Practical info

Airport, transport, payment and emergency information for your Korea trip, in one place.

Read the summary for each topic, then open its guide page for details.

Airport to the city

From Incheon Airport, the AREX Express is the fastest way to Seoul Station (about 43 min from T1, 51 min from T2; adult KRW 13,000).
The AREX All-Stop Train takes a transit card and reaches Seoul Station in about 59–66 min via Hongik Univ. (KRW 4,750–5,350).
Buy limousine and night bus tickets in advance; most public transport stops around 23:30.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

The Seoul subway costs KRW 1,550 with a transit card for the first 10 km; trunk and branch buses cost KRW 1,500.
Tap your card when you get off and transfer within 30 min (60 min from 9 PM to 7 AM) for the transfer discount.
Many city buses do not take foreign credit cards by tap — carry a transit card such as T-money.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Buy and top up T-money at convenience stores; it works on subways, buses and taxis nationwide.
For heavy use in Seoul, the Climate Card short-term pass (1 day KRW 5,000 to 7 days KRW 20,000, plus KRW 3,000 for the card) gives unlimited subway and Seoul bus rides.
K-Pass is for residents, so most short-term visitors cannot use it.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

A standard Seoul taxi starts at KRW 4,800 for the first 1.6 km, with 20–40% extra from 10 PM to 4 AM.
Visitor-friendly apps (k.ride, Uber Taxi) take foreign cards and translate messages with the driver.
Taxis accept cash, credit cards and transit cards; no tipping is expected.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Most shops accept foreign Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and UnionPay cards.
Contactless (NFC) payment only works at terminals showing the contactless mark, so bring your physical card too.
Traditional markets, street stalls and city buses may need cash or a transit card.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Police 112, fire and ambulance 119, infectious-disease enquiries 1339.
1330 Korea Travel Hotline: Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese 24/7; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00.
Visa and stay questions go to 1345; search lost property at lost112.go.kr.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Spend KRW 15,000 or more at a “Tax Free” shop and you can get the VAT back when you leave Korea.
Instant in-store refunds apply to purchases under KRW 1,000,000 each, up to KRW 5,000,000 in total.
At the airport, get the customs check first, then claim at a refund counter or kiosk.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Buy an eSIM online and set it up by scanning a QR code — check that your phone supports eSIM first.
Roaming centers at Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju airports sell SIM cards and rent pocket Wi-Fi (passport required).
Find free public Wi-Fi at wififree.kr; the AREX Express train also has free Wi-Fi.

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Fares, hours and conditions can change. Check the official sources before you go.