Using Buses and Subways in Korea

Mastering Korean public transportation, specifically buses and subways, is crucial for navigating cities efficiently. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases to help you confidently use the bus and subway systems throughout Korea, covering everything from purchasing fares to asking for directions and understanding common announcements.

Core Expressions

This section introduces the fundamental verbs for using buses and subways.

• Expression: 버스 타다 / 지하철 타다
  Pronunciation: beoseu tada / jihacheol tada
  Meaning: To ride the bus / To ride the subway
• Expression: 버스에서 내리다 / 지하철에서 내리다
  Pronunciation: beoseueseo naerida / jihacheoreseo naerida
  Meaning: To get off the bus / To get off the subway

Basic Transportation Phrases

These are general phrases applicable to both bus and subway travel.

• Expression: 교통카드 충전해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo.
  Meaning: Please charge my transportation card.
• Expression: 어디에서 타요?
  Pronunciation: eodieseo tayo?
  Meaning: Where do I ride/get on?
• Expression: 어디에서 내려요?
  Pronunciation: eodieseo naeryeoyo?
  Meaning: Where do I get off?
• Expression: 이 버스/지하철 [장소] 가요?
  Pronunciation: i beoseu/jihacheol [jangso] gayo?
  Meaning: Does this bus/subway go to [Place]?
• Expression: 요금이 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: yogeumi eolmayeyo?
  Meaning: How much is the fare?
• Expression: 다음 정류장/역은 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: daeum jeongnyujang/yeogeun eodiyeyo?
  Meaning: What is the next stop/station?
• Expression: 여기서 내려 주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeogiseo naeryeo juseyo.
  Meaning: Please let me off here. (More common for buses)
• Expression: 환승해야 해요?
  Pronunciation: hwanseunghaeya haeyo?
  Meaning: Do I need to transfer?
• Expression: 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?
  Pronunciation: myeot beon chulguro nagaya haeyo?
  Meaning: Which exit number should I take? (Subway)
• Expression: 노선도를 볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: noseondoreul bol su isseulkkayo?
  Meaning: Can I see the route map?
• Expression: 시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
  Pronunciation: sigani eolmana geollyeoyo?
  Meaning: How long does it take?
• Expression: 막차가 몇 시예요?
  Pronunciation: makchaga myeot siyeyo?
  Meaning: What time is the last bus/train?

Bus-Specific Expressions

Use these phrases when navigating the bus system.

• Expression: 몇 번 버스를 타야 해요?
  Pronunciation: myeot beon beoseureul taya haeyo?
  Meaning: Which bus number should I take?
• Expression: 이 버스 [정류장 이름]에 서요?
  Pronunciation: i beoseu [jeongnyujang ireum]e seoyo?
  Meaning: Does this bus stop at [Bus Stop Name]?
• Expression: 버스 정류장이 어디에 있어요?
  Pronunciation: beoseu jeongnyujangi eodie isseoyo?
  Meaning: Where is the bus stop?
• Expression: [장소] 가려면 어디서 내려야 해요?
  Pronunciation: [jangso] garyeomyeon eodiseo naeryeoya haeyo?
  Meaning: Where should I get off to go to [Place]?
• Expression: 하차 벨을 누르다
  Pronunciation: hacha bereul nureuda
  Meaning: To press the stop bell
• Expression: 잔돈 있으세요?
  Pronunciation: jandon isseuseyo?
  Meaning: Do you have change? (When paying cash)
• Expression: 카드를 찍어 주세요.
  Pronunciation: kadeureul jjigeo juseyo.
  Meaning: Please tap the card. (Instruction often given by driver)
• Expression: 앞문으로 타세요.
  Pronunciation: ammun euro taseyo.
  Meaning: Please board through the front door.
• Expression: 뒷문으로 내리세요.
  Pronunciation: dwinmun euro naeriseyo.
  Meaning: Please exit through the back door.
• Expression: 이 정류장 지나쳤나요?
  Pronunciation: i jeongnyujang jinachyeonayo?
  Meaning: Did we pass this stop?
• Expression: 버스가 언제 와요?
  Pronunciation: beoseuga eonje wayo?
  Meaning: When does the bus come?
• Expression: 배차 간격이 어떻게 돼요?
  Pronunciation: baecha gangyeogi eotteoke dwaeyo?
  Meaning: What is the bus frequency/interval?

Subway-Specific Expressions

Use these phrases when navigating the subway system.

• Expression: 지하철역이 어디에 있어요?
  Pronunciation: jihacheollyeogi eodie isseoyo?
  Meaning: Where is the subway station?
• Expression: 몇 호선을 타야 해요?
  Pronunciation: myeot hoseoneul taya haeyo?
  Meaning: Which subway line should I take?
• Expression: [역 이름]으로 가려면 어디서 갈아타야 해요?
  Pronunciation: [yeok ireum]euro garyeomyeon eodiseo garataya haeyo?
  Meaning: Where do I need to transfer to go to [Station Name]?
• Expression: 어느 방향으로 가야 해요?
  Pronunciation: eoneu banghyangeuro gaya haeyo?
  Meaning: Which direction should I go?
• Expression: 승강장이 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: seunggangjangi eodiyeyo?
  Meaning: Where is the platform?
• Expression: 표 사는 곳이 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: pyo saneun gosi eodiyeyo?
  Meaning: Where can I buy a ticket?
• Expression: 1회용 교통카드
  Pronunciation: ilhoeyong gyotongkadeu
  Meaning: Single-journey ticket
• Expression: 보증금 환급기
  Pronunciation: bojeunggeum hwangeupgi
  Meaning: Deposit refund machine (for single-journey tickets)
• Expression: 급행열차예요?
  Pronunciation: geupaengyeolchayeyo?
  Meaning: Is this an express train?
• Expression: 이번 역은 [역 이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: ibeon yeogeun [yeok ireum]imnida.
  Meaning: This station is [Station Name]. (Common announcement)
• Expression: 내리실 문은 오른쪽/왼쪽입니다.
  Pronunciation: naerisil muneun oreunjjok/oenjjogimnida.
  Meaning: The doors will open on your right/left. (Common announcement)
• Expression: 열차 도착 예정 시간
  Pronunciation: yeolcha dochak yejeong sigan
  Meaning: Estimated train arrival time

Asking for Help

Phrases to use when you need assistance or are lost.

• Expression: 실례합니다, 말씀 좀 묻겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: sillyehamnida, malsseum jom mutgesseumnida.
  Meaning: Excuse me, may I ask you something?
• Expression: 도와주실 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: dowajusil su isseoyo?
  Meaning: Can you help me?
• Expression: 길을 잃었어요.
  Pronunciation: gireul ireosseoyo.
  Meaning: I’m lost.
• Expression: [장소]에 어떻게 가는지 아세요?
  Pronunciation: [jangso]e eotteoke ganeunji aseyo?
  Meaning: Do you know how to get to [Place]?
• Expression: 이 주소로 가려면 어떻게 해야 해요?
  Pronunciation: i jusoro garyeomyeon eotteoke haeya haeyo?
  Meaning: How do I get to this address?
• Expression: 가장 가까운 지하철역/버스 정류장이 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: gajang gakkaun jihacheollyeok/beoseu jeongnyujangi eodiyeyo?
  Meaning: Where is the nearest subway station/bus stop?
• Expression: 죄송하지만, 한국말 잘 못해요.
  Pronunciation: joesonghajiman, hangungmal jal motaeyo.
  Meaning: I’m sorry, I don’t speak Korean well.
• Expression: 영어 할 수 있으세요?
  Pronunciation: yeongeo hal su isseuseyo?
  Meaning: Can you speak English?
• Expression: 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: cheoncheonhi malsseumhae jusigesseoyo?
  Meaning: Could you please speak slowly?
• Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: dasi hanbeon malsseumhae jusigesseoyo?
  Meaning: Could you please say that again?
• Expression: 감사합니다!
  Pronunciation: gamsahamnida!
  Meaning: Thank you!
• Expression: 정말 도움이 됐어요.
  Pronunciation: jeongmal doumi dwaesseoyo.
  Meaning: That was really helpful.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding these cultural points enhances your public transport experience.

• T-Money Card: The most common way to pay for buses and subways is using a rechargeable transportation card like T-Money (티머니) or Cashbee (캐시비). You can buy and recharge these at convenience stores and subway stations. Tapping the card upon entry and exit (for subways and some buses) is standard.
• Transfers: Using a transportation card often allows for free or discounted transfers between buses and subways (or between different bus lines) within a specific time limit (usually 30 minutes). Remember to tap your card when exiting the first mode of transport and entering the second.
• Priority Seating: Buses and subways have designated seats (노약자석 – noyakjaseok) for the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and passengers with young children. These are usually marked with different colors or signs. It’s considered polite for younger, able-bodied passengers to avoid these seats or offer them if needed.
• Quiet Etiquette: While not always silent, Koreans generally avoid loud conversations or phone calls on public transport, especially during commute hours. Eating or drinking is also generally discouraged.
• Bus Boarding/Exiting: Typically, you board buses through the front door and tap your card, and exit through the middle or back door. For subways, wait for passengers to exit before boarding.

Real Conversation Example

This example shows how to ask for directions using the subway.

• Situation: A tourist needs help finding the right subway platform to get to Myeongdong Station.

• Roles:

  • A: Tourist
  • B: Local Korean

• Expression: A: 실례합니다, 명동역에 가려면 몇 호선을 타야 해요?
  Pronunciation: sillyehamnida, myeongdongyeoge garyeomyeon myeot hoseoneul taya haeyo?
  Meaning: Excuse me, which line should I take to get to Myeongdong Station?

• Expression: B: 아, 명동역은 4호선이에요. 이쪽으로 가시면 돼요.
  Pronunciation: a, myeongdongyeogeun sahoseonieyo. ijjogeuro gasimyeon dwaeyo.
  Meaning: Ah, Myeongdong Station is on Line 4. You should go this way.
• Expression: A: 감사합니다! 여기서 타는 거 맞죠?
  Pronunciation: gamsahamnida! yeogiseo taneun geo matjyo?
  Meaning: Thank you! Is this the right place to board?
• Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 저기 파란색 4호선 표지판 보이시죠? 저쪽 방향으로 타시면 됩니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, majayo. jeogi paransaek sahoseon pyojipan boisijyo? jeojjok banghyangeuro tasimyeon doemnida.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s right. See that blue Line 4 sign over there? You should board in that direction.
• Expression: A: 아, 네. 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
  Pronunciation: a, ne. algesseumnida. jeongmal gamsahamnida!
  Meaning: Ah, yes. I understand. Thank you so much!
• Expression: B: 아니에요. 조심히 가세요.
  Pronunciation: anieyo. josimhi gaseyo.
  Meaning: You’re welcome. Travel safely.

Practice Tips

Using public transport is the best way to practice these phrases~! Try buying a T-money card and taking short bus or subway trips. Don’t be afraid to ask station staff or locals for help using the expressions you’ve learned. Listen carefully to announcements on the bus and subway – you’ll start recognizing station names and directions! Good luck navigating Korea! 화이팅! (Fighting!)