Seoul Travel guide_How to use the subway

How to Use the Subway

A subway map is usually located above the ticket window (see right). Most subway maps are written in both Korean and English. The numbers next to the name of each station on the map indicate the subway fare for the destination from the present station. Simply tell the worker behind the ticket window your destination, and they will issue you the appropriate ticket. The yellow box next to the ticket window contains free subway maps that you can take and keep. Some subway stations do not provide free subway maps. Subway fares are as below (foreign currency is not accepted at subway ticket windows, so please prepare Korean won). Seoul Subway Fares Base fare for 12km 19 years and older 13-18 years old 7-12 years old Transportation Card 900 Won 720 Won 450 Won Cash 1,000 Won 1,000 Won 450 Won - Free for children 6 years or younger. - For total distances exceeding 10 kilometers, the charge is 100 won for each additional 5 kilometers. - For total distances exceeding 40 kilometers, the charge is 100 won for each additional 10 kilometers. - For journeys outside Seoul, the charge is 100 won for each additional 5 kilometers and 100 won for each additional 10 kilometers if the total trip exceeds 35 kilometers.

How to Purchase Single Journey Ticket Cards  In order to use the subway systems in the metropolitan areas, you must first purchase a single journey ticket card from one of the “Ticket Vending and Reload Device” located inside the subway station.  The single journey ticket cards can only be used on the subway and cannot be used in buses or taxis. • How to Use the Single Journey Ticket Cards 1.  At the ticket vending machine, select your destination (rates will differ depending on your destination) 2.  To receive your single journey ticket card, you will also need to pay a 500won deposit. 3.  To enter the subway, look for the subway turnstiles with the little green arrow, as the ones with indicated with a red 'X' are for passengers passing through in the opposite direction. Place your card on the electronic card reader (which says T-money), located on the right side of the turnstile, and pass through. 4.  After you arrive at your destination, check which is the best exit for you, and walk through the subway turnstiles, placing your single journey card on the electronic card reader on your right-hand side once again. 5.  Make sure you return your single journey ticket card to the “Deposit Refund Device” to receive your 500 won deposit back. <Tip 1> On the first screen, you can select "ENG" for English.  If you need to transfer to a different subway line on your journey, make sure you follow the signs in the subway station to get to the other line.  When transferring, you do not need to pass through a turnstile, and you will not need to purchase another card.

	How to Purchase Transportation Card The most frequently used transportation card is the ‘T-money Card.’ It is available for purchase at ticket windows of subway stations or at convenience stores and vendor kiosks that post a ‘T-money’ signboard. By using the T-money Card, instead of cash, the card user can get an approximately 10% discount on the regular fare. The price of the T-money Card is 2,500 won, and the card can be easily recharged for amounts ranging from 1,000 won to 90,000 won. In particular, the deluxe type card offers mileage points based on total fare paid. For detailed information visit the webpage for transportation card information.
	• How to Use the Automated Travel Card Recharging Machine in a Subway Station
	The Automated Travel Card Recharging Machine installed in most subway stations is convenient to use because of its clearly labeled numbers displayed on the orange colored screen. It is really easy to recharge the card when following the simple steps. 1. Place the T-money card on the money insert slot numbered 1 as shown in the photo. 2. Check the balance shown on the first row of the black liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. 3. Press the button of your choice. There are 8 options of varying monetary amounts: 1,000 won, 2,000 won, 3,000 won, 5,000 won, 10,000 won, 20,000 won, 30,000 won, and 50,000 won. 4. The machine will confirm the amount before charging and display it on the second row of the black LCD screen, 5. Insert money. Only 1,000 won, 5,000 won, and 10,000 won denominations are accepted. In 2007, the Korean Government issued new bills with sizes smaller than that of old bills. Although almost every automated machine was adjusted to accept the new bills, it is still best to insert the bill as close to the left side of the money insert slot as possible when you insert the new bill into the travel card recharging machine. 6. When the money is inserted, the bottom row of the black LCD screen will show the new balance (old balance + amount of newly charged money). Note that the amount of money shown on the black LCD screen (upper right side of the photo) stands for the money you inserted for recharging.

Description of signs in the subway
(1) Exits
(2) Transfer points
The color coding system of the subway makes for a convenient ride. If one needs to transfer to the number 7 line, all one has to do is follow the dark green line and you are there before you know it. The arrows on the signs, along with the colors, will easily guide you in the appropriate direction.

(3) The subway line colors

(4) The maps as shown inside the subway station
	* The above information may be altered.		The exit numbers are circled and highlighted in yellow. The red circle alerts you to your current location. These maps are extremely helpful and will help you find the proper exit with ease. You can find these maps located near every stairwell.

How to Use Subway Locker

Almost every station of the Seoul Metro's lines 1 through 4 is equipped with the most advanced locker system called ‘easy locker.’ These yellow colored lockers are truly multi-functional in that they provide not only luggage storage service but also receiving/shipping services for home delivered or registered mail and quick delivered parcel, and even laundry service. The most helpful service for foreign tourists is supposed to be the luggage storage service, but unfortunately it is not currently available for coin purchase. Payments can be made only through the deluxe type T-money card (costs 2,500 won), credit card, or cell phone. Since foreign tourists are not expected to make a payment through a cell phone, the only payment methods left are: T-money Card and credit card. • Locker Usage Fee 1. Luggage storage: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours) 2. Home delivered parcel pick-up: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hour) 3. Home delivered parcel storage: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours) 4. Transfer to another station and storage: 5,000 won/box (based on small box, less than 10Kg) 5. Long-term exclusive use: 100,000 won/month (based on large box) 6. Registered mail pick-up: Free (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours)

How to Store Luggage

• 1. LCD screen that displays all the ongoing processes for storage and pick-up • 2. T-money Card payment • 3. Credit card payment • 4. Receipt pick-up slot • 5. CCTV video recording window How to Store Luggage into the Locker in Featured Photo 1. Press the upper button ‘Storage’ from the two blue buttons displayed on the LCD screen. 2, Click the first button ‘Luggage storage' (pick-up in person) that is displayed on the upper left side of the screen. 3. When the numbers of the locker that are available for storage come up on the screen, touch the number of the locker of your choice with your finger. The number of the locker you chose will be displayed on the screen. Then, touch the ‘Confirm’ button that is displayed on the bottom right side of the screen. 4, Then the ‘locker usage fee payment’ sign comes up on the screen. The first row will show the daily storage fee 1,200 won (for small box), and then three-payment option buttons. They are T-money card, credit card, and cell phone from the left to the right side of the row. For foreign tourists, only T-money Card and credit card are available for payment. Click the button of your choice (i.e. click the T-money Card button on the left side). 5. The screen will display where to place the T-money Card for payment in a red circle. 6. In order to complete the transaction, place the T-money Card on the designated place (shown on the right side of the photo). Then the door of your locker will be open. Pick up and place your luggage on the place where the red laser indicates, and then close the door. You will find the receipt in the receipt pick-up slot (shown on the left side of the photo). The receipt contains information on the location of locker, the date and time of storage, payment method. Keep your receipt with you at all times, preferably in a secure area. * In order to pick up your luggage, you need to bring the T-money Card or the credit card that you used for payment. Be careful not to lose it. How to Pick-up Luggage Press the ‘Pick-up' (찾기) button out of two blue buttons on the bottom. → The screen will ask you what kind of payment method you will be using. If your payment method was the T-money Card, press the ‘T-money Card’ button displayed on the left side of the screen, then press the 'Confirm' (확인) button displayed on the left side out of three blue buttons on the bottom. → Place your T-money Card on the T-money Card Reader located on the lower part of the machine. → When the door of your locker is open, pick up your luggage.

from Korea Tourism Organization page