map app. Tap the image to zoom.
Additional Resources
Find all general info related to Seoul Train or subway, such as ticket fares, and station facilities at seoulmetro.co.kr
An interactive Seoul metro map you can use to get familiar with the train lines, also available in English.
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