Day 2 : How to Get Around Seoul as a First-Time Visitor

How to Get Around Seoul as a First-Time Visitor
(A Local’s Honest Guide to Surviving the Subway and Beyond)

Let me guess. You just landed in Seoul, probably running on airplane coffee and three hours of sleep. You stepped outside Incheon Airport and saw your first sign written entirely in Korean — and maybe had a small panic attack.

Totally normal.

You’re not alone. We’ve all been there — standing in front of a subway map, squinting at those colorful lines like they’re part of a secret code.

But here’s the good news: getting around Seoul isn’t just manageable — it’s kinda fun once you get the hang of it.

And this isn’t one of those sterile “official” guides. I live here. I’ve missed buses, taken the wrong train line (more than once), and I still get confused at Express Bus Terminal (you’ll see). So here’s the real deal — unfiltered, unglossed — on how to move around Seoul like you belong here.

How to Get Around Seoul as a First-Time Visitor

💡 Still confused about those colorful subway lines or which bus to take? Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered.
These links saved me more than once (and probably will for you too):
→ Official Subway Map (Seoul Metro)
→ KakaoMetro App – My ride-or-die
→ Visit Korea’s Transportation Page

📍 Missed Day 1? That’s where the journey begins — with sizzling street food and cultural flavors.
➤ [Click here for Day 1: 5 Korean Street Foods You Shouldn’t Miss]

Anguk Station, Seoul, Korea

🚇 The Seoul Subway: Overwhelming, Then Weirdly Comforting

It’s clean. It’s fast. It’s almost TOO efficient.

At first, Seoul’s subway might feel like a maze. But give it two rides — by your third, you’ll be switching lines like a local.

What You Actually Need (No fluff):

* T-Money Card: Buy one at a 7-Eleven or GS25. Don’t overthink it.
* KakaoMetro: It’s the app that works. Google Maps? Just... no.

There are 20+ lines, sure, but here’s a trick: most of the time, you’ll only use four. Line 2 (green), Line 4 (blue), Line 3 (orange), and the Airport Express.

Pro tip: Red seats = not for you. They’re reserved for elderly or pregnant people, and trust me, you will be silently judged if you forget.

Don't get lost in the information I give you.

🚌  Buses: Slightly Chaotic but Weirdly Addictive

I’ll be honest. The first time I got on a Seoul bus, I had no idea what I was doing. I just tapped my card, grabbed a handle, and hoped for the best. And somehow, it worked.

Buses in Seoul are color-coded:

* Blue: Cross-district, long-haul routes.
* Green: Neighborhood/local connections.
* Yellow: Circular routes around specific areas.
* Red: Suburban express buses (great for airport runs).

Yellow, blue, red, green

You tap your T-Money card when you get on. And again when you get off — don’t forget, or you’ll get charged extra. Also, hang on tight. Drivers take corners like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Seoul Drift.

Why take the bus?

* It goes places the subway doesn’t.
* You’ll see more of the city — from riverside views to local markets.
* It’s more... human. People talk, sleep, argue, laugh. It’s messy in the best way.

🚶‍♂️ Walking: The Underrated Seoul Experience

Nobody talks about how walkable Seoul is. But honestly? You could spend whole days on foot and still discover new corners of the same neighborhood.

Places like:

* Bukchon Hanok Village — traditional houses, city views
* Ikseon-dong — cafés in old alleyways, very aesthetic
* Seochon— grandma shops, artsy studios, hidden charm

Crosswalks here have bird sounds. The sidewalks are wide. And people don’t jaywalk. It’s peaceful. (Except for scooters. Those things sneak up on you.)

If you have a lot of money, I recommend a taxi.

🚴‍♀️ Extra Mode: Rent a Bike or a Scooter

You’ll see them. Parked everywhere. Seoul’s public bike system, **Ddareungi**, is pretty great.

You download the app. Scan a QR code. Boom — you’re riding along the Han River in ten minutes. The only catch? You’ll need a local payment method or international card that works.

E-scooters are a little trickier. Each brand has its own app. And yes, you’re supposed to wear a helmet. Will you? That’s between you and your sense of risk.

🗣 *Mini Korean Survival Kit*

These phrases? Gold.

| English              | Korean    | Pronunciation        |
| -------------------- | --------- | -------------------- |
| Where is the subway? | 지하철 어디예요? | jihacheol eodi-yeyo? |
| I’m lost.            | 길 잃었어요.   | gil il-eosseoyo      |
| Thank you            | 감사합니다     | gamsahamnida         |

You don’t need to be fluent. You just need to try. People notice.

📦 Wrap-Up: Don’t Just “Get Around” — Experience It

Seoul isn’t just another big city. The way you move through it — the transfers, the waits, the walks — is part of the adventure.

Let yourself get a little lost. Miss a stop. Ask a stranger. That’s how the best stories happen.

Welcome to Seoul. Now go catch that train.

🚶‍♀️ So now you know how to get around… but what’s it really like to live here?
In Day 3, I’m sharing the 10 things I wish someone told me before moving to Korea — the fun, the weird, and the "wait, what?" moments.
Don’t miss it. It might just save you a culture shock (or two).

🍢 Still dreaming about those street foods from Day 1?
If you haven’t read it yet, [click here to start the journey with Korea’s most unforgettable bites]