Korean Transportation Vocabulary — Bus, Subway, Taxi, KTX

<h2>Getting Around Korea: Essential Vocabulary</h2> <p>After 12 years in Seoul, I can tell you one thing: Korea's transportation network is one of the best in the world. Clean, punctual, affordable — it's genuinely a pleasure to get around here. But you need to know the vocabulary! When I first arrived in 2014, I took the wrong bus three times in a row because I couldn't understand the announcements. Today, I'm going to save you from those mishaps.</p> <p>Whether you're visiting Seoul for the first time or planning a road trip across Korea, this guide will give you all the vocabulary you need to navigate the transport system like a local.</p> <h2>Means of Transportation — 교통수단 (gyo-tong-su-dan)</h2> <p>Let's start with the basics. Here are the main means of transport you'll use in Korea:</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>교통</td><td>gyo-tong</td><td>Transportation / traffic</td></tr> <tr><td>지하철</td><td>ji-ha-cheol</td><td>Subway / metro</td></tr> <tr><td>버스</td><td>beo-seu</td><td>Bus</td></tr> <tr><td>택시</td><td>taek-si</td><td>Taxi</td></tr> <tr><td>기차</td><td>gi-cha</td><td>Train</td></tr> <tr><td>비행기</td><td>bi-haeng-gi</td><td>Airplane</td></tr> <tr><td>자전거</td><td>ja-jeon-geo</td><td>Bicycle</td></tr> <tr><td>오토바이</td><td>o-to-ba-i</td><td>Motorcycle / scooter</td></tr> <tr><td>배</td><td>bae</td><td>Boat / ferry</td></tr> <tr><td>자동차</td><td>ja-dong-cha</td><td>Car</td></tr> </table> <h2>[Seoul Subway](/en/blog/seoul-metro-guide-in-korean-read-signs-like-a-local) — 서울 지하철</h2> <p>Seoul's subway has over 20 lines and more than 700 stations. It's the most convenient and affordable way to get around the capital. Announcements are made in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese, but knowing the Korean vocabulary will make your life much easier.</p> <h3>Essential Subway Vocabulary</h3> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>역</td><td>yeok</td><td>Station</td></tr> <tr><td>호선</td><td>ho-seon</td><td>Line (subway line)</td></tr> <tr><td>출구</td><td>chul-gu</td><td>Exit</td></tr> <tr><td>입구</td><td>ip-gu</td><td>Entrance</td></tr> <tr><td>환승</td><td>hwan-seung</td><td>Transfer / connection</td></tr> <tr><td>[개찰구](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%9C%EC%B0%B0%EA%B5%AC)</td><td>gae-chal-gu</td><td>Ticket gate / turnstile</td></tr> <tr><td>플랫폼</td><td>peul-laet-pom</td><td>Platform</td></tr> <tr><td>노선도</td><td>no-seon-do</td><td>Route map</td></tr> <tr><td>종점</td><td>jong-jeom</td><td>Terminus / last stop</td></tr> <tr><td>첫차</td><td>cheot-cha</td><td>First train</td></tr> <tr><td>막차</td><td>mak-cha</td><td>Last train</td></tr> <tr><td>급행</td><td>geu-paeng</td><td>Express</td></tr> </table> <p>For example, to ask "Which exit?" you say: <strong>몇 번 출구예요?</strong> (myeot beon chul-gu-ye-yo?) — literally "What number exit is it?" This is THE question you'll ask most often.</p> <h3>[T-money](/en/blog/t-money-korea-transport) Card — 티머니 카드</h3> <p>The <strong>T-money</strong> (티머니) card is the rechargeable card used for all public transportation in Seoul. You can buy one at any convenience store (편의점). Here's the related vocabulary:</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>티머니 카드</td><td>ti-meo-ni ka-deu</td><td>T-money card</td></tr> <tr><td>충전</td><td>chung-jeon</td><td>Recharge / top up</td></tr> <tr><td>잔액</td><td>jan-aek</td><td>Remaining balance</td></tr> <tr><td>교통카드</td><td>gyo-tong-ka-deu</td><td>Transportation card</td></tr> <tr><td>찍다</td><td>jjik-da</td><td>To tap / scan (the card)</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>Nicolas's tip:</strong> Say <strong>충전해 주세요</strong> (chung-jeon-hae ju-se-yo) at a convenience store to recharge your card. The automatic machines in the subway are also very easy to use.</p> <h2>Taking the Bus — 버스 타기</h2> <p>Seoul's bus network is vast and well-organized by color:</p> <table> <tr><th>Color</th><th>Korean</th><th>Type</th></tr> <tr><td>🔵 Blue</td><td>간선버스 (gan-seon-beo-seu)</td><td>Main long-distance routes</td></tr> <tr><td>🟢 Green</td><td>지선버스 (ji-seon-beo-seu)</td><td>Local / neighborhood routes</td></tr> <tr><td>🔴 Red</td><td>광역버스 (gwang-yeok-beo-seu)</td><td>Express to suburbs</td></tr> <tr><td>🟡 Yellow</td><td>순환버스 (sun-hwan-beo-seu)</td><td>Circular downtown routes</td></tr> </table> <h3>Useful Bus Phrases</h3> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>정류장</td><td>jeong-ryu-jang</td><td>Bus stop</td></tr> <tr><td>다음 정류장</td><td>da-eum jeong-ryu-jang</td><td>Next stop</td></tr> <tr><td>내리다</td><td>nae-ri-da</td><td>To get off</td></tr> <tr><td>타다</td><td>ta-da</td><td>To get on (a vehicle)</td></tr> <tr><td>앞문</td><td>ap-mun</td><td>Front door</td></tr> <tr><td>뒷문</td><td>dwit-mun</td><td>Back door</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>Practical tip:</strong> When boarding, tap your T-money at the front door (앞문). When getting off, tap again at the back door (뒷문). If you don't tap when exiting, the free transfer to the subway or another bus won't work!</p> <h2>Taking a Taxi — 택시 타기</h2> <p>Taxis in Korea are affordable and easy to find. In recent years, <strong>카카오택시</strong> (Kakao Taxi) has revolutionized the way people take taxis. It's the Korean equivalent of Uber, but used by absolutely everyone here.</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>택시 타다</td><td>taek-si ta-da</td><td>To take a taxi</td></tr> <tr><td>기사님</td><td>gi-sa-nim</td><td>Driver (polite form)</td></tr> <tr><td>목적지</td><td>mok-jeok-ji</td><td>Destination</td></tr> <tr><td>미터기</td><td>mi-teo-gi</td><td>Meter (taximeter)</td></tr> <tr><td>요금</td><td>yo-geum</td><td>Fare / price</td></tr> <tr><td>여기서 세워 주세요</td><td>yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-se-yo</td><td>Please stop here</td></tr> <tr><td>카드로 할게요</td><td>ka-deu-ro hal-ge-yo</td><td>I'll pay by card</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>My experience:</strong> The phrase I use the most is <strong>여기서 세워 주세요</strong> — "Please stop here." Simple and effective. And the good news is that almost all taxis accept card payment now.</p> <h2>The KTX — Korea's High-Speed Train</h2> <p>The <strong>KTX</strong> (Korea Train Express) is Korea's high-speed train. It connects Seoul to Busan in just 2.5 hours! It's the best way to travel between Korea's major cities.</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>KTX</td><td>ke-i-ti-ek-seu</td><td>High-speed train</td></tr> <tr><td>기차역</td><td>gi-cha-yeok</td><td>Train station</td></tr> <tr><td>서울역</td><td>seo-ul-yeok</td><td>Seoul Station</td></tr> <tr><td>표</td><td>pyo</td><td>Ticket</td></tr> <tr><td>편도</td><td>pyeon-do</td><td>One-way</td></tr> <tr><td>왕복</td><td>wang-bok</td><td>Round trip</td></tr> <tr><td>좌석</td><td>jwa-seok</td><td>Seat</td></tr> <tr><td>창가석</td><td>chang-ga-seok</td><td>Window seat</td></tr> <tr><td>통로석</td><td>tong-no-seok</td><td>Aisle seat</td></tr> <tr><td>자유석</td><td>ja-yu-seok</td><td>Unreserved seat</td></tr> </table> <p>You can book using the <strong>코레일</strong> (Korail) app or go directly to the counter. Make sure to book early during holidays like 추석 ([Chuseok](/en/blog/chuseok-korea-s-harvest-festival-traditions-food-and-expressions)) or 설날 ([Seollal](/en/blog/seollal-everything-about-korean-new-year)), or you won't find any seats!</p> <h2>Practical Transport Phrases</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>…에 어떻게 가요?</td><td>…e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?</td><td>How do I get to …?</td></tr> <tr><td>얼마예요?</td><td>eol-ma-ye-yo?</td><td>How much is it?</td></tr> <tr><td>얼마나 걸려요?</td><td>eol-ma-na geol-ryeo-yo?</td><td>How long does it take?</td></tr> <tr><td>이 버스 …에 가요?</td><td>i beo-seu …e ga-yo?</td><td>Does this bus go to …?</td></tr> <tr><td>갈아타야 해요?</td><td>ga-ra-ta-ya hae-yo?</td><td>Do I need to transfer?</td></tr> <tr><td>길을 잃었어요</td><td>gi-reul il-eo-sseo-yo</td><td>I'm lost</td></tr> </table> <p>Navigating Korean transportation is an excellent daily vocabulary exercise. Every trip is a learning opportunity!</p> <p>🚀 <strong>Want to master everyday Korean?</strong> <a href="/en/signup">Sign up on Seonsaengnim</a> to learn Korean with interactive lessons and a teacher available 24/7!</p>