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Seoul Transport MISTAKES Tourists Make And How to Avoid Them!

GAMJA IN SEOUL

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Feeling overwhelmed by Seoul's complex public transport? This is the guide you'll need to navigate the subway and bus system with total confidence! Forget the confusion—we're going to make it simple.

In this in-depth 2025 guide, I'll walk you through everything a traveler needs to know about Seoul's public transportation. We cover the top mistakes tourists make, from the confusing parts of the Seoul subway (like express trains and finding the right exit) to the unwritten rules of the bus (like pressing the stop button and tapping off the bus). Plus, we do a deep dive into the payment system: explaining the 'cash only' rule for T-money, demystifying the WOWPASS, and showing you exactly how to get your money back before you fly home.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these local tips will help you master getting around Seoul efficiently and stress-free.

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⬇️ *TIMESTAMPS / VIDEO CHAPTERS* ⬇️

*00:00 - Intro: The Only Guide You'll Need*

*00:31 - PART 1: The Cards - Your Key to the City*
00:41 - T-money vs. WOWPASS: Which to Choose?
00:50 - The "Cash Only" Rule Explained
01:21 - PRO-TIP: How Much Cash to Budget (about $4.25 per day!)
01:47 - WOWPASS Explained: The Two Wallets
02:20 - How to Get a T-money Refund
02:44 - Why You MUST Avoid Single-Journey Tickets

*03:05 - PART 2: Mastering the Subway*
03:13 - Finding the Right Platform & Direction
03:36 - Example: Magongnaru Station (Subway Line 9) [03:36]
04:19 - Express vs. All-Stop Trains
04:44 - The Secret to Finding the Right Subway Exit

*05:19 - PART 3: Conquering the Bus*
05:30 - How to Signal & Stop the Bus
05:58 - Sidewalk vs. Center Lane Stops
06:21 - The Golden Rule: Always Tap Off!

*06:36 - PART 4: Etiquette & Pro-Tips*
06:44 - The Unwritten Rule of Priority Seating
06:55 - Why You Shouldn't Bring Luggage on Public Transport
07:11 - Last Train Times & Using the Night Bus

*07:27 - Final Summary & Recap*

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👋 COME SAY HI!
Instagram: Instagram: gamja_maltichi
Business Inquiries: gamjainseoul@gmail.com

Welcome to GAMJA IN SEOUL! I'm your host, and along with my puppy Gamja, we're here to share the best of Korea with you. From virtual tours to local tips, we're excited to have you on our journey!

Did you find this video helpful? If so, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to GAMJA IN SEOUL for more Korea travel tips and adventures!

#gamjainseoul #koreatraveltips #seoultravel #koreatravelguide #seoulsubway #seoultransfer #tmoney #seoulbus #korea #seoul #visitkorea #visitseoul #southkorea #explorekorea #seoulguide

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20 Comments

@christinavilla6792 7 months ago

Thank you so much for these videos. You are the only Korean travel content creator who actually explains the systems or isn't trying to sell you stuff. You definitely deserve more subscribers.

@SparkzMxzXZ 1 year ago

Omg this is the first time i’m getting info on whether or not it’s common to wave at drivers to tell them you wanna board. I always just stand awkwardly and stare at the driver hahah because no one else seems to wave them down. Now i know it’s ok to wave at the drivers

@przemowu4168 7 months ago

This is the best guide I've ever seen on the Internet.

@gaver9448 1 year ago

thank you, very useful video. Will be in Seoul later this week

@rl7653 1 month ago

very good, thank you!!

@Botanaparasiempre 1 year ago

Very useful video, I will definitly comeback to this video once I arrive in Korea, thanks!

@jizhang3518 6 months ago

Most practical travel videos for Seoul. Thank you

@rmorales9713 5 months ago

Very helpful video. Thank u!!

@NM-mn21 5 months ago

Very helpful - thank you.

@victorlanced780 5 months ago

Excellent video. Plain instructions with no fluff 👏

@pledisboss 11 months ago

Dude youre awesome for making these hahaha. Thanks!

@peternole5083 11 months ago

So helpful! Thank you.

@jdocster 1 year ago

This is a very helpful and informative video. Thank you so much for watching out for the foreign travelers! I'll see you within the next year 🙂 thanks again.

@judithrmn6685 6 months ago

Thank you so much from France! I’m planning to go to South Korea in November, and you’re the only one who explains all these useful things before arrival. It’s very helpful and reassuring.
Do you have a website with articles or tips about South Korea, or anything like that?
Also, could you make a video with some useful Korean phrases for traveling in South Korea, as well as good manners to follow in the country?
I’m pretty comfortable with Japan, but not at all with South Korea, and I don’t want to make mistakes or be awkward with locals.
Thanks again, and see you!

@deb4908 5 months ago

I love the metro in Seoul but because of the number of times I’ve accidentally gone the wrong way, I now always check the name of the next station on the sign above the doors once I get to the platform and compare it with the info on Naver Map. Another thing to check is the walking distance between lines when transferring; it can be several minutes and several stairs/escalators

@Nick-gu2xb 4 months ago (edited)

Add your T-Money card to your phone wallet. No need to top up using cash or vending machines anymore!

@walterstaa 11 months ago

What kind of maps application could be use to support our travelling?

@hugo12go 8 months ago

I don't think the system is very complicated. But I do find some stations like Singil, it's not clear which platform I need to go to compared to normal stations. I wish that the platforms had numbers and I could check on Naver or Kakao Maps and see which number platform the train I need to catch is leaving from clearly. Also, limited stop trains can be confusing if you don't know to look out for them.

@kr0705 4 days ago (edited)

I am still confused: What’s the advantage of having T-money over a WOW pass? Can you load a T money card with your international credit card or do you have to use cash for it as well?

@oezcancilingir6001 11 months ago

Thanks for the helpful video! I’ll be visiting soon with my family and a stroller — do you know if most metro stations have elevators, or if there are certain exits that are better for strollers?