Phrases for the subway and bus

Ask 이 열차 ○○ 가요? (i yeolcha ○○ gayo, "Does this train go to ○○?"). For a bus, say 이 버스 ○○ 가요? (i beoseu ○○ gayo). If you're unsure which platform to use, ask ○○ 가려면 어느 쪽에서 타요? (○○ garyeomyeon eoneu jjogeseo tayo, "Which side do I board from to go to ○○?").

Subway lines use Sino-Korean numbers plus 호선 (hoseon): 일 호선 (il hoseon, Line 1), 이 호선 (i hoseon, Line 2). To ask which line to take, say 몇 호선 타요? (myeot hoseon tayo). Each line has its own color, so following the colors on station signs makes navigation much easier.

The words are 갈아타다 (garatada) and 환승하다 (hwanseunghada), both meaning "to transfer." Ask 어디서 갈아타요? (eodiseo garatayo, "Where do I transfer?") to find the transfer station. When announcements say 갈아타실 분은 (garatasil buneun, "those transferring"), listen closely for transfer information.

Yes. In Korea, you usually tap your transit card both when boarding and when getting off the bus. In many areas, tapping out is required to receive the transfer discount. Tap the reader by the rear door and listen for the beep. Rules vary by region, so check local transit information for details.

Ask 다음 역이 어디예요? (daeum yeogi eodiyeyo, "What's the next station?"). To find out how many stops are left, ask ○○까지 몇 정거장 남았어요? (○○kkaji myeot jeonggeojang namasseoyo, "How many stops until ○○?"). Screens and announcements inside the train also show the upcoming station name.

이번 역은 ○○역입니다 (ibeon yeogeun ○○yeogimnida) means "This station is ○○." 내리실 문은 오른쪽입니다 (naerisil muneun oreunjjogimnida) means "The doors will open on the right." Seoul subway announcements are often given in English as well as Korean, and some lines add Chinese and Japanese.

Say 내릴게요 (naerilgeyo, "I'm getting off") or 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo, "Excuse me") as you move toward the door. 죄송합니다, 내릴게요 (joesonghamnida, naerilgeyo) is even more polite. If you're standing by the door, stepping out briefly to let others off and then getting back on is considered good manners.

노약자석 (noyakjaseok) are seats for elderly people, people with disabilities and others who need them, usually at the ends of each car. The pink seats labeled 임산부 배려석 (imsanbu baeryeoseok) are for pregnant passengers. Even when these seats are empty, most people leave them free unless they qualify.

막차 (makcha) is the last train or bus of the day, and 첫차 (cheotcha) is the first. Ask 막차 몇 시예요? (makcha myeot siyeyo, "What time is the last train?") to check. Times differ by line and day of the week, so confirm with station signs or a transit app, especially on weekends and holidays.

Ask 버스 정류장 어디예요? (beoseu jeongnyujang eodiyeyo, "Where's the bus stop?"). To find a specific bus, ask ○번 버스 어디서 타요? (○beon beoseu eodiseo tayo, "Where do I catch bus number ○?"). Many stops have signs showing the stop name, the bus numbers that stop there and estimated arrival times.

Press one of the stop buttons on the poles or near the seats as your stop approaches. If no one presses it, the bus may skip the stop. If you miss it, call out 내릴게요 (naerilgeyo, "I'm getting off") to the driver. For safety, wait until the bus has fully stopped before standing up.

Say 반대 방향으로 탔어요 (bandae banghyangeuro tasseoyo, "I took it in the wrong direction"). On the subway, get off at the next station and cross to the opposite platform, though at some stations you may need to exit through the gates first. If unsure, ask staff 반대쪽은 어떻게 가요? (bandaejjogeun eotteoke gayo).

급행 (geupaeng) is an express train that stops only at certain stations, while 일반 (ilban) trains stop at every station. Taking an express could carry you past your stop, so ask 이거 ○○역 서요? (igeo ○○yeok seoyo, "Does this stop at ○○ Station?"). Platform signs often mark express trains in red or with 급행.

It's called a 교통카드 (gyotongkadeu), a rechargeable card used on subways and buses. You can buy one at convenience stores, while some station machines only handle top-ups. If your balance is low, the reader will say 잔액이 부족합니다 (janaegi bujokamnida, "Insufficient balance"). Some station machines also accept foreign cards for buying tickets or topping up, so check on site.

정거장 (jeonggeojang) is used to count stops or stations. Ask ○○까지 몇 정거장 가요? (○○kkaji myeot jeonggeojang gayo, "How many stops to ○○?"). The answer usually comes with native numbers, such as 세 정거장이요 (se jeonggeojangiyo, "Three stops"). Counting stops on the map as you ride helps you stay on track.

Ask ○○ 가려면 몇 번 출구로 나가요? (○○ garyeomyeon myeot beon chulguro nagayo, "Which exit do I take for ○○?"). Signs inside the station list nearby buildings and attractions for each exit number. Taking the wrong exit can mean a long walk around, so check before going up to street level.

A 마을버스 (maeulbeoseu) is a small neighborhood bus that runs short routes through residential streets and around subway stations. It connects hilly or residential areas that larger buses don't reach. You can usually pay with a transit card and transfer to other buses or the subway. Check local transit information for specific rules.

Seoul Subway Line 2 runs in a loop, so trains go in two directions: inner circle (내선순환, naeseon sunhwan) and outer circle (외선순환, oeseon sunhwan). Platforms usually indicate direction by major stations, such as 시청 방면 (sicheong banmyeon, toward City Hall). Some branch lines of Line 2 do not loop.

Say 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo, "Please help me") or 여쭤볼 게 있어요 (yeojjwobol ge isseoyo, "I have a question"). You'll find staff at the station office or customer service center near the ticket gates. They can help when your card won't work or if you've left something on the train.

Tell station staff 지하철에 물건을 두고 내렸어요 (jihacheore mulgeoneul dugo naeryeosseoyo, "I left something on the subway"). Remembering the time you rode, which car you were in and the direction helps them search. You can also report or look up lost items on the police's Police Civil Service 24 (경찰민원24), which took over the LOST112 lost-and-found service in January 2026.