TL;DR — 3 things to know before you board
- Install Subway Korea — not KakaoMetro. Subway Korea has full English support and a 4.1/5 rating from foreign users. KakaoMetro has removed or broken its English interface across multiple updates — its foreign user rating is 2.5/5, with consistent complaints that it's "Korean-only now." The app names are easy to confuse: always check the publisher is IYEON for Subway Korea.
- Seoul's subway is one of the best public transit systems in the world — use it. Lines run every 2–5 minutes during peak hours, cover the entire city, and cost ₩1,400–₩2,150 per ride by T-money. Most stations have English signage, platform announcements in English, and escalators. It's faster than taxis for most inner-Seoul trips.
- Last trains leave around 11:30pm–midnight. The exact time varies by line and direction. If you miss the last subway, you'll need a taxi. Check the last departure time in Subway Korea for your specific route on any late-night outing.
Two Apps, One Clear Winner
Subway Korea
Recommended for Foreigners
Published by IYEON. Designed specifically for foreign visitors and international users navigating Korean subway networks. Full English interface with English station names throughout. Covers Seoul Metro, AREX (airport rail), Busan Metro, and other regional systems. Google Play foreign user rating: 4.1 / 5.
- Route search in English (type station names in English)
- Full English subway map for Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon
- Real-time train arrival information
- Transfer instructions with platform details
- Last train schedule check by line and station
KakaoMetro (카카오지하철)
English Dropped — Korean Only
The most popular subway app among Korean users, integrated with the Kakao ecosystem (KakaoTalk, KakaoMap). Excellent for Korean-language navigation but has progressively removed English support across updates. Highest foreign user complaint category (48% of all reviews) is loss of English interface. Foreign user rating: 2.5 / 5.
- Excellent app if you can read Korean
- Deep KakaoTalk and KakaoMap integration
- Real-time crowd density information (Korean UI)
- Seoul subway only (not Busan or other cities)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Subway Korea | KakaoMetro |
|---|---|---|
| English interface | ✓ Full English | ✗ Removed / broken |
| English station names | ✓ Throughout | ✗ Korean only |
| Foreign user rating | 4.1 / 5 | 2.5 / 5 |
| Busan Metro coverage | ✓ Included | Seoul only |
| Real-time arrivals | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crowd density info | Basic | Detailed (Korean UI) |
| AREX airport line | ✓ Covered | Covered |
| Korean user popularity | Lower | Very high |
| No login required | ✓ Open immediately | ✓ Open immediately |
Seoul Subway Lines — Quick Reference
Lines most used by foreign visitors. Numbers and colors match Subway Korea and station signage.
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Line 1
Line 1 — Dark BlueSeoul Station → Incheon / Suwon. Connects central Seoul to the airport rail and southern suburbs.
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Line 2
Line 2 — Green (circular)Hongik Univ → Gangnam → Dongdaemun History Park. The most-used line by tourists. Circular route covers most major districts.
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Line 3
Line 3 — OrangeGyeongbokgung → Anguk → Insadong area. Key line for palace and traditional market visits.
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Line 4
Line 4 — Light BlueMyeongdong → Dongdaemun → Seoul Station. Direct to Myeongdong shopping and Namdaemun Market.
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Line 5
Line 5 — PurpleGimpo Airport → Yeouido → Gangdong. Connects Gimpo Airport to Yeouido business and Han River area.
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Line 9
Line 9 — Gold (express available)Gimpo Airport → Yeouido → Samsung (COEX). Express trains skip stations — faster but check stops carefully.
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AREX
AREX — Airport Railroad ExpressIncheon Airport → Seoul Station. Direct express: 43 min (₩9,500). All-stop: 66 min (₩4,150). Both run 05:23–00:03.
Common Subway Situations
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Arriving at Incheon Airport — which train to Seoul?AREX direct express to Seoul Station (43 min, ₩9,500) or the all-stop AREX (66 min, ₩4,150). At the airport, follow signs to "Airport Railroad" — blue AREX signs lead to the underground station in T1 Basement 2 or T2 Basement 2. Search "Seoul Station" in Subway Korea to see onward connections from there.
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Getting to Myeongdong from central SeoulLine 4, Myeongdong station (명동, exit 5 or 8) for the shopping street. Search "Myeongdong" in Subway Korea — the app shows the correct line and exit. Takes 5–8 minutes from Seoul Station on Line 4.
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Getting to Hongdae (Hongik University area) for bars and nightlifeLine 2, Hongik University station (홍대입구). Exit 9 for the main club street. Also served by AREX (if coming from airport) and Line A (Gyeongui-Jungang). Subway Korea shows all three options — the fastest depends on your starting point.
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Checking if you'll make the last train homeIn Subway Korea, tap the station name → "Last Train." Last trains on most Seoul lines depart between 11:30pm and 12:15am. If your event ends at midnight, check the last departure before leaving — the subway stops before late-night taxis become the only option.
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Your transit card is rejected at the gateInsufficient balance is the most common reason. Look for a recharge machine (교통카드 충전기) near the gate — they accept cash and some Korean cards. For WOWPass or foreign-card transit, check that the card has NFC enabled and is held flat against the reader (not swiped). If the gate still rejects, buy a single-ride paper ticket from the vending machines next to the gate.
Known Issues (2026)
KakaoMetro — English support removed (persistent since 2023)
KakaoMetro's English language option was previously accessible through the app's settings menu. Following multiple updates, the English toggle either disappeared or no longer changes the station name display — everything reverts to Korean Hangul. This is the single most common complaint in KakaoMetro's foreign user reviews, consistently reported across Android and iOS versions. There is no known workaround; switching to Subway Korea is the solution.
KakaoMetro's English language option was previously accessible through the app's settings menu. Following multiple updates, the English toggle either disappeared or no longer changes the station name display — everything reverts to Korean Hangul. This is the single most common complaint in KakaoMetro's foreign user reviews, consistently reported across Android and iOS versions. There is no known workaround; switching to Subway Korea is the solution.
Subway Korea — Occasional route data refresh needed
A small number of Subway Korea reviews report that after a major app update or new Seoul Metro schedule change, route results temporarily show outdated times. Fix: check for an app update in the store and install it. Seoul Metro updates its schedule periodically — the app typically catches up within a week of official schedule changes.
A small number of Subway Korea reviews report that after a major app update or new Seoul Metro schedule change, route results temporarily show outdated times. Fix: check for an app update in the store and install it. Seoul Metro updates its schedule periodically — the app typically catches up within a week of official schedule changes.
AREX express vs all-stop: The AREX direct express train does not stop at every station between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station. It costs ₩9,500 and takes 43 minutes. The all-stop train costs ₩4,150 and takes 66 minutes, but it stops at Hongik University station — useful if you're staying in the Hongdae area. Check the train indicator board at the airport station before boarding.
Platform screen doors: All Seoul subway platforms have full-height glass screen doors that open only when the train arrives. Do not lean on the doors waiting — they open outward. The doors open at all marked positions only when the train is stopped and aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subway Korea (App Store / Google Play, published by IYEON). It has full English support, English station names throughout, and a 4.1/5 rating from foreign users. KakaoMetro is popular with Korean users but has removed its English interface — its foreign user rating is 2.5/5, with consistent complaints about the app reverting to Korean-only. When searching the app store, verify the publisher is IYEON to avoid downloading a different app.
KakaoMetro previously had English support but has removed or broken it across multiple updates. As of 2026, foreign user reviews consistently report that English menus and station names no longer work reliably, defaulting to Korean. This is why KakaoMetro's foreign user rating dropped to 2.5/5. Subway Korea is the recommended alternative for English navigation.
No. Seoul subway operates approximately 05:30 to midnight, with last trains between 11:30pm and 12:15am depending on the line and direction. There are no 24-hour subway services. After midnight, use Kakao T (taxi app) or street taxis. Some night bus routes cover major arteries but are difficult to navigate without Korean. Taxis are the practical option after the last subway.
Pilot programs for foreign contactless cards have been rolling out on some Seoul subway lines as of 2026, but coverage is not yet universal. The reliable option is still a T-money card — purchasable at any convenience store inside a subway station for ₩2,500–₩4,000. WOWPass (tourist prepaid card) also works on transit. T-money can also be loaded to Apple Wallet for iPhone users.
Buy at any GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, or Emart24 convenience store — virtually every subway station has one inside. The card costs ₩2,500–₩4,000. Load credit at the same counter or at a recharge machine near the subway gates. Minimum load: ₩1,000. Standard subway fares in Seoul range from ₩1,400 to ₩2,150 depending on distance. T-money also works on city buses and some taxis.
Yes, Subway Korea is free on both Android and iOS. No account or login is required — open the app and search immediately. There is no subscription or in-app purchase needed for route search, real-time arrivals, or the full subway map. Download it before arriving in Korea to avoid spending data time installing it at the airport.